How Did Our Ancestors Survive?

I am a huge fan of historical fiction.  I especially enjoy reading books about the late 1800s/early 1900s involving strong women and families of courage.  I get pulled into their worlds with wonder and amazement at how anyone could run a home without a computer, microwave, vacuum or well-stocked neighborhood grocery store. 

This weekend, I spent time watching the "Sarah, Plain and Tall" trilogy -- again.  I frequently feel the need to watch these movies, or TV shows like "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman," much to my family's dismay.  But I have to get my pioneer fix!  It boggles my mind that people survived before modern conveniences.  I ask myself over and over, "How did they do that?"  I watch in wonder as they cook huge meals, including bread, in a wood-burning stove.  I understand there is "television magic" involved, but for our ancestors, there was no such thing.

My question for you is this:  I wonder how many of us would "survive" if we were thrown into the lives of our great, great grandparents.  Could we cope in a world with horses instead of minivans?  Could we wake up before dawn to make food, milk cows, gather eggs, bake bread, chop wood, plow fields and clean barns?  I doubt I could, especially without Ibuprofen!

There are days when I spend hours in the kitchen making dinner and I have every modern appliance (including some Better Half wishes I would get rid of since I rarely use them).  I can't imagine making dinner without two ovens, a four-burner stove, a microwave with a turntable, an enormous food supply and my mother's 1980s Cuisinart food processor (which is still in mint operating condition despite it's outdated appearance).

I often try to explain to my embarrassed family where my fascination with fictional pioneers comes from.  I know it is probably driven by my love of home and family, but it is also from curiosity regarding these tireless men and women running households and farms under these conditions.  My amazement makes me want to do a better job with what I have to make my corner of the world a better place for my loved ones.