That is the question Gertrude would ask me, if I asked her for something to eat, when it was not time to eat. Interesting, answer a question with a question. But she was right to ask me if I was hungry. People do not just eat for hunger. We eat when we are bored, tired, sad, mad, happy, procrastinating, etc. If I was really hungry my stomach would be talking to me.
How hungry are you? Okay another question answered with a question. Not starving but hungry. She knew little people do not have big stomachs and needed food in-between meals. Some days I had been outside playing and was really hungry. Other times were lazy days and I was not famished.
If I was really hungry (stomach hunger), then she would give me my options. There was fruit (fresh in the summer, canned in the winter)milk, a half a sandwich. A cold baked bean sandwich was a treat, believe it or not. Maybe she would offer leftover something from the night before. ( I liked cold bread stuffing). She was not a short order cook. It had to be simple and quick. I do not remember having chips or a soda pop, or even a cookie being offered.
Before bed, hot milk with some chocolate powder (Nestle Quick) was a winner in the wintertime. Sometimes she would have fresh rhubarb without the pie. I still love rhubarb when I can get it. Strings and all.
Her home had rules, but they were sensible and still apply today. When my daughters were little, I would ask the same questions when they asked for food. Food was hunger not because there was nothing else to do.
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