Not having added luxuries might mean poverty for some. As explained by her mother in “Being Country”, the Mason family was not poor because they had the ability to be self-sufficient. Acknowledging a fear of crop failure, survival was a chore. Every member of the family had to do their share in order to be successful. Planting and harvesting crops took several workers assisting in the field. Mason’s mother and granny would can the homegrown vegetable and dry apples use later when the resources were not readily available. Blackberries were in season during the summer months and they took full advantage. Selling blackberries were just another way to add to the financial support of the family. Knowing the value of the blackberries, Mason
