It is not necessary my own experience; I was was only 3 in 1989, at the same time it is one of those strange family story that somehow got stuck in my head. My mother, a teacher in a public elementary school was a heavy smoker. She often used government issued stamp cards to purchase her cigarettes. When they run out, she would use other cards; designated to purchases food and household products, and exchange them with her neighbours for cigarettes. This often left us with no food on the table; yet at the same time this participation in local, and ungoverned form of economic exchange allowed us to be in a community. Live and be cared for in the 'village'. Never too alone.