I read an article recently on the Duggar family. They now have 19 children, and she recently miscarried what would have been the 20th. The article suggested that the Duggars are wrong to have so many children, and that the children suffer for lack of attention, etc.
I read a separate article that described their budget. It seems that they get paid for the TV show, between 25 and 40 thousand . That was per episode or month, Im not sure now. What an amazing amount of money!
And so, as I dont sleep at night, I find myself thinking. You know how things wander through your mind at will? lol
So, first- the large family. The Duggars get no government assistance of any kind. They pay cash for everything, and the elder children assist with the care of the younger ones. How is this wrong? In the last century this was the norm. Large families to share the work. Older kids helping younger ones. Many groups still have large families, among them the Amish, the Mennonite, some Evangelicals. Who does this hurt?
As for the large amount of money, lets dig a little closer. The Duggars paid cash for the home they live in. At 7000 sq feet, it cost them under Seventy thousand. They spend approximately $3000.00 a month for groceries, approximately $600.00 a month on utilities. They buy nothing new. Clothes, cars, etc- all secondhand. They make a lot of their own clothing, they make things like laundry detergent. Excess money is invested in properties that they own and rent to others. Seems that they are very good, budget-wise, so again, who does this hurt?
It was suggested in the first article that her miscarriage was a "sign" that she should stop. Who are we to say this? It would seem to be a decision that husband and wife should make. I guess the entire article seems hypocritical to me. We have Welfare moms with many children, and nobody presses for them to be sterilised. That would be political suicide. However, it is ok to discuss the Duggars and others like them.
I disagree. It seems that there are far more important things out there to worry about, than a "larger-than-usual" family that supports itself. Enough said.
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I have given a lot of thought lately to self-sustainability Sometimes it is frightening how far from our roots we have gone. I was raised in hand-made clothes, garden vegetables, farm grown meat. Some of my earliest memories include gathering eggs. As a young wife and mother, I began to stray. We tried pigs one year- what a nightmare that was! My husband hadnt made a sturdy pen, and I found myself at 8 months pregnant, trying to capture and return 6 pigs. Never again!
We did have our own beef, and I canned tomatos, corn and green beans. I made jelly, and made a twice a month trip to the grocery for everything else. I made some of my clothes, but not my husbands. I did have a large freezer, so I made sure to keep it stocked.
Now, years later, I realize that I havent canned for years, havent stocked a freezer, and my sewing is for enjoyment rather than necessity. I can tell you, its a lot more expensive! And so, since buying this property, I am re-thinking sustainability. When all the remodeling is done, it will be easier, but for now, I pinch pennies and have a strict budget. Ive been looking at laundry detergents,and I dont like all the chemicals, so Im making my own. Same with shampoos and body soaps- its a little shocking how many things are in there that we dont need on our bodies! So I have been digging and researching to find some simple, easy and cost-saving recipes. When I have them perfected, I will share.
I would love it if you have something that works for you- cost-savings, eco-friendly or just a good home remedy! Please share...
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The weather is slowly getting better here. I think it was TS Elliot who said that "The cruelest month is April". I would agree- it teases and tempts us with warm weather and blue skies, and then takes it away with rain, snow and gray skies. Im ready for May!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Bad Habits....
I have some bad habits. lol I dream big, and then procrastinate. Im getting the sewing itch. You know the one, when you mentally see yourself being all creative, and your friends ooohing and coooing over your works of art, your family anxiously hoping the next gem is for them.
I love to sew, but I do it in spurts. I may go months without even thinking of it, and then suddenly Im consumed with the desire to make something. Im having a major attack now. Quilt fever has struck.
The last full size quilt I made was several years ago. It was a king size, and a gift for my mother in law. I was still finishing it on Christmas Eve. It was a star pattern, done in shades of pastels, mostly pink. She loved it.
I have no idea what happened to it after she died, but in my mind, I still see it, and her holding it close.
Ive done several smaller ones since, baby quilts, lap robes, place mats, etc. They were pretty, but nothing special. So now, as the itch has grown, Ive been rifling my fabric stash again, and looking at patterns.
I want to do something different than I have done before. So now, Im torn between two choices. I had thought to do a Landscape quilt. Those just fascinate me, and I might enjoy the challenge. I had decided to do that, and was thinking of what i wanted to use, when i stumbled across a Stained Glass quilt. Ive seen only a few of these, but they are breathtaking to me. So, here I am, locked into indecision.
The Eagle below is a beautiful Landscape quilt. Its also fairly simple, which I love. Only a few fabrics to work with. Below that is the Stained Glass quilt. I have seen them both pieced, and appliqued. They are striking both ways. This Stained quilt appears to be Batik fabrics, but Ive seen it done in small print as well.
If and when I decide and actually begin one, I'll let you know!
I love to sew, but I do it in spurts. I may go months without even thinking of it, and then suddenly Im consumed with the desire to make something. Im having a major attack now. Quilt fever has struck.
The last full size quilt I made was several years ago. It was a king size, and a gift for my mother in law. I was still finishing it on Christmas Eve. It was a star pattern, done in shades of pastels, mostly pink. She loved it.
I have no idea what happened to it after she died, but in my mind, I still see it, and her holding it close.
Ive done several smaller ones since, baby quilts, lap robes, place mats, etc. They were pretty, but nothing special. So now, as the itch has grown, Ive been rifling my fabric stash again, and looking at patterns.
I want to do something different than I have done before. So now, Im torn between two choices. I had thought to do a Landscape quilt. Those just fascinate me, and I might enjoy the challenge. I had decided to do that, and was thinking of what i wanted to use, when i stumbled across a Stained Glass quilt. Ive seen only a few of these, but they are breathtaking to me. So, here I am, locked into indecision.
The Eagle below is a beautiful Landscape quilt. Its also fairly simple, which I love. Only a few fabrics to work with. Below that is the Stained Glass quilt. I have seen them both pieced, and appliqued. They are striking both ways. This Stained quilt appears to be Batik fabrics, but Ive seen it done in small print as well.
If and when I decide and actually begin one, I'll let you know!
Have you got a sewing or crafting itch? Gardening? I'd love to hear about it!
Hugs, and have a great week.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Differences
I have a brother that is almost 8 years younger than me. I remember the day that he and mom came home from the hospital. My moms youngest sister was staying to help out, and she held him in the car. I sat beside her, and remember that he was like a doll-baby. I couldnt imagine him as a real person!
There are just the two of us now. Mom and dad are both gone. We live on opposite ends of the country. I havent physically seen him since just after mom died, a couple of years ago. But, he is my little brother. I love him. He holds a place in my heart that nobody else can ever hold.
My brother is intelligent, handsome, and talented. He inspires confidence in those around him. I have always thought of him as artistic. He is creative, and from his ideas and hands, things are made with great beauty. I dont have that knack. He got it in doses.
We dont agree on everything. In fact, we likely dont agree on many things, but I have always respected his ability to think. We do think differently, and Im sure that we always will, but Im proud of him.
I recently read a statement that he had written. It was political, and very well written. He wrote that many people clamor for religion in the government again, and mourn the loss of it. He wrote of the separation of church and state..and made a statement that I found myself in 100 % agreement. He wrote that when people want "faith" in government, they want their own. And he reminded how it was throughout history- the Catholics, the Jews, driven out and punished for faith. And he suggested that Americans want faith in government as long as its "good ole basic christian no frills faith"! {My words, not his}
Im of two minds, as always. Yes, I think that when all attempts at even a show of faith are removed from government, we suffer. But, and this is the big but- maybe the right word isnt faith. Maybe morals. Values. I think that often when we call for faith in the White House, it isnt about going to church, but about showing morals and values. We cry for Congress and the Senate to remember faith- but isnt it the same thing? We want them to STAND for something positive.
For me, faith is a personal thing. I dont feel the need to justify my beliefs to anyone. I am as free to believe as another is to not believe. But there are few among us who would ask for no more values, no more morals.
And so, with those differences that my brother and I have, we also share something important. A basic value. Dont blame religion or faith for being or not being in our government. If we want to blame, lets start with apathy and laziness, with pack-mentality. With being sheep-le. Lets remember that often we dont bother to think for ourselves when someone else has already done it.
We have the opportunity to make changes. On both small and large scales, we can make differences by learning, sharing, envisioning. Lets not blame it on religion or lack of it. Vote. Write. Campaign. Dont be afraid to stand for what you want. And stop allowing ourselves to be bullied, lectured or made to feel guilty for what we want.
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I turned 56 my last birthday. Some days I feel double that! LOL My body may feel 96, but my spirit is often 26. I have dreams and hopes, as I did when I was younger. They may be tempered with experience now, but they are still there.
When my son found this property, and showed it to me, I could see the possibilities. As a former motel, it serviced the railroad. It was built when travel to and from the valley was by railroad or days-long by auto. The valley here is surrounded by mountain ranges, and in winter the passes still close. Trains, with enormous cow-catcher/snowplows were the best option.
In the attic of the property, we found boxes dating back to the railroad being built. Most were asian names, Lee, Chen, Wong. They worked 6 and 7 days a week, and were paid at the end of the month. The pay registers list the wages- $2.75 and $3.00 was the average. These were for a month. I imagine the conditions that they had. Extreme heat, extreme cold, the ever-present wind. Weeks with only 1 day off. Were their families with them? Did they know that they built something that would still be used a hundred years later?
The train, the Rio Grande, is still used to haul freight, but now is also a tourist option. The steam engine goes past here twice a day, and in the summer is filled with those who want the view, the experience and the thrill. I wonder if any of them ever think of the men who built the railroad?
I wish you all a wonderful Easter Holiday. Hugs to you all!
There are just the two of us now. Mom and dad are both gone. We live on opposite ends of the country. I havent physically seen him since just after mom died, a couple of years ago. But, he is my little brother. I love him. He holds a place in my heart that nobody else can ever hold.
My brother is intelligent, handsome, and talented. He inspires confidence in those around him. I have always thought of him as artistic. He is creative, and from his ideas and hands, things are made with great beauty. I dont have that knack. He got it in doses.
We dont agree on everything. In fact, we likely dont agree on many things, but I have always respected his ability to think. We do think differently, and Im sure that we always will, but Im proud of him.
I recently read a statement that he had written. It was political, and very well written. He wrote that many people clamor for religion in the government again, and mourn the loss of it. He wrote of the separation of church and state..and made a statement that I found myself in 100 % agreement. He wrote that when people want "faith" in government, they want their own. And he reminded how it was throughout history- the Catholics, the Jews, driven out and punished for faith. And he suggested that Americans want faith in government as long as its "good ole basic christian no frills faith"! {My words, not his}
Im of two minds, as always. Yes, I think that when all attempts at even a show of faith are removed from government, we suffer. But, and this is the big but- maybe the right word isnt faith. Maybe morals. Values. I think that often when we call for faith in the White House, it isnt about going to church, but about showing morals and values. We cry for Congress and the Senate to remember faith- but isnt it the same thing? We want them to STAND for something positive.
For me, faith is a personal thing. I dont feel the need to justify my beliefs to anyone. I am as free to believe as another is to not believe. But there are few among us who would ask for no more values, no more morals.
And so, with those differences that my brother and I have, we also share something important. A basic value. Dont blame religion or faith for being or not being in our government. If we want to blame, lets start with apathy and laziness, with pack-mentality. With being sheep-le. Lets remember that often we dont bother to think for ourselves when someone else has already done it.
We have the opportunity to make changes. On both small and large scales, we can make differences by learning, sharing, envisioning. Lets not blame it on religion or lack of it. Vote. Write. Campaign. Dont be afraid to stand for what you want. And stop allowing ourselves to be bullied, lectured or made to feel guilty for what we want.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I turned 56 my last birthday. Some days I feel double that! LOL My body may feel 96, but my spirit is often 26. I have dreams and hopes, as I did when I was younger. They may be tempered with experience now, but they are still there.
When my son found this property, and showed it to me, I could see the possibilities. As a former motel, it serviced the railroad. It was built when travel to and from the valley was by railroad or days-long by auto. The valley here is surrounded by mountain ranges, and in winter the passes still close. Trains, with enormous cow-catcher/snowplows were the best option.
In the attic of the property, we found boxes dating back to the railroad being built. Most were asian names, Lee, Chen, Wong. They worked 6 and 7 days a week, and were paid at the end of the month. The pay registers list the wages- $2.75 and $3.00 was the average. These were for a month. I imagine the conditions that they had. Extreme heat, extreme cold, the ever-present wind. Weeks with only 1 day off. Were their families with them? Did they know that they built something that would still be used a hundred years later?
I wish you all a wonderful Easter Holiday. Hugs to you all!
Monday, April 2, 2012
A different kind of Garden
As I have written before, this area is high desert. Its very windy, and the ground is sandy. Its really hard to maintain a good garden here without using constant sprinklers, which is costly and inefficient.
Yet, nothing is so good as tomatos from your own garden, fresh onions and cucumbers. So how to make the wants match the realities? My son at first looked at greenhouses, but the wind here would make that difficult unless it was all glass, which is a huge investment.
Now, here on the property there are a couple of unique structures. Deep holes, dug into the ground, laid with railroad ties. These pits are large, approximately 16x24 x7 deep. Apparently the original purpose when installed some 50 years ago was to be holding tanks for water, for the pond that was here, possibly for fire safety as a fast source. This is a view of the one he is currently working on. You can see the cross beams that have been knocked down in. His goal is to clean them out, cover the walls with landscape fabric, possibly the floor too. One side, facing south, will be lowered a bit. He has begun to dig into the east side for a walk in doorway.
So what does this have to do with a garden? Everything! Im adding links to 2 sites. The first, a walipini, is basically his inspiration. These are being used in Brazil, in conditions similar to ours with huge success. The second, is a garden-pool, using a swimming pool as the "hole". He plans to combine these ideas, and with luck will be able to have a year round garden! The websites are worth checking, as they are amazing!
http://bensoninstitute.org/Publication/Manuals/Walipini.pdf
http://gardenpool.org/
Sustainability is becoming more and more important. Prices are rising, and the quality of what we purchase may not always be best. Im excited to see this project grow. I promise to keep you posted!
This third link is not really what he is planning, but the same basic idea.
http://earthbagbuilding.wordpress.com/tag/walipini/
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It is really windy here today, the winds are at 70 mph. Rain and snow expected tonight. How wierd, when it was 70 on Saturday! As of last night the huge fire was still at 90% containment. This rain will go a long way to ending it, and deadening the hot spots.
Keep all those folks in your hearts, and hope for no more threatening fires this summer.
Yet, nothing is so good as tomatos from your own garden, fresh onions and cucumbers. So how to make the wants match the realities? My son at first looked at greenhouses, but the wind here would make that difficult unless it was all glass, which is a huge investment.
So what does this have to do with a garden? Everything! Im adding links to 2 sites. The first, a walipini, is basically his inspiration. These are being used in Brazil, in conditions similar to ours with huge success. The second, is a garden-pool, using a swimming pool as the "hole". He plans to combine these ideas, and with luck will be able to have a year round garden! The websites are worth checking, as they are amazing!
http://bensoninstitute.org/Publication/Manuals/Walipini.pdf
http://gardenpool.org/
Sustainability is becoming more and more important. Prices are rising, and the quality of what we purchase may not always be best. Im excited to see this project grow. I promise to keep you posted!
This third link is not really what he is planning, but the same basic idea.
http://earthbagbuilding.wordpress.com/tag/walipini/
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It is really windy here today, the winds are at 70 mph. Rain and snow expected tonight. How wierd, when it was 70 on Saturday! As of last night the huge fire was still at 90% containment. This rain will go a long way to ending it, and deadening the hot spots.
Keep all those folks in your hearts, and hope for no more threatening fires this summer.
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