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| A low spot where local hunters dump deer remains. The landowner does not approve. |
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| Mullein growing beside the road |
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| A yard with two campers. |
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| On the leg back, I put a stone in my coat pocket for every camper I could see from the road. |
I put on a backpack and headed out the door to put on some miles. 15mph wind out of the westsouthwest. 20F windchill.
Three miles out, three miles back. On the way out I noticed a lot of campers tucked away here-and-there. I see a lot more when I am walking. I am going more slowly and am not as engaged in monitoring what is directly in front of me.
I counted the trailers on the way back by putting stones in my coat pocket. Nine campers and two 'pop-ups'.
I also counted 15 deer, three of which still had antlers.
Once I got home I asked Mrs ERJ if she wanted to go out to breakfast.
"Actually, I would rather go on a walk" she replied.
Mercifully, it was only two miles and I was not wearing my backpack.
Mullein tea is a very effective decongestant and expectorant. I dehydrate it's leaves in mid summer and make sure that I have enough for the wife and I and our family and friends for cold and flu season.. --ken
ReplyDeleteGood to know!
DeleteRead once where Mullein seeds could be used as a fish poison. Never tried and never will, but I read it.
DeleteThere has been a moderate amount of research on the effectiveness of mullein. In general, it is a *moderately* good anti-inflammatory agent, likely due to the numerous flavinoids (such as quercetin). One recent study found 83 biologically active components in common mullein extract. In one study of COVID patients, subjects treated with a combination of mullein and hyssop tea, those in the treatment group had significantly greater recovery from cough, difficulty and breathing, sore throat, and hoarseness, though the differences only appeared after the third day of treatment.
DeleteHow about occupied campers. I am astonished to see them tucked in here and tucked in there. Lived in. And I am south of ATL a touch.
ReplyDeleteSouthern Belle had a buddy who lived in a camper with their family circa 2007. It was winter time. They had bales of straw stacked around the camper to act as skirting. (Eaton Rapids, Michigan)
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what financial misfortune reduced them to those circumstances. I did not ask.
We, my wife, tween age granddaughter and I, lived in our 35' camper trailer for about 5 years on our property while we saved money to build our cabin.
DeleteOf course, it had a 14' slide out so the living area was about the same as a narrow 12' Wide mobile home. It felt a little closed in sometimes, but we made it work.
A lot of long-term campers around here also. It's a sad commentary about how "Good" the economy is.
ReplyDeletePerhaps those campers are just trying to make things work. An older couple / single grandparent who cannot live by themselves without occasional help. Old folks homes can be very expensive.
ReplyDeleteA travel trailer in the yard allows their children to watch over them much easier. Also allows grand kids to visit themmuch easier. Or maybe the grandparent serves as a babysitting service during the day - daycare isn't inexpensive anymore.
Quality daycare will always be expensive. Quality daycare is, what at most 5 kids per adult? That's over 20% of your pay for just labor when you factor in travel time. Add in rent, insurance, up keep, food, etc and yeah, it's expensive.
DeleteNow start paying the daycare worker a "living wage".
Once women entered the workforce, they were forced to enter the work force to pay for housing. Too bad. Kids were happier when moms were home.
As someone that moved the parents into my rebuilt walk out basement for over a decade before they passed, I hear you.
ReplyDeleteI pity those trying to support limited mobility, poor eyesight seniors in a travel trailer. The lack of space for cane, let alone walker support is terrible.
No, I work at the local food bank, and I walk and bicycle too much not to notice the average age of trailer folks is around 50 years old. A few older, a few younger. At least two families I know personally work at the Dollar Store and Walmart. Working poor.
"Best Economy, ever" and all that.
Lots of local households in SW MI have campers set up in and near outbuildings, power connected. Some are owned by people I know well. Most are for anticipated family/ tribe who will be moving into them “When (not “If”) things get worse”.
ReplyDeleteOthers are already occupied. Smart folks are realizing the importance of having nearby, people of like mind and values.
You wonder what the heating bill would be for a camper in the winter in Michigan. No real insulation except maybe a thin sheet of foam.
ReplyDeleteA lot of that depends on your standards. If you want to keep the place toasty at 75F it will cost a mint. If you are OK with 65F for some up-periscope time-windows like early morning and dinner-time, and if you take your showers at work or at-the-gym then it won't be horrible.
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