An Encounter

A few days ago I mentioned the SUV parked across the road with the driver viewing us through binoculars. Well, earlier tonight I was in the back yard watering the pine seedlings and my garden plants. From where the SUV was parked this time, the driver could not see me, which was exactly as I planned. Twice I went in the house through the back slider and peeked through the kitchen window and could still see the SUV's bumper. So out the back slider I went, headed for the southwest corner of our land. Once there I'm on a two-track which leads back to the main road. I twisted my long hair on top of my head, donned a flannel shirt over my T-shirt and grabbed a walking stick my Dad had carved. Once at the road I turned north, crossed the road and intensified my lopsided gait in an attempt to look unlike the person he/she had viewed in the past. Within a couple minutes I was along side the vehicle and grabbed hold of the door handle. Don't know who was more shocked, me or the occupant. But the mystery watcher is now revealed and appropriate calls have been made.

In light of my discovery, I have posted some Anonymous comments that came in over the past few days. I doubt the prying eyes will return. His fraud and annoyance and outright lies have been exposed and now he'll suffer the consequences. And to him personally I say, "remember this evening when you thump your Bible in any one's face."

The rest of you have a great evening and keep prepping. Treesong

Scored Today!!!

After yet another visit to the local DHS office to further verify how little income and assets we really have, it was refreshing and empowering to score a truck load of STUFF at a local business.

We were at a garage door company in search of instructions for the door we bought on Craigslist. A nice young man there took time to caution Sweetie about a few things regarding the safety cable and spring tension coils. Thankfully, Sweetie asked if their company had a dumpster where they scrap old doors, etc. The guys eyes lit up and he said, "Take anything you want; it's less expense for us."

WOW! If we'd had another truck, we would have really made a haul. As it is, we came home with three more pallets for stacking firewood in the garage; five insulated garage door panels; extra hinges, rollers and a locking mechanism (we can't afford an automatic opener); and more! Stacked on top of the company's dumpster were two perfectly good gas cans; a box of black plastic garbage bags; a 3x5 foot piece of sheet metal; and two plastic outdoor chairs in great condition.

This was our monthly shopping trip so we were already loaded down,but believe me we re-arranged things. Our 7x18 foot garage door is being constructed in a 9x18 foot opening. Now Sweetie will butt together two of the nine foot panels to make the 18 foot panel. I'll paint it brown to match the other panels and it should work just fine.

If more folks took the time to be frugal and ingenious, the landfills would be less congested. For example, a couple weeks ago when we hauled a load of twisted metal, broken glass and other trash from this land to the transfer station. Sitting on top of one of their open trucks was a black metal shelving unit. We asked if we could have it but of course the answer was no. Some BS about liability if we climbed up there and none of the workers were willing to. The waste!!! A perfectly good shelving unit; not bent or rusted or missing pieces but headed for the landfill anyway. The waste in this country disgusts me.

And then our Country Lines Rural Electric magazine came today and there's a story about a man in Rapid River, Michigan making art out of cast off car parts, etc. So people throw stuff away and other people repurpose it and make money. Maybe I should try that.

Well, time for an afternoon siesta. It's 80 degrees here but we have a little lake breeze to keep the humidity bearable. Have a great day everyone and thanks for your comments, Treesong

Any Followers?

I'd really like a better idea of who's reading my blog. If you're a regular reader, I'd appreciate it if you'd become a follower. Now that things are settling down a bit on the homefront, I'd like to read more blogs, especially those of people who read my blog.

And thanks Debbio for the tip about the pictures. I've always meant to correct that problem and your comment reminded me to stop being so lazy!!!

Treesong

We're Fortunate and Belt Tightening More

In a comment to my previous post, Vlad asked if Sweetie knows how lucky he is to have me. FYI: Sweetie says, "You tell your reader that you're lucky I accepted."

Huh, accepted what? Me? I reminded him that we've accepted one another. I know I'm lucky. Life with him - grunts and groans and stubbornness and a few other quirks are easy to live with - comparatively speaking. And I have plenty of history to compare him too!!!

We haven't got a lot of money, or a new car, or great health, or lots of friends, or the other stuff people consider necessary to "happiness." But, we've got one another - just as we are, with all the age spots and warts; the few extra pounds; graying hairs and receding hairline; and the forgetfulness - and it's good enough.

Maybe that's part of the secret to our happiness: life is good enough.

On a related note, like Michael Boone at Staying Alive, we too will have to live on less social security because Sweetie's Medicare premium AND his prescription drug plan will now be deducted from his SS check. Selling his home downstate on a land contract disqualifies him for Medicaid and Medicaid has been paying his Medicare premium.

So more belt tightening begins now. If we have to sit here in the dark once the sun sets and wash clothes by hand in cold water, we will. Already we don't have TV; have dial up Internet; have minimum coverage on the '97, 240,000 mile truck; and don't eat out or partake of any other paid entertainment. Tuesday, while in town for most of the day, we packed a lunch and ate at the waterfront park. Soon most of the little chores and various appointments will be completed so we'll go to town ONCE A MONTH. If these actions aren't cutting back, I don't know what is.

Well, it's time to commune with Mita the Miracle Cat. Night, night all, Treesong

Laundry Day

These are pictures of my Monitor washer that I've owned for about five years. Paid $100 for it in an antique shop and everyone thought I was nuts. It holds about 10 gallons of water; has a side agitator; the rollers detach for storing inside the washer; and a metal lid clamps over the top when the machine's not in use. The motor does not work and I've never bothered to replace it. After all, the idea was to have a washer that could be used when the grid is down. I let the clothes sit about an hour, then plunge it with my hands or a dowel. The rinse water from the previous load becomes the wash water for the next load. I've washed everything except blankets, quilts and jackets in this little machine and I LOVE it!

The hot/cold water valve broke on our other machine and it takes $37 and 8 days to get the part. We've ordered it but I think I'll continue to use the Monitor for the rest of the summer, at least. I fill it with five dishpans of hot water, add a little soap and it's all set. Sweetie replaced the hose on the side about three years ago; otherwise it's in original condition. It sits on our deck and I just drain the water through the deck. The clothesline is attached via a pulley to a tall deck post so I don't even step off the deck to hang clothes! Talk about innovation! Now, if the previous owners hadn't attached the other end of the pulley to a beautiful birch tree, it would have been the perfect set up. Alas, the tree is dying because of their ignorance.

Thought some of you might be inspired to think outside the box regarding your laundry. Have a great day, Treesong

Building Community

Based on comments from yesterday's post - most were anonymous - I want to discuss our thoughts on building community.

We are the new kids on the block and will be, this fall, one of six other families on this road which stretches about 3.4 miles. Eight months of the year our road is a dead end road. A two-track road does continue on, making a loop back out to the main road but it has seasonal homes until the last mile. In that last mile stretch, the homeowners must maintain their road, which means they must plow it! We are the first year-round home, 1.6 miles off what is considered a main road. However, even that road is sparsely populated 8 months of the year.

Without telling you exactly where we are, suffice to say we are 22 miles from the largest town; we live on what is called a peninsula but is actually an island; and we are near the tip of another peninsula. It's our belief that most "golden hordes" would be fanning out toward the southern and western reaches of Michigan's Upper Peninsula - not the remotest areas.

From what we've gathered, all year-round residents are either retired or will soon be. I don't think there are any school age children on the entire road and half the year round residents must plow their way out to THIS road from two-track access roads. In other words, you have to be a hardy bunch to stay here year-round - or slightly off cue! Five of the families have either snow blowers or plow trucks. One family plows for the sixth resident.

At age 56, I am the youngest year round resident. The oldest is in his mid 70's. I am including the neighbor I mentioned yesterday in these stats. Our year round people are pulling together on his behalf. Come what may, he doesn't want to leave and no one wants him to! So....accommodations are being arranged. He will simply move into another building nearby.

To us, this is a fine example of "community" and proves that we all need to develop one, preferably within the area we presently live. Without a network of people willing to help others, our lives would be more precarious and less meaningful.

Granted, we don't all socialize with one another but we're a community none the less. Each of us full timers has made a conscious decision to stay here despite distance, weather, road conditions, finances, other people's opinions, and access to services and shopping.

At first, the thought of a neighbor having a store of food was considered "strange", "silly", laughed about, or otherwise misunderstood. After a few encounters where someone mentioned "forgetting the catsup" or eating peanut butter sandwiches for supper because their money ran out before the month, we spoke up and about having extra if anyone LOCAL needed it. Word has already spread that we helped our neighbor yesterday and now, initially at least, attitudes are changing.

In the final analysis, we've made a decision to let neighbors know of our food storage. WE are the ones who will have to live with the consequences. Of course, there are occasional remarks from outsiders who say they "know where to come" in an emergency. We doubt it would happen because "in an emergency" they likely wouldn't have the means or money to travel this distance. They are more likely to head for the nearest neighbor, store or agency for help.

However, ANYTHING is possible and only time will tell.

In the meantime, we're becoming a valued member of this little area and that's an accomplishment in itself. We've "cleaned up the place" and have a tractor, snow blower and tire changer that have already been useful to others.

For most new people, fitting into a community is often a challenge. We believe we're at least accepted as serious contenders for full time status. As with everything else under the sun and stars, time will tell.

Have a great, productive day and keep prepping.

Conversations Standing In Line

Sweetie is the correct age and earns so little on Social Security (ironic choice of words, me thinks) that he qualifies for the Commodity Food Program. Well, last week he signed up for it in this county as we're newly arrived residents. He was given a card that qualified him to also partake of a monthly food pantry - which was held today.

DISCLAIMER: WE'RE BOTH OF THE OPINION THAT WE WILL PARTAKE OF GOVERNMENT FOOD AS IT'S ONE WAY WE CAN HELP OURSELVES AND OTHERS WHILE THE GOVERNEMENT CONTINUES TO BE CROOKS AND SCREW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. IF YOU DON'T AGREE, THAT'S FINE.

So today, we show up an hour before the appointed time and see about 50 people already in line. This particular program is for anyone low income so there were people of all ages which made conversation interesting, to say the least.

First off, I'm sometimes a gabber and other times a listener when waiting around. Today I was both. The first woman we spoke with was practically a neighbor and tipped us off about where to park next time, etc. She was the first to mention the economy so of course I was attentive. She lived through the Depression and claims the next one is well on its way and will be much worse. WE AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next, we got in line outside and listened to the chatter. People complained about the line; about the process; about what they get in their box of food; about the weather; about family members; about other people in line; about the time of day this particular pantry is held. You name it, they had plenty to complain about.

Some people talked about how they wound up at this food pantry: two couples had moved north from Lower Michigan like we did; one couple "moved back home" from Wisconsin; and one man had lost his job in a town 100 miles from here, moved to the area for another job, and was laid off two months later. As our little group talked you could see others quiet down and begin to listen. One woman, in particular, was upset that us "downstaters" had moved north. Others seemed to consider themselves lucky to be living here because the economy appears to be doing better than Lower Michigan. At one point, I said, "It's that word appears that is misleading." You could have heard a pin drop. Either my remark was too far over their head or they thought I was being pompous - according to Sweetie. Sorry, if I have a little college education and some common sense but the word appears troubles me.

This area has a lot of new construction, especially business construction. It has two universities, two hospitals, several small companies and lots of self-employed people. You don't see abandoned homes, reams and reams of foreclosures or home auctions, groups of homeless people, or boarded over windows on downtown businesses. Yet, a worker at the pantry told me their numbers have steadily increased and they now serve about 600 people every month. Later, at another stop, we overheard two Department of Human Services people talking about their increased workloads. Next, we visited the local pawn shop looking for a particular tool. The owner didn't have the tool but said his business has skyrocketed. Most of his customers either pawn repeatedly at 25% interest or he sells their merchandise outright.

However, the real eye-opener today was when we got home. As we approached our driveway a van was parked nearby. A neighbor, who we've met once, pulled in behind us. By the look on his face we knew something was up. His home was foreclosed on today. He has no family here other than a brother in the local nursing home. He has a small SS check each month and an old van and his dog. His home is really a hunting camp but he's lived in it for 10 years. We didn't know that until today as many neighbors are seasonal residents. We read the newspaper online so we wouldn't have known about the foreclosure and no one else in the neighborhood had mentioned it. He had heard we have extra food and wondered if we "could spare a little." Of course we said yes and then asked where he planned to go. "To the beach," he said. We invited him to spend the night and offered to help him try to sort things out tomorrow but he declined. So after fixing a small box of food and giving him two gallons of water from our storage he drove off. He's about 70, walks with a cane and it's been in the 40's here at night.

I am sick. And I will lay awake tonight worrying about where he is and what more can we do.

And, yes, I know his situation brings to mind all sorts of questions. How could this happen to him? What did he do wrong? How did he still have a mortgage at 70? If he knew this was coming why didn't he make other arrangements?

I have a few suspicions regarding some of the answers but this bugs me just the same. He's an elderly human being. And he's alone and frail. And this country sucks right now. It just sucks.

Happenings Here

We awoke at 4:30 a.m. today. Neither of us could sleep so we got up and made a fresh pot of coffee. while sitting there discussing what we planned to do today, a fire truck raced by; then three more; then an ambulance and assorted other vehicles. All fire departments within 22 miles are volunteer units so this had to be a major event. Their pumper truck made three trips to the boat landing near us and when we opened the door to let the critters out we could smell smoke. Of course, we're wondering how close the fire was. Couldn't see any flashing lights or flames so we stayed inside and waited. After an hour, a few trucks went north and another hour later it seemed that everyone had cleared out. So we ventured down the road...A two car garage and a separate sauna building were burned to the ground. the home's siding had melted on the fire side and a truck had two burnt tires. Fortunately it didn't explode!

This afternoon a neighbor stopped by and said the fire started from an over heated sauna stove. Luckily, one of the home owner's guests had got up to use the bathroom and saw the flames!!!

The sun finally found its way through the clouds today and we didn't have any rain so we went outside intent on doing two projects - organize the small shed and start the framing for the garage door. I did get the shed organized but Sweetie decided to mow the "lawn" and then used his back blade to contour the back "yard." Next he used the tractor bucket to haul all the stones from a huge fire pit in the front yard to the backyard where I arranged them around the garden fencing. They're flat stones and I think eventually - after gathering more from throughout the property - they'll wind up making a dry stacked stone fence.

The previous owner needed fill for the pole barn so the dim wit just dug a hole in the front yard. Now we're going to haul fill from our property across the road to fill this in - once we dump the contents of the aforementioned fire pit into it.

Reading a few financial blogs has got me scheming again about how to stock up even more and what money to set aside for taxes. This led to us deciding not to do certain indoor remodeling jobs in order to have money for two more year's of taxes (at their current rate).

While the neighbor was here his two year old grandson toddled off and discovered our food storage area in the shed/entry. When his mama went to fetch him she stopped cold and asked what "all this food is for." Her father-in-law said we were preppers, "something I'm going to have to think about" and told her we seldom have to go grocery shopping. Imagine my delight when she sat at the kitchen table and asked me to explain WHY we were preppers and what PREPPERS means! For once, her father-in-law, who's wound pretty tight, sat and listened. He's collecting disability SS now so his income is about a third of what he did get and she's just had her hours reduced. But, as is typical, they both thought it couldn't be done unless one had a good job and/or lots of money. I bluntly told them "you have to decide what's more important, eating or four-wheeling."

Nearly all our neighbors have ATV's, boats, motorcycles, two vehicles, riding mowers and a big beer budget. Home repairs, lawns, a well stocked pantry and firewood take a back seat. Come October, most, according to one neighbor, will be hustling to get in their winter wood. In October!!!!

I also spent about an hour tonight re-arranging the guest bedroom so I can use some of the space for more food storage. When inflation kicks in I cannot imagine that Social Security cost of living raises will keep pace. In fact, I cannot imagine that Social Security will continue, so it's tangibles, tangibles, tangibles!

Well, take some time this week to reflect on what's important; what you need to do to prepare for lean times ahead; and how fortunate you are now - no matter what your circumstances. Trust me, it could be worse. Treesong

Doing Battle

Here's a picture of our 20x30 foot garden with he eight foot high fence. We cut the pine poles from our land, had the steel posts (not all are in yet), and bought the 4' high chicken wire that runs around the top. We haven't completed the gate yet so it's makeshift and tied to the poles. Until it comes time to weed, I don't need a gate anyway. I sit the hose on a sprinkler and place it on top of a pole and it waters the entire garden. Deer were investigating last night. There's a trail of tracks around the garden but thus far they haven't broken through.

A neighbor has lots of stories of trying to keep deer out of his garden and away from his dwarf fruit trees so we're heeding some of his advice. We don't have a back door light or yard light but I'm thinking of stringing Xmas lights around the fencing and placing it on a timer. The deer spook at lighting of any kind, according to the neighbor. Just a thought.

Twice this morning someone was parked across the road just inside the treeline so that the SUV was exposed only to the front window. I finally got the binoculars out and took a peak. Someone was looking back through binoculars at us. Sweetie was standing near the pole barn so I told him about it. He started walking across the front yard (it's about 300' to the road) and they took off. I couldn't make out the license plate due to the road dust and angle of the SUV. Jack asses want to know something they can come and knock on the door. Or maybe I need to do some target practice.

You know, with private property and road easement laws you can't LEGALLY tell someone to get the hell out of Dodge when they're parked on the road. We're certainly not used to this kind of thing. Out former home was the same distance off the road but our drive turned a few times and except for a small yard, the land was tree covered. Even in the winter, not all of the home was visible because we had a lot of pines. You can bet we're planting and transplanting pines to the front yard. At one time trees obscured the home but the former owner had most of them cut down. GRrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Well, time to run the weed whacker. It ought to be comical as I'm once again walking like a drunken sailor.

Keep aware and keep prepping people, Treesong

Now Would Be a Good Time...

It's Friday so I wonder what banks will be closed today. With the news of Micheal Jackson's death swamping the headlines and the masses ga-gaing over his demise for weeks to come, it would be a good time for the Fed Gov or other assorted well-connected crooks to make a few more bold moves. you know they'll offer lame excuses later, as usual.

Now would also be a good time to hawk any Micheal Jackson crap you have - especially if you need a few bucks. May as well profit from the insanity and increase your preps or pay down your debt. Myself, I never fell into the whirlwind around him, so I'm as broke today as I've been in awhile and I'll be as broke tomorrow.

Now would be a good time to invent a new mosquito/deer fly killer as we can attest to. We've tried hot sauce, bleach, listerine, lemon juice, Dawn Dish soap, Cutter, Raid and a few combinations of some of the aforementioned. All to no avail. I have not been so scared since I fell off a porch roof into a thorny ornamental bush as a 14 year old adventurer. In fact, I think poison ivy would be preferrable. Maybe.

Now would be a good time to get yourself a blood pressure machine that runs on batteries or plugs in. Sweetie got a little wake up call after taking his blood pressure yesterday.

Now would be a good time to put in more firewood if you live in any climate that gets snow. I just suspect we're in for a long, cold, snowy winter. And here I am complaining about the humidity and bugs and it's not even the Fourth of July yet. Crazy maybe. But being prepared trumps any other plan, believe me.

Now would be a good time to stock up MORE than you ever have before before prices increase or shortages occur. So what if the stores seem full now? So what if you think you have enough. What about all those infrequently used items that you've neglected to stock or tell yourself you'll get to later.

Now would be a good time to shut off the power, which in some cases shuts off the water, and live that we for awhile. You'll get a real education on how ill prepared you are for a vast array of situations and everyday routines will take on a whole new meaning. And hopefully you'll appreciate what you have and conserve more, not less.

Well, enough preaching. I'm going to enjoy my dinner and water our garden. Treesong