New York Times story on shantytowns
I was visiting my 90 year old granddad earlier this week and he made the observation that economic downturns are slower to impact the rural areas. I have heard other Appalachians make the statement that we know how to do “poor” better than most other regions since we have had so much more practice.
No need for me to go into a familiar rant about how mobile homes aren't such a bad idea, I have done that. And it doesn't take a genius to figure out that it is easier to feed yourself from your own garden if you have a couple of acres to spare. The damn deer are a problem but that is nothing a shotgun and a few extra freezers can't take care of with the side benefit of more food for the table. ( I am not promoting poaching or out of season hunting, I'm must saying . . . )
I do believe that Americans will permanently change their behavior due to this recession/ depression but I don't think will be drastic as to give up the insanity of moving millions of people to areas of the country that get less than 10 inches of rain a year. On the bright side we probably won't see a Hooverville sprouting up outside of Sandy Hook, Kentucky. Yeah I know most hillbilly towns look like Hoovervilles to begin with.
As a teen I used to eat my breakfast sitting on the floor. My dad told me that he used to do the same thing. Our reasoning is that you can't fall off the floor when you are tired and half asleep. I figure that most of what hurts is the impact; lying there ain't so bad. Same with us hillbillies. We are already camping. We are already sittin' on the floor.
love it ...thanks for articulating my feelings
Posted by: belle | March 31, 2009 at 10:12 AM