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Post by martywny on Jul 8, 2022 10:25:02 GMT -5
We attempted to pull it out but it wouldn't budge. What did you use to try and pull it? Sometimes they are just stuck and need several hundred pounds of force to get them going.
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Post by martywny on Jul 8, 2022 10:33:12 GMT -5
I bought a Berkey 2.25-gallon filter today on Amazon. Normally the price would make me look for something cheaper but I had enough points to cover the cost and decided to take the plunge. It should be easier than transporting containers.
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Post by emmsmommy on Jul 8, 2022 13:30:19 GMT -5
martywny, the last thing we tried was an ATV but quit in fear that the rope would break. I figure if we ever need to remove it we'll hire a well company to do it.
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Post by claude on Jul 11, 2022 11:20:39 GMT -5
We have 2 wells. The first one is 750’ deep and the builder did that. The yield is a gallon a min, the min for a family of 4..we are 5. After running it dry (w careful use and conservation) we were forced to dig another well. That well is 300’ deep. When we took ASAMple to the health dept they insisted that we cap the first low yield well. I told them I use both wells and with what it cost us, there was no way I would cap a perfectly good well. I had to sign off saying that I would use the first well routinely as they have had older wells go bad and spoil others on the same water vein.
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Post by emmsmommy on Jul 11, 2022 12:49:56 GMT -5
The plan now is to uncap the shallow well and measure the distance to the surface of the water and then measure the depth. I'm hoping that the bailer will be able to entirely submerge without hitting bottom. Then take a sample and test for bacteria. I'm also looking into some transfer pumps that have a max lifting height of 33-35 feet as I don't think I'm up for bailing water constantly for greenhouse and garden needs. Of course I'm also stubborn enough to try it. Probably 18 years ago I built a contraption in which a foot valve was placed at the bottom of a long section of PVC and you simply had to move the pipe up and down until the water came out the top. Sounds quite glamorous until you attempt to hook a hose to the end and then you realize the weight of the water and the physical requirement involved to get the water to rise was more than using the bailer. I rescued a pulley from a junk pile and will likely build a support over the well to hang it and make the job easier. Even if the water is free of bacteria, I'm not sure I'd drink it without further testing and really need to store drinking water as a backup. The well was originally capped because it couldn't meet the demands of a family of four including two small children. Since it will only be used for gardening purposes I'm hoping it will perform okay.
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Jul 12, 2022 12:12:20 GMT -5
martywny, thanks for the info on water testing, and the link to an interesting site. I was pleasantly surprised to see Armenian water listed. I might check at one of the Eastern market stores and see if it's available locally; there used to be a substantial Armenian community in Dearborn, so who knows?
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Post by emmsmommy on Jul 22, 2022 20:08:42 GMT -5
Noticed a headline on one of the news stations about how rising food prices are affecting West Virginians and clicked on it expecting to find pointers on how to get the most for the money and/or cooking from scratch. Instead it encourages people to reach out to local charities that distribute food. Now I don't believe that anyone should be going hungry, but what's the benefit of encouraging people to sign up for hand-outs from agencies that are also feeling the effects of inflation and are having enough issues trying to maintain sufficient volunteers and keep the lights on? What happens when those charities can't keep up with demand? I know we're an economically depressed state but seriously?
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Jul 23, 2022 10:55:55 GMT -5
emmsmommy, I'm seeing similar segments on local newscasts, with the "reporters" holding up packages of processed food and acting as if they have discovered something new and exciting. I don't recall any mention whatsoever of farmers' markets, or of growing one's own food. I think though that that's part of a reflection I've seen over the years toward less personal involvement but more reliance on others, including conglomerates or smaller businesses. I think the ShipT movement is contributing to that. I've heard a few people, including a relative, query why they should go out and buy something when they can have it delivered (even at a cost). I don't even bother to respond to something which to me seems inane. I think I'll go to JoAnn Fabrics and see if people are still buying material, sewing utensils and/or even yarn. Whatever happened to what I thought was an inherent pioneer spirit in America? There's a fundamental problem with relying on others as well as supply chains, in the people lose their ability to self support themselves.
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Post by emmsmommy on Jul 23, 2022 21:48:45 GMT -5
There's a fundamental problem with relying on others as well as supply chains, in the people lose their ability to self support themselves. I just can't wrap my head around the idea that someone else will always be there to rescue us. Maybe it's because I was raised in a rural area with the mentality that you didn't complain about excesses from the garden, but appreciate the fact that you'll have more than enough to get you through the winter. I've always been one to stock up on necessities when they were on sale as it really stinks when you wait to replace something until you're completely out as you'll end up paying more because you can't do without it. Sadly, I think it started with my generation. I remember visiting friends of my parents growing up and how they always had a freezer full of convenience food (and three overweight kids). I was in awe as the only things hanging out in our freezer was a carton of ice cream, frozen corn from the garden and a few packs of meat mom had bought on sale. On another occasion I spent the night with a friend and just about everything on the table was pre-packaged heat and eat food. Once again I was in awe. When you're raised with the mentality that it's easier to buy pre-packaged food than to learn to make something from scratch, how do you think it influences your eating and shopping habits as an adult? Now I'm not saying we never had anything pre-packaged growing up as Hamburger Helper was a welcome change from the usual green beans, potatoes and meat, but it was the exception rather than the rule. I'm just amazed at the lack of common sense especially after a power outtage, when everyone suddenly goes out buying batteries, matches, flashlights and lanterns because the thought of keeping them on hand never occurred to them. One of my favorite public service announcements is the one that encourages you to keep extra food and water in you car during the winter in case you become stranded. I was once once coordinator for a crew that had to travel in remote areas of the surrounding counties and I always reminded them about keeping emergency food and water but also reminded them to carry a blanket or two as all the food and water in the world wouldn’t be of any use if you froze to death. Why the public service announcement never addressed the freezing issue I don't know. Perhaps now they do. So I guess I'm thinking that living with modern conveniences has in essence destroyed the ability and knowledge to dosomething the "hard way." Why buy ingredients to make a cake when you can buy a cake mix? Why buy a cake mix when you can buy a pre-made cake? Why buy the pre-made cake when the food pantry will give you one?
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Post by gardendmpls on Jul 23, 2022 23:14:56 GMT -5
expecting to find pointers on how to get the most for the money and/or cooking from scratch Many people work long hours trying to pay their inflated bills and cooking from scratch takes time and energy they may no longer have. When I was a stay at home mom with a lot of kids, I made bread, mayonaise, ice cream, even rendered cooking fat. A good meal was boiled eggs mixed with boiled mashed potatoes, chicken fat and bits of chicken skin cracklings- tasty and with protein and energy. Always had a huge salad on the side. I also made clothes, toys and even books. Once I had to go back to work (my husband's disability had increased, but not his veteran's pension, although after a 7 year appeal he got 100% disability, which still wasn't all that much), I either didn't have the time or was too exhausted to do this any more, and used more prepared foods. Many people who can use them do not know about food pantries or are embarrassed to go. Not everyone is lazy or a freeloader.
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Post by emmsmommy on Jul 24, 2022 0:27:01 GMT -5
Not everyone is lazy or a freeloader. Nor did I imply that they were. I can understand the working parent not having time to cook from scratch, but I know several who work outside the home that devote a day to fixing meals ahead for the entire week as well as stay or work at home parents who do the same. I don't have a thing against food pantries and even had to resort to using one after I hurt my knee and hubby suddenly lost his job. My main concern is that a news outlet feels that the answer is to direct people to charities. What is the old saying “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.”
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Post by claude on Jul 25, 2022 8:20:27 GMT -5
Emm...I understand what you are saying. Never in my life have I seen such a demand at food pantries. If it eases hunger..go for it. IDT many people ever LEARNED to cook from Scratch, or sew, or just do things themselves. I can do anything I put my mind to. I can thank my parents for that. I do things that shock my friends and I do it well. We were poor. We were 9 kids. Every one of us is self sufficient..most had their own businesses. I’m the gardener. Gone are the stigma of shopping at thrift stores. Remaking clothes is big and Pinterest worthy although I’ve done it all my life. (And most here can as well) I was asked to show a daughters friend how to make cinnamon buns. Sure. Before I knew it I had a class of 7 friends who had never baked w yeast. My mom made all our baked breads. I was blessed. Not many are. Those pantries fill a temporary need now. Necessity is the mother of invention. COVID shoved families off a cliff.
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Post by heirloomfan on Jul 25, 2022 10:48:37 GMT -5
They mentioned here locally one larger food pantry was having a hard time with the demand. They said the first thing in addition to increased activity due to people not working because of covid was that they also had wildfires in the area and those that lost their homes or needed help had to go to their food pantry. And then they added they usually got donations from the grocery stores and that has slowed down or stopped because of shortages and supply chain issues. It's very complicated right now. My parents grew up during the Depression and I grew up on a farm so every year we had gardens, fruit trees, some cattle and everything we could was harvested and put in the freezer or canned. We also watched out for our neighbors too and helped when we can if they had a big need. My mother taught me how to cook and sew and my Dad taught me about gardening so I am always grateful for those skills.
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Post by gianna on Aug 2, 2022 15:13:51 GMT -5
My parents also lived during the depression and it had a lasting impact. Fortunately they taught their children frugality and self-sufficiency. And of course gardening. I went to Costco this morning, not long after they opened. There were more people there than I had anticipated, about 20% in masks. There were no chicken thighs, a staple for me. Well, they did have deboned, deskinned organic ones which carried a high price, so no thanks. They had lots of drumsticks and party wings and breasts, and whole chickens. Beef was very expensive, so I passed there. They were limiting egg purchases to 2 twenty four eggs cartons each. I did not notice anything else in short supply, but then I wasn't looking. I did notice their roasted chickens were not as well stocked. Maybe people were buying more of those than usual because the price was still $5. In search of steaks, I went to the grocery near Costco that was having a so-so sale. They had nice looking meats, and several things at 30% reduced, so I got extras including a couple whole chickens, and put stuff in the ever-emptying freezer space. With the garden supplying all the produce, and the fridge now full, I can last another month. Not skimping either.
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Post by emmsmommy on Aug 8, 2022 6:41:03 GMT -5
This weekend proved what I've suspected for the last few months: people just don't have the disposable income they used to. Our number one seller was clothing from our store inventory and what kiddo's outgrown. Sales of electronics were down 60% and is usually our number one seller. Even books were slow to move. So while it's not good for business, I am glad to see that people are putting necessities above material things.
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