Blind Pig & The Acorn

Entertainment During The Economic Downturn

 

As folks cut back on expenses during these difficult economic times-often the first thing to change is money spent on entertainment. Movie theaters and satellite/cable tv service are at the top of the cut back list. By the time our family of 4 goes to a movie, buys popcorn and drinks-we could have paid half our grocery bill for the week. Needless to say we don't go to the movies much. A few cheaper viewing options:

• Drag out those movies you haven't watched in a coons age-and watch them.
• Have a swap/borrow party with friends and family. These days most everyone has a video collection of some type-this is a good way to view movies you haven't seen before without having to spend any cash.
• Join one of new movie services like Netflix. A much cheaper alternative than visiting a movie theater.
• For all of you have that glorious unlimited high speed internet service-watch shows/movies online-for FREE.
• Visit your local library and check out movies for FREE.

 

The downturn has given board games a new life. Folks across the country are pulling the games out of the hall closet and remembering how much fun it can be to sit around the table with friends and family-just enjoying time spent together. My 2 favorite games from childhood-Sorry and Clue. Recently me and the girls were introduced to Apples To Apples-a very fun game if you've never tried it before-you should.

 

Book reading is a hobby many people share-as you can see from our messy bookshelf-3 of us are avid readers. Books can be expensive to buy-but there are sometimes alternatives for paying the price:

• Easiest-visit your local library.
• Share/trade books with friends.
• Find a used book store that works as a kind of exchange-they buy your books-then you use the money to buy more books from their store.
• Use an on line trading service such as Paperback Swap.

I'm hoping and praying the economic situation improves rapidly-I think I've shared with you before-I lost all 3 of my part-time jobs back before Christmas. I believe the one upside to the downturn is-it has caused many people to rethink their lifestyles-forced them to spend more time with the people they love-caused them to reconnect to the family and friends who need them.

As you all know-the Blind Pig & The Acorn Family's main source of entertainment-is making music. For this week's Pickin' & Grinnin' In The Kitchen Spot another old Louvin Brothers Song Seven Year Blues. If you watch the video you'll see how much we just enjoy making music-about half way through the boys stop-realizing some rhythms they just found sound good-they talk/yawn a little and start again. You can see the pure joy they get from music-and you can hear some mighty fine pickin' and grinnin' too.

(don't forget to stop the player at the top right of the page)

Hope you enjoyed the song-and the entertainment tips. So what have you and your family been doing for entertainment?

Tipper

p.s. If you subscribe to the Blind Pig by email-and want to see the video-click here.

Economic Downturn Causes A Resurgence In Old Time Ways

Over the past few days we've been discussing how reusing, repurposing, and recycling can be good for the environment-and good for the pocket book. The downturn in the economy has caused a need for thriftiness in most households-which has resulted in a resurgence of lifestyles that hearken from an earlier time.

 

The "backyard chicken" phenomenon is on the rise across the nation. Amazing how many urban dwellers are now raising chickens in their backyards. Frequently they have to petition the local government before acquiring the chickens-and frequently they win the battle due to the sheer number of folks who are exercising their right to have and raise chickens on their own property. (click here to read more about the issue)

 

Hanging clothes out to dry is on the rise among home owners. Two factors are contributing to the increase-the first needing to be "green" for the environment-hanging out your clothes saves on energy-therefore reducing the need to produce energy. The second reason-folks are trying to lower their energy bill. I grew up with a clothesline mentality-it was just something you did-hang the clothes out to dry. I also grew up without air conditioning. With the clothes dryer located in the kitchen-drying loads of clothes = an unbearable hot house. So hanging clothes out for us was a no-brainer, save money and have a cooler house.

 

Sadly the economic downturn has forced many people to cutback on health care. Many folks are trying to treat their aliments at home, to save money by skipping the doc visit and the prescriptions that often follow. Here at the Blind Pig-I've seen an increase in folks visiting my site to read about Appalachian Medicinal Remedies. Although I don't know for sure-I believe the increase in traffic is due to folk's interest in treating their illnesses at home-just like it was done back in the day. (to read more about the health care issue go here)

 

The Horticultural Industry-is one of the few sectors of our economy that is BOOMING. Seeds, plants, and other gardening related items have seen an increase in sales-in some case up 40% in the last year-pretty impressive given the decrease in other retail sales. As folks worry about the economy-and the rising price of food, more and more people are planting vegetables as a way to put food on the table for their families. Even folks like me-who were already gardening and preserving before the downturn-are planting a little extra-and planning on preserving a little extra too. The Deer Hunter and I figure-if we need it we'll have it-if we don't need it we will share it with someone who does. (to read more about this issue go here)

The economic downturn has also increased the amount of meals folks cook and eat at home. We hardly ever eat out-so that hasn't been an issue for us. But we have tried to cut back on expenses in other areas-*we switched over to compact fluorescent lightbulbs-and have seen our electric bill go down *planted a larger garden than usual so we can preserve more food for the coming year *tried to eat out of our pantry instead of buying additional groceries *quit giving the girls spending money *made a greater effort to make do with what we have and quit worrying about what we don't have.

So how about you-has the economic downturn caused you to go back to the old time ways? Has the downturn caused you to make lifestyle changes?

Tipper

p.s. Drop back by for the next post-to see how the economic downturn has effected entertainment.

Pickin' & Grinnin' Moves to the Living Room on Carolina Crafting

 

I have special treat for this week's Pickin' & Grinnin' In The Kitchen Spot. Paul and Pap's show aired on Carolina Crafting this week. I thought it would be part of their next series of shows-but they squeezed Paul and Pap in to finish out their season.

The podcast turned out really nice they sing a song written by Pap and one written by Paul. Some thoughts that came to mind as I watched the show:

• Wow they are really good!
• Do Paul and I have the same eyes? His looks bigger than mine.
• Wonder where they got the extra footage of the churches and river?
• Why in the world don't Mandolin Man SMILE? He looks like one of The Darlins.
• Jackie made Pap blush and me laugh out loud.
• I wish Pap could "be young" forever.

Hope you'll watch the show and tell me what thoughts cross your mind. Click here to see it.

Tipper

Spreading The March Love & A New Blind Pig Feature

   

I'm sending a great big THANK YOU out to all the acorns who commented in the month of March. You've journeyed with me as I recovered from the flu, planted part of my garden, celebrated the release of Paul's cd and my Carolina Crafting Episode, bemoaned the unemployment rate in my county, went to Kentucky to see the girls clog, and choked out the Whippoorwills. You've left insightful, encouraging, and thoughtful comments all along the way!

Granny Sue,  Sandy Carlson, Rick M., Betty Cloer Wallace, Louise, Farmchick, Cathy, Becky, wkf, Janet, Mary's Writing Nook, Renna, Paula, JoLyn, Kathleen, Amy, Trisha Too, Carolyn A., Just Jackie, The Texican, Patty Hall, Julie at Elisharose, Miss Cindy, Mary , Dejoni, Debbie, TennZen, Applie, Brenda Kay Ledford, Apple, Sheila Bergeron, Mark, Osagebluff Quilter, Dee from Tennessee, Marlene, Ana, Kim Campbell, Terry, Matthew Burns, GrannyPam, Susan, Teresa, Vera, Warren, Threecollie, Helen G., Nancy Simpson, Sara, Razor Family Farms, Lanny, Stacey, The Fishing Guy, Kristi, Mary Traveling Hammer, Denese, Petra Michelle, Egghead, SolsticeDreamer, Lisa, David Templeton, Jennifer in OR, City Mouse, Noble Pig, Finnishwahine, Brit, Brenda S 'Okie in Colorado', Dana, Teresa Atkinson, Shirley, Twosquaremeals, Marlene Affeld, Jenny-Jenny, Marlene, Greta Koehl, Mary Life In a Cordwood Cabin, Tracy, Tammy, Christina, Jeanne Habing, Farmchick Paula, Nancy M., Sablesand, Julie, David "Sumoflam" Kravetz, Holly, Bonnye, Bill West, Sarah, Julie Curtis, Pamela, The Appalachinist, Kathryn, Janet Iles, Carol Roy, Kate, Lori, The Tile Lady, Kerrie Kerns, Jenny, Yolanda, Lisa, Farm Fresh Jessica, Boutique De Laine, and Ellouise Story.

 

I'm excited to share a new feature of the Blind Pig & The Acorn with you today! We have developed an email newsletter for our readers. The newsletter will consist of:

 

Upcoming posts-make sure to drop by for the posts that interest you or forward the info to someone you know would enjoy it.

 

The comments you leave are truly full of wisdom-this is a way I can share some of those outstanding comments with everyone!

 

An easy way to find the Blind Pig on networking sites.

Have a question about Appalachia, an old song, canning, preserving, old traditions, or anything else-ask Pap and Granny and they'll share their knowledge.

 

These days-everyone needs to stretch their money a little further-each newsletter will offer a discount or coupon for an on-line business. (I'm working on a few free items too!)

I sincerely hope you'll take a moment to subscribe to the newsletter and tell others about it as well. Just enter your email below.

Secure-Subscribe to the Blind Pig & The Acorn Newsletter

™ email marketing privacy

Now for the Spread the Love winner for March-

 

Brit wins "Standing Knee Deep In Love" a folk art painting by me! Standing in love is something Brit does everyday-so I hope she likes the painting.

Again-thank you all for another great month here at the Blind Pig & The Acorn-don't forget click on a commenter's name and go for a visit-you'll be glad you!

Tipper

p.s. If you would rather I not showcase your comment in the newsletter-just let me know-email me at tipper@blindpigandtheacorn.com  

My Carolina Crafting Episode Premiered Today!!!

 

My Carolina Crafting Episode went live today!! I'm so excited!

 

I still can't believe I was ever asked to do the show in the first place!! It was a totally awesome experience. And the good news-I don't sound as much like a hick as I thought I would.

Hope you'll go watch it and tell me what you think.

Click here to see the show.

Tipper

Message from the Deer Hunter

Just wanted to let you all know that Tipper's really sick with a bad case of the flu. We're hoping she'll be better soon. She wishes she could be posting and visiting with you. She'll have the Blind Pig back up and running as soon as she can.

Deer Hunter

Blind Pig & The Acorn's Debut on Carolina Crafting

 

Over the weekend I experienced total paralyzing fear simultaneously with uncontainable excitement and joy. Carolina Crafting contacted me several months ago-they were interested in doing a pod-cast show casing my folkart and featuring Paul's music. After months of planning it all came together this weekend.

 

Jackie Jentzsch is the host of  Carolina Crafting and though I've only known her a few months-I feel as though I've known her my entire life. She is bubbly and outgoing and just happens to have a great love for Appalachia. When Jackie was a child she lived in Ohio in the northern portion of Appalachia. The area was depressed economically and her parents decided to move to Florida in search of a new life. Jackie spent the next 48 years trying to figure out how to return to the way of life she longed for-the life of her childhood. Her dream finally came true in 2006-and I'm so very glad it did!! 

 

Jackie and her camera man Ron were just amazing-nice, understanding, friendly, calming-I could go on and on about both of them.

 

While I was a nervous wreck for my show-the boys acted like this was something they were totally used to doing on a daily basis.

 

They performed 2 songs-one of Pap's original songs-Angels of Mercy and one of Paul's originals I'll be Young. I  know their show will turn out great. Mine- I don't ever plan to watch-so all of you will have to tell me how it goes. I know I'll sound like such a hick-my lovely husband has reminded me-I am a hick.

Tipper

p.s. It'll take several months for the shows to be edited-but I'll let you know when they're ready for viewing.

 

Computers and Granny

    

We have 2 computers-one in the girl's room (not on-line), which they use for homework, games, and listening to music. The other computer is in my office and is used for blogging, photography, writing, and surfing the web.

Can you imagine life without the Internet? I can't. Need a recipe it's there, need help with homework-you can find it, looking for the words to an old song-they're there too.

Along with the wonder of the web comes a few scary things. We don't allow the girls to surf without permission and supervision-with our slow dial up they don't often ask to go on-line.

    

At the girl's school, first graders visit the computer lab at least once a week, and as the students grow older the amount of time spent in the lab increases. Chitter and Chatter are in 7th grade-they have computer class daily. Fluency in computer is a necessity for today's students.

    

Granny doesn't know much about computers and has never used one. However, lately she's been worrying about my computer usage. Seems Granny's afraid I'm going to catch one of those awful computer viruses. Oh Granny!

Tipper

Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty

Today is Blog Action Day 2008, the sponsored topic is Poverty. As I thought about poverty, I felt inadequate to write about the subject. I've truly lived a rich life-not in monetary ways-but in all the ways that count.

My mind was drawn back to the stories I've heard from my elders-days with one pair of shoes per year, not much food and sharing beds for warmth against cold nights-hard times that drew mountain families closer together for survival.

 

Pap was born in 1937, I asked him to compare the poverty of his childhood with today.

During Pap's childhood there wasn't much money. He said his family might get a hold of cash once or twice a year when they sold a calf-usually $40 to $60. The rest of the year, no cash was to be had. Pap's parents were farmers, so even though there was a shortage of cash there always seemed to be enough to eat. They used what they had and made sure nothing was wasted. There were other folks who didn't have access to crops, who ate small birds like blue jays, jorees, and brown thrashers to make it through.

 

Directly related to the minimal cash flow-banks didn't lend money often or easily. Pap recalled as an enlisted Marine he tried to get a loan for $150 to buy a car. The bank wouldn't even talk to him-seems an enlisted man was a risk in those days.

Pap also recalled the hardship newlyweds faced in finding a place of their own. In most cases Pap said, unless they had family to live with or rent from, it was almost impossible to afford a place to live.

After being discharged from the Marines Pap lived in Ohio for a few years-working for a building contractor. When he and Granny were first married he figured he could build a house for about $1,100. Pap was surprised and disappointed when he visited the area banks requesting a loan-he said they literally laughed him out the door. A stark contrast from today's bank practices, which include loaning to folks who can't actually make the payments.

Pap said he'd spent his life being poor-but overall he never wanted for much-and was blessed with an abundance.

 

The Deer Hunter gets on to me for telling the girls we can't afford some things because we're poor. He says-"We are not poor, we have more than most"-I'm thankful he's right.

To read more Blog Action Day posts on poverty please visit Terry Thornton.

Tipper

p.s. Don't forget the next Acorn Giveaway is on Friday-so comment!

Play the Name Game

Names can be funny. Who hasn't felt sorry for the guy in high school named Harry Pitts (hope that wasn't your brother). I'm sure some of you have wondered about my name-Tipper. Someone once ask me if I was named for Tipper Gore, I wasn't. My big brother is responsible for me being Tipper.

He is 5 years older than I am and has always watched out for me-just like a big brother should. Like all babies beginning to walk I was constantly falling down. He was afraid I would get hurt so he started trying to warn Mom and Dad "shes going to tip over, shes going to tip over" he finally just started calling me Tipper. Amazing it has stuck all these years.

Places have funny names too. In Appalachia, there is no shortage of strange names for cities, towns, roads, streets, and communities.

Numerous names used in the US came from over the big pond with the first settlers. Raleigh, Charleston, and London come to mind.

Many times names are repetitive from state to state-like Trenton, Springfield or Austin. But the really strange ones always make me wonder. Here is a list of 5 odd community names I have come across.

1. Wehutty
2. Hot House
3. Bug Scuttle
4. Hard Scrabble
5. Hanging Dog

Just makes you want to know who came up with the names and why didn't someone stop them? For more interesting names you can check out Appalachian History's list.

Please play along with the name game and leave a list of the peculiar names you've come across in your neck of the woods. Just click on the word comments below and follow the directions.

Tipper

p.s. If you leave a comment you are automatically entered in my monthly giveaway Spread the Love-so leave one!