We moved from Eugene to Bend in 1979 because we wanted to get away from the rain! How things change. Then Bend had about 11,000 people and everyone drove to Portland or Eugene to shop for school clothes, or go to Trader Joe's. Now we have everything here plus 100,000+ people. Very expensive housing, a big homeless population and lots of tourists. We'd move elsewhere but, as you said, we don't want to be part of the problem.
I attended the Air Force Academy from 1983 - 1987. At that time, Colorado Springs ended at the Academy South Gate. Now, Colorado Springs just keeps going up I-25 to the North Gate and beyond. It’s barely recognizable. The Academy North Gate, which used to be just a cloverleaf off the interstate and a base entry checkpoint, now has a hotel and visitor center! Crazy stuff.
Not just climate refugees. Overpopulation refugees, too. Thanks to US interference in family planning practices around the world, countries experiencing overpopulation have high emigrant rates, which exacerbates local conditions. In my lifetime, the planet’s population has doubled. Frightening! Those spouting we need more babies and limiting access to family planning and abortion? Their own agenda to line their pockets with more taxpayers and canon fodder. Please take the time to watch this: https://youtu.be/PUwmA3Q0_OE?feature=shared
So Julia, you're a Eugeneian now? My old home town. Still visit once a year or so and many parts of it are beautiful. My old neighborhood is almost unchanged. Downtown was largely destroyed by the early 70s (they called it urban renewal). Next time I visit I'd love to buy you Thai food and tell you about the old days.
I've been saying for years that we are all renters...temporarily here in the skin that clothes our inner spirit, in the home we bought until we take our last breath. The house remains, passed on to heirs; the skin, well it disintegrates over time. That house passed on to our heirs will also disintegrate unless a lot of energy and $ is expended to keep it habitable for the next set of renters.
And yes, we are all immigrants here in the USA, unless we're of indigenous stock (I am not...). Some of my paternal ancestors arrived in Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1696, from England; another set in the early 1700's, settling in Cumberland County, NJ. My maternal grandparents were more recent arrivals, from Italy, in the early 20th century. My DNA tells a different story, however. I am a literal mutt, a Heinz 57, in terms of very distant ancestors. My ancestors "got around" most of Europe. IMMIGRANTS, writ large. They adjusted, as they had to do so. We too must adjust with the changing dynamics here on earth.
As an aside, my dad was very proud to be of English and Welsh stock. He might have been disappointed to learn that his ancestors were more Scottish and Irish than English and Welsh! He didn't know...but it really doesn't matter, does it?? We're all a part of the human family. Let's learn to treat everyone as kin.
I do genealogy as a hobby. My maternal grandparents came from Scotland and Canada. My grandmother came by herself as a young woman from Glasgow, on a steamship to this country and then cross country on a five day train trip, landed in Vancouver BC. Made her way to Seattle. Met and married my grandfather and they had three children. Took them ten years to earn their citizenship. Ten years. My husband's people were Italian and encountered much racial discrimination upon coming to the United States. People have a strong drive to find the "better life" and mass deportation won't deter them for long. Thank you for your valuable perspective and a good reminder. We almost all of us are children of immigrants.
We moved from Eugene to Bend in 1979 because we wanted to get away from the rain! How things change. Then Bend had about 11,000 people and everyone drove to Portland or Eugene to shop for school clothes, or go to Trader Joe's. Now we have everything here plus 100,000+ people. Very expensive housing, a big homeless population and lots of tourists. We'd move elsewhere but, as you said, we don't want to be part of the problem.
Have you tried Burns?
Not yet!
Very thought-provoking. Thank you.
I attended the Air Force Academy from 1983 - 1987. At that time, Colorado Springs ended at the Academy South Gate. Now, Colorado Springs just keeps going up I-25 to the North Gate and beyond. It’s barely recognizable. The Academy North Gate, which used to be just a cloverleaf off the interstate and a base entry checkpoint, now has a hotel and visitor center! Crazy stuff.
Not just climate refugees. Overpopulation refugees, too. Thanks to US interference in family planning practices around the world, countries experiencing overpopulation have high emigrant rates, which exacerbates local conditions. In my lifetime, the planet’s population has doubled. Frightening! Those spouting we need more babies and limiting access to family planning and abortion? Their own agenda to line their pockets with more taxpayers and canon fodder. Please take the time to watch this: https://youtu.be/PUwmA3Q0_OE?feature=shared
We've been up-sticking and moving around the globe ever since we left Africa - humanity's original, ancestral home. Imagine if we all headed home!
I suspect we'd be told, universally, GO BACK WHERE YOU CAME FROM.
So Julia, you're a Eugeneian now? My old home town. Still visit once a year or so and many parts of it are beautiful. My old neighborhood is almost unchanged. Downtown was largely destroyed by the early 70s (they called it urban renewal). Next time I visit I'd love to buy you Thai food and tell you about the old days.
Please let me know when you're here. There are a few Thai spots in town I dearly love!
Enlightening!
Insightful piece.
I've been saying for years that we are all renters...temporarily here in the skin that clothes our inner spirit, in the home we bought until we take our last breath. The house remains, passed on to heirs; the skin, well it disintegrates over time. That house passed on to our heirs will also disintegrate unless a lot of energy and $ is expended to keep it habitable for the next set of renters.
And yes, we are all immigrants here in the USA, unless we're of indigenous stock (I am not...). Some of my paternal ancestors arrived in Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1696, from England; another set in the early 1700's, settling in Cumberland County, NJ. My maternal grandparents were more recent arrivals, from Italy, in the early 20th century. My DNA tells a different story, however. I am a literal mutt, a Heinz 57, in terms of very distant ancestors. My ancestors "got around" most of Europe. IMMIGRANTS, writ large. They adjusted, as they had to do so. We too must adjust with the changing dynamics here on earth.
As an aside, my dad was very proud to be of English and Welsh stock. He might have been disappointed to learn that his ancestors were more Scottish and Irish than English and Welsh! He didn't know...but it really doesn't matter, does it?? We're all a part of the human family. Let's learn to treat everyone as kin.
thank you,
This was an outstanding and thought provoking article. Thank you for your wonderful insight.
With governments and the environment collapsing worldwide this will only get worse. Have patience and build Community where u r people.
I do genealogy as a hobby. My maternal grandparents came from Scotland and Canada. My grandmother came by herself as a young woman from Glasgow, on a steamship to this country and then cross country on a five day train trip, landed in Vancouver BC. Made her way to Seattle. Met and married my grandfather and they had three children. Took them ten years to earn their citizenship. Ten years. My husband's people were Italian and encountered much racial discrimination upon coming to the United States. People have a strong drive to find the "better life" and mass deportation won't deter them for long. Thank you for your valuable perspective and a good reminder. We almost all of us are children of immigrants.