A Home That Hugs You

By Emma Johnston

It occurred to me recently that I kind of like being in small spaces. I grew up sleeping in a “Privacy Pop” (sometimes under a weighted blanket), and have this tendency to curl my limbs in tight to my body whenever the situation (and seating) allow it. I don’t know that I’d go so far as to say I’m a claustrophiliac. I certainly prefer soothing compression over strict confinement. But it got me thinking…

1969 Lamar exterior

…we were staring at the exterior of a refurbished 1969 Lamar vintage camper at the Swamp Rabbit Inn in Travelers Rest. My mom was in town to deliver a “new” used bike, and we took it – and my old cruiser – for a ride on the trail. She had stumbled upon a listing for the camper the week before, and arranged to see it in person. Absorbing what 17 feet by 7 feet by 8 feet looks like in real life, we gushed at how precious it was; like, theoretically, how adorable it would be for someone else to inhabit it – perhaps a doll-sized person. But as soon as we stepped inside, I became completely captivated with the idea of downsizing to “camper living.”

Cozy bohemian-style living area

The interior was stunning, which you wouldn’t (or, at least, I didn’t) necessarily expect from a trailer. A macrame chandelier hanging over a live edge dining table. A beautiful copper bathroom sink. A bohemian-style queen bed under a panoramic window. And a layout so smart, you wouldn’t even believe you’re looking at less than 100 square feet of space. Not to mention all of the amenities you could ever need: heating and air conditioning, electrical outlets, cable TV, high speed wifi, and a full kitchen! What dawned on me during this tour – which basically amounted to turning 360 degrees – was how much someone could genuinely love living here. Sure, there are the prudent reasons for downsized living: the minimalist lifestyle, money-saving benefits, mobility and, perhaps most importantly, environmental friendliness. But I’d figured that, in the transition, the emphasis would be on what had to be given up in the transition. Inside that perfectly-appointed little Lamar, however, was not a vibe of sacrifice but of refinement, dignity, and comfort.

A full kitchen!

Although downsizing or tiny living is becoming increasingly popular, the average American residence continues to increase in size. The average American home has swelled by 140% from the typical 1,000 square feet in 1950. During the recession of 2008, Americans began to downsize, citing economic or environmental reasons. But this phenomenon was woefully short-lived. Now, it seems as with so many aspects of American life, there are increasingly polar opposites: those seeking to live larger and more opulent, and those looking to clean out and scale back. There is, of course, evidence that Mother Earth favors the latter.

Perhaps the greatest sustainable outcome of the switch to tiny living is the reduction of carbon emissions. Out of electricity, natural gas, and heating oil, electricity uses up the most energy in American households, making up 53% of the energy used in an average American home. According to Timothy Carlin, author of the article “Tiny Homes: Improving Carbon Footprint and the American Lifestyle on a Large Scale,” the production of electrical energy also primarily relies on coal as fuel, creating 241.6 million metric tons of carbon emissions. This amount of carbon waste would fill 15,100,000 dump trucks. On the individual level, the average American carbon footprint is more than 28.5 tons of carbon emissions per year, with about 2.72 tons produced from electrical energy. 

So, how does camper living decrease carbon emissions? Clearly a camper comprises a much smaller space than the average American home, requiring less electrical energy to run compact appliances, provide temperature control, and provide lighting. In fact, natural daylight can illuminate nearly the entire space. In addition, campers require minimal natural gas for heating and cooking. Not only do campers cut back on carbon emissions, but they also save water with composting toilets. This is the most common type of toilet in a camper, as these structures are not connected to a pre-existing septic system. Composting toilets reduce household water usage by up to 60%, reduce marine pollution, and oftentimes, the waste is recycled into the environment as fertilizer, creating more productive and fertile soil. 

Aside from these measurable, directly-sustainable benefits of camper living, there are other advantages that may not be as apparent. With the necessity of downsizing comes picking out only the most essential belongings, from clothing and keepsakes to kitchen goods and cleaning supplies. Intentionally eliminating unnecessary items that don’t actively serve a purpose in everyday life is the mentality needed for camper living. This minimalist mindset – enforced by limited camper storage – decreases consumer waste; you simply don’t have the physical room for the purchase of unnecessary items, so you don’t have the mental room for constant upgrade and replacement, either. This, blissfully, produces a feeling of control over – and settled satisfaction in – one’s life.

Happier Camper Adaptiv™ example interior

Back on campus, I pondered how I could really make that lifestyle a reality someday. There’s the option of purchasing an old camper and refurbishing it, like the folks at the Swamp Rabbit Inn. I also discovered a company called Happier Camper, which offers flex-designed trailers for downsizers concerned more with function and flexibility over aesthetics and repurposing. Happier Camper also offers an “Adaptiv” line of block-in-grib components for existing camper- or van-owners. These modular interior pieces allow for complete customization of the layout of just about any size trailer or campervan.

Consider how it would feel to truly love every square foot and every single feature of your home – from gorgeous flooring to awesome appliances to the perfect mattress – because being scaled way down makes it much more affordable. You can feel savvy and righteous in your eco-friendly lifestyle, but you can also genuinely enjoy how every single charming nook and cranny hugging you in serves a purpose. Turns out I’ll take a hug from a nook or cranny anytime, anywhere – maybe someday everytime, everywhere.

 

Sources:

“Adaptiv™ System.” Happier Camper, Happier Camper, happiercamper.com/pages/adaptiv%E2%84%A2-for-campers. 

Carlin, Timothy. “Tiny Homes: Improving Carbon Footprint and the American Lifestyle on a Large Scale.” Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day, College of Saint Benedict, 24 Apr. 2014.

“Stay in Travelers Rest With Lola The Glamper Camper.” Swamp Rabbit Inn, Swamp Rabbit Inn LLC, 19 Oct. 2018, www.swamprabbitinn.com/blog/2018/10/11/go-glamping-with-lola-the-vintage-camper. 

“To Flush Or Not To Flush: The Truth About Composting Toilets.” The American Home Shield, American Home Shield Corporation, www.ahs.com/home-matters/cost-savers/the-truth-about-compost-toilets/. 

“​1969 Lamar.” Vintage Camper Trailers, 4 Jan. 2019, www.vintagecampertrailers.com/for-sale/1969-lamar. 

How to Be Snow White: A Friend to the Birds

-Olivia Pulliam

Ever since I can remember, I have had bird feeders everywhere within sight. My grandmother taught me about the beauty of birds. They have the freedom to fly anywhere, yet they stay grounded in one territory for most of the year. I am fascinated by their choices. It brings me peace to just sit and watch them.

Since being at Furman, I have become to be known as Snow White or the Swamp Queen. I take pride in each of these titles. Like Snow White, I feel a connection towards nature. I believe it is my duty to educate

Right now, I have three bird feeders outside the Cabin. Each feeder has a different purpose.

 

 

 

First, I have what is called a hopper feeder. This is a feeder with a middle storage system that dispences the seeds at the base through openings. This feeder is easy for birds and squirrels to eat from. This type of bird feeder is great for beginners because it is easy to refill and will hold most types of seeds.

The bird at the feeder is a Tufted Titmouse. His name is Peter because his call sounds like peter-peter-peter.

 

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Next, I have a seed cake feeder. These feeders are typically metal cages that hold the seed cakes. As you can see in this picture, the seeds are all stuck together. This is because instead of loose seeds, this feeder is filled with a type of condensed cake that is typically filled with berries and seeds.

The bird shown in the picture on the left is a House Finch. It has a unique stocky beak that is characteristic of finches. Her name is Darla.

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Finally, I have a nectar feeder. These feeders are targetted toward hummingbirds. They are typically a glass bottle attached to fake flowers. The opening in these flowers is only big enough for a hummingbird’s slim beak. The flowers are typically red. Hummingbirds can see color and are most attracted to red.

The bird in the picture to the left is a rufous hummingbird. His name is Buzz-Lightyear.

 

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How to Make Bird Food

Nectar: When making the nectar you need 1 part sugar and 4 parts water. It is important to change the nectar out every four or five days because it can mold. Mold is harmful to all birds.

Bird Cake:

  • ¾ cup white or wheat flour
  • 3 cups bird seed mix
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup raw peanuts
  • ½ cup water (boiling)
  • ¼ ounce unflavored gelatin
  • 3 Tbsp. light corn syrup

Bird Seed:

Different types of birds are attracted to different seeds and berries. If you are trying to attract a certain type of bird you can use food that they prefer. Sunflower seeds are liked by most birds so they are a great seed to use in every feeder.

You can make bird food out of kitchen scraps too. Here is what not and what you can safely feed birds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

Ta. (2019, March 05). Types of bird feeders. Retrieved September 26, 2020, from https://www.welcomewildlife.com/types-of-bird-feeders/

1, J. (2019, July 17). How To Make Your Own Customized Bird Seed Blend! Retrieved September 26, 2020, from https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/how-to-make-your-own-customized-bird-seed-blend/

Mayntz, M. (n.d.). What Kitchen Scraps Can You Feed Birds? Retrieved September 26, 2020, from https://www.thespruce.com/kitchen-scraps-to-feed-birds-386571

Stuck on you: the Tragic Love Story of Gum and the Environment

By Calla Pederson

If you know me, you know that I’m always found with a mouth full of gum – it’s basically a personality trait at this point, an extension of myself. I feel incredibly lucky that my environmental-scientist parents instilled pretty sustainable habits within me, so when I decided to go landfill-waste-free for a few days, the only thing I really had to cut out was my gum-chomping habit. Recently, I saw a video on TikTok (by @chessi) about gum’s adverse environmental and health effects, which I had never considered and inspired me to look further into this routine of mine.

Live footage of me (iykyk)

Chewing gum is the second most littered item on Earth, second only to cigarette butts! Chewing gum has long been a practice of humans, but Indigenous peoples chewed tree resin. The first manufactured gum was chicle-based. Chicle is tree sap from the Sapodilla tree.

The Sapodilla Tree, from which chicle is sourced

Later, after gaining widespread popularity in the United States, the synthetic polymer polyisobutene replaced the more sustainable option. Other “gum bases” (aka plastics) include petroleum, polyethylene, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), or polyvinyl acetate and are linked to cancer and autoimmune disorders. It was found that high doses of the preservative BHT in animals causes cancer, but the FDA considers minimal doses safe. Titanium dioxide is used to whiten and smooth products, and in high doses, caused organ and nervous system damage in rats. Goodyear, yes that Goodyear – the tire company – manufactures most gum bases. Chronic gum-chewing is also linked to IBS and jaw issues.

Gum doesn’t fully break down in the highly acidic environment of the stomach, so it definitely doesn’t in the environment around us. People chew (and throw away – or litter) 560,000 tons of gum annually. The good news is there are some gum recycling companies and startups out there, such as UK-based startup Gum Drop and Terracycle in the US and Mexico. They turn gum into pencils, shoe soles, and coffee cups. However, this does mean that the gum must be properly recycled, and it’s already difficult enough to ensure that regular recycling gets… recycled appropriately. Removing littered gum from city streets also costs more than a pretty penny – about $3 per piece!

Long story short, Healthline says gum does no severe damage to your health (you can be the judge of that), but the environment is another story. Another thing I have focused on a lot recently is sustainable habits. Over the past few gumless days, I have noticed I feel more present and conscious of the task at hand, which is strange because I always chewed gum to help myself focus and manage stress and anxiety. I’m not going to lie – the first day was definitely a struggle! If you still can’t kick your gum addiction, opt for natural, chicle-based gum, or better yet, buy all-natural mints in bulk and refill an old Altoids container with them. Time to get gum out of Mother Earth’s hair!Kicking my gum addiction!

Kicking my gum addiction!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credits: https://www.amazon.com/Sapodilla-Manilkara-zapota-Organic-Tropical/dp/B07CRMWFBM

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/chewing-gum-good-or-bad#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/this-is-what-your-chewing-gum-habit-is-doing-to-the-environment_uk_5aec2613e4b041fd2d253823https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/science/the-green-lantern-is-chewing-gum-bad-for-the-environment/2011/03/29/AFrVjO1D_story.html