Country Life

Why I don’t talk much about owning my own land and living off-grid these days 🚜

Sometimes the best thing to do with an automatic investment is to just let it run its course. Let the bimonthly deposits go in on schedule, let the markets grow, ignore the ups and downs, know that better days are ahead but don’t give it a lot of thought in the near term.

The truth is my hope and vision for the future hasn’t changed much though my expectations have been somewhat tempered watching the rate the markets grow, my quickly aging parents, the progress of my career. I realize probably within the next decade my parents are either likely to pass on or retire to a nursing home when they are no longer able to take on their homestead. My sister has little interest in their five acre property in Westerlo, so it will either get sold or I’ll take it up as my own home.

It’s not everything I would want in land but there is a lot of possibility with the property and it’s within commuting distance of my current job. Another thing two I’m considering is that I’m within 5 years from having twenty years in with the state retirement system at which point I will get a big bump in my retirement benefits. My current apartment isn’t great but it works well enough and is super convenient on the bus line and not a long ride to work.

On that land, if it’s someday mine I could rework it more into my own vision of the land.

How yogurt took over the dairy aisle – Vox

Chobani, Skyr, Dannon: How yogurt took over the dairy aisle – Vox

Once a small dairy aisle presence, yogurt now commands its own grocery section. Numerous plain and creatively flavored options cater to diverse preferences. Despite this, Americans predominantly associate yogurt with fruity and granola combinations. Over the decades, yogurt's popularity transformed, aligning with dietary trends: from sugary '80s and '90s options, to protein-rich Greek yogurt of the early 2000s, artisanal varieties in the 2010s, and the rise of nondairy alternatives. Now, yogurt makers are embracing high-fat options, reflecting a shifting focus on good fats. The yogurt aisle's expansion continues, driven by changing tastes and health trends.