Blog : Built Yooper Tough

1150 posts
2/21/2022 8:39 am

Built Yooper Tough

I am not a "Yooper". I know some of you never expected to hear those words, not from me. I have lived in the U.P. longer than anyplace on this earth, but that really doesn't count. A "Yooper" must be born in the U.P. Sometimes I think even if you are born here if you leave for too long your status goes under review. The people that feel that way are the old timers and they come by it naturally.
There is a war between residents of Upper Michigan and people from lower Michigan, "Trolls", because they live under the bridge. For some odd reason, Trolls think that our economy entirely depends on their tourist dime, no one has any other job here but to kiss troll booty to get that dime. Most of their precious dimes are spent at state parks or state facilities, the money from which goes to the state government who tends to treat the UP much like the proverbial red-headed step . So...the dispersement of any funds back to us is certainly not in proportion to the work people here put into them being obtained.
How do "Yoopers" earn money if not from the generosity of "Trolls" ? Jobs, industry, colleges, you'd be amazed. I am a nurse and an artist in the world market. Who are some of our residents? Famous writers, actors, musicians, politicians, magnificent artists in every trade, all of them enjoying life, because you can here.
This is a small "local" sample of a global attitude that is toxic. People who know little more than where the ice cream parlor is, trying to make decisions for a community, because of things they heard at a bar, spewed by a drunk who has never been there. We live it here, daily. It causes hostilities. It creates bad blood.
No one knows a country better than its own people. They have to deal with self serving government officials like we all do. It takes time....stupid amounts of it.

TwilightSpirit 56F

1248 posts
2/21/2022 8:42 am

Just like in "Trolls vs. Yoopers" arguing isn't going to help. Every country in the world has its beauty, its wonders, its good people and its bad.....we are the same, we struggle for a good future and a good home for our families.

Koffla 68M

12277 posts
2/21/2022 9:23 am

I would love to go island hopping and fishing in the Upper Peninsula and Lake Superior.

NBA PLAYOFFS
New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers
.

TwilightSpirit replies on 2/21/2022 9:59 am:
Its gorgeous. You will want your camera. do visit Kitch-iti-kipi, it is a spring but gorgeous. Grand Island is also very lovely. Mackinac Islaand take huge funds unless you have a great deal of resistance. Fishing is amazing, everywhere. Scuba diving is popular, but some areas like the shipwrecks you must have special permits. Oh you'd enjoy some local folklore about a scuba diver who would come on his motorcycle. he came every summer and dove on a secret site off Grand Island, he collected a kings ransom in gold coins from a wreck. He passed in Illinois about 15 to 20 years ago and no one has found his spot yet.

Nileyears 71F

4208 posts
2/21/2022 10:05 am

Lol. I kind of understanding their thinking, outsiders don't get the order of things. Not saying it's correct on their part, but I see where they can get an attitude on outsiders.

TwilightSpirit replies on 2/21/2022 5:12 pm:
Yes, indeed...Is that you playing guitar?

Koffla 68M

12277 posts
2/21/2022 10:18 am

I know of a Don Constanza (@decostanza) from Indiana who goes wreck diving in the Great Lakes. His underwater photography is out of this world.

NBA PLAYOFFS
New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers
.

TwilightSpirit replies on 2/21/2022 5:11 pm:
I found picture! You aren't kidding. Gorgeous photos of the wrecks. Thank You. He needs to publish a collection, then I can add it to mine. I am truly fascinated by the shipwrecks of the Great Lakes. Growing up people like Fredrick Stonehouse were heroes. The lighthouses to turn me into super nerd and I am lost for hours....lol.

Rocketship 80F

18580 posts
2/21/2022 10:35 am

OMG Twilight!!!!

You could have been writing about the small community I'm living in during the winter!!

The economy is treated the same way here. All the tax dollars are spent to attract more and more tourists while the town infrastructure falls apart.

Gotta luv a good rant, eh~~~

TwilightSpirit replies on 2/21/2022 4:54 pm:
I have noted some things in recent discussions on the site that feel like that to,

DAYLILI 82F

149 posts
2/21/2022 1:25 pm

TwJ Your comments remind me of Cdn truck driving protestor in Ottawa when the police arrested one of the leader's husband. In his bail hearing, he wanted to plead the First Amendment. Judge told him that Canada didn't have a 1st Amendment. Then he told the judge he didn't know much about politics. Not very helpful when having a political protest I think.

DAYLILI 82F

149 posts
2/21/2022 1:26 pm

Rentier2 79M

950 posts
2/21/2022 2:35 pm

He or she also complained that she didn't get a Miranda warning.
The judge must have rolled his eyes.

Darter50516 66M

3857 posts
2/21/2022 3:56 pm

My industrialist side takes over when viewing the UP. The copper deposits helped build our young nation spurring the change over from large cents and half cents to the "Flying eagle" then the Indian head that fueled our economy. Sometime I will blog on the $10 note issued by the Central Mining Company of Eagle Harbor handed down to me once representing a sizable hunk of change. The UP has contributed so much and has a wealth all it's own to be enjoyed by it's residents.

TwilightSpirit replies on 2/21/2022 4:52 pm:
On a side note, copper from native mines was found across Europe and in Egypt, long before Columbus came.

Nileyears 71F

4208 posts
2/21/2022 7:28 pm

Nileyears

Yes, that's me testing out a new Martin at the Guitar Center in Ft Worth. I loved it so much that I bought it and took it home with me. The mahogany smells like chocolate every time I open the case.

Nileyears 71F

4208 posts
2/21/2022 7:34 pm

Yes Tx, I play the guitar and the violin. That's why I go missing from SFF for long periods of time.

I thought I wrote a blog about it, but maybe that was a different site?