Victorian Slum House and Transplanting

I tried to imagine living as they did in a Victorian slum house. If you saw the beginning on Tuesday, I’m sure you were appalled at the filth, their room(s), their clothes, and their skin! Somehow, I didn’t see the producers adding a few of the other things that were so common back then. I’m talking about lice, bedbugs, and the like. I also didn’t see any spider webs ... or rats ... or those wonderful, ever-present cockroaches. I suppose they had to draw the line somewhere. Perhaps they will show up, who knows.

If I were younger, by 20 years or more, I would have been game to do this. After all, I have lived from pheasant to feathers for a lot of my life.  When we went back to the land, our family of six lived in a shanty with a dirt floor for nearly a year. I believe we would have loved any one of the rooms on Slum House for its spaciousness and comfort. Privies? I have used more than my share.

When I see one of their Houses, I think, they ought to do a series on going back to the land on a dwindling budget in today’s world. Life in poverty is hard. I know there are places in the world where it’s a life and death struggle to stay alive and keep your children fed. I would be ignorant if I said my life was worse. It just felt like it at the time. Let’s just say I’m stubborn and I wanted to make a go of it, no matter what. I could have gone back with my tail between my legs to the comfort of hot water and flush toilets.

I was a little confused about the new people. Didn’t any of them bring a kettle or anything to cook with, besides the couple with the store? That’s pretty basic. I didn’t see what all they had, but a kettle to make fish head soup or boil potatoes would be one of the first things I’d take. They had to be cooking sometime during their journey to London.

I don’t understand their money system. English money is confusing. The one guy got 10pounds for a full day of back breaking work. That’s like $12.94 for the day. The 1860’s day? Today’s day? Sounds like too much, and then again, it sounds like not enough. Maybe someone could help me out with this.

I must have missed some stuff and will have to watch it again. Did they have a made-up back story? Are they immigrants or refugees? Where did these characters live before they ended up at the slum house?

I’m currently watching Lark Rise to Candleford – an episode at a time. (on Amazon Prime) I guess it’s supposed to be in a later time frame, maybe. Mr. Timmons had to be a common laborer picking rock in a field when someone stole his tools. He made 5 Shillings for the day. Like I say, English money is confusing to me and prorating for the time difference makes me a little nuts.

For those of you who are not into historical housing re-enactment: I transplanted the squash to a popcorn tin yesterday (not having a large enough pot for it) and so far, it doesn’t seem to be suffering. I am not going to subject it to the next couple days of the forecast chill, wind, and rain. DH can take it outside for me and I’ll add some more dirt. My floor in here looks like a nursery from the spilled dirt. I look at that squash and wish so hard that I had the energy to plant a big garden out in the yard, I’d love to see squash, and gourds sprawling all over!

        Have a great day, night, whatever!