Over the weekend, at the meeting we spoke at, a couple wanted to come by and see what all we do. They are interested in learning more about living like a Modern Day Pioneer and needed some visual ideas on how we do it. We invited them over yesterday afternoon and as soon as they walked out back I saw it in their eyes, "Is this it?" I saw what I took as disappointment so I went right into explanation mode. For some reason I felt I needed to explain why I did not live up to the expectation I thought I needed to uphold. I explained most of the solar stuff was put away, they caught me at the off growing season, the animal count was down due to winter and so on. I tried to give them a visual of what it looks like in May. I don't know why I needed to do that, but I felt I had too.
Most of the times when folks come over they end up taking pictures, they pick fresh produce to take home, play with the animals and ohhh & awww at the projects.
The greenhouse sparked some interest, but not enough to really comment on. I felt at least there was something green to talk about, but it went nowhere.The rain water harvesting system and hand powered washing machine did hold their attention, for about a minute.
I guess out of desperation the wife showed off the food storage area and we never show our food, but the comment, "This is small compared to some folks I know" and "Did you know tornadoes target trailer... um, mobile homes?" made us end the tour.
I almost hate to post this because these are some really good city folks and I am glad we have met and got to know them. I can almost see their way of thinking and I am sure upon arrival they were expecting to step back in time and have the experience of a full frontier reenactment.
Or maybe they were just so overwhelmed they were speechless, yea that's what it was.
Some people want 'glitz and glamor' but that is not the real world of being self sufficient, in fact many times it is 'down and dirty'
ReplyDeleteGlitz and Glamor, that is a good way to put it Duke
DeleteMost folks just don't understand how much work and effort goes into each thing you do. Once they become homesteaders themselves, then they get it. Don't feel bad, winter is a time of rest. Enjoy the slow season while it's here.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean slow Queen, LOL
DeleteI spent all weekend doing maintenance.
You are right though, once they turn that page then they will see.
I wouldn't waste any time remembering "them" and their reactions - it's not worth it n the grand scheme of things. I reckon that your place is brilliant, and I also reckon that one day, if and when the water and lights go out, them remember your place with much fondness... :)
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong Dani, they are great people. I just think city life has a hold on them.
DeleteUntil they live it, they won't get it. Enjoy the down time.
ReplyDeleteAgreed DFW
DeleteSounds like someone that wants to be self sufficient but with a maid and a butler and a pool. Forget them.
ReplyDeleteTL, that's funny right there.
DeleteMDR,
ReplyDeleteDon't sweat it, you've probably forgotten more than those folks will ever learn or accomplish.
Shar
Thanks Shar, remember though, money can get a lot of things done in a hurry.
DeleteDid you ever get through the book series I sent? What did you think about the story?
DeleteShar
Shar, I am embarrassed to say I have not. I got through the first book and then school started and I have not had time to keep up with that, much less recreational reading. In 10 weeks I will be able to get back to it though.
DeleteThe fact that you give tours of your farm is IMPRESSIVE to me!!! Until those people do what your doing, their opinion is irrelevant! I had a to do list a mile long for yesterday and only got my strawberry patch weeded :/ This life is time consuming to say the least! I wonder what tornadoes have against mobile homes? LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelly, I truly like teaching folks how to live this lifestyle. Yes, all I got done yesterday was mending fences and getting the chick pens ready for another year. I needed to do so much more.
DeleteI tell you, I have owned a big, fancy brick home in the past and I hated it. Won't ever own one again. It's not that I can't, I just don't want one.
MDR - these people may be nice and all but they sound to me like the city types who like to talk about self-sufficiency, and green, and living on a homestead, and gathering rainwater - all of it is a hogwash dream on most of their parts! they read fancy magazines featuring rich "back to the landers" who buy 200acre already-established homesteads that come with hired help and they think that is what self-sufficiency is.
ReplyDeletethey may be nice but don't sweat them. all of us who are trying to do the same as you appreciate all of your hard work and ingenuity!
your friend,
kymber
Thanks Kymber. Yes, they are nice and I feel bad about the post I did. I want everyone to see the problems someone that lives the way I do have even with like minded people. I am seeing a upper prepper class develop here in past few of years.
DeleteAll the money in the world cant give you any more time unless you know what to do.
Harsh! I think people expect all of our stuff to look like little house on the prairie or something. The fact is that we have to source our stuff mostly from the modern world so it isn't necessarily as cute as people hope. Those of us who are immersed understand. That's clear from all the comments you already have.
ReplyDeleteThanks Barb,
DeleteThe other night I stresses bartering, recycle, reuse, and scavenge to obtain what you need to build with. I could tell I lost some as soon as I said it. My place is clean and cute. I try very hard to make it presentable and operational leaving out the typical thought of what some would think.
You are right, in the new people's mind they think of what Charles build.
They probably watch way too much television. Like Doomsday Preppers.
ReplyDeleteSilly people.
Have a great week!
Thanks for the comment LindaG
DeleteI know exactly who you are speaking about, I will give the reassurance that she came to my house today and had nothing but impressive things to say about your set up! It sparked their interest and really gave them things that they want to start up right away... and your bath house was a big hit with them and as well as the greenhouse. I feel like I was being intrusive with this post but then felt you should know that their reactions did not fit what they walked away with! We love to hear the knowledge and skills you have and you continue get our wheels everytime we have these meetings. Jessica
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment Jessica and you are not being intrusive,
DeleteLike I said, these are some good folks and I might have taken the reactions wrong. They may have just been overwhelmed or did not know what to say about anything. Some of the comments did set the wife and I back a little and we thought they were a little offensive.
I am glad they walked away with ideas on moving forward. The idea of all this is to help one another start and or continue this lifestyle.
Believe me when I say we like the group of folks that gather at the meetings and feel blessed that y'all include us to help you learn. The questions y'all ask keep me on my toes and inspires me to learn more. I suppose we all are still "feeling" each other out and finding our boundaries. I hope our connections develop into a deeper friendship to one where if needed, one day we all can count on each other and come together to survive.as a community.
Thank you again for taking the time and commenting on this post.
Getting "back to my roots" has been a dream of mine for several years...Daddy grew up on a farm, as did his daddy, etc. I, however, grew up "in the city" - the suburbs, to be exact. Recently, I've started getting into farming - which may or may not be the same. I will admit that in my dreams, farming/homesteading is a lot like Little House on the Prairie. Had I come to visit your place before I started acting on my dream, I would have so totally been like those folks. It really does take a lot of work to make things go. I don't own a farm (yet), but I do work on one that does cattle, agriculture, and poultry. Right now, we're in between flocks, which is a nice little rest (but not really a rest b/c we're doing maintenance, etc, getting ready for the next flock). Also, there's cattle to round up for the sale barn and fields to prepare for the planting season. During the day, I may wind up in a corner, rocking & singing to myself (it's tough mentally for me); however, at the end of the day, I couldn't be happier or more proud of myself. There's nothing more satisfying than doing what you love.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up. I love reading about your projects. So very inspiring! ;)
Ginny, thanks for a great comment.
DeleteFarming and Homesteading goes hand and hand just as survival and firearms do. You can't have one without the other. That is what I say to every prepper that shows me their seed bank. You have to know how to do it way before you "have" to do it. Same with the animals.
You are in the right spot to learn all about it before you jump head first into it.
Good luck with it all and keep me posted.
They sound like the type of people who go on tours of the Amish villages and tell you how 'Quaint' they are or on the other side expect self sufficiency to involve futuristic contraptions and 'Domed' cities. If you were doing this for show you would have laid on lots for them to see. Real life always comes as a disappointment to those who are 'playing' at it. You are being much more understanding than I would have been - and I'm a Townie ! Where has all the Respect gone ? Keep living the life and building the dream. X
ReplyDeleteGood points Anony, Maybe I just misread their actions. We have given many tours and it have never been for show. People come by to learn and I love teaching folks. But you have to show interest and ask questions. If not then I don't know what you are wanting to learn.
DeleteThanks for the comment.