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  • From: "Lynda" <lurine AT com-pair.net>
  • To: <bobford79 AT yahoo.com>, <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Homesteading & Survivalist
  • Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:07:34 -0800

We could have been pretty close to sustainable in the city where we used to live. We had a house built before 1903 AND the original well for that section of property (the city block). It was capped, correctly and could have been used at any time. When the city ran in water and required hook-ups, they didn't require that wells be disconnected from the water lines but rather that they be capped and a backflow value be installed. There was no fill and in my little 6 x 10 patch in the backyard I grew more veggies than most places can grow in a space 4 times that big. I do miss that soil!

And I did enjoy the growing. Since the average temps, year round, were a mere 60 degrees, it was a challenge, but fun, to figure out ways to grow tomatoes and other supposedly heat craving veggies and fruit.

I also miss the long growing season (over 300 days).

Lynda
----- Original Message ----- From: "bobf" <bobford79 AT yahoo.com>


What you just wrote is one of the main motivators for rural relocation. I could enhance the soil of my 1/3 of a city acre to its fullest potential, and use every inch to grow vegetables, But, I am completely dependent on 'city water'. If water use is restricted, my ability to grow food is gone. I have a small stockpile of canned food, but , only small. If things get 'that' bad -- and I am not expecting them to, in the next year or so-- I'll just leave.

The ability to grow food, for me, is more than just an ability to feed myself and my wife. I really enjoy working with the dirt and plants. I get a kick from going outside and seeing that plants are bigger and prettier one day, than they were the day before.

People who homestead (or whatever label that labeling people want to use)just to feed themselves for the sake of eating are no different at all than a survivalist (or whatever labelers want to label 'them'). In both cases , they are just hunkering down with enough to eat. But growing one's own food is not just 'eating' , it is a kind of permaculture that goes beyond just eating.

Part of living in a large city is wonderful. I like the museums, the great art and book shows; the occasional Broadway road show; But, I have become enchanted with gardening and know that gardening and other things I desire to do can only be done in a rural setting. I can always visit the city.

You are so right about the strength a person gets from being independent, Rob. And, I think that is what you meant by the 'power' of growng your own food. The less you have to depend on the ability, ethics, nature, opinions of others, the more powerful you become on your own.

I'm sure, where you are, you have people on whom you can depend, as do I, but you 'could' get by without them. In the city, you can not just disconnect -- if for no other reason than utilities and space.

I don't discount the highly held self - opinions of "homesteaders", "survivalists", "hippies"; or any one else who labels themselves anything else, for that matter. Everyone has to decide what is their correct path, and then make their trail.

I don't know, at all, any more, if I could kill my own livestock, like pigs, that is just the truth. But, I would imagine I could pay someone else or trade/barter for someone who would do that unpleasant task. If not, I could learn to mainly eat vegetables :-). Or, perhaps, killing will come as easily , agan, as it did when I was young -- I just don't know; and don't really care -- I'll figure that out, too.

Life , including the sour economic future we are facing, is full of all kinds of wonderful surprises and opportunitties; if a person is looking for them, instead of always being dour and down. I spent (wasted really) part of the past few years being dour, not appreciating all of the fun and the joy in life. I'm going to try not to do that as often.

I will complain about activism which bothers me in our culutre; Invasion of our privacy, wasteful spending of my tax money; but , at the same time, I'll be making faster prepeartions to move to the point (and physical location) where I can relax and be happy. Life is not all about work and worry -- not my life, anyway. I will do the work required to satisfy myself -- the rest be damned.

I own farmland within an hour and a half of Leslie -- She will do better than she thinks -- she needs to get to know her earthship guy better. Place dictates function, in some endeavors.

Hell , I might move up near you ; I still know a few girls up around Harrisonburg and Staunton, if they haven't moved. No -- wait--, they would be in their mid forties by now -- almost as old as my wife . hmmmm

'you can't buy youth; but by G-d, I refuse to act, all of the time, as an old sourpuss.

Thanks again for writing that comment about the powerful nature of growing one's own food. My pitiful little garden has brought me much joy........





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