tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post1844566266717398410..comments2023-11-05T05:27:55.905-06:00Comments on A Homesteading Neophyte: Homesteading Is RomanticPhelanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250080326099834661noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-55000680199565465252009-05-29T14:24:14.254-05:002009-05-29T14:24:14.254-05:00I have to get help to do things around here due to...I have to get help to do things around here due to health conditions, but the money isn't there ~ I have to save up to get things done & I'm still paying off the lads who did the last little bit of fencing (still not finished).<br /><br />I think the good things outweigh the bad for the most part.<br /><br />What's really annoyed me this day is that the farmer who wants to shoot my dogs for supposedly chasing his cattle has cut up & removed 250m of fencing I'd set out to prevent the dogs getting into the field where he puts his cattle!Killihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13175513884016706612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-38625889377728632562009-05-23T11:53:19.927-05:002009-05-23T11:53:19.927-05:00Fair enough.
I'm not offended, so much as concern...Fair enough.<br /><br />I'm not offended, so much as concerned. I just didnt want to see the online "conversation" devolve into who is a "real" whatever, that's all. I don't think it is productive. Yes the books do leave a lot to be desired for hte most part, but I just didnt want to see generalizations made. Like I said, everyone has to start somewhere and if a corporate executive realizes one day that the life he's been living isnt authentic and wants to make a radical change, and one that will ultimately help the planet, and his local community. I say more power to him,and we can't expect him to pretend he's poor if he isnt. If he can hire a local guy that may have kids to feed, that's great! I'd like to see that man embraced in the "community" and not feel alienated, that's all. I mean, once he buys those books and realizes there is alot he needs to know, I'd hate for him to feel alienated by the online community just because he isnt a "real homesteader". That he doenst fit in because he's different? you know what i mean? I'd just like to focus on what we have in common, and our intent. It wasnt my point to attack you, but rather to have you see that you are better than making a generalized comment like that and insighting others to say, "hey that's right, they aren't like us because they don't have same struggles." yes, they don't, but they have other demons they may be dealing with. Let's just remember to meet people where they are. You never know what other struggles they may have. If they make the jump, they are now "between worlds" ..so let's meet them with open arms. That was my point. <br /><br />Like I said, I enjoy your blog, I thank you for what you do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-77873136610115083522009-05-22T08:44:34.239-05:002009-05-22T08:44:34.239-05:00Sure it does sound righteous, then you read the re...Sure it does sound righteous, then you read the rest of the paragraph and it states, <B>"I have no qualm with them. I am happy to see that some people are able to by-pass the horror that is building from nothing."</B>If someone feels the need to find righteousness in anyone's words, it is pretty simple to do so. You have misread what I said, I have no problems with anyone that has money to do everything up front. I have talked about the money issue in the past. I stand by what I said. It might not have been the smoothest wording, but it is a complete thought and complete paragraph. <br /><br />I am sorry you feel insulted, that was not my intention. Once again, this was written for those that felt that they were worthless because others make them feel that way because of mistakes. <br /><br />I was not angry when I wrote it, I wasn't motivated by self interest, I was responding and attempting to help those that felt bad about their lives. And by the others comments they understood where I was coming from and what this post was really about.<br /><br />We all make mistakes when it comes to wording our posts. We all make mistakes in reading those posts. We always tick some one off no matter what we say, or how we try to explain it. <br /><br />All I can say is that it was never my intention to insult or upset you or come across as holy than thou.Phelanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08250080326099834661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-50100915030824643752009-05-21T22:14:54.712-05:002009-05-21T22:14:54.712-05:00"But then you have those that start homesteading w..."But then you have those that start homesteading with a good deal of money backing them. These are hobbyists more than homesteaders. Homesteaders build from the ground up, while hobbyists can afford to pay out to have things finished before they even step onto the soil. They can afford to have other's do the work that they should be doing to be called a homesteader."<br /><br />that sounds a bit righteous to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-71166602580090526182009-05-21T19:14:11.552-05:002009-05-21T19:14:11.552-05:00Amen, Phelan!
We're still working on the chicken...Amen, Phelan! <br /><br />We're still working on the chicken thing and I can't tell you how many books I've wanted to burn, they were so vague! My favorite example is the one from Storey Publishing that says you should prevent pecking and the like and then gives you exactly no information on how to go about it. (Of course, they also call 400 hens a "small flock...") <br /><br />You are so completely right on about those so-called homesteading books! It's so much better just to ask the old mountain people up here. I learned more about the usefulness of my trees in 10 minutes today than a whole shelf of books could ever do!<br /><br />I'm also just getting started and learning it all takes 10 times longer than expected. But at least I have you to show me it CAN be done by a city raised kid!April Bourgoishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04855203751193210558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-50965212765169943642009-05-21T13:48:55.020-05:002009-05-21T13:48:55.020-05:00If the anonymous comment above is really about my ...If the anonymous comment above is really about my post, then you have read the post incorrectly.<br /><br /><br />It is not about anyone being better than any one else which I stated. It is about not being truthful to yourself, nor holding yourself accountable to your readers. This is about a lot of preventable livestock death because people don't really know. If people want to be homesteaders than they will be homesteaders with or without the fairy tales. The fairy tales are nice, but I am not here to be nice. <br /><br />I give a lot of people a break. I let people be whomever they want to be. If they choose to write an edited life on a blog, then they can. This wasn't even really about those people It was more to the homesteaders that feel betrayed and treated like their mistakes make them worthless.<br /><br />I was not being righteous.Phelanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08250080326099834661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-50484530623194887792009-05-21T12:24:51.732-05:002009-05-21T12:24:51.732-05:00You know, here's the thing, everyone has to start ...You know, here's the thing, everyone has to start somewhere, and they usually have to start from where they are. If you want to feel righteoush, that's fine, but seriously, let's give people a break. Would anyone of us fall in love if we really knew what heartbreak was? NO, we are first fed stories of true love and fairly tales. Would any of us have children if we didnt first fall in love with those big eyes and those chubby limbs? <br />hey, if people are willing to give a greener lifestyle a shot, then good for them, and if they are hiring someone to help them, that's great...its a local service, so they are helping the local economy. We cannot all be Thoreaux here, we will still need skilled artisans in the local economy. The newbies will learn the hard way, they will learn about life and death and they will either sink or swim. Yes, its nice to have the real story, and I thank you for your blog, but why demonize those who are willing to try? <br />Sounds like most religion to me..."oh, we're better than them, because...." fill in the blanks, folks, its all the same. <br />let's just give people a chance, ok? the fact that they are getting out of their comfort zone AT ALL is a huge first step, right? <br />a little love, patience and compassion would change the world, let's start on the blogosphere. <br /><br />peace to you all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-4192538211116726202009-05-20T20:36:51.524-05:002009-05-20T20:36:51.524-05:00Wow. What a powerful post! My husband and I have d...Wow. What a powerful post! My husband and I have decided to begin homesteading (from scratch) just 6 months ago. We are, like you said, the poor ones. We are learning to do all that we can with what we have, and are seeing many blessings along the way. I'm glad that I have stumbled across your site. I, too, am blogging about my journey in a raw and honest way. I want others to learn from my mistakes, and I appreciate any advice that others have to offer me. Thanks for sharing your heart with us.Kendra at New Life On A Homesteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17852423537026709246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-20218030656616293112009-05-20T17:15:03.122-05:002009-05-20T17:15:03.122-05:00Even when I first started learning about modern ho...Even when I first started learning about modern homesteading, it never occurred to me for one second that it was an easy, romantic, or perfect life. (People think that???) It DID seem to me that it was a very fulfilling life choice, which is better than all those other things.Irmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07187488217492892133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-29620014141441359902009-05-20T15:58:06.062-05:002009-05-20T15:58:06.062-05:00Well written P.Well written P.Tim Appleton (Applehead)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17095838102621049820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-37569915700147781032009-05-20T15:41:03.787-05:002009-05-20T15:41:03.787-05:00I must be a real homesteader - even though I don't...I must be a real homesteader - even though I don't entirely depend on the products of my little farm - based opn the number of mistakes I've made. The mistakes that cost my animals their lives are the hardest to take; the mistakes in pressure canning are actually kind of funny. Oh well it's all learning.Aimeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06358194304460170717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-622057467054580412009-05-20T14:54:56.141-05:002009-05-20T14:54:56.141-05:00Excellent post, Phelan! I think that it is very mi...Excellent post, Phelan! I think that it is very misleading when people make homesteading sound easy. It is hard work wrapped in long hours with very little monetary reward... I can't wait until I'm a real homesteader!Carolyn Evans-Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17120659538069120105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-4101798196852712792009-05-20T13:01:08.280-05:002009-05-20T13:01:08.280-05:00One thing I have always heard and believe to be tr...One thing I have always heard and believe to be true is that the only people that never make mistakes, are the people that never DO anything.<br /><br />Outstanding post as always, Phelan. Proud to be a constant reader!HermitJimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13631580830147175636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-47660658697972101762009-05-20T09:49:43.571-05:002009-05-20T09:49:43.571-05:00Let's see: I can't grow a round radish; the heife...Let's see: I can't grow a round radish; the heifer I raised from a tiny calf is sterile; I can't turn the dog outside alone because she's liable to run away; and I have some druggie neighbors, one of whom is supposed to be in rehab but isn't. That's only the tip of the iceburg<br /><br />Oh yeah, that's really romantic.<br /><br />You speak the truth. I don't consider myself a homesteader, more of a hobbyist. I don't try to make money. At my age and with my bad knees, there's only so much I can do. But I sure do have fun.Donna. Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18393352099473686196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-83689712103332103782009-05-20T09:22:10.770-05:002009-05-20T09:22:10.770-05:00It's GOTTA be more romantic than what I've been do...It's GOTTA be more romantic than what I've been doing lately. :(<br /><br />And besides, what's more romantic than hard work, and at the end of the day leaning on a shovel surveying what you've accomplished?<br /><br />Sigh. I miss the ranch.<br />Great, great post my friend.Meadowlarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17208672418814503032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-30732987696153321782009-05-20T09:08:55.551-05:002009-05-20T09:08:55.551-05:00Amen sister homesteader! Homesteading is ONLY roma...Amen sister homesteader! Homesteading is ONLY romantic in books and movies. Thus the reason why so many don't make a go of it, it isn't all roses and wine. Instead it's mud,manure and mayham, but you know we wouldn't trade it for the anything *wink* Do we have bad days, Yes! Do we get lost in an overwhelmed state, Yes. Do we loose animals and grieve, Yes. Is it hard, gut wrenching work, Yes. It's worth repeating, we wouldn't trade it for anything! <br />Bless you for your honesty,that is why we follow your blog,we can totally relate.Kelle at The Never Done Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06089557752054842197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-42588590392286819582009-05-20T09:07:45.582-05:002009-05-20T09:07:45.582-05:00love your post today. I had been thinking somethin...love your post today. I had been thinking something similar and glad you did a good job putting it in words. I am so tired of people making homesteading life a fairy tale. Would love for them to spend a day here. Worrying where money for bills is going to come from, how to fix the garden fence where the rabbits got in and ate some of my beans. When we are going to have time from farm and animal chores to repair things in the house. But I am blessed to have this life no matter how stressful it is.They just need to cut the fairy tale crap.Peggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16467921308987979013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28663723.post-50867848330360852492009-05-20T07:48:35.802-05:002009-05-20T07:48:35.802-05:00Sometimes it's a hard life, but I wouldn't trade i...Sometimes it's a hard life, but I wouldn't trade it for anything else.<br />YeOldFurtAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com