Q&A

I just discovered your blog a few days ago (and am thoroughly enjoying it, obviously), Why thank you. but I have been reading a number of homesteading / sustainability blogs for a few months now. The people that I read seem to talk a lot about independence and self reliance and working toward a society and a planet that can support and sustain and nurture everyone ... but it more often than not seem to boil down to discussions about food. Lets start with, I am not one of those. I am not green, honestly what you do is none of my business unless you make it mine. I have a post called, I am selfish, that explains it.

Lots of discussions about solar this and wind-powered that, but usually in relation to food somehow. Well, food and power for computers to keep blogging. We do hope to go solar someday, but that is so we can live off the grid, and not have to pay someone for electricity.

I could be way off base here; I'm not a homesteader, although I am working toward living a (more) sustainable life. Just seems that food more often than not takes center stage. That is because food is not only one of your basic needs, like sleeping and going to the bathroom. But raising your own food gives you freedom from corporate America. It is a hobby that saves you money and builds an odd sense of pride. Look ma! It is about control over what you eat and feed your family.

Would love to hear from you and others on what / why homesteading. What it means to you. What you hope to achieve. I started homesteading because I was struggling financially. It started with a small garden, then grew into something more. I found a pride in myself that I had forgotten all about. It means to me that I will survive, no matter what is thrown my way {except maybe a school bus}. And I hope to achieve self reliance. I might not homestead for the rest of my life, but I want to get to a point where I know that if I had to, I could do everything I needed to, to live off of barely nothing. I want to push myself, even though I get tired, and complain. It is all part of it. It is one hell of a hard life, and don't let anyone tell you differently.