The old Ernie used to be sort of a hippy dippy guy. If you go back about 7 years ago, when I was still a gardener in the suburbs and before I became a homesteader, I was into all sorts of nature things. I enjoyed cooking and experimenting with food. I enjoyed hunting and gathering wild plants (especially edible mushrooms). I did all sorts of fun things to involve myself with nature.
Not so much anymore. Now I'm constantly in and around nature but I seem to have lost a lot of that appreciation. Where did it go?
Undoubtedly when it comes to homesteading, my wife and I have "seen the elephant" now and there may simply be no going back. Yet I still enjoy nature. I miss it incredibly when I'm stuck in a city for a few days. I miss the desert with all of its little hazards and obstacles that must be overcome daily.
So when I meet a person who is at that stage where I was 7 years ago, thinking about homesteading, it makes me wonder where the old Ernie went and how I can get back some of that enthusiasm.
5 comments:
I understand. I spend my entire day outside on a working ranch. When I'm not working, the last thing I want to do is go outside. We need balance. Having said that, there is still something awe inspiring in stepping out the door first thing in the morning and breathing in deeply of the majesty of creation. Shalom.
Rarely do wishes and dreams live up to the hype we create within ourselves for change. But with time when the "buyers remorse" moves on and we either accept what we have or decide its not for us. No wrong answer in either. It's just what's best for you and your loved ones.
I get that way, too. I used to get inspiration from Forerunner's wife's blog but it was taken down. I miss it terribly and have not found anything nearly equal to their inspiring way of life. It helps me to get Carla Emery out and spend time with her...and, of course, I watch for what your family is working on. We are rooting for you!
You seem to have passed the point of nature simply being a novelty. It is a part of you and you are a part of it. You struggle with it daily. It's becoming more a matter of survival, as you depend less on the modern world's things. I guess you could say the honeymoon is over and the hard work is upon you.
I appreciate nature for the 20 minutes each morning that I sit outside and drink my tea while watching the sun rise. Probably because for those minutes, I am not working in it, and can take the time to appreciate the beauty God has created. Then the day starts and I'm sweating in it, and the flies are buzzing my head and there is so much that needs to be done, I just don't seem to have time to appreciate it unless something new and interesting is brought to my attention. Sweat in my eyes makes it hard to see...
Xa Lynn
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