It takes a certain sense of humour and risk taking tendency to live - and survive - in the country. Homesteading lends itself to spontaneity and experimental living. It is by no means a life choice for the faint hearted. After reading "My Homesteading Philosophy" written by @nateonsteemit I was challenged to look at our life's choices, particularly homesteading. Let's face it often we make good decisions. Sometimes we make horrendous decisions. But at times it seems the choice is made for us. With my dad, @quailbreeder, visiting us, it has been special seeing the generational relationship growing between him and my little boy. With plenty of time for my goats as well.
My son is very much like his Gramps. He adores animals and he isn't scared to get his hands dirty. They both have very generous personalities and no hidden agenda. My father and my son were born to live in the country. Sadly, my Dad has lived most his life in the city, and still misses it, but he is a natural homesteader and now happily homesteading. It is always special having him visit because he loves animals. Of the four parents he is the one that is the farmer. Funnily enough the other three parents live with us but more out of necessity than a choice. Let me re-phrase. It was their choice to live here but that decision was based on the fact that we live here. So they out of necessity have been forced to make their home among our animals and the semi-desert mountainside.
Putting our life's choice into perspective is an interesting reminder. I find it necessary to be reminded of why we are here. Homesteading epitomises all of the other homie things that we desired. Homebirth. Homeschool. Homemade. Homegrown. There is something more real and tangible about homesteading than there ever was in the rat race. We've never worked harder or had as many failures (crop failure, animal loss etc) but there is peace and a sense of purpose in the country that was never realized in the city.
We are surrounded by life. The sound of birds fills the air. Walking through the small orchard or onion field the atmosphere literally vibrates with the busy worker bees. My goats always call happy greetings when they see me. There is so much satisfaction from planting a seed, nurturing it and ultimately reaping the benefits. We currently have 7 broody hens - and counting. Soon there will be dozens of chirping fluff balls. Now that the goats are back in milk I am happily making shampoo bars, soaps, cheeses and yoghurts. Nothing quite beats enjoying the wholesome fruits of your labours.
My husband and I chose - or rather were directed to choose - our beautiful homestead, and at the same time one another. It is a special story that most of you know. I try to keep these two memories in mind when it really gets tough here on the homestead. We wanted a better quality of life for ourselves, our children, and our parents. I have my Dad's inherited love of animals and so country living was the answer to a life long unasked question. It was slightly different for my city slicking husband. But he has taken to homesteading like the proverbial duck to water.
There is something about homesteading that really lends itself to adventure. Or as my dear husband would say of me, science experimenting. Whether it be dabbling in wine making, trying worm farming, messing around with different goat milk products (the operative word being messing) or rather hilarious and crooked building - you can get quite creative. Of course the purpose is always towards sustainability and survival. But why not learn a skill while getting a laugh at the same time? For those who have a romanticised idea of country living, it really is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. However it is also a lot of blood, sweat and plenty of tears. But I choose this life. Every time. How about you?
Is that an onion flower? Quite a great shot with the bee and butterfly hovering over it.
What you're doing is a dream of mine. We're continually working on it and hopefully our futurefarmers will be "pros" at homesteading than we are. There's so much life and joy and trials too. But it is our choice.
It's great to hear from you. May He bless you and yours continually.
Hi @lovenfreedom! Long time! Both you and I are a bit scarce here. Are you not as far down the homesteading path as I imagined? Your precious @futurefarmers was saying you have a cow and her baby plus some chickens. We started with chickens. 3. Then we got a goat, and another, and another.....and a sweet cow and some sheep, and another couple goats, and the chickens multiplied, so did my goats....
Yes that is onion. We have a field of onion for seed. The bees, sunbirds and butterflies love them. I sent you another photo. I did a post about it a couple weeks ago. They are beautiful covered with foraging creatures
Blessings to you too
Not as far as we would like. We don't have a fence yet so having cows and goats are in our plans. We haven't had much progress since I had our 4th one late last year :D We have little progress here and there and we're blessed to have the opportunity to work towards our dreams.
Such a beautiful sight. Thanks for sharing. And those little birds! Btw what do you do with all the onions?
My husband has been forced by the drought to sign a contract with a big seed company to mass produce seed for export so it's not grown organically as we would normally
I read so many books about living in a countryside, being a homesteader or farmer in my language though they grow coffee maybe still considered as not a choice for every parents in my country. I have a dream to be a homesteader since I was a kid, but I grew up in the city and never learn anything about farming, gardening or homesteading though my major study is animal husbandry (but never once in my life I worked with any sectors close to animal husbandry project 😅) I learned about planning the pasture and nutrition for animals but I use that knowledge to make a plan of human livelihood program😊 use the village economic sosiology for radio broadcast management.. and so on.
Having read your story and many steemians who also homesteader make me appreciate the life and struggle of your choice of living. I wish i could tell the farmers in my country that working with mud and dunk to produces for the living is not a bad job or status. You live a life that could be somebody else dream for a lifetime, my dream😊.
Thank you for sharing @buckaroo, wish you all the best uhmm.. i love that dirty little hand picture the most 😊
Thank you, as always, for your considerate comment @cicisaja. We also call it farming here in South Africa. I find it sad that many who are farmers also think it is a bad status. But possibly because they are born into it and must survive in very poor conditions. Now I learnt something new about you. Animal husbandry. Fascinating! I'm impressed that you've still used your studies to help humans. Well done
😊 at least I knew how to find the right direction while inject the artificial insemination on a cow 😂 funny that from 50 students who did the field practices that time, I'm the only one who managed to find it 😂 probably because I don't want to get kicked by the horny cow like the other students😆 aahh old time story.
If we talking about the farmers.. yes, even my fellows who graduated as the best graduatee of the year and decided to be a farmer, everybody still look at him with a pity look. In other side, a world bank officer, left everything behind and started to live as a farmer in his hometown, he's truly a hero for Aceh, now. So.. I think we should change the way of the farmers think about themselves? But yes... another affirmative action should be provided by the government too.
I think baby Zach also like dirt :) Grandpa visited? Yay! That's awesome. And you have a rainbow at the end too, we like seeing rainbows. We had a double rainbow a few times.
We're futurefarmers and we enjoy it. Mom and Dad are working hard so we can be completely homesteading like you. Soon we can get the fence around our place and we can let some goats here and momma and baby cow. We already have chickens so we will need more when we have the fence.
Mom said hello, she's helping type my comment. We haven't been posting often.
Thank you for saying such sweet things @futurefarmers. You write very well. And are blessed to have your mom help you. I hope you can get goats soon. But chickens and a cow is special! What is the name of your cow and baby? Do you milk her?
A double rainbow is a special promise. We also have them some times.
Mom does all the typing for me. When I can spell and write better, I can practice more on the computer. I'm beginning to learn how to use the dictionary too!
We don't have a cow and baby yet. Hopefully soon after we have a fence.
It's been raining here so it's not too dusty. How about there?
Only one pic of Dad PFTTT GMFFFF ;( Sister post more.. see how popular you are 19 comments in six hours where ya been yo? Hehe love you broken x x Nice to see you back!
Love you FIXED Craig. Will be doing a Dad exclusive soon. Been too busy to go near the laptop
Hehe G thanks can't wait x PS: How incredibly well has this post done best ever? Nice one sister you really need to post more hehe Listen to your smart wise and gorgeous brother more often x :P
Yes sir Mr Humble. Did you perhaps peruse who else commented last night?!!
Hi buckaroo,
Visit curiesteem.com or join the Curie Discord community to learn more.
Congrats you won the daily Gogreenbuddy upvote worth roughly 50 cents! Keep writing like this and you will keep winning!
Personally, I think it is an admirable choice of lifestyle... especially in this day and age. Far richer in quality.
And not everyone's cup of tea @jaynie. But I also feel it is a richer quality of life
Upvoted.
Thank you @yehey!
I'm building my own for future place to stay. This is the way to go, live better and enjoy the nature.
Absolutely! I hope it is a special refuge and home to you
I hope so too. I already have some 25+ cows, 5-10 goats and 20+ chickens. I want more veggies and fruits added to the farm. Maybe this year.
Oh wow! That is amazing! Well done. I'm excited for you. You'll have to include a post of your own and introduce all your animals among the many posts featuring others @yehey
Well written. Could not agree more!
Thanks @bowentroyer!
That's what it's all about. Life!
Absolutely! Homesteads fairly hum with life
They do! My good friend @burntoblog agrees. Whenever he's over he keeps saying "Nathan! This is life!" Whenever he sees a pile of rotting wood or a comfrey plant or a chicken!
It is a very "real" life. Everything surrounding you IS life or sometimes death.
It just feels right to me and it is my choice.
Great share!
It is very real! Happy to hear it's also your choice @sugarcreek. How are your goatie girls?
Very enjoyable to read this! As a homesteader, I agree! It’s a lot of hard work, but as you say “more real” than other lifestyles.. so connected with the earth! I also am a big fan of all the experiments ;)
Yay for experiments! Wonderful when they suceed and usually funny if they don't
Very enjoyable post, our homestead consists only of chickens, cats, and one dog. Not even a respectable garden in sight, but I still love it. Have a great day!
Thank you for taking the time to read @moneymosey. I hope you soon have your garden. As for the rest, before you know it there will be animals every where you look! We started with three dogs, a kitten and three chickens. That was 7 years ago....
I grew up on a farm so I know what is involved in such life. It is all beautiful but such a hard work. At that time I hated it. Well, as a child you prefer to go out with your friends to work on a farm and take care of animals. Today, I would love to have at least a small garden and plant some delicious organic veggies. But you treasure what you have after you lose it most of the time. My uncle has similar lifestyle and I love visiting him as I get to taste all his amazing products. He works from 5am until 7pm and he never complains. He just adores being outside and taking care of plants and animals. This lifestyle is not for everyone. But when you go for it, I'm sure it makes people happy. Thank you for your post. I enjoyed reading it!
It is sadly the nature of humans to only love something once they have lost it. I see a lot of children growing up in farming communities and moving into the city as soon as they are able. But then I see many adults returning to their "roots". Which is also amazing. Your uncle sounds inspiring! We sometimes complain to each other of the hard hard work, especially at the moment with the drought and continual crop failure, selling off more and more of our animals. But we love our home so we press on. Thank you for taking the time for such a thoughtful comment @delishtreats!
I love this post @buckaroo. I can see the dream and love that you and your husband share and keep coming back to even when it's tough. And I totally get that about learning new skills all the time, each day a challenge. It's a creative process, constantly, and constant lessons. And bloody back breaking sometimes, been shifting flipping gravel into wicking beds this mornign and feel like I'm ddddyyying in the hot sun!!! We met and had a dream of land and that kind of stuff too... i have to remind us of that sometimes when we're slaving away in the garden!
Back breaking indeed! I know that you would appreciate and relate to my post @riverflows. Yes it is a challenge. And sometimes so challenging we almost want to call it quits. But then you have to remind yourself......
So much to learn from you @buckaroo living and loving the homestead life . you will surprised to know that its been a month now that I got back to my farm land. Leaving the citu hustle bustle. That city life started to sucks with everything polluted and..i need to give a thought or two before going out considering the pollution, tempersture traffic.
Since one month i am finding a peace by living among the nature My farm is in a village with not much city influence. People still live upon the home grown food and grain. Ww are just done with seasonal farming...but getting a living out of like yours os a challenge. Need to get some inspiration from your post...it is my biggest life turnaround
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That's wonderful @steemflow! I hope it's all you hope and need it to be. I am happy that I could inspire you. I look forward to hearing more about your move out of the city
Thanks @bucharoo you may say as jt what i hope or may be certain surprise developemnt that madd me to take this important turn. As i said i quite enjoying my life ...and now just trying to start some earning too....settling down slowly
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I have always been fascinated with this kind of lifestyle, surrounded by life, loving the nature around you etc. I know it's not always as easy as it may seem even though it looks so much like an adventure, but their is a whole lot of beauty in it. I haven't made that kinda if lifestyle decision just yet, but maybe I will someday because I do love the idea.
I am glad to know that you enjoy this life which you have chose for yourself. I am pretty much sure you can't imagine your life ever being different from what it is now
Indeed @audreybits! We can't remember the life before our homestead! It is not without it's challenges. But we love our home
And that love sure has been the source of your strength and motivation during these challenges...
There are some people who love a country life with its hard work, early wake ups and caring after the animals but it will repay with a great harvest, biologically grown food and of course fresh air and fitness which is good for both your body and a soul.
But on other side there are people who love city life with its own attractive features. And I find it really good that we are all so different we complement each other and that is why the society is growing in all the direction.
I am glad that your family members decided to be closer with you and made that move, they must be also enjoying it, but the most important they have you in the near and family is the most important in this world. A lot of success on your country side!
Thank you for your balanced comment @stef1. Definitely each to his own. In fact my brother loves the city while I can't stand it. Town mouse and country cousin!
connecting with nature is real science and gives life a sweet meaning.
Well put @thegreens
Hey, @buckaroo.
Well said. I've never quite made the full transition yet, but I've lived in rural areas all my life and actually spent quite a few of my younger years on a very small ranch property owned by my mother's parents. We weren't a part of that at all, but I would end up going up the hill now and then where the cows were kept, passing the horses, and goat on the way.
I've never been much for living in a city. My wife and I spent nearly four years of the first part of our married life living in Southern California. That was about as much city as I ever wanted to have. Since then, we've lived in smaller towns. I'd like the last move we make to be out on some acreage, but my wife was raised in the suburbs of Mexico City, so I'm not sure I'll ever get her out that far away from civilization.
I applaud your decisions and your efforts. It takes discipline and dogged determination to do what you've done. But I believe it's the right choice for all of you.
Congratulations on the curie, too. :)
Thanks for the thoughtful and interesting comment @glenalbrethsen! And yes; blown away by the curie. I haven't spent much of my adult life in the city. But I always hated it. I mostly have lived in small towns. Although that is still too much of the metropolis for my liking! I hope you and your wife have a happy home arrangement! I am blessed that my city slicking husband loves the country so much
Hey, @buckaroo.
I think my wife has resigned herself to the fact that we're living in a rural area, but I don't think she'll ever be completely happy about it. I mean, she likes being able to drive without much traffic, and there are things she likes to do without a bunch of people around, but for the most part, she's just too social. What she needs are friends, and she really hasn't been able to find or hold onto them (they like to move away).
As for me, I'd be as far away from civilization as I could and still function. Though, it would be nice to have a sizable town nearby (a half an hour or so), just to add some variety here and there. But being able to be more self-sustaining would be great. It might be a necessity, the rate everything else in the world is going.
I'm glad it's been working out for you and your family. Nothing worse than being at cross purposes. When the heart isn't into something, it's hard to convince it to be. Even if you're in love with the company you're keeping.
haha! howdy there buckaroo! wow what a gorgeous post, all the photos are world class and beautiful! such a curie worthy post, thank you!
Thank you so much @janton