No that's it, we're getting a well. = ) . No crazy hidden socio-political meaning behind this title... we're just getting a well. We had the property inspected today, a highly scientific process which I will get to later.
Let's face facts first though, as much as you want to simplify life you're going to need water. Our property is 10 miles past the middle of nowhere, where public water doesn't go. That's fine by me. Momma always said "Public water is like a box of choc-o-lates, you never know what you're gonna get". Yes, I will likely have to treat my well water, but for the most part it's pure and has been collected in a natural reservoir right under our feet. Translation: Clean water is almost free. ('almost' being I don't know what it'll cost to treat it... in the long run probably less than your tap water, ha ha) and factor in excavation / pump, etc...
I am trying so hard not to get all socio-political up in here, I have enough of those, but (and there it is, the 'but') do you know what's in your tap water? I know D.C. has some of the worst public water there is. And I know som Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune North Carolina are having health issues due to the high metal content in the public water in the barracks.... the same base where I was stationed for 5 years, lived in the barracks, drank the tap water, and knew 15 years ago it had a high metal content. There's also the stuff we don't know about (bacteria gets in everywhere, so I will know my water very well (pun intended on the 'well' part)). But, let's talk about what we do know.... check online to see what's in your local area's public water. I can't say what you have, but, I do know we were all raised on good old fashioned, all American "Fluoride"! Let me shatter that illusion, fluoride might not be exactly what we think. Matter of fact there have been some studies done by other countries on what fluoride does, and how to effectively employ it. But... that all crosses over the line for where I want to go with this blog.
What I want to talk about is the engineers and state of the art science and technology that goes into locating the right spot on your property to put a well. Namely, an old man and a stick. I don't think any old man or any old stick will do. It takes a 'dowser' or 'water witch' to do it. For us, our little old man was in his late 50's, in a t-shirt and jeans, and he snatached a green branch off of one of the trees on our property, split it halfway up the middle so it made a 'Y', held onto the handles of the 'Y' and went where it took him.
That thing took him across the field of debris I've been clearng where he locked onto a stream he said was about 20 feet down. But, he said at that depth you'll probably get a high iron content (gets convolluted to get that drinkable). Then the stick took him back across the yard where he found another underground stream and followed it to where it intersected with the first stream. He told us that if we dig about 300 feet down we'll hit that second stream and get ample, clean, water.
I am a studious man of the world, and love to figure out how things work... what makes them tick. For the life of me I don't know how some people can dowse. But, if you ask me if I think that old man with the stick is right, my answer is "Yes". I think if we dig down to about 300 feet or so where he said, we'll find an ample amount of clean water. I don't know how it works, but, I've seen enough of these types of things to believe that they 'do' work. This is a 'technology' almost every single one of our ancestors relied on not much more than a hundred years ago.
I don't where the story is in this. Where this goes, I usually like to draw a conclusion. I can't figure out the trick, I don't know HOW it works, I just know that it does. So, I suppose that's the conclusion I'm supposed to draw. These are the things that God put on me, be a scientist and a skeptic, follow how things work. But, accept there are somethings that we just won't 'get'. Maybe one of you know how this works. Don't tell me, I either want to figure it out for myself or live on the faith that I have. While I might not understand it, once I connect to it I will tap into a refreshing, life-giving , wellspring. Kind've like having a personal relationship with God.
It's almost like I had planned to reach that conclusion all along, huh? Wanna know the truth, I didn't. I just let that last paragraph write itself pretty much, literally started at a loss for how to end it. Followed that on faith, like an old man with a stick.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Between two worlds
Since I've been making these chanes in my life I've found myself a Colossus astride two vastly different worlds. At no time has this been more apparent than it was yesterday... in one day I experienced both worlds, and I'd like to share those.
Yesterday morning I woke up and did my morning routine, got dressed in a business suit, dress socks, dress shoes, tie, tie clip, hair well coiffed, etc... I rode off to work and logged myself onto the computer. Throughout the day I sat in a cube and worked on a powerpoint presentation, poring over data and assimilating it into a format which I hope will be sufficient. Meetings happened and people pontificated over their own importance. Thinly veiled hositlities were exchanged in a politcally correct atmosphere via e-mail. Smiles and pleasntries were exchanged in passing, after which all of our cliques convened in empty rooms and whispered in secret. A project I've been working on for over a year continued to languish in somene else's que. Lackies scrambled like lap dogs and cronies waited patiently for crumbs of praise to fall from the master's table. Finances, meetings, and training were discussed, spreadsheets updated... without all of which who would be important? The sacred system, yet again, managed to perpetuate itself. I am guilty of all of this, and hold myself above no one.
Lost in this ocean I was thrown a line. A request to help someone else as much as it rescued me.
I received a call at my cube saying a friend was having trouble and needed my help getting 100 bales of hay into the barn. All day I sat in excitement waiting to travel to that "other" world.
The proverbial bell rang and I dashed home to cast aside my favorite Italian cut suit and Donald Trump collection tie. These were quickly traded for an old pair of jeans, a t-shirt, flannel, workboots, and work gloves. I had my passport for another world 20 minutes away. I have never bucked hay before, and looked forward to the challenge.
I was greeted with warm smiles, a cool drink of well water, good conversation and a view of the mountains. Another friend from work joined us and we were off to buck hay (Bucking hay is getting hay bales onto a wagon and stacking it in the barn). We did 100 bales (yet another skill learned for me!). My daughter sat on the sidelines the whole time, my personal cheering section. The sweat that poured out of me cleansed body, mind, and spirit. Every bale stacked was a step away from an excel spreadsheet. If you have never bucked hay before I swear to you this one thing: you will never find a better workout. It works the whole body. Plucking bales out of the field, hauling them to the wagon, stacking, chucking them up into the barn, re-stacking. Balancing on an undulating 8 foot mountain of barely bound grass while hauling bales up to the window is like the ultimate stairmaster.
Funny thing about barns and farms, they're all about families and animals. As I bucked hay I got to watch my daughter take her first horse ride. Nervous at first, gradually wanting to go faster and faster. Then onto feeding goats, and I watched my boys play around the corral and in the hay, all the while working with good friends.
When that was over we were treated (as thanks) to a most delicious dinner. We watched the sun go down and talked about the 'other' world. = ) .
Coming away from working at my own place an hour and a half away I've trudged into town (town being a strip about a quarter mile long) I've been dirty, grimy, unshaved, hair matted to my head... even still, on my way to get something to eat, three groups of people stopped me to say "Hello"! People I've never met. Funny how I never expect that where I wear a suit. There people walk by and barely notice each other whereas in 'town' I look like a homeless person and stangers greet me as if I belong. These 2 worlds even have vastly different cultures. I was a stranger in a strange land and it felt foreign to me to answer those greetings from strangers those first few times.
Let me ask you this dear readers... which one of me would you be more apt to say hello to on the street? The suit or the vagrant? The funny thing is if you had met me in one of my previous professional incarnations I can guarantee you would not want to talk to me at all!
The law of the land of the people who I want to belong to is to work hard and help each other. Maybe that's what those guys in town saw as I walked to get a beer. Someone who worked hard. I know in my heart of hearts that I have to work harder, and help others more, and make my life a testimoy to others for God. It is something I am striving to take accountability for.
God bless!
Yesterday morning I woke up and did my morning routine, got dressed in a business suit, dress socks, dress shoes, tie, tie clip, hair well coiffed, etc... I rode off to work and logged myself onto the computer. Throughout the day I sat in a cube and worked on a powerpoint presentation, poring over data and assimilating it into a format which I hope will be sufficient. Meetings happened and people pontificated over their own importance. Thinly veiled hositlities were exchanged in a politcally correct atmosphere via e-mail. Smiles and pleasntries were exchanged in passing, after which all of our cliques convened in empty rooms and whispered in secret. A project I've been working on for over a year continued to languish in somene else's que. Lackies scrambled like lap dogs and cronies waited patiently for crumbs of praise to fall from the master's table. Finances, meetings, and training were discussed, spreadsheets updated... without all of which who would be important? The sacred system, yet again, managed to perpetuate itself. I am guilty of all of this, and hold myself above no one.
Lost in this ocean I was thrown a line. A request to help someone else as much as it rescued me.
I received a call at my cube saying a friend was having trouble and needed my help getting 100 bales of hay into the barn. All day I sat in excitement waiting to travel to that "other" world.
The proverbial bell rang and I dashed home to cast aside my favorite Italian cut suit and Donald Trump collection tie. These were quickly traded for an old pair of jeans, a t-shirt, flannel, workboots, and work gloves. I had my passport for another world 20 minutes away. I have never bucked hay before, and looked forward to the challenge.
I was greeted with warm smiles, a cool drink of well water, good conversation and a view of the mountains. Another friend from work joined us and we were off to buck hay (Bucking hay is getting hay bales onto a wagon and stacking it in the barn). We did 100 bales (yet another skill learned for me!). My daughter sat on the sidelines the whole time, my personal cheering section. The sweat that poured out of me cleansed body, mind, and spirit. Every bale stacked was a step away from an excel spreadsheet. If you have never bucked hay before I swear to you this one thing: you will never find a better workout. It works the whole body. Plucking bales out of the field, hauling them to the wagon, stacking, chucking them up into the barn, re-stacking. Balancing on an undulating 8 foot mountain of barely bound grass while hauling bales up to the window is like the ultimate stairmaster.
Funny thing about barns and farms, they're all about families and animals. As I bucked hay I got to watch my daughter take her first horse ride. Nervous at first, gradually wanting to go faster and faster. Then onto feeding goats, and I watched my boys play around the corral and in the hay, all the while working with good friends.
When that was over we were treated (as thanks) to a most delicious dinner. We watched the sun go down and talked about the 'other' world. = ) .
Coming away from working at my own place an hour and a half away I've trudged into town (town being a strip about a quarter mile long) I've been dirty, grimy, unshaved, hair matted to my head... even still, on my way to get something to eat, three groups of people stopped me to say "Hello"! People I've never met. Funny how I never expect that where I wear a suit. There people walk by and barely notice each other whereas in 'town' I look like a homeless person and stangers greet me as if I belong. These 2 worlds even have vastly different cultures. I was a stranger in a strange land and it felt foreign to me to answer those greetings from strangers those first few times.
Let me ask you this dear readers... which one of me would you be more apt to say hello to on the street? The suit or the vagrant? The funny thing is if you had met me in one of my previous professional incarnations I can guarantee you would not want to talk to me at all!
The law of the land of the people who I want to belong to is to work hard and help each other. Maybe that's what those guys in town saw as I walked to get a beer. Someone who worked hard. I know in my heart of hearts that I have to work harder, and help others more, and make my life a testimoy to others for God. It is something I am striving to take accountability for.
God bless!
Monday, June 13, 2011
McDonald's... for the brain
OK, first off throwing out a warning, many of you may not like this post or it may make you uncomfortable. These posts are my opinions, and for those I offer no apologies. I am, however, open for discussion.
This weekend was not a weekend at 'the farm' I've found myself split between weekends there and weekends actually taking farm classes (every other Sunday). This week was a week for classes. At yesterday's class I found myself towards the end eating kohlrabi, roasted peppers, onions, shrimp, potato salad, taragon chicken and a host of other things I don't normally eat (but they will be the norm... someday). This has become regular fanfare at the farm where we take classes and I find myself eating less on Sunday mornings when I know we'll be headed there. A lot of these foods are new experiences for me (being nearly a strict carnivore these past 38years). But, I find myself feeling better when I leave having eaten all that good food.
Yesterday I started thinking why, and the answer was pretty obvious... I am choosing to put better things in my body, duh, simple. This is a choice I can make every day. How would I feel if I woke up some morning and that choice was taken from me? Instead of healthy foods I was only allowed to eat from the McDonald's menu? Like Morgan Spurlock in "Supersize me!". Watch the movie, in a month you will see him go from a vibrant person to someone who has gained an excessive amount of weight, is lethargic, and, at times, craves the chemicals that are in McDonald's food.
No one would like that situation forced upon them and it is undoubtedly unhealthy. Anyone reading this is probably nodding in agreement with me right now.
Here's where the tough part comes in... where was I on Saturday? I was at he convention for the Home Eductaors Association of Virginia. That's right... we plan to homeschool. This is not an attack, it is another personal choice, I merely wish to cause people to think (as was done to me) and perhaps open up discussion or debate. The lifestyle choice we're choosing to make goes beyond what we do for a living, where we live, and what we eat... it's whole living, back to basics. It's taking responsibility for what goes into our body as well as our minds (and those of our children, whome we view as the most precious commodity we must manage). I am not looking to force my beliefs on anyone, nor do want beliefs forced on me, but, if I am one thing... I am honest. So, here's my point of view...
I see public school as the McDonald's of education. It is cheap, easy, and of low quality. I have reasons for this, which I will get to, but, I'd rather talk about the impact of this if I am right. I see our system as being set up to get children through tests, or shuffle them through. I see the light that has gone out in the eyes of too many teachers. I equate sending my kids to this type of place as a a game of educational Russian Roulette ("this year little Johnny had a good teacher, let's hope he gets one next year." Does that only sound stupid when I say it out loud.) What I don't see is a system dedicated to teaching kids how to learn, how to solve problems, or how to love learning. I have probably attacked a sacred cow to many out there... what did I say in the opening paragraph? "I offer no apologies, these are my opinions". While I offer no apologies, what I do offer is myself, and my own experiences in public school. (I firmly believe myself to be a 'survivor' of the public school system).
I won't go into all the details, and won't lie and say "there was nothing good". But what I will tell you is true. In first grade I had a gym teacher throw me to the floor and threaten me. I was 6, he was probably in his 30's at the time. In 5th grade Mr. Malone took me out in a hallway and pinned me to a wall and threatened me. I have always had bad handwriting, to this day my handwriting looks like a ransom note... but all throughout elementary school I was sent to special classes every week because I was labeled as having a learning disability due to my handwriting. I was basically told I was 'slow'. I stopped caring somewhere throughout all this and started actually believing these people who said I was slow. My grades fell and by the end of eighth grade I should've failed a class which would've kept me back, but one of the teachers just decided to pass me. While I was happy to not be kept back, is this representative of a good system? I was given an assignment once in high school (Mrs. Cahill's English class) and I decided to actually try. I wrote a report on the history of filmmaking. I put everything into that and delivered the very best that I could. She failed me on the suspicion that I had cheated as the work was "far too good for what I was capable of". I was given the option to fail or turn in another assignment (of my 'own' work) in the hopes I could receive a 'D'. Yes, that was the best I could hope for, a 'D'. Does anyone know what that could do to a kid who was earnestly trying to crawl out from under a rock like that? I told her I would not do the report again, and would opt for the F. Were it not for the support of my Mother I would've gotten that F, but, my Mom WATCHED me do all the research and put it together and knew what I had done. I got an 'A'. Mrs. Cahill is in my prayers in the hopes that she has changed her ways and now has a positive impact on students like me. But, my thoughts since then have not always been as such.
I took U.S. Government (Mr.Cook) my junior year, and something about him and his class made me realize I actually enjoyed learning (again). Mind you 6-7 years (of my formative years) had passed since I had given up on myself. I began to turn things around, some of you who know me know that I ended up in honors English the next year. The first day I walked in I think some people thought I must be lost. (Except Liza, who, since first grade has treated everyone with kindness and respect). Many of them were likely skeptical of me until about the time I beat all of them (except Liza) on the SAT's.
Anyone who remembers me from back then may find some of this hard to believe or may think my facts are distorted. Memory does that from time to time. But, one day a few years back I decided to take a challenge I'd been thinking about for the better part of 10 years. I took the MENSA exams (October 18, 2008, I will ALWAYS remember). Needless to say I am a lifetime member. If you know what MENSA is, challenge yourself and take the exams. If you don't, a rough translation is that I am not 'slow'. [ ;-D
So, I offered up myself as one reason why I don't put much faith in the public school system. Your experiences may be different, but, I don't feel like taking the gamble with my 3 kids where they can be thrown to the ground, against walls, labeled as 'slow', passed through an inadequate system, and / or called liars in the hopes that one day they survive all this and maybe rekindle their love of learning. My Wife and I are taking on the responsibility of avoiding Mcdonald's, of all sorts, in our lives.
Having put that out there, I will address the biggest argument against home schooling. "What about socialization?". I follow the sage words of Rick Boyer (he and his Wife have homeschooled 14 kids and he's spoken at the conference the past few years I've been able to attend). What does Rick have to say about socialization? "I'm not looking to raise socialists". = ) . That, and take a walk around the mall on a Saturday, look at the kids who are your kids age. Are they the peple you want your kids to be emulating? That's what we do when we socialize. When asked if he's afraid that his kids won't fit in, Rick has been known to respond with "I am scared to death they WILL fit in".
Then you'll get the one nay-sayer out there who says her boyfriend's sister's best friend saw Ferris Bueller pass out at 31 flavors last night... and a homeschool kid who doesn't quite fit in. (A little Ferris Bueller reference). OOoooooKay... are we going to take that and pretend all the kids at public school fit in? I'm not sure I agree with that logic. The farm classes we go to are run by a couple who home school, their 12 year old (can't be much more than that) is the most polite thing you could meet, very knowledgeable, and runs the farmers stand by herself. When I see her, and I see the kids at the mall, you can see the direction I'm probably leaning.
Our kids will have the opportunity to socialize with children their own age. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Church, Sports, etc... where they will learn valuable life lessons and hopefully be a positive impact on the kids around them. I never had any intention of sending my kids to school to socialize anyway. I'm more interesting in them learning and preparing them for life while at school.
By homeschooling we get to review the curriculum taught. If there's something we don't agree with, we don't teach it. We don't put those unidentified parts of the chicken known as 'McNuggets' in the heads of our kids. I'm not asking you to agree with my curriculum, that's the point the curriculum and family values are ours to teach, we take responsibility for that. I just don't like an anonymous board deciding on the menu for the education of my kids.
Homeschooling is not for everyone, there are certain situations where it could be more difficult (both parents are working, single parent, a whole host of things). I sincerely don't have the answer for that. My Wife and I decided that since we are afforded that opportunity that we'll take advantage of it. But, remember I am actively making adjustments to my lifestyle that are not conducive to a 6 figure salary either. More money doesn't necessarily mean a better quality of life or a better investment in my kids. I haven't become happier the more I've made, I personally haven't had a correlation between more money and a better life. When I was little we did have a pot to piss in, but, we had to rent the window we threw it out of (little humor here), but, my Mom had us doing stuff every weekend, and after school (and she was a single parent). We were happy and that made us rich.
This weekend was not a weekend at 'the farm' I've found myself split between weekends there and weekends actually taking farm classes (every other Sunday). This week was a week for classes. At yesterday's class I found myself towards the end eating kohlrabi, roasted peppers, onions, shrimp, potato salad, taragon chicken and a host of other things I don't normally eat (but they will be the norm... someday). This has become regular fanfare at the farm where we take classes and I find myself eating less on Sunday mornings when I know we'll be headed there. A lot of these foods are new experiences for me (being nearly a strict carnivore these past 38years). But, I find myself feeling better when I leave having eaten all that good food.
Yesterday I started thinking why, and the answer was pretty obvious... I am choosing to put better things in my body, duh, simple. This is a choice I can make every day. How would I feel if I woke up some morning and that choice was taken from me? Instead of healthy foods I was only allowed to eat from the McDonald's menu? Like Morgan Spurlock in "Supersize me!". Watch the movie, in a month you will see him go from a vibrant person to someone who has gained an excessive amount of weight, is lethargic, and, at times, craves the chemicals that are in McDonald's food.
No one would like that situation forced upon them and it is undoubtedly unhealthy. Anyone reading this is probably nodding in agreement with me right now.
Here's where the tough part comes in... where was I on Saturday? I was at he convention for the Home Eductaors Association of Virginia. That's right... we plan to homeschool. This is not an attack, it is another personal choice, I merely wish to cause people to think (as was done to me) and perhaps open up discussion or debate. The lifestyle choice we're choosing to make goes beyond what we do for a living, where we live, and what we eat... it's whole living, back to basics. It's taking responsibility for what goes into our body as well as our minds (and those of our children, whome we view as the most precious commodity we must manage). I am not looking to force my beliefs on anyone, nor do want beliefs forced on me, but, if I am one thing... I am honest. So, here's my point of view...
I see public school as the McDonald's of education. It is cheap, easy, and of low quality. I have reasons for this, which I will get to, but, I'd rather talk about the impact of this if I am right. I see our system as being set up to get children through tests, or shuffle them through. I see the light that has gone out in the eyes of too many teachers. I equate sending my kids to this type of place as a a game of educational Russian Roulette ("this year little Johnny had a good teacher, let's hope he gets one next year." Does that only sound stupid when I say it out loud.) What I don't see is a system dedicated to teaching kids how to learn, how to solve problems, or how to love learning. I have probably attacked a sacred cow to many out there... what did I say in the opening paragraph? "I offer no apologies, these are my opinions". While I offer no apologies, what I do offer is myself, and my own experiences in public school. (I firmly believe myself to be a 'survivor' of the public school system).
I won't go into all the details, and won't lie and say "there was nothing good". But what I will tell you is true. In first grade I had a gym teacher throw me to the floor and threaten me. I was 6, he was probably in his 30's at the time. In 5th grade Mr. Malone took me out in a hallway and pinned me to a wall and threatened me. I have always had bad handwriting, to this day my handwriting looks like a ransom note... but all throughout elementary school I was sent to special classes every week because I was labeled as having a learning disability due to my handwriting. I was basically told I was 'slow'. I stopped caring somewhere throughout all this and started actually believing these people who said I was slow. My grades fell and by the end of eighth grade I should've failed a class which would've kept me back, but one of the teachers just decided to pass me. While I was happy to not be kept back, is this representative of a good system? I was given an assignment once in high school (Mrs. Cahill's English class) and I decided to actually try. I wrote a report on the history of filmmaking. I put everything into that and delivered the very best that I could. She failed me on the suspicion that I had cheated as the work was "far too good for what I was capable of". I was given the option to fail or turn in another assignment (of my 'own' work) in the hopes I could receive a 'D'. Yes, that was the best I could hope for, a 'D'. Does anyone know what that could do to a kid who was earnestly trying to crawl out from under a rock like that? I told her I would not do the report again, and would opt for the F. Were it not for the support of my Mother I would've gotten that F, but, my Mom WATCHED me do all the research and put it together and knew what I had done. I got an 'A'. Mrs. Cahill is in my prayers in the hopes that she has changed her ways and now has a positive impact on students like me. But, my thoughts since then have not always been as such.
I took U.S. Government (Mr.Cook) my junior year, and something about him and his class made me realize I actually enjoyed learning (again). Mind you 6-7 years (of my formative years) had passed since I had given up on myself. I began to turn things around, some of you who know me know that I ended up in honors English the next year. The first day I walked in I think some people thought I must be lost. (Except Liza, who, since first grade has treated everyone with kindness and respect). Many of them were likely skeptical of me until about the time I beat all of them (except Liza) on the SAT's.
Anyone who remembers me from back then may find some of this hard to believe or may think my facts are distorted. Memory does that from time to time. But, one day a few years back I decided to take a challenge I'd been thinking about for the better part of 10 years. I took the MENSA exams (October 18, 2008, I will ALWAYS remember). Needless to say I am a lifetime member. If you know what MENSA is, challenge yourself and take the exams. If you don't, a rough translation is that I am not 'slow'. [ ;-D
So, I offered up myself as one reason why I don't put much faith in the public school system. Your experiences may be different, but, I don't feel like taking the gamble with my 3 kids where they can be thrown to the ground, against walls, labeled as 'slow', passed through an inadequate system, and / or called liars in the hopes that one day they survive all this and maybe rekindle their love of learning. My Wife and I are taking on the responsibility of avoiding Mcdonald's, of all sorts, in our lives.
Having put that out there, I will address the biggest argument against home schooling. "What about socialization?". I follow the sage words of Rick Boyer (he and his Wife have homeschooled 14 kids and he's spoken at the conference the past few years I've been able to attend). What does Rick have to say about socialization? "I'm not looking to raise socialists". = ) . That, and take a walk around the mall on a Saturday, look at the kids who are your kids age. Are they the peple you want your kids to be emulating? That's what we do when we socialize. When asked if he's afraid that his kids won't fit in, Rick has been known to respond with "I am scared to death they WILL fit in".
Then you'll get the one nay-sayer out there who says her boyfriend's sister's best friend saw Ferris Bueller pass out at 31 flavors last night... and a homeschool kid who doesn't quite fit in. (A little Ferris Bueller reference). OOoooooKay... are we going to take that and pretend all the kids at public school fit in? I'm not sure I agree with that logic. The farm classes we go to are run by a couple who home school, their 12 year old (can't be much more than that) is the most polite thing you could meet, very knowledgeable, and runs the farmers stand by herself. When I see her, and I see the kids at the mall, you can see the direction I'm probably leaning.
Our kids will have the opportunity to socialize with children their own age. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Church, Sports, etc... where they will learn valuable life lessons and hopefully be a positive impact on the kids around them. I never had any intention of sending my kids to school to socialize anyway. I'm more interesting in them learning and preparing them for life while at school.
By homeschooling we get to review the curriculum taught. If there's something we don't agree with, we don't teach it. We don't put those unidentified parts of the chicken known as 'McNuggets' in the heads of our kids. I'm not asking you to agree with my curriculum, that's the point the curriculum and family values are ours to teach, we take responsibility for that. I just don't like an anonymous board deciding on the menu for the education of my kids.
Homeschooling is not for everyone, there are certain situations where it could be more difficult (both parents are working, single parent, a whole host of things). I sincerely don't have the answer for that. My Wife and I decided that since we are afforded that opportunity that we'll take advantage of it. But, remember I am actively making adjustments to my lifestyle that are not conducive to a 6 figure salary either. More money doesn't necessarily mean a better quality of life or a better investment in my kids. I haven't become happier the more I've made, I personally haven't had a correlation between more money and a better life. When I was little we did have a pot to piss in, but, we had to rent the window we threw it out of (little humor here), but, my Mom had us doing stuff every weekend, and after school (and she was a single parent). We were happy and that made us rich.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
You can't always get what you want...
...but if you try sometimes, you'll find... you get what you need!
Well, here I sit, another weekend down and half of 1 acre cleared of debris (A few more weeks and the 'home acre' will be cleared of pine).
I expect, if anyone is reading this, that they don't want to continuously hear about the glamorous life of raking up pine tree debris week in and week out. So, this one is about 'what I want' vs. 'reality'. The 2 concepts seem to live in vastly different universes.
The nemesis of my grandiose dreams seem to mostly be money and time. I've had to learn to balance my goals, my wishes ad my dreams.
Case in point #1 "I want" the Ponderosa. A half million acres of prime land. "I need" at least 15 acres that can support me and the family. "I managed to afford" 22 acres that's been cleared of pine and the soil isn't the best. See how I've had to trade off the Ponderosa for reality? Money was the limiting factor here, but, I met my needs and what I couldn't afford in cash, I'll trade in sweat equity. Raking up pine debris, planting a cover crop to be plowed under to improve the soil, etc... It's the difference between a dream and a goal. You can sit there and 'want' something all day, a goal is something you make happen.
Case #2 "I want" a $35,000 dollar tractor with a mulching attachment that can turn one acre of scrub into turned soil in 1 hour. BTW... one acre can cost you $4K for having this done. At 22 acres... shoot, I'm tired,... you do the math. "I need" a tractor with at least 50 horsepower, a power takeoff, and a brush hog. This could run me $10K. I'd be hard pressed to cover that right now, so, I've decided to wait. What "I have" is a couple of 20 dollar industrial rakes, a pick, shovels, and a pry bar worthy of a Spartan. More imporantly, what "I also have" is good friends who offer up serious sweat equity in exchange for a chance to camp out and knock back a few beers and chicken wings on my dime (I UNDOUBTEDLY got the better end of the deal, Thanks Joe!). I may sweeten the pot down the line and throw in some skeet shooting next month. So, I have some friends who help me (it's the code of living in the country), and are helping me hit my goal.
Case #3 "I want" this done yesterday. Seriously I wanted at least 5 acres cleared and planted with a cover crop by November. Could it be done with what I have and the tractor that I want to buy? Yes actually, but, I've decided to hold off on the tractor until next year (purchasing the land was a big financial hit, the tractor would be maxing me out). I'm only out there on weekends (and some weekends I have farming classes), so, I've had to adjust accordingly. I know with the rakes and picks, etc... I can have the home acre cleared in about another month or 2. Then I'm going to rent a tractor with a bucket and a backhoe, dig a fire pit, and burn up the debris I've been raking. After that, till up the acre and plant a cover crop to improve the soil.
I'll be travelling at the end of the year, but, when that's done I may have enough to put down the log home that I want on the 1 acre. And may be able to swing a decent tractor (some of this will likely have to be financed though). Maybe a year from now I'll be ready to plant that home acre (This is where you plant your own garden, herbs, veggies, orchard, etc...). That's a big step! And maybe towards the end of next year I can start clearing the rest of the acres with the tractor. in 2-3 years add me some animals, set up a wood lot to manage in th back 6-8 acres, and BAM! I'm self sufficient!
See what kind've land I have left over after that and start planting for a farmer's market accordingly.
Oh, BTW... Case #4: "I want" to grow all sorts of goodies to bring to a farmer's market. "I have" sandy soil right now. Managing my expectations... I'll work to my strengths. Grapes LOVE sandy soils! So do potatos. Until I can get the soil improved by platning cover crops I know I can also plant corn and grow most grasses. And... I'm working on learning how to improve the soil (composting, cover crops, etc...)
Yeah, reality has hit me smack dab in the face more than once already, but, as long as I'm smart about this and manage my expectations, I'll get there.
BTW... before I burn all that pine debris I'm driving my truck up and down the windrows and setting aside the pine logs that are still good enough to make fence posts out of. Ma Greene didn't raise no dummies!
Well, here I sit, another weekend down and half of 1 acre cleared of debris (A few more weeks and the 'home acre' will be cleared of pine).
I expect, if anyone is reading this, that they don't want to continuously hear about the glamorous life of raking up pine tree debris week in and week out. So, this one is about 'what I want' vs. 'reality'. The 2 concepts seem to live in vastly different universes.
The nemesis of my grandiose dreams seem to mostly be money and time. I've had to learn to balance my goals, my wishes ad my dreams.
Case in point #1 "I want" the Ponderosa. A half million acres of prime land. "I need" at least 15 acres that can support me and the family. "I managed to afford" 22 acres that's been cleared of pine and the soil isn't the best. See how I've had to trade off the Ponderosa for reality? Money was the limiting factor here, but, I met my needs and what I couldn't afford in cash, I'll trade in sweat equity. Raking up pine debris, planting a cover crop to be plowed under to improve the soil, etc... It's the difference between a dream and a goal. You can sit there and 'want' something all day, a goal is something you make happen.
Case #2 "I want" a $35,000 dollar tractor with a mulching attachment that can turn one acre of scrub into turned soil in 1 hour. BTW... one acre can cost you $4K for having this done. At 22 acres... shoot, I'm tired,... you do the math. "I need" a tractor with at least 50 horsepower, a power takeoff, and a brush hog. This could run me $10K. I'd be hard pressed to cover that right now, so, I've decided to wait. What "I have" is a couple of 20 dollar industrial rakes, a pick, shovels, and a pry bar worthy of a Spartan. More imporantly, what "I also have" is good friends who offer up serious sweat equity in exchange for a chance to camp out and knock back a few beers and chicken wings on my dime (I UNDOUBTEDLY got the better end of the deal, Thanks Joe!). I may sweeten the pot down the line and throw in some skeet shooting next month. So, I have some friends who help me (it's the code of living in the country), and are helping me hit my goal.
Case #3 "I want" this done yesterday. Seriously I wanted at least 5 acres cleared and planted with a cover crop by November. Could it be done with what I have and the tractor that I want to buy? Yes actually, but, I've decided to hold off on the tractor until next year (purchasing the land was a big financial hit, the tractor would be maxing me out). I'm only out there on weekends (and some weekends I have farming classes), so, I've had to adjust accordingly. I know with the rakes and picks, etc... I can have the home acre cleared in about another month or 2. Then I'm going to rent a tractor with a bucket and a backhoe, dig a fire pit, and burn up the debris I've been raking. After that, till up the acre and plant a cover crop to improve the soil.
I'll be travelling at the end of the year, but, when that's done I may have enough to put down the log home that I want on the 1 acre. And may be able to swing a decent tractor (some of this will likely have to be financed though). Maybe a year from now I'll be ready to plant that home acre (This is where you plant your own garden, herbs, veggies, orchard, etc...). That's a big step! And maybe towards the end of next year I can start clearing the rest of the acres with the tractor. in 2-3 years add me some animals, set up a wood lot to manage in th back 6-8 acres, and BAM! I'm self sufficient!
See what kind've land I have left over after that and start planting for a farmer's market accordingly.
Oh, BTW... Case #4: "I want" to grow all sorts of goodies to bring to a farmer's market. "I have" sandy soil right now. Managing my expectations... I'll work to my strengths. Grapes LOVE sandy soils! So do potatos. Until I can get the soil improved by platning cover crops I know I can also plant corn and grow most grasses. And... I'm working on learning how to improve the soil (composting, cover crops, etc...)
Yeah, reality has hit me smack dab in the face more than once already, but, as long as I'm smart about this and manage my expectations, I'll get there.
BTW... before I burn all that pine debris I'm driving my truck up and down the windrows and setting aside the pine logs that are still good enough to make fence posts out of. Ma Greene didn't raise no dummies!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)