Author Topic: Living a down-to-earth lifestyle (Read 982 times)

Matthew · « **on:** August 22, 2010, 04:10:36 PM »

Here is something I posted on the blog of a family who lives on a small farm in New Zealand.

The couple run two blogs; one is a chronicle of their adventures on their small farm.

They just had their 2nd child -- they aren't Catholic (though the man is Irish, so his family must have been Catholic at some point!), but I wanted to encourage them as much as possible.

Glad to hear everything went well! I'm sure Owen will enjoy his new little brother.

I know you guys live a very natural existence (as much as is possible in 2010!) so I will give you my humble opinion: you don't have to worry about "overpopulation" even if you wanted to have more children. Your kids will live a lifestyle that is much more sustainable, and won't stress the earth's resources.

I think that those who live a hybrid 2010/1890 lifestyle (myself included!) will start to appreciate why frontiersmen used to A) have large families and B) be grateful for every son born to them.

Of course, below age 4 kids can be a lot of work -- but I'm told it gets better

Matthew · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2010, 04:12:32 PM »

I wanted to post this here, because I don't know if I've brought up the topic.

We all know large families are a good idea, but they're especially a good idea if you aim to have more self-sufficiency than the average New York City dweller.

Just for starters, you can only master so many trades yourself. And TRUE rural life involves lots and lots of work. You can only do so much work yourself. Small-scale farming/gardening is very labor-intensive. I speak from experience.

wallflower · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2010, 04:36:09 PM »

Quote from: Matthew

I wanted to post this here, because I don't know if I've brought up the topic.

We all know large families are a good idea, but they're especially a good idea if you aim to have more self-sufficiency than the average New York City dweller.

Just for starters, you can only master so many trades yourself. And TRUE rural life involves lots and lots of work. You can only do so much work yourself. Small-scale farming/gardening is very labor-intensive. I speak from experience.

So many trads underestimate that. I've seen trads come and go in the "going back to nature" fad (not that it's a fad but some treat it like that) and it's partly really annoying and/or laughable because of their extreme lack of work ethic, but it's partly really sad because people just have no idea. It's all nice fuzzy feelings and romantic ideals until they actually have to go out and split the wood. It's a scary testament to how far we've gone.

gladius_veritatis · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2010, 05:40:04 PM »

Having no idea what it is like, day in and day out, to live off the land is a blind-spot created by being raised and living in the modern world. Trads raised in the modern world usually suffer from the same defects and blind-spots that others do. Such is to be expected.

Cheryl · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2010, 05:41:25 PM »

Quote from: Matthew

I wanted to post this here, because I don't know if I've brought up the topic.

We all know large families are a good idea, but they're especially a good idea if you aim to have more self-sufficiency than the average New York City dweller.

Just for starters, you can only master so many trades yourself. And TRUE rural life involves lots and lots of work. You can only do so much work yourself. Small-scale farming/gardening is very labor-intensive. I speak from experience.

Matthew, I do enjoy your posts about rural living and self-sufficiency. Do have a look at this blog, http://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/JackieClay/

It's full of info no matter how far along you are in trying to live a self sufficient lifestyle. I do want to let you know that the blogger is not married to her partner and I have no idea if she is Catholic or not. For last year's birthday, my husband bought me her canning book, it has since displaced my Ball Blue Book as my source of food preservation information. For those who don't live in the country or don't want to be totally self sufficient, this website of twin brothers is a great source of information, http://www.selfsufficientish.com/. Again, thanks for all the great info! :smile:

Telesphorus · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2010, 05:50:11 PM »

Quote from: wallflower

Quote from: Matthew
I wanted to post this here, because I don't know if I've brought up the topic.

We all know large families are a good idea, but they're especially a good idea if you aim to have more self-sufficiency than the average New York City dweller.

Just for starters, you can only master so many trades yourself. And TRUE rural life involves lots and lots of work. You can only do so much work yourself. Small-scale farming/gardening is very labor-intensive. I speak from experience.

So many trads underestimate that. I've seen trads come and go in the "going back to nature" fad (not that it's a fad but some treat it like that) and it's partly really annoying and/or laughable because of their extreme lack of work ethic, but it's partly really sad because people just have no idea. It's all nice fuzzy feelings and romantic ideals until they actually have to go out and split the wood. It's a scary testament to how far we've gone.

Yes, and it requires knowledge and skill to work efficiently for only modest rewards.

Still, there are a lot of advantages to living in the country and having enough land to keep some animals and grow food.

JoanScholastica · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2010, 03:32:56 AM »

Quote from: gladius_veritatis

Having no idea what it is like, day in and day out, to live off the land is a blind-spot created by being raised and living in the modern world. Trads raised in the modern world usually suffer from the same defects and blind-spots that others do. Such is to be expected.

True enough.