Ahh..how nice it is to have another spot for my voice aside from Facebook. I often feel limited in what I can say there. Here, now I have my own little spot...a little less visible than FB where I might feel a little freer. Nobody will see my "crazy" farmer comments in their newsfeed....In fact, you will only be reading this if you actually sought this blog out.
As I find my life has changed substantially since I married a farmer and am developing my agrarian skills, I often find there are few who can appreciate my life or respect it. I am just simply crazy for choosing to "dumb down" and live a life here. In college, I discovered that food was a big issue politically as well as environmentally. As a Environmental Studies (& Geography) major, I knew I wanted to make an impact on the world through environmental work in some aspect of agriculture. At the time, I just didn't know that it would be doing this on my own organic farm. I guess I realized what Joel Salatin mentions in his book "Folks, this ain't normal": "I am waiting for the day when environmental sciences majors realize the most valuable thing they could do is actually cover their hands in calluses growing ecological food." Yes!
Since moving here my political ideals have changed a little because I am seeing a little different side of life (outside of the city). I was pretty liberal, although always a registered Independent, but am feeling surprised that I am finding some truths in the more conservative side of politics. Here, life is much different than the city and we often must fight against governmental agencies and legislation to protect the rural way of our life. One very practical example is the recent gun issue. Being in a rural area without neighbors, the "protection" of law enforcement, having the ability to own/operate a gun is very comforting in terms of protection from intruders (who can move much more freely without as many eyes), protection from wildlife, and/or aggressive farm animals. I loathe Republicans and feel frustrated with Democrats and find myself in the middle. Not many can handle being there...in the gray.
Religiously...well, I don't fall on any side there either...in the middle again...raised Catholic for 10 years then Methodist for 9. During college, I was exposed to the religions and mythology of the world. During that time, I realized that all these people from different parts of the world seemed to be saying very similar things, and all had validity. "In that moment I felt that I was on the shores of Galilee, hearing Jesus speak, and understood that all the great wisdom comes from the same source." Thank you, Roshi John Tarrant, for writing the words to point to my feelings.
More to come...
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