Just a thought; have you noticed that most people you come in contact with are not very happy? Sometimes we (Wayne & I) think that we don't know very many happy people. This is with the exception of Countrysiders. Undoubtably we Countrysiders are different, maybe we see a larger picture, or have come to realise that money is good for one thing; to buy our freedom! So we can work at something we love. It seems that most Countysiders find satisfaction in small wonders of life, like seeing a seed sprouting, the birds flying south or the heat from the wood stove on a cold winters day, fresh vegetables from the garden. Countrysiders seem to handle adversity differently, allowing themselves a short period of anxiety, then pulling themselves up by the bootstraps and getting on with life. The best thing our computer has brought us, is this forum. BUT without J.D., the staff, the writers, and the magazine, where would we be meeting?

Lyn at R-WAY

-- Wayne & Lyn Roach (R-WAY@msn.com), January 02, 2001

Answers

I agree. People are constantly feeling sorry for dh and I because we "never go anywhere or do anything." We do rent a movie or eat out once in a very rare while (birthdays, anniversary) but if we really want to "go out" we like to saddle the horses and head for the mountains. We do everything possible NOT to go out, because home is where we're happiest. We find our satisfaction in being around each other, working together and accomplishing goals. Our animals provide more entertainment value than any tv program. Sometimes we laugh so hard our sides ache. We are never happier than being outside working with our critters or tinkering around on some project. After a day of hard work, dh will often take my arm and we find a spot to sit and watch the sun set. It's the little things like that that make us eager to get up each morning.

Most people I know are not happy, and the ones that buy the most stuff seem the most unhappy. They are never satisfied, and have to be constantly entertained. It seems like the more they have, the more they demand, and I see this as much in the "poor" section of our society as in the wealthy. My dh's occupation is one that is generally in a high income bracket (unless you choose to live in a little podunk town like ours, LOL). Many times our acquaintances make snide remarks about how "easy" we have it, apparently because our land, home and vehicles are paid for, we have almost no debt, and we don't lay awake nights worrying about how to make our credit card payments. What they don't know is almost all of them make a LOT more $ than we do. Its just that our priorities are different. We have learned to appreciate and be happy with what we have.

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), January 02, 2001.

Are we that different? Thank God that we are. I was reminded of that today when I went to the big city to pick up my grandson for a visit. It's like a whole other world. While we're still at the spend too much money stage, on common sense things, the rest of the world seems to revolve around spending, spending, spending and it doesn't matter on what.

Lyn, you definitely said it right about the satisfaction of seeing a seed sprout. What wonderment. What a blessing.

I stopped in for a visit with a very dear friend, and even though we care for each other greatly, we're still in different worlds. And the way her grandkids and baby sitting kids are, good kids, but the priorities are so far from what we would want for them.

And being who I am, and striking up conversations rather easily, I sure get lots of stares and weird looks for even talking and also for what I talk about. And on talking to cashiers(at the orchard) etc., well, they're not used to very many people freezing apples, or making a special kind of pie, just mostly people eating them as they are; underripe.

I stopped and asked directions, then I realized I didn't say thank you, but then I realized the guy didn't give me a chance to.

I went to Half Price Books, and even though I was only in there a few minutes, I could see that our kind of books were not the priority.

I'm trying to figure out a word that would sum it all up and the only word I can think of is Homesteading, plain and simple.

And it's so nice to have others who understand and we do have JD and staff to think for that.

I'm looking forward to the other responses, thanks for posting this, Lyn.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), January 02, 2001.

Gotta share something I saw at Wallyworld just before Christmas. We were in there on Friday night and everywhere I looked, people were bickering, children were being yanked up and paddled, women were yelling at their husbands...it was awful. I looked at my husband and said something like "What a wonderful effect Jesus' birthday is having on everyone." He just shook his head and suggested we leave, lest it rub off on us. Not a happy looking crowd.

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), January 02, 2001.

Yes we're different. Along with the things mentioned above, I'll add "How many people can say they have the Christmas shopping done by Jan 2nd?". We do (except for candy and cookie making).

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 02, 2001.

Yes i agree their is not much happiness in this world but that is nothing new. I do see alot of people who are like us but that is because they homeschool their children, most of them have the same philosophy as us. But i personally think that the reason their is such sadness in the world is people dont have Jesus Christ in their lives so they are always searching for that void in their heart.(new cars new houses better job, better vacations) Well you get the picture.Happy New Year to yall!!

-- Sarah from NC (Caswell995@cs.com), January 02, 2001.

Sarah, I totally agree with you---& I have found if they don't have Jesus---not only do they sometimes want better houses or material things---but they also search to fill that void in their life/ with what I call "filth", dirty jokes,(or worse) etc., or causeing other people hurt, no respect for others/ or their opinions, trying to bring others "DOWN" to their level! Always bored-searching to cause some sort of problems---if you have Jesus in your life those are not even options!!!!!!!!! Thanks!! Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), January 03, 2001.

Maybe we just don't know any better...

Seriously, Sonda you're right. Only He can fill that empty spot we all have.

-- Joe (jcole@apha.com), January 03, 2001.

Different? Oh yes....I have lost a life-long friend because we moved to Alabama to homestead. She and I spent our teenage years together in the slums of Boston..we were best friends all through college, marriage, children, etc. until this June. When I called her to share that DH and I had finally realized our dream of being "homesteaders" and were moving to Alabama, using a wood cookstove, being mortgage- free and looking forward to chickens and goats, not to mention our prison ministry, she wrote back to me telling me I was 100% crazy and she felt sorry for me. She also added that because of our lifestyle and craziness, we could no longer be friends..ouch.I never thought I would lose her friendship and it makes me sad. I guess I never realized how perfectly "nutty" some folks feel that we are. Although I will miss her, I have met some great new frinds here who are homsteaders (lurkers on the forum) and am blessed to know them.Onward and upward! God bless.

-- Lesley (martchas@gateway.net), January 03, 2001.

Yes, we are different, even from each other. Sonda, I have to say i 'don't have Jesus' in my life. I am still a homesteader and a happy person.

What I have in common with this list from 'other different folks' here: staying home, waiting for animals and seeds to sprout and taking time to watch the seasons. I also appreciate getting by on little cash.

There are as many kinds of happiness as there are of unhappiness. May all of you find yours!

-- Anne (HT@HM.com), January 03, 2001.

Find happiness, that is!!

-- Anne (HT@HM.com), January 03, 2001.

Yes, we are different, even from each other. Sonda, I have to say i 'don't have Jesus' in my life. I am still a homesteader and a happy person.

Well said, Anne. I agree completely.

-- Trath (trathca@yahooBLOCKED.com), January 03, 2001.

My goodness, two other people that also don't require practicing any ONE religion to be happy, I embrace the best of all religions, that way I either offend no one, or all. Please see also Sheepish's question related to this thread, "Future Outlook, Your Disposition...." very eye opening!!!

Peace and harmony always, Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 04, 2001.

Make that 3 people Annie! (I bet that the actual count is much higher, but the others are too shy to post). My personal spirituality has contributed greatly to my feelings of peace and happiness, but my path is that of my pre-Christian Celtic ancestors, not Jesus Christ. I too find joy in the small wonders of nature, I just attribute the magic to a different source than many of the folks on this list.

I'm just a newbie homesteader, and changing my ways of thinking from rampant consumerism to thrift and from unconcerned ignorance to increasing self-sufficiency hasn't been easy, but it sure has been satisfying.

Winter's blessings, Sherri in IN

-- Sherri C (CeltiaSkye@aol.com), January 04, 2001.

Make that 3 people Annie! (I bet that the actual count is much higher, but the others are too shy to post).

You can add me to that count, too! I have no religious beliefs but I am a *very* happy person. :-)

-- Jim Morris (prism@bevcomm.net), January 04, 2001.

Annie and Jim add me to your list. Do not really believe in a God ,I prefer to believe in Karma. I was raised to worship but do not at this time.

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), January 04, 2001.

"Just a thought; have you noticed that most people you come in contact with are not very happy? Sometimes we (Wayne & I) think that we don't know very many happy people. This is with the exception of Countrysiders. Undoubtably we Countrysiders are different,

that was taken from the first note in this thread...I think we have gone off the original thread a bit here.

However, not to discredit anyone's belief system, I think that all happiness stems from a person's inner life. Ergo, what we believe, compiled with what we HAVE, makes us happy.

I am relatively happy...I believe I am a Christian. I have walked other walks before I came to Christ and I can understand where they are coming from. I was there. I am also gifted with something that some Christians think is a devil's gift...I am a psychic. Can't help it, didn't ask for it, it just is. So, am a devil or an angel? I believe my gift (which I have used to save families, find people, etc- -just for those who would say I am out for the big bucks...no money ever received for these things)...I believe it is a gift from God.

So...I'm happy. I homestead. And anyone who walks up the driveway is welcome to a cup of coffee and whatever I have baked recently.

Idaho Cher

-- Cher Rovang (fullcircle@nidlink.com), January 04, 2001.

Cher, I agree with you. To me there appear to be two main types of people in this country - optimists and pessimists. Pessimists love to find the worst and glorify in those things. Optimists, and I am one, look for the positive and try to ignore those negative people. Guess that helps make our great diversity in this country.

Yes, I also see the "Jesus freaks" always trying to change the subject and ram their religion down other peoples throat.

-- JLS in NW AZ (stalkingbull007@AOL.com), January 05, 2001.

I LOVE being different! I think our alien-ness is due to all of the reasons mentioned before.Sorry to hear,though,how mentioning how come we love Jesus could be considered ramming.Will try to gently explain from now on how great life is since we moved out of town,are working on reducing our debt,spend time listening to our kids grow up,trying to use what God has already given us instead of buying more and in general loving every minute of today and of course gently,happily and sincerely knowing there is a Messiah who loves me.Thankyou J.D. and staff and all you other forum contributors for making this THE best place for us aliens to go on the web.

-- queen (queenbuffness@hotmail.com), January 05, 2001.

*Yes, I also see the "Jesus freaks" always trying to change the subject and ram their religion down other peoples throat. *

I think that's an overly-harsh statement, JLS. The Christians on this forum have a right to express their opinions, just as we have the right to gently remind them that their opinion is not the only one. I admit it can get a tad frustrating at times, but we're all just folks here. IMO the Golden Rule is a good idea, no matter which religion it is associated with.

Winter's Blessings--Sherri in IN

-- Sherri C (CeltiaSkye@aol.com), January 05, 2001.

Mom always said "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all".

Having said that, "WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU MORONS, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO TAKE EVERYTHING AND MAKE IT AN ARGUMENT"????

Sorry Mom, John

-- John in S. IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), January 05, 2001.

Sherri, I don't begrudge religious talk as long as that is the subject. What I find distasteful is injecting religion in other threads. How would you like it if several threads started having comments made about the benefits of homosexual life? I find both equally distasteful.

-- JLS in NW AZ (stalkingbull007@AOL.com), January 05, 2001.

I do feel that the religious posts were on topic for this particular thread. To respond to your question, if a person was commenting on how a homesexual lifestyle benefited them personally and it was on- topic for that thread, I wouldn't mind one whit. Now, it they were claiming that the one and only path to true happiness was if we all adopted a homosexual lifestyle, I might feel compelled to remind them that we're not all cut from the same cloth. Whether or not such posts would be distateful is much too contentious of a topic for me to get into on such a beautiful sunny Friday! :-)

In an effort to steer this thread back to it's original spirit, here's one little story about how I'm different. This year as part of my Samhain feast I decided to make the butter rather than buy it. It was my first attempt, and I was so excited when it worked that I just had to tell all my co-workers about it. They just couldn't comprehend why someone would want to go to the trouble of making butter when you could just run out to Kroger and buy some. In fact, a couple of them said that they didn't even know that you "made butter", they thought that "it just came that way"!

Sherri in IN

-- Sherri C (CeltiaSkye@aol.com), January 05, 2001.

Back to the subject - I agree that the debt-free, homesteading, relationship-centered lifestyle is the key to happiness. I know many unhappy, wealthy Christians here in the city, and obviously there are many happy non-Christian Countrysiders. Personally I am most happy when I am quilting, or canning, or painting. And most unhappy when I am dragging myself into the office for meaningless work designed to pay the mortgage, gas bill, electric bill, water bill, phone bill, . . . Unfortunately given my current custody situation the move to the country remains the dream and the goal (and a major source of happiness).

-- Deborah (ActuaryMom@hotmail.com), January 05, 2001.

Sherri, I couldnt agree with you more!! And your story is perfect!!

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), January 05, 2001.

Sherri, you are right. Most of us atheists don't take a blank book around looking for converts! Same with the homosexuals. You are what/who you are. And I am happy. Hope YOU are too.

-- Anne (HT@HM.com), January 05, 2001.

I am new to this forum but have had a lot of experience im being different. Some even call us odd.

In 1976 we moved to a 20 acre farmette in central WI with our then, 2 children.

We lived in a suburb of Chicago and I always baked, canned, dehydrated, gardened, etc. and was an odd ball. I thought moving to the country I would fit in. Wrong.

Most of the people we met did not do much more than have a small garden and put up some pickles.

We became a certified Organic farm and we raised and sold chickens, eggs, produce. I miled goats, we had bees and steers, made apple cider and vinegar. What satisfaction to sit down to the table and know that everything that is on that table, including the tablecloth, is something that you made or raised. We heated and cooked with wood.

Most people cannot see the pleasure in cleaning a house, washing dishes, hanging clothes on a line, walks in the woods, quiet time. They have never tasted soup or a stew that has been slow simmered on a cookstove. They need noise, movies...they need to be entertained.

In 1979, when my mother died and I went to her funeral in Virgina, my sisters' friends asked me what Charles (my husband) and I do for entertainment. I told them about talking to each other, the walks, etc. They said I did not understand them. I told them..you do not understand.

When our youngest was born (my children ranged in age from 39 to 17) we moved back to the city. As soon as our youngest graduates high school we are headed back to the country. We found a place that has just been taken off the market. We have been told that it will be availabe again this spring. We hope so.

Even though we are in the city, I do everything that I have always done. My garden, however, is just container gardening but I had tomatoes until mid Nov. I can, dehydrate, bake (my bakery goods are sold at a farmer's market)

To most people we will always be different because we know what true peace and freedom are.

I look forward to meeting more Countrysiders.

Cordy

-- Cordelia Kaylegian (ckaylegian@aol.com), January 09, 2001.