Finding like-minded women (in SE Ohio) (Anyone From...?)greenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread |
It seems that women who enjoy homesteading and anything to do with homesteading are disappearing from my neck of the woods at an alarming rate....HELP! I need some inspiration badly! I've been homesteading for 20 years and recently have started wondering if I made the right choice or not...I live in SE Ohio, 14 miles from Pomeroy and 25 miles from Athens.....are there any homesteading women out there? Let me know if there is! harmonyfarm57@hotmail.com
-- Harmony Bullington (harmonyfarm57@hotmail.com), August 21, 2001
Do you like goats? Maybe you should start showing registered dairy goats. There seems to be a definite shortage of men who are able to tolerate women with dairy goats!! Of course, I have managed to find one, but I can tell you they are in short supply!
-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), August 21, 2001.
I also find it hard to find like minded women. I think most people think I'm strange. I live in the country with my hubby and 2 kids. We have 4 dogs, a couple of goats, are planning on raising chickens for eggs and meat (that doesn't usually go over well to other people - heaven forbid I actually kill a chicken). I haven't got into gardening and growing my own veggies but would like too. It is just so hard with 2 little kids. So I'm not exactly sure if you could classify me as a homesteader but I certainly don't fit into most groups. I have one good friend and we're going to learn how to kill and clean a chicken together, she has chickens too. Well gotta go. Anita
-- anita holton (anitaholton@mindspring.com), August 21, 2001.
Harmony.........until this forum the best I could do was pen pals. We are a strange and scattered bunch. Stick around on the forum and you will find some women who will be cyber-pals.
-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), August 21, 2001.
Harmony, There are a few of us still out here having a good time doing our homesteading. and from reading countryside I would say there are a lot of younger ladies into this lifstyle too. I have been doing it since 1976 and it is still my choice of living the good life in the slow lane. It does get a little harder as I get older (57) but I have so many things still to accomplish that I keep on working. Join a local goat club, most of those folks are homesteaders and you do not have to own any goats to join. Our club secretary for many years did not have one goat but she could grow anything. karen
-- Karen Mauk (kansasgoats@iwon.com), August 21, 2001.
Dear Harmony:No, I don't think you've lost your mind. I am also a homesteading woman living in Central Ohio. We have two horses, one steer, a dog, a cat, and we're considering chickens. I have a small garden and love watching it grow. Our corn is doing so well, it really excites me. Also, I have watermelons or pumpkins coming up. It just tickles my heart. I do have to work out of the home, but I really enjoy most what I do here!!!! I sometimes wonder what we women have done to ourselves going out and working. I think it was bad enough when a man had to put up with the workaday world and now us, too.... I love to sew and do many of the traditional things. These are becoming lost arts. Let me know what you enjoy doing...
Will wait to hear from you, Sheila
-- Sheila Lutz (glutz43@alltell.net), August 21, 2001.
Why would you wonder if you made the right choice is you are happy and content with your lifestyle ?? I would rather be happy with myself alone then worry about having friends that don't agree with my lifestyle. But....I do know what you are talking about. My husband and I often say it would be nice to have a couple that understands what we are doing. What activities do you involve yourself in ?? How about volunteering with 4-H and be a leader or a youth group in church. You never know who you might meet !! The fire department, garden clubs, and don't forget the elderly in nursing homes. They would surely understand your lifestyle as probably most of them have lived it themselves. We have homesteaded for over 20 years also and people are very surprised when I tell them that we have done just that. Why..??? because I have a home business selling cosmetics !! You never know who you will meet at the strangest place !! Don't despair...at least you are living the life that you love. Don't wonder any more !! Good Luck !!
-- Helena Di Maio (windyacs@ptdprolog.net), August 21, 2001.
I'm not sure what the definition of a "homesteader" is, but I have always wanted to live on a farm and am a avid gardener. We finally got our 3 acres near Madison Wi 4 years ago. I get caught up in the nastalgia of living on a century old farm.I have a large vegetable garden and love to can and preserve the food I grow. We have 15 chickens most of whom are older and don't lay, but we get enough eggs for ourselves, our grown children and a few of our friends.
I have also realized my love for llamas and have 3 now...learning how to spin fiber into yarn. My husband wants nothing to do with the animals and their care. I get up early every morning and venture out in the snow and cold, heat and humidity. I carry 50 lb bags of feed and throw bales of hay.
I also work full time for a local bank. One of my customers recently told me, "I just can't see you in the barn." Many of my friends and relatives say, "why?" I can only shrug my shoulders and say, "cuz I love it!". Am I a homesteading woman?
I have found others like me after joining a llama enthusiests organization. I know one woman who is a dairy farmer, has 10 children and her husband wants little or nothing to do with her farming.
You are not alone. I have found in the llama community there are more women than men. And I have heard the same about horse associations.
-- Debbie Jacobs (debjacobs8@cs.com), August 21, 2001.
Harmony, are you a man or a woman? If you're a 'she', I apologize! Other good places to meet homesteaders are square dances, farmer's markets and county fairs, and of course, the local health food store.
-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), August 22, 2001.
I wasn't sure whether you are a he looking for a female friend or a she desprete to hear you are sane .I have been on the farm for 3 years and would not leave .The kids and I do most of the work as Hubby just isn't into it .The kids and I love it .It is hard to find like minded people that is why this forum is great .It is probally the first time I didn't feel nuts .That' s why I stick around.
-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), August 22, 2001.
Hey everyone...Thanks for the encouragement...Just wanted to clarify an ongoing question..."I am a female!" I think a guy with the name Harmony would be just a little to feminate for me....but go figure!
-- Harmony Bullington (harmonyfarm57@hotmail.com), August 22, 2001.
Harmony We are about 80 miles from Athens. (Lewisville) Homesteading for our 24th year. More convinced than ever that this is the life.Raising three boys here. We raise everything we eat - veg., fruit, beef, pork, chicken, eggs, fish, milk, cheese. Cure hams, bacon, - smoke sausage. greenhouse, sheep, cattle. both home full time. Having a ball. Love the Lord - kids are saved - doesn't get any better than this.
If I can ever throw you a lifeline, just let me know.
-- homestead2 (homestead@localnetplus.com), August 23, 2001.
Harmony, sure wish you lived closer. My best homestead friend moved away over five years ago and other than on the net, I can't seem to meet anyone to share in the same things like she did. DH really isn't into it. Mainly myself an the kids some. BTW, Patty, where are you in NY state (county will be fine). I was born and raised in upstate NY (Plattsburgh). It's always nice to run into someone else from that part of the country. Gloria
-- gloria Mullinax (mullinaxclan@webtv.nt), August 24, 2001.
I am in St Lawrence county near Malone or Massena.
-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), August 24, 2001.