Is there something wrong with me? I spent Saturday night at my camp in the mountains. It got pretty cold, in the teens. I had to build a good fire to knock the chill out of the camp, and finally got the place warmed up after a couple hours.I didn't see any deer around the camp, and hiked out through the woods were I often see them, nothing! When I hiked along the creek I saw some native brook trout, but didn't have a rod with me. I've adjusted to the cold weather now, and temps in the teens don't bother me. I'm a devout homesteader at heart, but keep no livestock. Rather, I always enjoy a visit into nature, and often imagine I'm hunting, or carrying a rod. Last weekend I spent Saturday night at my camp, took a hike over the mountain, and would have taken two deer if I had been hunting. It's not deer season, so I can't do anymore than just imagine I'm hunting. That would have been a good freezer full of venison, though. On a typical walk in nature I usually would be able to harvest some type of game. Sometimes a rabbit or two, maybe three or four squirrels (a great squirrel pot pie), a ruffed grouse (grouse soup), fresh trout from a small stream, always a great meal! I'm afraid I was born two generations too late, the way of life I embrace doesn't work in today's world. Oh well, I can still dream. Now I understand how my father (he's 91 years old)feels in today's world. I used to marvel at his stories of his childhood in the mountains, made me chuckle in delight! I just love hiking into the wilderness areas where I like to fish. I wish I could share this with all my friends at C.S. I'm sure they would never forget a real fishing experience like that, not bank sitting, but wading in a cold clear water way in sneakers and blue jeans, casting lures 'til the arm gets tired, and nobody around but wildlife surrounded by mountains and woodlands. Vegetables and root crops from a well planted half acre garden, fruits from both home and natures bounty, and meats and fishes from nature. A good old truck, and a loving wife to help put it all together. This is what I think homesteading is all about. Is this what we're all about here at C.S.? Is there something wrong with me? Should I expose my new son in law to this way of life? He's a city slicker. Would I want my grandchildren to know about this life?

-- woodsbilly (coleenl@penn.com), February 03, 2002

Answers

Well, if there is something wrong with you, than I guess I caught the same bug! Jean

-- jean from Ky. (dandrea @duo-county.com), February 03, 2002.

I think it sounds beautiful.

-- Jennifer (jenniferthf@aol.com), February 03, 2002.

About the only thing wrong with you is that you use grouse to make soup instead of roasting and serving on a bed of wild rice. AS far as introducing your new son in law to woodsy life, Let me first ask if your daughter (his wife) enjoys it. If she did, go for it. If she didn't you might be causing trouble if he discovers a new world. Personally, I'd do it anyways, a man needs time in the woods, it keeps him normal. Regarding the "city slicker" part, that shouldn't matter. I grew up in the city and spent more time in the woods than a lot of folks who spent their entire lives in the country. It aint where the body is, it's where the heads at. By the way, did you ever dig in the garden and find those little grey/green earthworms? They are murder for brook trout. Good luck JJG

-- JJ GRANDITS (JJGBDF@aol.com), February 03, 2002.

Yes there is something wrong with you. Your uncivilized. You may need reformed. Put on a reservation. This is what was told to my native american ancestors. They did the exact same thing, so be careful or you may have your pride taken away from you.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), February 03, 2002.

J.J.GRANDITS,

This ole woodsbilly and wife were city slickers for 30 some years, and dropped out. Our daughter never developed an understanding of country life, she spent her whole life in the city. Coming to the mountains to see us is a real adventure for her (she lives in Houston TX.) we have lived in N. Pa. now, for three heavenly years! Son in law, city boy from London England, is totally awed by the in laws dropping out like this!

-- woodsbilly (coleenl@penn.com), February 03, 2002.

Sounds pretty good to me woodsbilly, all but the grouse soup. I don't doubt its good but have you ever tried stuffing the bird with bread pudding? MMMMM! Yummy!

-- john (natlivent@pcpros.net), February 03, 2002.

The only thing I noticed wrong was refraining from favorite meals because someone far away in a suit may catch word from someone you told that perhaps you made stew out of season:) I wouldn't expose a city-slicker son-in-law to the lifestyle if he had no appreciation for it or until I got a whiff of his politics! If you didn't have a pole handy, why not make a net out of handy materials? I remember wandering alone in the woods as child: fishing in brooks without a store-bought pole, spying pheasant and deer! Vines were plentiful to make nets from. After a nice meal, a swim in a tree-shaded stream on a hot day is the best(unless you wander too far downstream into a stranger's property wearing naught but your birthday suit:) Thanks for the reminder, I'm going to have to introduce my kids to such delights! I've been civilized far too long,lol!

-- Epona (crystalepona2000@yahoo.com), February 04, 2002.

Grouse soup - folklore remedy for sick in bed stuff (pre-chicken soup) Shucks, just found out 6 more weeks without a good groundhog fry!!!

-- woodsbilly (coleenl@penn.com), February 04, 2002.

I love reading this forum. Everyone around here thinks I'm nuts, because I want to do what alot of you are doing. Live in SE PA now, but bought some land in NC PA and would be there now if not for kids and husband. I have 5 years til the youngest graduates high school, but then must pay for college. Husband understands my desire to get out of here, but doesn't share my passion. He figures we are too old to get there now. (Mid to late 40's). I will keep the dream alive and work to build a cabin in the next few years, but who knows what will happen. I live in farm country now, but it has become the suitcase area for Philadelphia and I can't stand the traffic and the increasing development. People here still think this is the country, but they have never seen Tioga County and even that is not as country as I would like! I will keep reading and dreaming. Cindy

-- Cindy (CBirder@aol.com), February 04, 2002.

Welcome to the club! If there is something wrong with you, then 3/4 of the countryside readers have the same thing! Best wishes

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), February 04, 2002.

Who would ever know if you shot a deer out of season?I've never understood the gov. position that it "owns"the wildlife but isn't responsible for any damage to your property or person caused by it.Of course if you decide to "harvest"some wildlife out of season keep it quiet!!!This is of course if your on your own land.

-- Jon Hanson (warpaint@islc.net), February 04, 2002.

No Woodsbilly, you are not crazy...the rest of the world is!!!!!!! We (a big collective "We" around here!) are the only "Normal" ones! Nothing normal about cement and plastic! Rather have trees, birds, flowers, dirt, animals, fish, ....any ole day!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 04, 2002.

SANITY IS SO NICE!

we just spent the night at the wisconsin dells for the kids. they loved it. we hated it. it is such a bizarre scene, so different from our lives. got into a talk with out friends, and they said we are probably the only folks there that don't have a microwave. we were the only folks concerned about the effects of overstimulating children. etc.

it is so weird to NOT live that life, and then step into it..... I am grateful, once again, that we are not "normal" by the world's standards, but live a real life with appreciation of real values. star watching, a walk in the woods, animals around, gardening, fresh bread and fresh food, made from scratch....

-- marcee (thathope@mwt.net), February 04, 2002.

Woodsbilly: Yes your grandchildren would defintely benefit from your advice & achievement. Your Father would be proud of you.

Jon: Govt doesn't own everything, they just think they do.

-- al (yr2012@hotmail.com), February 05, 2002.

Noop, nothing wrong with you. I sometimes feel I was born in the wrong Century or wrong part of the Country. But ya know what? I am so blessed to live in this Country it does not matter when or where I was born. As for sharing this life with a city slicker? Well go for it, I was once a City slicker and now can give a good testimony on this way of life. They say, "barbaric, dirty or gross", I say, "yup, just like your ancestors, hardworking and I love it"

-- Andy in MD (andy@mission4me.com), February 06, 2002.