My son likes to watch all these “homesteading” YouTube channels, folks living off their land by raising animals and farming. On one show, they bought baby chicks that were delivered via USPS, raised them, had them “processed”, and then froze them to be able to feed their family for the year. They supposedly saved $800 doing this, but I don’t see it that way. How much of their time and money was spent building the chicken coops, moving the chicken coops, feeding the chickens, etc. Sure, it’s a cool idea, but the reality is, did you really “save” $800? Was it worth the concerted effort? Maybe for them, since they are earning a living by being YouTubers, but for the average homeowner, maybe not.
I’m all for DIY projects, but even I’m willing to admit that my gardening costs me more than I save by growing my own vegetables, way more. However, it is a form of therapy for me and provides me with a much-needed sanctuary. My garden makes me smile and, in my estimation, that’s priceless. Also, nothing store bought compares to the delectable flavor when consuming a freshly picked homegrown tomato. I love going out to my garden to pick some fresh herbs for a dish I’m creating. It makes me feel like one of those “homesteaders” or, Martha Stewart, someone who always goes the extra distance to make a meal memorable. In my dreams, I’d be more like Martha and serve a picture-perfect meal, created from the food I grew, presented on a carefully curated table of fine earthenware. However, my reality is that I finally have a set of matching cutleries instead of mix and match tableware. It only took me 60 years to get to that place.
The other day, I gutted a pumpkin. I was taking it to a neighbor’s home to partake in a pumpkin carving party. The neighbor had an electric tool I could use for the process, but I decided to do it on my own, so I could save the seeds and roast them. It’s been years since I’ve done so and I was looking forward to the project. Since I’ve been homebound with the rotator cuff surgery, I was happy to have a project to do, something other than house cleaning. It was a smaller pumpkin, but it still took a little effort to carefully cut it open and scoop out the goop. While doing so, I noted how rewarding it felt to put in the concerted effort to gut my pumpkin manually, like I was doing something of worth. I enjoyed the feeling of running my fingers through the pumpkin pulp and plucking out the seeds. Sure, it would be easier to run to the store and just buy a bag of ready-to-eat seeds, but what would be the fun in that?
I guess, that’s what the folks that are “homesteaders” are getting out of all the work, all the effort, they put into growing and raising their own food. It must be a great sense of accomplishment to not only nurture life, but maybe, just maybe mind you, save a buck or two. I know I’m terribly excited when a seed I’ve planted begins to sprout, but I don’t think I’m up for the whole chicken thing. Maybe some hens that lay eggs, but not the whole “raise them to eat them” thing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fried chicken fan, but I don’t think I would enjoy cooking and eating a former “pet”. Nope, I’ll leave that part to the real farmers.
Over the past eight weeks, I have made a concerted effort to heal, mend, and overcome the pain and challenges of having had rotator cuff surgery. I’ve done the icing and the physical therapy, the stretching and the sling wearing, I’ve even attempted to improve my walking, it’s definitely been a concerted effort to return to the life I once knew. A life where I drove a car and independently purchased my own groceries. A life where I didn’t need to ask for help putting on deodorant or pulling up my pants. Ah, the good old days of sleeping in a bed instead of a recliner. Well, I’m happy to report, I’ve made it! Today I went for my eight-week follow up appointment and received my medical release to return to work. In celebration, I took my car out for a little drive and got myself a scoop of Culver’s ice cream. The cherry on top, was that I actually put on earrings today, I haven’t done so in eight weeks! I was very glad that the piercings hadn’t closed.
I’m going back to work tomorrow. I’m a little anxious, but it’s time, it’s time to resume my duties. With a little concerted effort, I will find my groove again, taking baby steps and recognizing when I’m tired and need to call it a day. In six months time, I should be groovy enough to start my 2025 garden. I’ve already begun my research on how to refresh the soil and I’m making notes on what worked and didn’t work this past year. It’s all very exciting, to be an active participant in my own survival, to be independent, strong, and capable, just like a “homesteader”.
I made it through, to the other side of pain, but I didn’t do it alone; I thank God I didn’t have to. No man is an island, right? It takes a village. With concerted effort, over the many decades, I have created a powerful network of support, my tribe. I know that now, more than ever. Thank you. Now, it’s time for me to be less fearful, to move more, and focus on gaining good health. It’s sort of like “homesteading” myself. It may not be inexpensive, but it will be totally worth the concerted effort.
#thelieswechoosetolivewith
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