Homesteading With Michael David Part 5
More About Our Area
That is a shot from the road out front.
That is the color of the average summer. Tan.
Everything dies and turns brown except the trees usually by may or June.
Oddly enough it did snow across the way here on June 19th this year. Kinda crazy since it's usually triple digits by now.
Homesteading a piece of land in an area like this is tough and rewarding.
It's tough because I mean, c'mon... look at the place.
If you've got enough money to drill to china to get water you're all good.
Couple 20k usd or so ought get you mighty close at least.
But wait, getting approved for the well requires a building permit... almost forgot.
Now you've locked yourself in with the county following their rules until you're out of money with nothing but a foundation and a well, wondering why they won't progress your paperwork.
When you're this far out it's a bit lawless.
People don't really pay attention to things like structural codes.
The lady at the county office when I did go in said 3 times in the short while I was there that in my valley, there was lots of illegal things going on. They have sort of given up on the place.
Seems like it's been home to hooligans' and delinquents for generations at this point.
When I go into town and someone asks where we live and I tell them the valley...
It's like watching a really modern version of a wild west movie just before a duel or bar fight.
You can hear the whistle of silence...
Most of them say they are afraid to go out here. Then look at us like we're crazy for trying to live out here.
I like that.
I like that so many locals are afraid to go out to my valley.
Keeps it really quite so I can think.
Lawless
So the old sheriff, not sure about this punk they got now that was denying people water when he first got in, used to tell people that if you've got a break in or whatever... shoot the bastard. Just make sure he's dead when I get there.
Because he knew that even if he jumped in the car and flew like hell to get here they are 45 minutes out.
There ain't no callin' in for emergencies when time is of the essence here. You literally have to take care of shit on your own.
We have some thieves that roam the valley. They come from all over and it seems like they have been for at least 2 generations.
Properties get abandoned.
People buy them cause they are cheap, use them for "whatever" then split, for good. When they do they leave shit all over the damn place. Useful shit, trash, shit.
People also commandeer them.
They will start squatting on a place they don't own. Even go so far as put up fence and no trespassing signs like a real owner lol. But they don't own it. They will use it up for the summer and split. Leaving tons of shit everywhere.
So people raid properties. Not like with guns while you're there, they raid properties out here and steal what they can. Often not being caught because for generations now people have been foraging these abandoned properties for useful stuff. So people are pretty used to other people "cleaning up" abandoned properties.
So what does all of this have to do with homesteading?
Nothing on the surface.
Yet, I'm trying to paint a picture of something very real.
Homesteading is not glimmer and good food.
It's hard work, patience, and some back woods street smarts.
This particular type of area lends well to some of the things about homesteading like living off grid for example because the county isn't really coming to fuck with you.
It also makes you not want to leave your property for to long because it could get raided.
Choosing a property that fits you and what you can or want to handle is important.
I rushed and got a place truly lawless. Personally I'm ok with that. You may not be.
So the first step of a homestead is to be sure the piece of land you intend to homestead works for you, your character, your patience maybe, whatever.
Thanks for reading
Homesteading With Michael David Part 5 | More About Our Area
by Michael David
Co-founder of #thealliance and loyal since before the egg.
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That's really sick though, so you trying to get self sufficient as possible as that the right idea?
as comfortable i suppose. I dont have to be fully self sufficient, that is not what I'm clinging to or anything. I think my real goal is to produce the energy used here from here ie, power/water. And as much of the food I eat. Cut the idea of "bills" to as low as possible, then use it as a springboard.
Life in the wild is REALLY WILD, there will be a lot of thing you will have to overcome, but the hardest part is the beginning
yea it is man. You only have yourself to rely on. the beginning of overcoming anything is really the hardest for sure.
Oh wow! There's definitely an allure to a place that is lawless. I mean, there are altogether enough laws in the world, and people sticking their noses where they aren't needed or wanted. I love your attitude. Homesteading is not for the faint of heart. I love the idea of it, but I know I'm not ready for that kind of commitment. I still live in the country, though, so I know that necessity to take care of your own and have community you can trust. I hope you have some of that in your community. And massive good luck to you as you turn this land into your homestead!
That was a wonderfully heartfelt message. Thanks. It took years to get any form of "community". Was extremely lonely for years. I've dealt now with all the phases of solitude and how it affects us. Ya just never know about people out here. If they are nice, they are likely crazy lol. But yea, i finally have one father son duo we hang with. The neighbor above me helps sometimes with water. We try to help any close neighbors and vise versa just because were all so far out. Out here the community is more like... We dont talk to each other much but if shit is going down they might bring a gun lol. (been in similar already)
I personally love a lawless area. I mean, if you have read any of "my story" it's clear why. I'm an outlaw born and bred lol. Mans laws mean nothing to me but my own morals do. There are def to many laws and to many people with their nose where it dont belong.
as far as homestead. i always wanted it but was sort of forced into it here lmao. I dont think i want to go full board with it though. I love the study of it and the resilience and self reliance you can get from doing it. But i'm also a modern person with goals and all of my focus only on things like food and survival is not for me i've learned.
I remember you, which is saying something cause my time out here has reset my brain and i forgot so much here on hive, including i'm ashamed to admit... people. We met in georgia at the first meetup for alliance. Im impressed with the accomplishments i'm seeing on your page and with the game. Seriously great job, your page is looking super professional, nearly to professional for hive lol jk.
I cannot wait to try your game out. I've pictured for years a way to do an interactive game here on hive. I really think putting them together looks really fun. I love to dive into things with multiple facets like that. I kept a link to that company in case i want to try it out sometime. personally i want to do it here though with crypto tied in somehow. Maybe we should brainstorm something?
I remember you, too. And your son. It was an absolute honor to spend time with you both in Georgia, and I'm so glad to reconnect with you. I'm similar in that I love the idea of homesteading, but honestly I don't have the interest in growing all my own food — I think I want to live on a farm but have other people do the actual farming. lol! Instead, I live in the country where I can walk across the street to get eggs from my neighbour and get meat from a local rancher. Town is only 30 min away, but if something happens, our community steps up. I'm glad you've found some people who will help if you need it, but love that resilience of having gone through so much that you can take care of yourself.
Thank you so much for the kind words about my accomplishments as an author! Your interest in the game is most welcome. I think it would be very cool to have something similar that can tie into crypto. Feel free to DM me in Discord if you want to chat about that.
I seem to have an affinity to outlaws. Most of my favorite characters—ones I've written and those I enjoy in books and shows/movies—tend to be the ones who break rules or ignore them entirely. I root for the rebels, and write them into my stories. I'll be here cheering you on as you live your outlaw lifestyle in the wilds. 💖
Eldon is so much bigger now! like, wow. and smart as a whip. Kid has more street smarts than guys 4x his age. Georgia was fun, i had a great time spending time with you to hun, it's great to reconnect! Where you are living sounds like a great place. good food so close and personal is just awesome.
"I think I want to live on a farm but have other people do the actual farming." This is a tentative goal of mine actually, or at least i feel the same way. I was wanting to get something built then find someone to farm it for me/us lol. like either share it or turn enough into profit to pay them. I don't want to do the farming. grew up doing it and know the work. traveling, seeing people live well, and nearly any creative pursuit, are my greatest passions i feel. farming full time doesn't achieve that for me. i have also learned where and when to trust most people and food is just one of those places that is hard to trust these days. So i'm a little torn i suppose. I'm also contemplating deeply recently the issue of money for food, our dependence to that and what that dependence has done to increase the imbalance of food in the world.
Meant what I said about how you write. You're a great author. Hold confidence high and if you're wavering on it, hit me up... cause i actually believe it. you're going somewhere great with it. so it wont be hard for me to let you know that if your confidence ever wavers.
i share your affinity for outlaws. And the outlaw lifestyle. (I will carry that spirit till i die.) especially ones that are actually doing something good behind the scenes. i'm assuming this is where the rogue character is going so i like his place in it all so far. laws are made up. life is here. I'm taking less risks i suppose as i age but know (way past believe) so strongly in freedom that i just see through to much shit these days. to be in or around that life takes real grit and the ability to stand as you are without give. I've yet to meet a partner with enough grit to take it, or a compromised version of it lol. I've seen the bad side of course, but i've always found people to have much more integrity when there at least part outlaw.
Thanks for cheering us on! I've got pompoms for your work and presence here too! Thanks for the warm words too. I'm a passionate person and a warm set of words is often melting.
Eldon was smart when I met him. I can only imagine how he's grown. So many things to balance. I hope you get the water situation sorted so you can at least grow a garden. I didn't bother growing anything this year. I didn't have the energy when it was time to plant, and now it's nearly too late. I guess I could get some chard growing if I went out there today... You should see @edprivat's operation in France. His latest post was super inspiring and blew my mind a bit.
Yes, the Rogue I wrote into the game cares about people. Deeply. He's worth befriending, and spending time with just to see his perspective. He's the protector of the city, and his partnership with the rebel prince Julian is the hope of the kingdom.
^^ This means the world. Seriously.
Being able to take a break from Hive and find friends like yourself, @enginewitty @bigtom13 @saffisara @snook and, gosh, just SO many others—having that support and friendship to come back to has been huge. The kind words we share in comments here and on discord can mean the world to people. True for me. True for you. True for so many of us. I haven't found another platform that makes that happen like the community I found through this blockchain.
Thanks for the shout-out! I need some help picking the plums, you're welcome to join us ^^
You really are on your own out there, nice to know you have the Sheriff on your side only 45 minutes away... But it does look nice and quiet!
It is soooo quiet! My favorite part about it. literally no one every knocks on the door out here. I'm not sure he's exactly on our side, he just knows he cant get here in time to fix any emergency so promotes us taking care of shit ourselves some lol