Ello everybody,
Who am I? I'm this guy!
The name is Sam or @grizzlynaut, a jack of many trades, master of a few, and normally not as serious as in this picture.
(need to learn how to scale these..)
So where to begin? Somewhere between the beginning and now? Let's try and keep it short.
Born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains of south-west Virgina. Matured on the flat fields of the Netherlands.
For 21 years I had been fortunate enough to have lived in one of the more incredible countries of the world. (though it took me some time to realize it) In those years I spent a lot of time working and building a career in media and expanding my creative abilities. One day while waiting for my dad to arrive at the Amsterdam airport, I suddenly saw someone who looked more like my grandmother walking towards me than my father.
My subconscious decided then and there that this would no longer do. Soon after I had to accept the fact that despite how beautiful and alive the city of Deventer was, and how much it had become my home, I was deeply unsatisfied with my life and work and amount of time I had spent with my family. And so after years of fighting the fear of leaving everything I had worked for, I ended my career as an art director, sold what I could and headed back to my place of birth.
And so here I am typing this out while huddled next to a wood stove to keep warm in a log cabin on a wooded hillside worlds away from the life I used to have. It's been 10 months since I left my old life and I don't regret it one bit. I miss my home and friends and so many things but I am happier than I have ever been on my own.
What am I doing now?
Fortunately for me, one of my lifelong friends has given corporate life the finger and has asked me to help start a food truck. My reply to this was of course " I'm on board". And while helping my father with his work this has been one of my main focus since my arrival.
But before I left my old life I had started already taken steps towards a new one. I made an ever-expanding list of skills and crafts I wish to possess such as sewing, brewing, distilling, cheese making and much more. Some of which I am already quite handy at.
My philosophy is: "If they could do it a hundred years ago then so can I". And seeing how that already puts me around the 1920's. I need to get a move on before we get to the splitting of atoms and such.
In time my creations will be shared through here for viewing and perhaps on my website grizzlynaut.com.
I'm excited to start sharing the build of my own business, creations, and newly acquired skills with you. And don't worry this will probably be the longest post I will ever type. I'm sure if you have bared to read this far you can tell it isn't my strong suit.
But hopefully, you will choose ride along with me and witness my miniventures and sometimes megafails in exploiting my potential, expanding my knowledge and planetary exploration.
Awesome intro. You'll do good on here!
Thanks, Tommy.
Welcome
Ha! Cracking first post Sam, really enjoyed. That's quite a story bud! Good on you for picking up and starting from scratch, sounds absolutely bloody terrifying, in a wonderful way.
Also a big fan of the Ron Swanson style self-sufficiency deal, I'm much like that myself. Anyway! I'm looking forward to reading your future posts, best of luck with your Sewing, Brewing, Cheese-making, Food truck ... Out of breath
Haha out or breath.. Yeah, I have put a lot on my plate. But It's better than being a couch potato. Thank you for the wram welcome.
Love the Philosophy quote! Can’t wait to see what you post! Throwing an upvote and a follow your way. This is my first day in her to so check out my blog when you have a chance. Let’s ride!
Haha. Let's do this! Quick question. What do you think makes a good beachside taco? I'm thinking Pina Colada Fish?
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All the Best!!!
Your writting is great! The Appalachian mountains of west Verginia sounds pretty homey. Welcome to Steemit 💙💚💜
Hello and welcome! The post was not boring, but quite the opposite. I do think you write well. I think we have some things in common, aside from having spent the precious time you did in the motherland... (haven't made the pilgrimage yet)
I think its great that you put your family first and came back to help your father!
Don't despair you're not alone. There's still a lot of homesteading, traditional minded folk right here in the U.S.
Following and Resteemed.
Oh and by the way. There is a #homesteading tag that you might consider using, I'm sure you'll fit right in!
Thanks schoonercreek. I actually have some homesteadingish post lined up. What's your motherland? The Netherlands as well?
Northern Europe. :-)
Welcome home! Aspiring homesteader here. Slowly working at it one year at a time! I'd love to learn to make mead and cheese! Sounds like a beautiful area you live in. Following!
Mead is actually really easy! Sanitation is key! Unless you are trying the all natural route. Maybe I can document my next batch of cider. Essentially the same. Thanks for the follow!
Oh please do document the cider! I would love to see that and learn! I know I could look it up online but it does help to be able to communicate and ask questions!
Will Do!
Mead is actually much easier than cider. Mainly due to cider having a much higher chance to spoil and turn into apple vinegar. Due to honeys inability to spoil and natural defense against bacteria mead is exponentially easier. Currently have 12 gallons of mead going right now, plan to have an in depth post once its done (month or 2 from now), as it seems there isn't much of a "how to" on here about meads and ciders.
Side note: Apple Cider vinegar that has alcohol in it tastes HORRIBLE, had a batch that turned and took a sip of it... instant regret.
@mbrown121500 I will def be looking out for the mead post! Following!
Haha yes, cider does take some skill especially when it comes to not ending up with a tart one another thing that is less risky with mead. But I have never had any turn to vinegar.
Then you sir have not failed hard enough. Lol
I did no my first beer. I was to be a Guinness like stout that turned out over hopped and 2% alcohol. I was like a grassy coffee sodapop. haha. Was great with a shot of scotch added.
Personally I feel we don't truly learn until we have failed...
Great to have you here. I will come along for the ride with you sounds like it will be a good one.
howdy neighbor. upvoted and resteemed.
Thanks, man. Still trying to figure out resteeming.
Welcome to steemit @grizzlynaut! Found you through @schoonercreek’s resteem :)! Cool journey! We’ve got lots in common. I wish you were bringing your food truck to rural Ozarks instead of Appalachia! We need some banging food trucks in these parts.
Haha, who knows maybe in time if we build the second one I can travel the country with it Chef style.
yesssss love your visioning!
Welcome! Nice to have you!
Hi Sam! Welcome to Steem!
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We invite you to come to our Engagement Post and join the comment thread where we hope to encourage engagement and interaction with your fellow Steemians.
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Looking forward to seeing you dig in to Steem and join the community!
Welcome to this great family.
I hope you're going to make a lot of success.