So … any good resolutions to share?
As I recall, you guys tend to be resolution-averse. Maybe a good hangover cure to share, then? Uh … your best tips for managing to stay awake until midnight? Your best tips to avoid having your beauty sleep interrupted next year by all those pesky merrymakers?
I didn’t make any resolutions this year, but I have an idea of dedicating each month of 2015 to some different pursuit or goal. In January my aim is to see how little money I can realistically live on. Barring an emergency (knock wood), I’ll spend only for the most basic basics. I’ve allotted myself a few dollars for a mocha now and then so I won’t feel like a totally pitiful orphan :-), but beyond that I’m just paying unavoidable expenses. Will buy some groceries (mostly perishables) but will also tap into my preparedness pantry a bit. Just a bit, though. The object isn’t to see how little I can spend for one isolated month, but what’s a realistic minimum budget for any month.
—–
Not a resolution, but sometime in the next few days I’ll happily be bringing you an interview I did with Vin Suprynowicz on the publication of his beautiful new book The Testament of James. It’s good — as you already know if you’ve been reading the online excerpts.
As soon as everybody’s had a chance to recover from the enforced good cheer of the holidays, I’ll do a mini-review and run the Q&A. Meanwhile, you might want to purchase a hardbound copy (via ABE Books; NFI) or the Kindle edition.
And speaking of beautiful, the cover design is by a member of the Living Freedom Commentariat, Carl-Bear Bussjaeger. And if he’s made that classic painting look more than a little hallucinatory with those colors, you’ll understand when you read the book.
ADDED: Carl links to the “pre-review” by Tom Knapp. I agree with everything Tom wrote about The Testament of James. And I’m the proud owner of copy #15 of the limited first edition (Carl and Tom are 12 and 19). Mine is a review copy, which I didn’t pay for, but its freebieness will not affect anything I say. My policy with review copies of freedomista books is that I either give an honest positive opinion or if I don’t like the book, I keep my mouth shut about it. I may privately tell the author why I didn’t like a work, but I won’t do anything to undermine it.
Your January decision was exactly the one I had in mind for this month. However I haven’t been reading Vin Suprynowicz’s excerpts because I was waiting for the whole book. Now that it’s available (in January), buying it will upset my endeavor to be frugal — so will have to wait to buy it next month.
OT: Claire, have you (or furrydoc) run into this situation, or know anything about it?
http://www.npr.org/2015/01/01/374257591/with-rescue-dogs-in-demand-more-shelters-look-far-afield-for-fido
Pat — yes. In this part of the country we have “rescues” that truck dogs up from Southern California shelters. They often focus on “desirable” breeds or trendy breed mixes, making local (non-designer) dogs less adoptable. They pull the critters from shelters at normal (cheap) shelter rates, or even at no cost because they’re rescuers. Then they can charge huge adoption fees because they’re botique operations.
It affects cities more than rural areas like ours & in some ways it’s a good problem to have (better than having huge proportions of shelter animals killed), but it’s more than a little weird. Furrydoc probably has more insight and experience than I do.
No crowds here, just a few distant fireworks. Went to bed at the regular time, 8PM, and slept like a baby. My “new year” starts on December 22, when the days start to get longer.
My “resolution” for the new year is the same as it has been for the last ten years…
…to wake each day with gratitude for the opportunity to make the best of what life brings me, to appreciate the wonders and blessings around me, and to enjoy the process as much as possible, one day at a time.
Live long and prosper, my friends, with JOY.
This is going to be a challenging and stressful year, with a positive outcome, for us. We’ve finally realized and accepted that we’re just not up to living out here in the forest any more and it’s time to move to town. It’s been a wonderful almost 20 years, but the fun is gone and with DH disabled, I’m really out here on my own as far as upkeep and routine chores are concerned.
So, the year will be devoted to uncluttering, trashing, donating and home maintenance and upgrade. A while back, one of the commentariat, who’s also off grid, mentioned that he/she was overwhelmed by the very thought of having to explain his/her off grid home to someone else, and that’s a big issue for me too. I guess that makes my resolution to develop at least a smidgen of discipline and organization and just start doing instead of dreading.
PS; Happy New Year Claire and everyone!
Claire,
Your review policy looks a lot like mine, which comes down to “if I don’t have something nice to say about the book, just don’t say anything about the book.”
This has never been a problem with Vin’s books 🙂
Oh, Karen, that’s heartbreaking! I know that the decluttering and upgrading (even though stressful in themselves) will help keep you busy enough not to fall into a complete funk about the coming loss, but it’s just so sad. I’m glad you can see a positive outcome already.
Happy New Year to you, too, even if it doesn’t sound like it’s going to be an easy one.
Tom, yep. I admit there have been a couple of times when I’ve wanted to slam a book (usually because of either sloppy their/there/they’re its/it’s writing or because a novel was nothing but an ego trip for the author), and in the early days I did that a couple of times. But life’s too short and even the books by authors who don’t care about basic grammar are still somebody’s cherished, even if ugly, baby.
Loved both your pre- and pre-post (or was it post-pre?) takes on Vin’s latest.
New Year’s Pledge – read unread Backwoods Home articles…so today I did .
Loved your article on “10 Traits for Better Living” It was really spot on. There is a spiritual school I attend (not associated with any particular organized religion) that teaches many of these “traits” or skills as fundamental cornerstones. There’s a wonderful Blog we write and share various stories and spiritual experiences we’ve had that you may enjoy…and your readers as well. You can view or sign up to receive future posts at http://www.upliftwithdreams.wordpress.com
Thank you and Happy 2015!
Resolutions? Eh, the usual stuff, lose weight, exercise more, spend less time sitting. More specifially, make some progress in the amateur radio hobby and finish the electronics projects I started last year.
I assume that Vin’s book will be available in paperback at some point. I’ll look forward to reading it.
A while back, one of the commentariat, who’s also off grid, mentioned that he/she was overwhelmed by the very thought of having to explain his/her off grid home to someone else, and that’s a big issue for me too.
I know we tend to value independence and DIY, but selling a house is a good job to give to a pro. Their multiple listing service gives you a lot more potential buyers, and they know the bureaucracy and can make sure your property stays sold without any legal issues. Ask around, there may be a realtor in your area that specializes in off-grid homes.
Plus, showing a home you really wish you could stay in is depressing even with a good customer, and downright a bitch with someone who isn’t. Times the number of lookers you go through before you get a buyer.
Grammar bugs me as well, but the books I really want to hurl, before I do, are the ones with gross gun-handling errors. “He stepped into the alley, drew his Smith and Wesson revolver, and flicked the safety off.” Or, “He picked up one of the empty cartridges. It was too dark to tell whether it was a .38 Special or a 9mm.” And these in a genre dependent on firepower.
Hangover cure? Volunteer to be the designated driver/CHL.
your best tips for managing to stay awake until midnight?
There’s this website, Backwoods Home, and…
I am unable to get Vin’s book as Abebooks will not let me buy it under a “guest” checkout without creating an account. So there goes any hope of getting a signed first hardcover edition.
Looks like I’m just going to have to wait for a cheaper softcover.
My resolution this year is to move out of this house.
I’ve been living with my folks because of serious health problems, but several months ago I came across evidence that living here might be *causing* my health problems. So I’ve been looking for ways out that I can afford. It’s kind of complicated because of those same health problems, and by the fact that I’m still digging my way out from under all those hospital bills. But I’ve got to get out.
One option I’d been looking at was building a camper on the back of my truck and just keeping it parked near the office most of the time. But my truck, which is old enough to go drinking by itself, has since been declared unrepairable, so that project would have to start with finding another truck. I’ve got some leads already, but I haven’t decided on one yet.
It never rains but it pours, right?
To Pat’s off topic comment: Our local county no kill shelter takes many dogs from out of state, but often won’t take local dogs. Very frustrating. We have many homeless dogs in our area…most of them large. The shelters seem to prefer the small dogs.
As for new year’s tips… If you invite 9 Boys Scouts to your house for a New Year’s eve party…”be prepared” with plenty of food, ear plugs and Ibuprofen.
My thoughts are with Karen tonight and the challenging year ahead of her. Last year about this time I realized that I did not have the resources to continue living in a rural area. A combination of advancing age and declining savings were the most obvious problems. Both could have been resolved with a local human support network. Unfortunately, I never succeeded in developing solid mutual aid arrangements. Maybe I was too old to start over when I moved into the area.
So I moved to the only city in the county – population about 10 thousand. Even when my car was in the shop, I was never stranded. Food is a short walk. Downtown is a long walk or a short bus ride. The ferry connects downtown to the world. The most difficult transition for me has been dealing with Progressives. The city is infested with high priestesses of the Progressive Church. They have zero tolerance for climate deniers and other heretics. Scolding and public humiliation are their amazingly effective weapons. It’s easy enough to remain silent and escape their wrath. Unfortunately, the silence makes it difficult to locate kindred spirits.
Oh my goodness, Mari and Ellendra! Man, 2014 was clearly not a great year for several people hereabouts. (Which makes it all the more impressive that you guys extended so much help to me.)
Mari, I can see how PT, for all its beauties, could be unfriendly political territory, but please don’t judge yourself too old to build a social network. There’s always a simpatico group somewhere and even us loners can find it — maybe in a theater group, the local historical society, animal rescue, a book club, Friends of the Library … ?
And Ellendra, that’s a total crap dilmmma. I’m glad at least that you have leads on another truck and the inner resources to build a portable home as a way out. But OMG. Between health, bills, and the stresses of living with family … well, I’ll be sending you my best “vibes.” Wish I could do more.