September 21, 2006

  •  


     (very)Rambling Thoughts


    On:




    • How to live cleanly


    • How to live the most self-sustainable life


    • Finding more ways to be frugal


    • Figuring out how to simplify our wants


    • Figuring out the true cost of The Thing


    • Having the means to obtain the few, truest things we desire

    We do what we can but there are days when I think it just isn’t enough; when the styrofoam is in the garbage because we cannot recycle it (and should not have bought it in the first place) or when we fill our propane tank with gas or when we run one errand here and there instead of doing them all at once and saving fuel.


    Here is what we do:



    • we recycle everything we can

    • we try and buy things with the least packaging, in bulk or bring our own containers in for refills

    • we use cloth for everything we can, dishtowels, pads, etc 

    • we cut our own wood and plan on using our land in a way that is sustainable and gentle

    • we are growing as much of our own food as possible and are bartering for some of the things we cannot yet grow like beef, chicken, milk (we plan on having chickens, sheep and goats in a few years but need more $, first)

    • we buy organically and locally first (60-70% of our food comes from Maine)

    • we are working on getting a grant for wind power and replacing our furnace with one that is WAY more efficient

    • we are insulating as much of the house as we can afford

    • we buy used clothing and trade with friends/family and I hope to make more and more of it

    • our gift giving is homemade whenever the recipient will use and enjoy it

    • we have replaced all bulbs with compact fluorescents

    • the few cleaners we do use are all biodegradeable (laundry detergent, dish soap, shampoo)

    • as long as our vehicles are efficient, we will drive them and repair them until they are done. (no matter how un-sexy they are)

    But I have days when I feel I could do more



    • I know we could buy still less (for me, it is all about the wanting, I do want stuff)

    • I want my children to understand the value of the THING (but I want them to be children and enjoy what it is like to desire something and enjoy it once you have it) this is tricky

    And how to get the few things that really do matter?



    • because no matter how important it is to reduce our wants, we still WANT and there are some things which make life better in many ways (beehives, scythes, maple sap buckets, cameras, etc).This is all in the heart of the person who desires the THING; it may be about sustainability or joyfullness or peace of mind.

    • And these things cost money, we cannot always barter for everything and we still need money for taxes and insurance, etc

    • so, how to get it (the money?)

    We could work more but



    • we want to be together, that is the most important thing.

    • at what cost? paying more taxes is an expense that comes with working more

    • we want to spend our time living and making the most of what we have, not working our lives away

    • we want the kids to see work as joyful and that we do what we love (for me it is books and photography, for Trevor it is Herpetology).  I want my children to have the lives they want without thinking misery is part of the equation.

    So, what is next?



    • I am not sure.  However, I think about this all the time and am always looking for ways to adjust and live more cleanly.

    Do you have ideas?


    I’d love to hear them…

Comments (49)

  • You are doing lots. More then most. Can’t wait to read the replies.

  • It’s a really difficult balance, and I’m not one to give advice on it because I mostly live my life on a whim, acquiring things I don’t need or really even want, when it comes down to it.  I don’t think there’s anything wrong in having things you really treasure if they make your life more joyful.  I think you all are doing a great job!  I always take away some useful bit when I leave your site

  • I think that my best advice to you is to keep living the way you are. We do most of the things that you are doing other than how you handle the job situation and I would not change that.

    You and Trevor get to share life in a way that I dream about sharing my life with Steve but his job pulls him away from the rest of us so much. I miss him so much. That is part of my funk lately.

    It is hard for him, too. There is nothing joyful about being a corporate cog and it doesn’t lend itself well to creating a family unit. He works so we can afford to buy things like food and then I (irrationally) give him grief for being gone so much.

    You were wise to choose to live in the area you do. There is no one to barter with around here.

    Is there anything that you could do from home that would bring in some money?

  • I know this is going to come off wrong but I think ideally you would have to have more town support. My Aunt and Uncle live in a very small neighborhood and while they both have what would be considered higher paying jobs (she is a psychiatrist and he is the editor of his own magazine) He works locally and she works from home. They both do what they love and they live in a neighborhood that is kinda of eco and community centered. I can’t think of everything, but there is a community garden and the responsibilities are shared. There are large recycle bins, community activities, a common house where they often cook large meals and eat together etc. You would almost need a group of like minded individuals to invest in your dream together. One guy might have the cows and some other people would help care for them then everyone would grow the garden lending each of their talents to making it a success and with a team natual insect control would be more efficient. More people with different talents and goods willing to barter. I don’t know it just seems like getting a group of like minded people together (in close physical proximity) would help. Maybe I am being silly.

    Plus I am pretty wasteful in the grand scheme of things. So I am really not one to give advice, but I try. We have changed all of our bulbs too and I never do half loads of laundry. I try to combine errands and we buy/use a lot of second hand goods and accept hand me downs from clothes to furnitire.

    Have a good day. Sorry for the rambling.

  • You are doing so much already! You are such a wonderful,joyfilled family,you have given your kids the greatest gift!

    Sigh,I want to do more,but don’t for various reasons!(not allowed farm animals and not willing to give up my land which is 1/2 an hour from dh’s work)My area is pretty rural but there aren’t bartering types around here either.I don’t know what to do,I feel kind of stuck.

  • I don’t have any ideas right now. I usually get mine from you. But I will think on it. If I come up with anything you haven’t tried already I will let you know.

  • keep writing things like this…funny that we were on the same page today! something about Virgo gets you cleaning and making inventories…cleaning even in the large sense…

    I find that the more I follow my heart and live the way I feel I should the more I open to making even more sustainable choices…they certainly don’t happen all at once.

  • “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
    —William Morris

    “There is more simplicity in the man who eats caviar on impulse than in the man who eats Grape-Nuts on principle.”
    —G. K. Chesterton

    You know, this all gets kind of fuzzy for me…I get the whole recycling, bartering, using less, growing food, dressing simply, using gas effficient cars, combining errands, etc. , even though I am not as good at DOING all these things as I should/could be for various reasons. Where I trip up…wants…I am sooo not for aestheticism ( not sure I spelled that correctly or if I used the right word.) What I mean is self-imposed simplicity that hurts. There is joy in wanting and getting something, and in art and beautiful “things.” So I guess I’d say find that balance, between practicality and joy. There is a great quote someone used on a chat board…I’ll look for it, regarding the things we love that bring joy to our lives and how those things that enrich our lives have a place in our homes. You are doing great!

  • The wanting is a tough one for me, too.

    You’re doing so much already.  It’s inspiring! 

  • tinybutterfly: I couldn’t agree more about “self-imposed simplicity that hurts”!  It should not hurt, it should be a conscious choice that feels right.  And there can be joy in that.  And loving beautiful things is wonderful and fulfilling!!!

     I am looking at ways in which I can still be happy and yet reduce our waste.

  • You are amazing.  I love you.

    I am going to email this to my husband.  It is exactly what my heart says.

    RYC: Wine?  Why not?  (isn’t it just fermented fruit?)  And my family isn’t doing it either.  I’ll still cook and bake for them.

    So, are you in?  :)

  • Tread lightly, but enjoy life. Life is too short to not take advantage of some of the luxuries. Work more if you WANT to, because you enjoy the work. And don’t try to do it all yourself! You can’t take on the weight of the world.

  • Just go into the forests naked as a family and use whatever is out there in the nature?! (snickers) That I would LOVE to do if I knew how to survive – but I am in the same boat tho you are more frugal than me.  I think my excuse is for living in the apartments.  But what I personally feel I am doing good is carpooling, walking or using the bus.  Though, with wintertime it can be tough…  Maybe post more later since I am here only a few mins…

  • Ideas? No, no. That’s why I come here, to get them from you. :) At least once a week I’ve been heard saying, “I want to be more like Julie.”

  • You wanna know something that you ARE doing??? Helping others think about their own lives and how to trim and tidy them up. You have given ME a great deal to think about today. You didn’t include that in the list of things you and your family DO!!!

  • ascetisicm, that is the word I wanted! aesthetisism is like the polar opposite! LOL! I’m glad you understood what I meant anyway! I can’t find that quote! I’ll try to think of ways to make money, and reduce waste…but you already are doing so much…could you sell cool hats you knit? Or knit bags to sell? You seem to be a champion knitter, and I’ll bet there are lots of knitting -impaired people like me out there who would love a pretty warm scarf or hat. I have a scarf started…it’s been 5 years and I’ve done about 4 inches…all very shoddy. Blushes.

  • Like the other said, I don’t know how much more you can do. But what you are doing, is inspiring others! And that’s what matters. If one more person will recycle, if one more person will carpool, if one more person will conserve and live more simply because of your blog today, it is going to help change the world for the better. There will be less trash dumped in our landfills and more bottles recycles, hehe :) You are doing a wonderful job and I thank you for your super motivating posts everyday.

  • RYC: I don’t have cable either.I get 5 channels,this is the one time I can watch shows others are always talking about!

  • Umm,  you’re doing a-lot of helpful things, I’m ver proud of you. 

  • You’re inspiring me, that’s for one.

    I have one heck of a hard time with the “wanting”. You know, I was just reading a thread on MDC last night about staying away from ads, TV, magazines, etc. in hopes to avoid the media driven desire of want. Some things we naturally want–like cameras and beehives. But other things you don’t know that you want until yous ee the commercial for it or pass it on an endcap when you’re in Target, you know?

    Also, a couple of days ago I used my first cloth menstrual pad. As I washed it and put it out in the sun to dry, I had an “aha!” moment. It was as if all the reasoning behind using reuasable things clicked inm y brain. I mean, I’ve heard all about cloth TP, diapers, paper towels, mama pads, etc. since joining MDC over 2 years ago and I knew one *should* do those things because it was logically good for the environment. But, it never really moved me or I never felt the true “calling” of it until the other day. It was like–DUH!! Not only do I save money not having to buy more paper towels, diapers, and sanitary napkins, but I save time by not having to go the store all the time. That said I have a long row to hoe before we do a complete switchover, but it’s a start, right?

    I’m the stalking sort of admirer. I you but you wouldn’t know because I never comment! Thank you for making me think.

  • You say you need more $ to get chickens,goats etc but really you don’t both animals will eat anything and the output from these animals will really pay off.

    Growing up we were almost self sufficient, goats milk was used for everything ( i thought i was in heaven if i was allowed a bottle of cows milk from the milkman) and i LOVED it when they had kids. I have fond memorys of my mum milking them and returning with a huge pail of warm milk, i thought she was so clever to turn it into yoghurt.
    And chickens are such a joy to have, your children will love going to collect the eggs every morning and eating them. Might also be useful in teaching children where their food comes from.

    I think you’re doing wonderfully

  • Don’t sweat the environment so much.  Without serious population control it is doomed NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO.  So my honest advice is don’t get hung up on the details.  I mean if the earth’s population doubles every 40-60 years you will have 25 billion people here in about 100 years.  Nothing anyone does now is going to have an impact.

  • I think you are doing wonderful.  You certainly are an inspiration to me!!!

  • I try and try and try…… but get the “I wants” too.  I went 5 months without buying a thing other than the essentials and then……..I went nutz and spent way too much one weekend not too long ago.  I am trying again. 

  • You get another pat on the back and big hugs from me.  You are an inspiration to so many of us, and you spread the word.  However, a life of true acseticism IS joyless, and you don’t want that, either.  Keep doing what you do, be happy, and just tighten up whenever and however you can.  I know you’re probably making constant tweaks, anyway.

  • I don’t have answers just lots of thoughts along the same lines really. I particularly agree with :

    <LI>we want the kids to see work as joyful and that we do what we love (for me it is books and photography, for Trevor it is Herpetology).  I want my children to have the lives they want without thinking misery is part of the equation.

    That is such a big one for me and not how most people live their lives.

    Great post Julie xxx

  • I have these very same questions and thoughts. I blog about it often b/c I can’t wrap my head around it. how does a family in this modern world live simply, happily, freely and sustainably and STILL manage to have money for things you have to buy and cna’t barter for…

    so far I’m lost. I am stuck in a place where i have no money for a home of my own (which would cause us to be able to be a lot more free and simple) b/c I don’t have the money. to make the money I need to work and live very UNgreenly. and dammit, I don’t want to!

    I look to you for inspiration often so I guess I have nothing to offer you that you’ve not already heard. haha but if I think of something I’ll get back to ya. ;)

  • AnniesEscapade: yes, thye will be worth it but we need to build a chicken house and sheep and goats need fencing and some sort of shelter so the costs are more than just buying the animals and feeding them.

    JimGarvin: I agree that overpopulation is THE ISSUE, I truly do.  We had two children (and no more) because we did not want to add to pop growth. I know that having no children would’ve been better, I do.  But our parents made these same population choices in the 60s and we hope our kids will, as well.  My distress at the population issue will not change my desire to protect the land and use the most renewable resources possible. I still have hope.

    bluemoon989: I don’t take it the wrong way at all, I understand exactly what you mean!! We do live in a community that allows us to barter some and is relatively agricultural so that is a good thing. However, our desire for a large piece of land that we could allow to rest naturally and insulate us & animals from development keeps us farther from everything.  This makes walking/biking more challenging.

  • Isn’t money another form of bartering?  Really?  Isn’t it ok if I sell a product for money and then use the money to buy locally grown produce?  That farmer probably doesn’t want to trade for an incredible chased steel relief wallpiece once a week.  But someone else wants to trade money for it.  Then I can use that money to trade for something else and so on… 

    Why is the money exchange bad?  It’s another way to facilitate the bartering system in a world that allows people to follow dreams.  Why is complete self sustainability a goal?   I see why conservation, recycling, reducing, sustainable energy sources, and so on…  are all appropriate and even necessary goals.  But I do not see why a completely self sustained household is a goal.  I see it as another form of isolation and oppression.

    Those of us who don’t want to grow or raise enough food to sustain their own family can choose to paint or invent or count money or teach, get paid in money, and then buy from someone who does care to spend all their time farming or raising bees. 

  • I guess I should also ask- when you say that you don’t want to work your lives away, what do you mean?  You must mean work that is meaningless to you.  Work is good, especially work that allows you time to be with your family.

  • I so envy your life. I would love to live where I have land and can grow a garden and maybe one day have livestock. I would love to provide for ourselves more creatively than going to Walmart and spending that which can better go to other things. I dread the day that we have to make a major repair or replacement to our house because we just don’t have the funds for such.

    I love visiting your site because you are living how I have always wanted to live.

  • knitsteel:   this is a very personal thing, this life I have chosen and I don’t judge anyone else for living differently.

    I don’t believe I ever said the exchange of money for goods was a bad thing, rather that I prefer to barter.  I prefer it because it involves less taxation and is an intimate way to form community (not because money is bad but because this life I choose is best for me)

    I am not sure why living a life that is self-sustaining cannot be my goal? 

    and I have never felt isolated or oppressed, no matter how self-sustaining my lifestyle has been.

    I am living the life I love.

  • Your voice is powerful and it inspires others… that is a huge contribution. You are planting seeds of change in the hearts of people. That is inspiring.

  • One question – The Crafts – How do we recycle?  That is the major I conflict I have before others (yes there are more I wish I could do) but re-using then throw away in regular trash?  Like Plastic containers using for dye…  Etc…

  • Here’s an idea if you’re looking for more income – I’ll bet if you sewed or knitted up some pretty things and posted them for sale right from your blog, they would sell easily.  Also, have a decent sized flock of chickens and sell the extra eggs.  Just some ideas….. You rock as always. 

  • Do you know the Path to Freedom site? You will love it. Self sufficiency in Pasadena, CA. You just keep doing what you’re doing. The wants are hard. The years we’ve been without television, the wants nearly went away. I’m guessing you’re already there though… I do far less than you do, but far more than most I know personally. As the kids get older things will change and you will have more time to do stuff for money, hopefully stuff you enjoy. And I would encourage you to think about how to monetize your passion for this lifestyle in some way. A newsletter, a web site with <gasp> advertising, an e-book… Something that lets you share your passion and knowledge and experience LIVING the life with those that want to approach it, in small and large ways, and yet gives you enough income to invest more in this lifestyle (animals, structures, whatever you need).

  • You are a modern day Laura Ingalls Wilder…you do so much, take such care…I admire your conviction!

  • You are conciously trying every single day to make your world, your children’s world, and the world around you a better place.  I think that’s just wonderful.  I have many of the same question you do.  All I can do is just keep asking, and keep growing towards the things that pull at my heart.

  • I don’t know what more you could do – sell something that you made was my first thought, but I am not sure in the end how much you would gain from the effort.

    I think you are living a grand life – part of me is envious and part of me thinks I could never do it.  BUt I love that you are living the life you want to live – that in the end is the best gift we can give ourselves and our kids. 

  • We are trying too, and there is always more we can do, and it is hard to find a balance between inspiration and guilt.  My husband farms and works very hard.  It could help if we did not travel at all, but our children live far away…

    We go out now and then to replenish our relationship (we did last night) and I feel guilty about having to leave and spend money to do that.  At the same time, when we try to do it at home the work is so close and we can’t focus.

    We are trying to bike more and drive less, easier now that our kids are older, but still a challenge when we are 6 miles from most things that we would want to do or places we need to shop.  I hang out most of our laundry.  We burn wood that we trim from our hedge rows, which were planted to reduce erosion after the dust bowl in the 30′s.

  • Pats on the back and BIG HUGS from me.  It seems a lot of us are on the same wavelength these days.  I was talking to a friend and told her that is nothing in my house as important as the people in my heart, but it is hard in our society of “gimmes” and “gottahavitis” to not fall into the traps

    You are doing an awesome job and you inspire me and I am sure many others to keep striving

  • thanks,you are smart!

  • Im not an adult or a mom of any sort but i have siblings and a mom and my mom has the same problems trying to balance everthing work a ten hour job and be a single mother with 3 kids isnt that easy and she doesnt aprove of my rock look but i try and be helpful but its hard when your mom doesnt understand you and doesnt enjoy anything you do other than shopping and personelly that doesnt count and sometimes i think to my self why even help her with anything cuz i dont ever get a thank you its like she doesnt care

  • I think you’re doing an amazing job already. My urban, prepackaged existence is completely toxic and ruinous compared to yours! ;D One thing you could do to bring in money might be to land a column or something at a newspaper, either locally or a topical national one — writing either about sustainable living or unschooling or doing book reviews or something like that. You’re a gifted writer — you could tap that for a little cash. It’s a pain in the arse to get that started but once you get your gig, it’s just churning out the word count every week. I used to write a sex advice column for a Playboy owned web site (no kidding!) to the tune of $250/column. Something like that (only with books or organic living or homeschooling) could keep you easily in chickens, right?

  • I hardly get styrofoam except just a few days ago when I bought a furniture set for Jelani and UGH plenty of it in there (haven’t decided what to do with it) but things like from Chinese Food – I use the cups as a painting cups, the “boxes” as planting for seedlings or something – and hope they can be reusable.  If I have styrofoam and plastics – I start with styrofoam in hope to recycle the plastics instead (bec I throw away whatever is worn out from crafts – not sure if they can recycle)…  Maybe that’s an idea from an apartment dweller from me   Money, maybe sell the “leftover” of your canning and frozen stuff in springtime and fall time if you know you would have extras to use it toward your “wants”.

  • I am in absolute awe of your lifestyle, honestly. I know that you must be working your little hiney off, but you make it look effortless. My first thought was that I wish I could just pay you for being you. You are a living blessing.

    So my big suggestion is that you write and write and write and photograph and photograph and photograph, and inspire and instruct the rest of us. I would definitely buy any book you wrote.

  • Oh Julie, you haven’t got a clue how much you are doing in the big picture of things just by sharing your daily ‘grind’ …You often ’gently rebuke’ (that is said super duper loving thankful way!!!) those that read your beautiful life! I have always considered myself to be great about not wasting things & frugal too — until I met you!  heehee!

    I am so much more aware and careful now, because you have shown me it can be done in ways I never thought about..

    I have sewn and sold on Ebay for years, Children’s clothing and bedding and heirloom jewelry. I sell new and one of a kind lovely hand crafted to others so I can buy some things that tug on my heart, things I just want…like vintage linens I adore, or buying my wee one Robeez or an Oilily dress (because I too adore nice pretty things just because)1/2 off… I started buying from local farmers (in the big city there aren’t that many, but I look harder now and always stop at the stands on the corners for fresh goods)

    When is Maple syrup makin’ season anyways?

    About the thin line of teaching your children? There is no one set perfect way (wouldn’t that be nice if there were???) You are doing it the right way. Your children see that you do the right things, you waste little and work towards rewards. That is what teaches charachter to your wee littles. They spend much time enjoying life that is ‘free’ and surrounding them… that will ground them.

    A previous poster quoted a statement I love!

    “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”—William Morris 

    I try to live by that… my husband says I think too many things are beautiful and he says I’m a pack-rat… he is right. *Sigh* but I’m trying to re-train myself. And taking notes—from you!

    … I will be thinking for you in the mean time. ;)

    Hugs!!! Hope you are having a WONDERFUL weekend!!!

    ( Oh! glad you saved your veggies! I pictured you by flash light gathering your goods!)

    Kimberly

  • Oops…excuse the typos! Gavin was climbing all over and I was rush typing! Sorry about that!

    K~

  • You just do what you can with the means you have (knoweledge expenses)  That’t the best you can do.  I love what tinybutterfly wrote.  Good quotes.

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