Why do you do this?

[Archangel]

Why do you do this?

I asked my self that the other day, as I looked at my wall of books. Why do I read and try out different things? Is it because if seen parts of the rest of world that are not so sweet. I do it because it is fun!!!

I like knowing that if things go bad I'll be OK.

So lets have some fun and tell me why you do it. ;D ;) ;D ::) Michael

[dkemple1]

I have to admit, I have books upon books upon books, and I just find it interesting the things people are doing and I would like try them out myself, only a little at a time. I have done a little of the self-reliance living and I like it. I will just keep doing a little more each time.

Dan

[MarechalNiel]

If by your question you are asking why we pursue self sufficiency, it is because, for me, it is a way that reduces reliance on unreliable 'outside' sources of food, fuel, means of production, and etc. *It places more necessities (and some frivolities) under my hand, under my control. For example, I don't have to be worried about a winter storm causing me to lose my electric heat, or frozen roads to cause the propane delivery truck to be unable to come to my home. I heat with wood, and don't have to rely on some agency or 'authority' to come give me means of keeping warm. Or fed, or have water or fuel or animal feed or whatever. *It is undeniably practical to do things for oneself at little or no cost instead of doing what most people see as the practical way of doing things, which is to go out and pay for them with money.

[kawalekm]

A Robert Heilein quote comes to mind. "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."

My self-reliance makes me feel a cut above the useless suburbanites so helpless that they can't even reverse their cars. There is also the joy of being able to make something yourself and have other people appreciate and value it. Nobody can know everything, however, somewhere there is a book that will tell anyone how to do everything. That's why books are so important

[bookwormom]

do what? what I particularly am doing? I am doing it because that is how I live, on purpose. If somebody wants to live in a suburb in a Mac mansion and work all hrs to pay the mortgage every month, well, that is their choice. I am thankful I have the opportunity to live the way I am, as I consider it a luxury. It is cold, so I stay home and there is plenty to keep me busy. I 'work out' in the woodshed with a maul. Some things I really do not care to do, but I do them as they need to be done and so I get with it and get it out of the way. Like the ditch I had to dig yesterday. but how often do I have to dig a ditch. right. there are jobs that are pure joy, some that bring peace to my mind, and I don't know why, like spending an afternoon in the woods breaking up a load of squaw wood. That would never be a lucrative job, but it is a luxury. spreading manure is hard work, but I do not mind doing it, it gives me a good feeling,
raking up hay is sweaty and good. when I think about it, my way of life makes me feel a lot more alive and connected. I am thankful when it rains, I like having a real fire that I have to light with a match,no button to press.

[Terri]

I have no deep philisophical (sp) reason, I am afraid.

But, stop and think a minute: Some people live inside, work inside, rarely see the sun, and never touch living things from one week to the next.

Can you imagine a more IMPOVERISHED way to live?!?

[shadowwalker]

I do this for the same reason I get the feeling of staisfaction when: I catch a fish with the fly or spinner I made even the worm I raised, take a animal with the bullet or weapon I made, live in the house-park in the garage-raise poultry in the building I made, drive the vehicle I fixed, make wine, food, raise a garden, ect. I did it. If I didn't know how I researched the way to do it. And again, I did it.
And if I can't do it, I probably have a friend that does know how.

[Archangel]

NO Terri I can't, Michael

[ShadowWolf]

For me, it's because when it comes right down to it..I know I'm the only one that can be counted on to take care of my self and family.

[Rama_das]

hey all, it's been a while. hope everyone is well.

it's funny cause my path has lead me in a very different direction from it's start.

my inititial influences were a mormon family i nearly married in to. they did the food storage etc, i got reading. started with three books. one by a mormon, peggy layton, two others most of you likely have read. . . can't even remember the names of the authors right now.

but the first book was on food storage, next was a little more emergency prepared oriented, and last took it a step or five more, talked more about stock piling weapons etc.

and my steps have taken me from food storage, to great self defence studies (deeping my kung fu training, and adding a more aggressive street defencive program) but also lead to an interest in firearms and shooting. i was briefly involved with the Canadian reserves. but found myself looking at thigns like NBC defence and knowledge around that. . . i got just about all the hand tools i could ever need, generator, camping gear to kill for, and all the kits one can build.

just yesterday i was looking in to starting to reload, something i never had interst in.

a few months ago i was trying to set up a good cb system for the house and car. hit set backs with that. . . long story.

but my books greatly out number my ablity to read them in a timely fashion.

i do it to be ready for harder times, short or longer term, but i also do it cause i enjoy the feeling i get at removing myself from the "normal" side show going on out there.

[bigjack]

Because I refuse to be like Oliver Twist, standing with his empty bowl of gruel and ask "please sir, may I have some more?".-Jack

[JAK]

We shouldn't be preparing to live. We should already be living.

From Pensees, Blaise Pascal

172. We do not rest satisfied with the present. We anticipate the future as too slow in coming, as if in order to hasten its course; or we recall the past, to stop its too rapid flight. So imprudent are we that we wander in the times which are not ours and do not think of the only one which belongs to us; and so idle are we that we dream of those times which are no more and thoughtlessly overlook that which alone exists. For the present is generally painful to us. We conceal it from our sight, because it troubles us; and, if it be delightful to us, we regret to see it pass away. We try to sustain it by the future and think of arranging matters which are not in our power, for a time which we have no certainty of reaching.
Let each one examine his thoughts, and he will find them all occupied with the past and the future. We scarcely ever think of the present; and if we think of it, it is only to take light from it to arrange the future. The present is never our end. The past and the present are our means; the future alone is our end. So we never live, but we hope to live; and, as we are always preparing to be happy, it is inevitable we should never be so.

[creekside-angie]

This? The ever mindful goal of self-reliance? SOOO many reasons, first of all it's how my grand mom taught me.Second, If I don't "put-up" fruit the kids don't get any, it's to pricey to buy and it's nasty from the grocery. Then theres the ever popular food recalls,If dog food can get so screwed up what about corn flakes??The bad guys could wipe out alot of people thru Kelloggs!
Then of course theres the antibiotics and every thing else they pump into meat. And the ethics of feed lot/mass meat producers.(Ever see fast food Nation?)Yuck!
So many times I want to throw in the old "canning" towel, My 'ol man conciders it a wast of electricity and time. "When he can buy a can of corn for .10 cents"(NO CLUE!!)
All my many books and magizines are references for life.The way I want to live,the way I want to teach and raise my children. The gift I want to give them.
Other people may have fashion/celeb. type references for the way they want to live.
I think you can tell alot about some one by their library!
Plus a jar of home canned peaches is like a jar of sunshine in the middle of Feb.!! ::)

[Southern_Gent]

I have to agree with creekside-angie, in that self reliance is almost necessary these days. What with food additives and their side affects, it seems that if you want to stay healthy, you'd better produce your own food. Hence, I find canning and other methods of food preservation as fascinating. I'm thinking about building a smoke house within the next year to experiment with smoke curing meats.

[machinemaker]

Knowledge is power! It seems that those of us who want to be self sufficient do have a book shelf full of resources. we live in a country where we can go to a "public, free" library and borrow books and if our local library does not have what we want, they will borrow it from somewhere else. I have had the local library get books from out of state universities for projects in my shop. What a great country, with great freedoms. We who are self sufficient need to be more active in politics and speak loudly. Our complaints about the current government are only allowed because the majority of voters are content to let others do everything for them, they would rather sit in front on the tube then to read and exercise their minds.
Kent

[annabella1]

I just don't like people telling me what I can and cannot do. The more experience and education I have the more I can choose to do or not do what ever.
If I can grow my own food. Then no one can tell me what I must and must not eat.
If I can build my own shelter. then no one can tell me where I must live.
If there are alternatives to buying from the electric company then I can run what I want, where I want, when I want.
If I can process my own waste then no one can make me do it their way

I guess I am just a selfish person.

[bigjack]

We shouldn't be preparing to live. We should already be living.

From Pensees, Blaise Pascal

172. We do not rest satisfied with the present. We anticipate the future as too slow in coming, as if in order to hasten its course; or we recall the past, to stop its too rapid flight. So imprudent are we that we wander in the times which are not ours and do not think of the only one which belongs to us; and so idle are we that we dream of those times which are no more and thoughtlessly overlook that which alone exists. For the present is generally painful to us. We conceal it from our sight, because it troubles us; and, if it be delightful to us, we regret to see it pass away. We try to sustain it by the future and think of arranging matters which are not in our power, for a time which we have no certainty of reaching.
Let each one examine his thoughts, and he will find them all occupied with the past and the future. We scarcely ever think of the present; and if we think of it, it is only to take light from it to arrange the future. The present is never our end. The past and the present are our means; the future alone is our end. So we never live, but we hope to live; and, as we are always preparing to be happy, it is inevitable we should never be so.

Or as a friend of mine used to put it "If you've got one foot in the past and one foot in the future, your pissin all over today!".-Jack

[bookwormom]

If you've got one foot in the past and one foot in the future, your pissin all over today!"

yeah, but this is a way of life. this is the day I have to work in. I am building a row of animal shelters today, under an overhang, for geese and chickens to set, isolate an occasional animal etc. That is for the future. I would like to have it ready when I need it. Maybe next year. So I get a good feeling out of building something today and having fun with a screwshooter.

[timminsglen]

To be as far from the "fear of needing something" as I can be....

[Archangel]

I'vew been gone awhile, it is good to read your replies. Some time I forget how good it is to share ideas.
Happy Trails, Michael ;D :) ;D

[flatwater]

I have always been one to enjoy the journey more then the destination. In being self sufficiat it makes the journey longer and gives me an opportunity of not being held hostage by our government.
Flatwater