Monday, May 11, 2009

Well for those of you who went over and read Lisa's blog....yes, I caved in and let her bring home a kitten, lol. This past 8 months since the kids left has been the only time that she hasn't had a cat. I'm not really a cat person, but I remember how I hated the times when I didn't have a dog, so it's been the same for her. And hey, it beats a pony, lol. Someday I'll be able to get her a horse or pony, I know she really misses having one. I try to get her everything she wants (within reason of course), but a pony is just too far out of reach here. Ah well....maybe she can make a tiny kitten-sized saddle and pretend, hahahahaha. My little kitty, apocolypse kitty.......

Everything that's planted so far seems to be doing well. Almost all of the onions are up above ground, and so are the turnips. The beets and parsnips are barely showing a little green above ground, but they won't be far behind. In another week or so, we'll more of the other plants out without much worry of a last late frost. We planned on going all heirloom, but the seed order was never sent out thanks to the layoff. I did see an ad on the local Craigslist for heirloom tomato and pepper plants, so I'll e-mail them for a list sometime today. Maybe this week we can get a few of each.


Yesterday we spent some time with family for Mothers Day. I won't mention names or anything, that's between me & Lisa, but we were both about to scream after the 3 hour visit. One person in particular is probably the most narrow-minded person I have ever met. Everything outside of her little safety zone/circle where she lives in la-la land, is just wrong and wierd. Everything WE do is wierd to her, and she has no qualms against telling us she thinks so. Sometimes they're just jokes gone wrong, and other times they're just outright "that's stupid" comments. They're all talking about planting spring flowers, and I joke and say "nope! Not planting it if we can't eat it!", which of course comes back to me when I talk about things I want to do around the house. "I need to get a battery for the tractor", "nope, can't eat THAT", said in no way a joking manner. My head began to hurt and my blood started to boil. We get comments like that over and over, from a lot of people we know. Insults are insults, no matter who they come from. Just because you are related doesn't make it ok.

Sure, we live a lot different than everyone we know. Sure, we've made choices that most people find silly or rediculous. But these choices have been ours, and no one elses. Our choice to live without cable television was a simple one for us, but to some it was like cutting off an arm. It amazes me now to listen to other peoples conversations and realize how much it revolves around tv. Talks about American Idol, Lost, Wife Swap, and other mindless entertainment make me sad in a way. To think that this is all people choose to do with their time amazes me. When we had cable, most of our shows were somewhat educational...discovery channel, history channel, etc, and never some mindless reality show. The choice to dump the cable has been a good one. Our time is now spent together, or at least in the same room at the same table. There are times when I sit here at the computer while Lisa reads a book, but we're both doing something we enjoy, and usually LEARNING, rather than watch some untalented wannabe singer try to impress a bunch of idiots into making them the next thing for 10 minutes of fame. Television rules the lives of most american's. They sit for countless hours and watch mindless shows, stuffing their faces with garbage, then have the nerve to whine about being overweight and out of shape. Next thing ya know, we'll be sueing a tv station for making us lazy. It's pitiful.

Sorry to go on such a rant, but yesterday was just one of those days when I wanted to sell everything we own, buy a cabin in the middle of nowhere, and not have to deal with people at all. I grow tired of the comments and the blatent insults. Even some of the jokes get old. People don't realize that negative comments about "hillbillies" are in a way a negative comment about us. We aren't hillbillies really, but we find more in common with that kind of person than with today's role models. I'd much rather be friends with Jesco White than with Brad Pitt. (if you dont know who Jesco is, watch this) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRCWU6cHywk&feature=related OK yea, lol, he's pretty far out there and theres a lot of bad things involved in him and his family (drugs etc) but I can really relate to this guy. Anyone who has real hillbilly blood will laugh all the way through the whole film, this is just the opening clip.

Anyway.......back to where I was going. Maybe I'm still a bit bitter and angry from yesterday. I just really wish that people could see that our way of life isn't so wrong. I wish that the jokes and insults would stop. I can't understand buying a $1000 television or spending countless hours manicuring a lawn to look like a golf course any more than others can't understand us raising rabbits for meat or for choosing to make our own laundry detergent and wanting to use a wringer washer.

OK.....I think I'm done bitching for now, lol. whewwwww

6 comments:

Melissa ~ Mom to 6 said...

You hit the nail on the head with the "but can you EAT it" comment. I've caught myself saying that a lot this year. I think we are lucky in that we only have people in our lives that live similar lifestyles to us. And, we don't put up with family members who act like what you described. Life is too short to waste on people like that. But, again, it's my opinion. :D Just know that in blogland, you have a huge network of like-minded folk that get what you're doing!! Have a good day!

Carolyn Evans-Dean said...

Believe me! I understand completely. Most of our friends and family live in the city and they definitely think that we're crazy. That's okay with us, though... We refuse to subscribe to a lifestyle that has no substance, like many of theirs!

Leasmom said...

Chris, I know what you mean. But when things get rough, you are able to cope and that is what matters. Keep them at a distance, forgive them for their ignorance, and educate them if you can and if not, thats okay too, just keep doing what you're doing. You're the intelligent one!

DGR said...

Well, if it hits the fan, guess where she'll be heading.......

Leslie said...

I know exactly what you are talking about and we are not living any where near the self-sustaining lifestyle you lead (but hope to one day).

We have family members that when we are together we don't discuss certain topics with them, especially about our lifestyle differences. They want to defend their wastefulness and constant need for more so I just don't bring it up. And if they say something about their lifestyle choices that I disagree with I just keep it to myself.

That is what is so great about the internet. I can connect with others that think like me.

Anonymous said...

That is what is great about living in the USA. We are free to live our lives the way we want. To those who don't understand the way you live, invite them for a weekend. Then you'll never hear from them again. You've lived like they do and would rather live your way...so invite them for a weekend. Put them to work - have them make and eat homemade bread and butter - give them a big home made breakfast and some of Lisa's fine cooking. They might not want to live that way but you might give them some positive thoughts...they'll run far away...lol...debbie.

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