SWM looking for...

It’s snowing here in rural New Jersey and it’s suppose to snow for a few days. So here I sit, on my 14 acres of land in North West NJ. Wishing I could find someone to grow and share life with.

About 4 years ago I sold almost everything I owned and bought 14 acres. Then I quit my job of 17 years and went into business for myself. I was tired of the rat race and I wanted to control my own destiny. And life is too short to dislike your job and where you live.

So here I am. Enjoying life and wishing I had someone to share it with. My vision is to be as self sustainable as possible, and with the current state of this country, I believe lots of people are wishing they took control of their destiny.

About me... I’m 44, 6’3”, educated, sane, drug free and social drinker. I can fix just about anything and I love working with my hands. I am a licensed home improvement contractor, so I keep as busy as I want to be.

What I’m looking for... a woman who wants to live off grid. Someone who likes to grow food, build things, and someone who is creative.

What I have... 14 acres of mostly hardwood forest. About 4 acres of overgrown pasture that I’m bringing back. And a stream that runs across my land. I have Shetland sheep, chickens, and bees. Last year I started breeding my own queens and I find the bees relaxing and very very interesting. By the end of this year I would like to expand my apiary to 20 hives.

I have plans for an orchard and I want to put in a permanent large garden. I’m planning on expanding my blueberries and I’ve planted ginseng on my land years ago and it’s finally started producing berries last year, so they are taking off.
I just bought a tractor with a backhoe and I have plans on building a cabin this year, as well as a root cellar to store what I grow.

Is there anyone out there that wants to take control of their destiny with a smart, not so bad looking man?

You sound awesome and your land looks magnificent!  Congratulations on making the move out of the rat race and good luck in your search for the right woman for you.  I share your lifestyle interests and am impressed by your skill set.  But I’m in SoCal and already addicted to the mild winters here.  If I thought I could endure NJ winters I’d be emailing you now with photos and dets about me. Good luck!

Without the rain, the sun wouldn’t mean anything. I guess the same could be said about the winters. It makes spring more special.  

And thank you for the compliment.

Hi Matthew. It's a blessing to have land and a homestead in the country with little creatures to love and care for. My heart goes out to you though as I understand what you are saying.  It's more fulfilling to have someone of like mind to work along side and share the joys of living with. I've had the same longing.  For some reason it just hasn't come about.  Well, I'm in northern Cal but would like to offer to keep in touch with you and share creative ideas and such, be a friend and encourage one another.  As the Good Book says about mankind's eternal destiny, with God all things are possible. Wishing you true blessings as lovely as the falling snow, Denise

Hello Matthew,

I’m on the other side of the Atlantic but you wrote such a lovely post! I hope you find the right woman for you.

I strongly believe in karma, so by taking the step forward here you have opened doors in a positive direction. And in the meantime, it looks like you’ve got lots of fulfilling work to do 😊

Thank you Helen

Good for you Matthew for taking the steps! Very impressive. I live in NYC and took a PDC class during the confinement and now I am looking at how to make my transition from urban to rural and def more sustainability and self reliance. Basically looking at buying land and building a cabin for a start. I would be interested in hearing more about you and your project. All the best, Gabrielle

Matthew,

What a lovely post.  I commend you.  In early 2017 I too realized it was time to step off the hamster wheel. I sold my house in a big city and went north.  I haven't quite made it onto the land yet, unlike you, I feel like I need a partner in crime for that step.  For the moment, I live in an old church in a very small, very remote town on the shores of lake Huron.  If not for geography (being, as I am, in Canada) and being a bit older than you, I would absolutely invite you to join me in an exploration of compatibility.  You sound lovely and the goats, OMG, the goats! - do you have dwarf ones? - should really seal the deal in fairly short order. I look forward to reading some future missive that you met your match.

XO,

M.

Hi M,

Thank you. I think I have a nice piece of land. It would be amazing to find someone who wants to join me. Love is hard to find, and I admit i am probably hard to love because of the way I want to live. Is there someone out there???

And I have Shetland sheep. Those are newborns I was holding. They are adorable!

I am doing what you are doing,  just happen to be in Oregon. I too have sheep and bees, and a few other critters... 300 fruit and nut trees, large garden.. can fix or build most things. Life like this is the very best life. I spin and knit in the winter. Eat my own food, milk my own goat. I am female, 47, and been doing this on my own for years and am happy. My life is like a fantastic carrot cake, a good man would be frosting. Carrot cake doesn't need frosting, but is even better with good frosting..

This made me smile because you reminded me of that storm, which seems so far away in the heat and haymaking. I was plowing my farm alone, and that storm definitely made me work for it. High-five for heritage sheep.

Hey Matthew.  
Lookin' good.  You are really cute dude!  I live and work in Philadelphia, but am not stuck here.  Love, love, love bees and goats, lol!  Love country life.  Would you like to say hi?
Nat

 Me.

Hello, you sound interesting and much closer to what I'm looking for. Hv you found anyone yet?