Hi Daniel,
Thank you for the thoughtful response. I'm lucky enough to have landed back in a county that, while rural, is reasonably progressive or at the very least, reasonably accepting and "live and let live". Homophobia still does rear its ugly head, but it sounds like I have more opportunities to take my business, myself, etc. elsewhere when it happens. Perhaps it's because I grew up here, I feel like I know the social landscape and feel entitled (by way of birthright, if nothing else) to participate in it when other non-local LBGT people may feel the need to be cautious. It's hard for me to say.
I do feel incredibly blessed to be able to be back on the land and out in the fresh air and the green. My family lives a stone's throw away and I even have a handful of friends from high school who have also recently also moved back who are willing to meet up for beers on the semi-regular. It really is a much bigger leap for my lady (bless her for having the faith and dedication to follow me), but I feel she's adjusting well too. She landed a great job with an highly regarded, local environmental non-profit and it's serving as a basis for community for her, and we're gearing up to have our first harvest from the small permaculture installations we built this year (namely our herb spiral, our three sisters mounds, various food from our huglebeds in our fledging food forest, etc.). She's never grown food before, so I'm really excited to share that experience with her.
I agree with all you've said, though I apparently don't mind the dirty hippies quite as much as you do.
I find a lot of them naive and often silly, but on the whole I find them a well meaning, gentle lot even if I find them often misguided.
We will be careful and enjoy! You too!
