This just in!.. Good men aren't ALL gone, kind hearted man seeks SWF for adventure and friendship!

So I'm not sure if I'm running away from something or running toward something, but I'd like to think it's the latter. I've read some pretty amazing and heartfelt posts on here, so I've decided to create an account and place a post of my own out there. I'm 39 years old. I guess we might as well just start there. People key in on the physical, so I'll just lay it out there for ya lol. So far the grey hair hasn't started to show up, but the leaves change in autumn with little notice, so I guess it could happen any day now. :) I'm 6 foot even, and I've always kept myself in great physical shape. I have a strong back, which I can easily attribute to a life that has been no stranger to manual labor. I guess you wouldn't really know it to look at me, but I'm country to my core. I grew up surrounded by fields and woods, and I learned to hunt and fish from an early age and those two things have remained some of my favorite hobbies and ways of reconnecting with nature throughout my entire life. My first job was working on a dairy farm in Ohio, bailing hay and tending to the cows. I've learned so many things throughout my life, and I'm a very intuitive student when it comes to the unknown and taking on new ventures. It's just going to sound like I'm bragging if I start to run down a list of things that I know how to do or talents that I've acquired throughout life, but since this is partially like a resume for any prospective lady suitors out there, here goes...

My grandfather was a lifetime mason and construction foreman, so I know a lot about construction and I can definitely lay a foundation, brick, or cinder blocks. As mentioned above, I'm also an avid hunter, fisherman, but also know a lot about primitive survival, such as trapping small game, fire starting, etc. I've taught myself Spanish, how to cut my own hair, how to install a Solar energy system, I love to garden and I'm all about the organic/composting style of gardening. There's just something so rewarding about planting something from seed and cultivating it to the point where you're enjoying it and biting into that juicy delicious tomato that you grew yourself. Or even just the smell of the tomato plants themselves as you walk through the plants and admire the fact that the plants themselves are as tall as you are and you DID that... Anyway, I'm getting off topic lolol.. So I also know a lot about many different things that are just usual on a day to day basis. I am good with a hammer and woodworking, furniture building/restoration has become a hobby of mine over the past few years. I know basic electrical stuff, basic plumbing stuff, and I have a mind that is just constantly seeking ways to make things better or more practical. I've become quite the mechanic throughout my life as well! Mostly because it just feels good not getting ripped off by a crooked auto mechanic, but also because I just take pride in doing things myself. I also LOVE to cook! Cooking is almost like an art form in itself. I also know a lot about herbs, both medicinal as well as for cooking. Oh, and speaking of art, I have a very creative mind when it comes to art or any sort of project. My greatest form of art, however, is writing. I've always been a writer, and I'll forever be a poet. That's just something that started at an early age for me and will forever be ingrained in the fibers of my soul.


It started out looking like Colorado for me.. However I'm not completely sold on the exact location yet.  I've found about 5 acres that I can afford there, but land is also very affordable in Texas and Arizona as well. There is also a lot of natural beauty in Washington and Oregon.  I love nature. Just being on the water or in the mountains does something to calm my soul. Just one more reason to set off on my next adventure.  I'll start off with a decent sized RV. It will have to be a little older and I'm sure I'll need to fix it up a little bit, but that's ok because I'll have plenty of time on my hands and nothing but work in front of me to take care of. It'll be so rewarding to see the fruits of that labor go directly towards my future, perhaps "our" future if I meet someone to share all of this with. I'll start on the solar powered grid first. I'll need sustainable power for charging cordless drills, saws, etc. I'll have 200-250 gallon water tanks until I can get a well water system in place. I figure that I can also set up some rainwater cisterns as well. I'm intrigued by yurts, but I've seen several people that started off with yurts and converted to a traditional brick and mortar eventually. Yurts just weren't made for colder weather climates. I'd like to build a little cabin. One with nice but simple amenities. Something cozy and clean, and done right. Before I get to the cabin though, and after establishing the solar system, I'll most likely do the greenhouse next. I'll bring tons and tons of food, mostly nonperishable stuff, and there are some companies on Amazon that sell massive quantities of freeze dried emergency rations. That food will only get me so far though. So I'll quickly get to work on growing food with a huge supply of heirloom seeds that I'll bring with. Then, I'll get started on building some chicken and rabbit huts. I'm definitely not a vegan or vegetarian but I respect anyone that is. God bless, I could never go without my protein in the form of meat.

These are just some of the many many details that I've been lining up. Details, to support what's at the core of this new adventure as a whole... I want to reconnect with the beauty in this world, and I really just don't want to do it in an isolated fashion. I'd really love to have someone to share that beauty WITH. Someone to appreciate all of the little things with. Isn't that what life and love are all about?.. The little things. Little moments, sweet gestures just to let the other person know that you care about them and that you're thinking about them and that you're invested in their future because they MEAN something to you.  I'm fed up with a lot of things in this world, and the dating scene is one of them. There are a lot of messed up women out there. Many of them think they want a good guy, but then oddly enough they don't know what to do with one when they find one.

So yeah.. I'm doing this. With or without someone to share it all with, I'm just going to do it and it's going to be amazing. Either way, I'll never be totally alone. I have an adorable half black lab/half shar pei that is 3 years old, and she's just amazing. She'll never really get much bigger than 40 lbs. , and she looks like she's a black lab puppy. Perma-puppy for life! Really though, she's the sweetest. I even got her registered as an emotional support animal so I could sign us up for volunteer work at cancer centers and local hospitals. Truth be told though, I'm fairly certain that I am 100% the emotional support for HER, but the tiny little emotional support vest I got her wouldn't fit right on me so I guess it just had to be this way ha! My time frame for making all of this happen is going to be fairly soon, as in over the next 30-60 days as I make all of my last minute preparations.  So if there is a woman out there whom is interested, please just hit me up. I'm a very good natured guy. I'm slow to anger, I have a huge heart and I love helping other people and I enjoy making others happy.. This is especially true of the woman that's in my life. I've discovered that I somehow operate on another level altogether when I have someone in my life that I can be affectionate toward. But all in all, I know that I am a genuinely good person, and I'm just seeking someone likeminded in that sense. I am very positive, and eternal optimist, and the companion in my life doesn't need to be perfect. I don't hold people to such standards. I really just do NOT get along with extremely negative or pessimistic people. People like that and I are like oil and water, we just don't mix. So... If you're still reading this massively long post, you're obviously somewhat interested. Either that, or perhaps I'm actually a decent writer after all and this has just been mildly entertaining to read? Hahaha thank you for reading all of this, regardless. If you'd like to start a conversation, please, let's chat! To whomever might be reading this out there in this strange world that I hardly recognize anymore, I wish you all the best!


Cheers,

Phoenix

Hi, interesting read there, I nearly drank half a cup of coffee. Aside from family why Colorado? I've heard it's fairly regulated and restricted with what you can do with building and the land itself. If you grew up in Ohio and are headed to Colorado where are you now? Do you have an RV yet or are you looking into one? I'd recommend converting a school bus, it will give you the building, plumbing and electric wiring experience needed for that future cabin? Or as Johnny Cash said 'I got it one piece at a time and it didn't cost me a dime." so you can piece together a skoolie while saving up for land and homesteading supplies.
Right now I'm trying to scrape together the last of the funds I need for ten acres to park my bus on so I'm partially biased. Eventually I will build a cordwood cabin instead of a typical log cabin, it seems simpler to do solo or without heavy machinery. Just remember unless you've already grown the majority of your food in whatever setting you're coming from you will not be able to quickly grow all your food, especially if you're in a new climate/region.  I've gone from having a milk cow, meat sheep, laying hens, an orchard and ample garden that took nearly a decade to develop and it was only providing a portion of  the food my family of six at the time would consume.
It seems like we have similar goals for permaculture plans in the future and are in approximately similar locations on our journeys there. Thanks for the entertaining read as well

Thanks for the advice, Gail! I think it's more of a cordwood cabin that I have in mind as well. Have you seen the documentary series on amazon prime title 'The Saxon House'. Father and son builders, and they use nothing but hand tools to build some amazing structures.

Hi! Welcome to Permies! What an awesome first post! I seriously hope the lady of your dreams reads this.
And MANY points for actually writing a lot and telling us who you are. Lack of doing so is a pet peeve of a lot of us ladies. We don't tend to want to have to tease information out of a guy. If I were rating the singles posts I have read over the years, on a 1-10 scale, you'd get a 10.  :)
Good luck finding your lady, and starting your life changes!

:D

Thanks, Pearl! I love that name by the way. I had a great-aunt named Pearl. :) Thank you so much for your kind words, and maybe the girl of my dreams WILL read that post, but then again, maybe she won't.. Either way, it just feels good seeing ones thoughts transcribed and brought to life on paper/screen. Hopefully it turns out to be more than writing my dreams down on a piece of paper and then sailing them away on a Chinese lantern. I've already accepted any scenario that comes my way, in advance, however.


All the best, and thanks for chiming in, Pearl!


Phoenix

Hi Phoenix.  I love that you are fascinated with so many things, as am I.  Although minus the mechanical work, as I haven't grown a lot of fascination yet with that.  I’ve been writing since my younger years, love the arts, creativity and music.  I won't unravel my life all in the context of this message (or any message), as I prefer to talk over the phone, camera chat, or face to face if local.  I will say that I was interested in possibly building a log cabin, but have since learned about all the eco and self-sustainable options, such as cob.  I have been recently looking at land, and almost finished updating an RV (to sell).  I do apologize, as I am not as comfortable posting my photo(s) here on this site (or most of the internet), due to privacy and how easy it is to have personal photos stolen (already happened to me once).  I am a very open person when getting to know someone on a personal level and in building trust.  I’m not one to hesitate when I intuitively sense it’s a person I don’t need to be guarded with.  I don’t think you’d lack having attraction with me, however I’m a very deep person that feels way beyond the surface, hence need to be moved the same (in order to fall in love).  That’s not to say that falling in love should be hard or take a long time; in fact it should be as natural and easy as taking a breath, yet exhilarating and liberating.  I would love to talk to you further, if you would like to respond here or via private message.  You equally should also know what I look like, so I’d be happy to send a few photos after a dialogue is continued.  Preferably a brief camera chat, so there is no deception in photo(s) vs the real person.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Hi A Rohan,

Thanks for reaching out. I sent you a reply "moosage". I think that the word "cabin" is loosely translated these days. I was actually thinking of going with the cob/clay style, yet also with a solid frame of wood incorporated. Have you ever seen 'The Saxon House' being made? It's amazing!

Phoenix Roberts wrote:

'The Saxon House' being made? It's amazing!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-KkMnV5gHU

Phoenix, That is possibly the most soothing video on the internet.  No talking, no power tools; just people competently and methodically going about the business of building.

I'm always leery of materials, like wood, being used with cob houses.  I have already seen (what they call) Earthship homes crumble as well as rotten wood.  Cob has been known to have the same issues when people try to incorporate normal house materials/building codes, as cob homes breathe and allow moisture in and out (unlike a regular home with wood, concrete, etc).  This has caused issues like mold, etc and I have read of people even having to completely move out of a relatively newly built eco-home.  The same applies to using regular insulation in a cob home; it prevents the breathing of the walls that is required.  I have however, seen solid cob homes being built with wood support beams for the roof and it's common with the door/window frames.  Concrete does not allow moisture in and out like cob does, so I would personally avoid incorporating wood frame walls with cob buildings, given the same air flow issue as concrete.  Using the glass bottle technique that is seen in Earthship homes, adds an insulation factor as well as a colorful artistic and unique look.  With cob, you also need to have a support foundation that doesn't allow the cob to touch the earth, for drainage of the water when it rains etc.  Many are using dug trenches around the frame of the cob house, filled with compounded gravel, and then topped with larger stacked stones.  There's of course variances with making a solid foundation.  

I hope this gives you some information to consider.  I did look at the video you linked in your last message.  I don't want the wolves to come huff and puff and blow my house down...lol  Thus, is the same reason why I'd never live in a yurt.  I've seen variances of the style house from the video, in places like Bali.
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/this-house-in-bali-is-constructed-almost-entirely-of-bamboo

The best part of this thread is your acceptance for whatever scenario you end in! That’s really great and shows how content you are. I had seen this site a couple years ago, and just got back on. I wasn’t ready to make some of the decisions I made this past year. So I’m new to the site and the experience as well. And doing it with my 6 year old. Just bought a piece of land (7 acres) less than a year ago. It has a 1920s farmhouse on it. We planted some fruit trees, built raised beds, acquired a couple beehives. It’s not off grid by any means, but it’s a great start. Not too bad for a city girl. Hoping for a modest garden this year, and hoping to be intentionally unemployed soon. Feeling very blessed by it all. Hoping the best for you.

Typo in my last reply - "Concrete does not allow moisture in and out like cob does, so I would personally avoid incorporating wood frame walls with cob buildings, given the same air flow issue as concrete."  I had intended to type "given the moisture issues and potential for mold" (which has been seen when closing off the cob homes with other materials).  I had two different sentences in my head while only typing one, hence the initial error...lol  Sorry for the confusion.

Hello....interesting read.
I have 6 acres in Ohio
Looking to turn into micro homestead
Room for you and your RV
Perhaps your journey and skills will lead you here until you figure out if you’re running from or moving towards.
Small barn and wood burning stove on property

Please PM if your interested in details
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Hello Pheonix.. Is it too soon to say we found each other haha

Hi Phoenix, Your post made me smile. I would love to find someone with a good heart who I can take care of, share my life with, and have children with. I’m partial to Arizona because my family has land here that I will one day be responsible for. One of the best summers of my life was when I grew a garden and ate all my meals from it. I know exactly what you mean about fresh tomatoes! I too have a black dog. He’s 13 now and I’m definitely his emotional support ☺️. I also have a cat. I'm 5'9", 135lbs, and have long brown hair. I try to be as healthy as I can. I'm college educated and enjoy rational people. I love being at home and doing all things domestic. I am a freelance writer and painter in addition to working for an art gallery. You seem like a happy and loving person with a lot of skills to achieve what you want.

Oh I do so hope you found her!  If I was 10 years younger I would be all kinds of about you.  You are just adorable.  Please update and let us know how you are.  How on Earth does any version of you become a single person?  After reading your post, I am inspired that maybe... just maybe... kind men really are out there.
Whoever she ends up being, I must admit a part of me is a bit envious.  Wow!  

Hi Phoenix! You sound like a fun and interesting person and I'd love to chat with you :) I sent you a purple mooseage a few days ago and I'm wondering if you received it?

Here I am. Your future lady.

Unless you have already found her. Yet I will tell you she isn't the right one.  Mmmkkk. You sound cool. Know what you want. Look pretty decent. Let's chat more. I love the homesteading idea and am also searching for my little green space to call home.

Also, just fyi I rarely wear makeup. This was quarantine insanity here.  I am usually all natural.

xo
Jen

If you ever consider New Zealand - let me know. .
36yr old female permaculturalist needing more hands on deck.

Great post! I like that you aren’t afraid to let it all out and show a sense of humor. I have my own homestead in Kentucky and kind of doing something similar. I have 20 acres and building a cob empire! Lol I’m planning on using permaculture techniques like a food forest and teach cob workshops at my place. If you ever want to talk cob, send me a message.

Great post! I would love to chat with you if you are still looking. Otherwise, I wish you the best.

Lots of interest on here for you and it's no wonder why! It's brave of you to take the first big step, I'm one winter away from disappearing into the Canadian Rockies. I'm working towards building a small intentional community of natural houses, edible gardens and orchards. I want to experiment with bee keeping and sustainable living and making things with my hands.

I'm 32, female with no attachments (besides my husky/lab). I am financially stable and independant but would love to find someone with an interest in this lifestyle to enjoy it with.