A new person in a crowd of strangers. Just introducing myself! ^.^

I've been watching some of Paul Wheaton's videos YouTube for some time now and I've been increasingly interested in becoming truly self sufficient. One of the main reasons aside from the health and eco-friendly benefits is that I'm a huge art and DIY nut. If there is a way I can do it my self chances are I want to do just that. I've really been drawn into the beauty and simplicity of this way of life and some of the homes are far more beautiful than any conventional home could ever be. Paul and you guys are truly an inspiration and I'm willing to learn all there is to a good, stable, and natural life style in permaculture.

Nice to hear from you, Elizabeth.

You describe yourself and your interests well in just a few words. I wonder ... do you find others of similar interest where you reside?

In other words, do you consider your interests "natural", or do they make you some kind of odd ball?

Just wonder what people are seeing in the general populations around them.

Thanks, keep up that good, creative work ... and stay in touch. We need to hear from people like you.

jvinekeeper

Hi, Elizabeth and welcome to permies...good to have you here!

Thank you for the warm welcome. I do believe there are some people who share an interest in more eco-friendly lifestyle, but not in the same way as I do. While I consider my interests natural they may be considered odd by others as it is not the conventional way of thinking. I don't mind being odd as my personal saying is that "normality is an absurdity of society", in fact I enjoy being odd as it means that I am doing something right to become an individual. What I've noticed in the general population is that they ether feel they can't do anything or don't want to do anything to change their lifestyle to become more independent from the system. Change is difficult and people ether embrace it or reject it. I welcome the change to become more independent and the more meaningful rewards that can come from it. It will prevent me from becoming a burden on the system, I will be better prepared for life's storms, and I get to be in charge of my own life and not someone else being in charge.

Elizabeth Schirmer wrote:I've been watching some of Paul Wheaton's videos YouTube for some time now and I've been increasingly interested in becoming truly self sufficient. One of the main reasons aside from the health and eco-friendly benefits is that I'm a huge art and DIY nut. If there is a way I can do it my self chances are I want to do just that. I've really been drawn into the beauty and simplicity of this way of life

Hi Elizabeth,
sounds like you are like me in a lot of ways! I was also from Texas, but moved up to Arkansas several years ago.
How is your search going these days?
Donna

Elizabeth Schirmer : One more Welcome to Permies ! You write well and descriptively, I see A Blog in your Future, You might want to drift over to Instructables.com
and maybe their sister sight for kids Squid Lab ! There is something there for every D.I.Y.er/hacker/Etsy crafter ! and dont forget to ask in these forums with 17,000+
Members you are very well connected ! BIG AL

Elizabeth, I have just discovered this site. I am completely isolated here in SE Virginia, the only person with these ideas who has any intention of moving past the histrionics. I am completely flummoxed. Moving will be my only option, selling my 200 acres, which I cannot manage all by myself, though I have ALL of the equipment. And so I will move to a farm in Monroe, Michigan, where I will also be the only person with these ideas who wishes to follow through. Glad you introduced yourself and you have received a positive response. It seems to me that the cyberspace, which I just got regular access to a couple of weeks ago, is a great place for people to opine. Talk is cheap. Putting up hay is difficult. Fast food is easy. Planting a garden is difficult. Where are the OTHER people with no television? Bless you on your journey.