I Have a Situation Here...*resolved*

I'm an old codger, decidedly single, multi-skilled, slowly wearing out. I have lived for forty years on and around 45 acres in SW Washington, nine of which I own. My situation is changing.

I'm a devout tree worshiper, witnessing the clearcutting of nearly everything in sight. My long-time best friend and neighbor just died. In light if these developments, and more, I have chosen not to remain here in the coastal hills of SW Washington, looking out my windows at the freshly devastated land. I'm attempting to pull up stakes and move 500 miles to a site on 270 acres on Northern Idaho's west slope at 1600' to 2600' elevation. This move is planned for completion next spring. I will be moving much of the materials to build myself shelter for my first winter there. I will need help. I will share materials and skills with the right helper/helpers.

The place I am going is off the grid, with minimal means of 24/7 year round energy production. It is potentially a permacultural dream site (in a Sepp Holzer sort of way). It already has the beginnings of community of multi-aged/talented and dedicated individuals. This small community has agreed to welcome this old man into their midsts. I would like to find either a strong young man, or couple, who could dedicate, and remain dedicated, to such a vision, with the energy to see it through. Someone who would be an asset to such a community.

I am looking for someone willing to rough it for some time. Someone to help with milling lumber with my portable mill and lift the other end of the beam (I'm doing this because I already have the sustainably harvested logs). Someone who can help drive loads (one ton truck pulling flat bed trailer). Someone who does not smoke tobacco (definite deal breaker, as I can't tolerate any tobacco smoke--COPD--just the smell causing physical reactions).

I can't offer riches in the shiny tokens of trade. If that's anyone's goal, this is not who I'm looking for. I would also desire that anyone I bring into this community would assist me in giving as much energy to the betterment of the community as possible. My philosophical outlook is, what's better for everyone is better for everyone.

There is the potential in my scheme for sustainable living through the coming changes, if one knows what I mean. What has been unsustainable for too long becomes ever more tenuous. I don't want to carry much unsustainability forward into any world I would like to live in. This is what permaculture means to me, I guess. I'm far from being anti-technology or any kind of Luddite. Inventiveness is a human trait, but inventiveness should serve higher human traits.

Please post your general comments. PM me with your particulars.

========================

On edit: dogs would not be very desirable.

Hi Bob,

I'm thinking someone considering your situation would probably need to know a lot of info about the community you are moving to. Can you tell us anything about them? Do they have a website?

Hello Edward,

Could be I'm looking for a rather mystical connection. I don't feel free to publicly throw out invites to a community when I am not hardly the new kid on the block as of yet. As of now, I am screening for compatibility with myself, as it is a personal ally, or allies, I am seeking. If and when that stage is reached, I will introduce the person, or persons, and hope for the best. This being the internet, I think some extra caution is in order. Therefore, when I get a bite, I read the posts and threads of the interested party and send them a Purple Mooseage if it feels right.

My search for community was conducted, it appears to me, at least partially through some mystical channels. I want these woo-woo mystical means to be at work in this present seeking as well. I feel I have a huge responsibility to the people who are welcoming me in, as well as to the land. I can see tendencies in myself which I may have to reign in out of respect for what they have started and are doing. I want very much to help them and see that any changes we bring each other are for the better of everyone. My main motivation, for years, and especially at this stage of my life, is to serve. It is in precisely the spirit of service that I wish to find my allies. As I didn't well understand this spirit when I was young, I see it is rare out there in the world. I have seen it in a few of my friends' WWOOFers, which is why I posted this here.

So, there's more info to make this a bit less clear. If it takes the reader to a more feeling place, to an understanding of just how big a commitment I envisage, and how important I feel this move is, then I have helped my cause.

Hi Bob:
I am an old codgeress preparing for another major life change. For the last 7 years, I have been building soil and for the last 5 years, I have been running a 100-household CSA on a 2-acre piece of rented neglected riparian land on Lockwood Creek / the edge of La Center, WA. I do not ever remember hearing your name, but you may know me as the "medicine vegetable lady." I deliver nearly year-round into Portland-Beaverton on Mondays, and 4 villages in Clark-Cowlitz Counties on Thurs. This is my last year doing this exact endeavor, and I am researching and preparing for my next service lifestyle now. The drivers for me are this: I do not want to farm alone anymore, and my purpose for living is to grow the most important vegetables for those around me, and I want to live closer to my Brothers & Sisters for the duration. My conversations are directed to IC's, communities-in-formation, Buddhist and Christian Retreat Centers, and Land-Based Shelters struggling to be more food self-reliant -- I need to be needed and have a lot to give and am letting Divine Serendipity guide me at this point. My efforts involve contacting and introducing myself to selected situations (you+), meeting and working on their needs as a volunteer (I have a large list of proven skills, mostly in the food production, kitchen, and Sustainable Food / Survival Eating areas). I will do anything for anyone anytime to move our relationship forward toward our co-created goal. This is why I am contacting you. Your thoughts and values and goals sound very similar to mine and I wonder if we should be talking to one another about this? Ariel Gail MacLean 360-936-5766 / arielgailmaclean@yahoo.com

Email sent.

Still shopping.

Hello Bob. My name is Heath Sherrick. I am 29 years old and I am from Ohio. I have been looking to get out into the wild and off of the grid for a long time. I was raised hunting and fishing and I spent my childhood summers on the river behind my parents house. I do not feel at ease or comfortable unless I am out in nature. Without being conceeded I could very well disappear in the woods and live quite comfortably.
I have been working in the construction industry my whole adult life. I have been working for the same company for 8 years. I have an exceptional knack for working with my hands. Concrete, drywall, electrical, plumbing, windows, doors, siding, and roofing are my specialties. You will not find a harder worker than me, or find someone with a better ability to adapt and overcome.
I am in great shape and I am very big into new age spirituality. I am ready to pack up my backpack and my fishing pole and head your way. I am currently getting out of a 6 year relationship, and I need a fresh start. Please get in touch with me. Feel free to txt or call asap!!!

Heath Sherrick
heath.sherrick@hotmail.com

419-302-3810

Email sent. (No problem here with heathens.)

Thank you for taking the time to read my post this morning. I have been thinking about what I wrote to you all day, and I hope that I was able to express my feelings in a manner that did not come off as arrogant. The Universe has been really talking to me a lot lately, and all signs point to the woods. I have been stuck in a really unhealthy relationship and I have not been able to get outside as much as would like. It used to get so bad that I would sneak out of my house at night and walk three quarters of a mile to river just to find some peace.

I am so tired of all of the rushing around that society creates. I feel as though it is driving me insane!! My family used to do primitive camping when I was a kid. We would dress in early 18th century clothing and do everything the old fashioned way. I never realized how much of an impact that had on my life until recently. I want to be able to reconnect to nature on the long term instead of little spurts of her now and then.

My philosophy is a little of everything rolled into one. As far as Greek philosophy goes, I relate the most with epicurus. I just want to live off the land and surround myself with like minded people who actually care about what the military-industrial complex has and is doing to the only world that we have. I believe that everything that happens, bad or good, is happening to make our sacred contract with the universe come true.

I ran into you on this website by complete accident but I don't belive in accidents so where does that leave me??? I just wanted to let you know how I am feeling about this situation and excited and inspired pretty well some it up. Have a nice evening .

Heath

double post deleted

One question, Heath: Did you get my email? I have no reply from you in that medium. I want to hear from you there and begin a discussion. I'm likely as ready to have you on this mission as you are to be here.

So, if you have my email, answer it and let's get something happening. And no, I didn't have any negative feeling from what you wrote here. No worries there.

Bob,

I did not recieve your email. Thank you for staying in contact on this medium. Perhaps I gave you the adress wrong. It is heath.sherrick@hotmail.com. You have a great day buddy and I hope to here from you soon.

Heath, I have already sent you another one at around 5 PM last evening at the address posted. Check to see if my emails were caught in a filter.

The position appears to have been filled.

I'm no longer shopping.

Hi Bob,

It's been many years since you made this post. I am writing because a chronically mental ill member of my family contacted you on this thread. I am trying to piece together some information about this person's whereabouts and would be so grateful if you'd be in touch so I can give you more information and hear anything you can share about any private correspondence you might have had. Thank you so much in advance! Sasha Patterson