Here we go again

[preserved_by_bronzing]

Y'all, I loved LiveJournal. It has been nearly 20 years, and here we go again, starting a blog.

I'm not 100% certain how this will shape up. My current projects / things I'm thinking about are:

• What does self-sufficiency really look like in the United States in 2024, and why does that matter?
• How is self-sufficiency related to community resiliency?
• What are the things that connect us, as local and larger communities?  How can I support those things?
• Do we have shared stories, what are they, and what do they tell us about ourselves?
• Can I have chickens?

I don't know how blogs work anymore, since The Great Monetization changed things, but I expect this is going to be more old-school (?), thinking through things out loud -- rather than performing expertise, which I won't pretend to have -- and desiring feedback and conversation. 

A bunch of stuff will inform this.  I'm an Episcopal priest, I'm queer, I'm in my 40s, and I'm married.  I live in a city, and I do a lot of work in rural and small-town areas in the Upper Midwest.  I want to get real about growing food and exploring homesteading.  I'm terminally reflective by nature.

If you've found this and you're interested in this stuff, say hi!  I want to meet you!  And I don't really know yet how Dreamwidth works!

Comments

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>Y'all, I loved LiveJournal. It has been nearly 20 years, and here we go again, starting a blog.<<

I still have my LJ but I do most of my blogging here now.

>> I'm not 100% certain how this will shape up. <<

To learn about using DW:

getting_started

reddit_refugees

"Twitter Exodus"


To find communities you might like to join:

followfriday

dw_community_promo


If you're into self-sufficiency and sustainability, you might like:

gardening

fresh_haul

common_nature

birdfeeding

green_living

creative_cooks

recipecommunity

crafty


Consider recurring posts to pin down a few of your main topics for the blog and/or keep people posted on what you are doing. Often folks make a weekly or monthly update of their accomplishments along with 1-3 thematic posts that repeat either a topic or the whole text. This is helpful in building a readership because it lets people know what you typically blog about and keeps the blog active.

Most readers consider a blog "active" if it has at least one post a week or thereabouts. Several times a week is probably average. Daily or more is highly active. Less than once a month is low.


>> My current projects / things I'm thinking about are: <<

Most of these topics interest me also. Feel free to drop by my blog and see if you like it.


>> What does self-sufficiency really look like in the United States in 2024, <<

Nobody can do everything, but the more you can do yourself, the better. Society is coming apart at the seams, the planet is on fire, and this is the least-worst it will ever be in a human timeframe.

Useful skills to explore include food (gardening, landrace development, hunting/gathering, canning, cooking, etc.), home repairs, fibercrafts (sewing, knitting, crochet; also spinning and weaving), first aid and herbalism, cleaning (including without power or chemicals), upcycling, and so forth. Wilderness survival skills (e.g. firestarting, knotcraft, toolmaking) are excellent both for recreation and for emergencies.

>> and why does that matter? <<

It can safe your life. Some of these things also make excellent hobbies and contribute to your health and happiness. Also, the less you personally do to set the world on fire, the better. It may not save anything, but at least it validates your right to say "I fucking TOLD YOU SO" in the foyer-ever-after.


>>How is self-sufficiency related to community resiliency?<<

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. A community of people with great self-sufficiency skills will be extremely resilient. A community of low-skilled people will struggle to withstand even ordinary challenges.

Community ties allow a self-sufficient person to get through major challenges like a pregnancy, serious illness/injury, death in the family, or a tree falling on the house.

Resources:

https://www.strongtowns.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transition_town

https://www.ic.org/

https://web.archive.org/web/20160327121459/http://ghdc.generationsofhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Intentional-Neighboring.pdf


>> What are the things that connect us, as local and larger communities?<<

Some connections include:

* social ties, which are fractal from smaller to larger groups

* transporation networks

* communication networks

* common ground (e.g. we live on Earth, breathe the same air, have similar survival needs)

* language

>> How can I support those things? <<

Pick a few worthy causes that appeal to you, preferably things that also relate to your skills. Then for each one, pick one or more means to support it. Popular options include:

* Blog about it to raise awareness and promote resources.

* Write stories about it, paint pictures, or do other creative things.

* If you're not creative yourself, look for creators whose work you can support. Crowdfunding is one good approach but there are others.

* Donate money. Every little bit helps.

* Volunteer your time and skills.

* If you can't find it, found it. Start an organization for to fill an unmet need.

* Some causes lend themselves well to direct support without really needing an organization. Frex, climate change and other environmental issues can be addressed with lifestyle changes, gardening/landscaping, and so forth. Lack of representation in media can be addressed just by making stuff that is more diverse.

* Encourage other folks to get involved. Make friends with other activists.


>> Do we have shared stories, what are they, and what do they tell us about ourselves? <<

Storytelling seems to be as close to a universal activity as humans have. Everyone does it to one degree or another.

Shared stories include religions, political parties, ethnic histories, family stories, and so on.

But there are also stories, like some myths and legends, that appear in variations around the world. There's an amusing argument over whether Great Literature is great because it means the same to everyone who reads it, or because it can be enjoyed by everyone even if they interpret it very differently. <3 "Shakespeare in the Bush."


>> Can I have chickens? <<

* If you live in a rural or semi-rural area outside zoning codes, yes.

* If you live in a zoned suburban or urban area, maybe. You'll have to check your neighborhood's rules. Many towns outright ban chickens (and other livestock, and sometimes gardens), but the next most common approach is banning roosters but allowing hens. If the ban lists only individual species but not "livestock" then you can get around it with guineas, ducks, quail, etc. In fact quail are so small and quiet that you can keep them indoors and probably nobody will ever notice; if they do, claim the birds are pets.

* Chickens require daily care, which is more challenging if you keep them through the winter. They're cheap if you let them forage their own food, but they need a very secure coop at night to protect against predators. They don't require much space though.

* It's chick season right now! Farm stores will have baby chicks and occasionally other poultry for sale along with supplies. Hatcheries are in full swing.

Resources:

https://www.homestead.org/poultry/basics-of-raising-backyard-chickens/

https://www.homestead.org/poultry/pick-the-perfect-poultry-for-your-homestead-a-beginner-s-guide/

https://www.countryliving.com/shopping/g1493/chicken-coops/

https://www.homestead.org/poultry/quick-start-guide-to-building-a-chicken-coop/

* Raising chickens is among the easiest of livestock, and it creates a great deal of satisfaction when it goes well. If you want to feel self-sufficient, this gives you a lot of bang for your buck.


>> I don't know how blogs work anymore, since The Great Monetization changed things, but I expect this is going to be more old-school (?), <<

DW is very much like LJ but many of its features are better. The image ones suck though. See above for references on using DW.


>> thinking through things out loud -- rather than performing expertise, which I won't pretend to have -- and desiring feedback and conversation. <<

These posts are about crowdfunding but generalize well to other types of interaction:

http://penultimateproductions.weebly.com/how-to-boost-your-audience.html

http://penultimateproductions.weebly.com/how-to-make-constructive-comments.html

Definitely join some communities, as that's an easy way to meet people.

Check out the Add Me communities to make friends.


>> I'm an Episcopal priest,<<

Oh, that's interesting. I'm eclectic Pagan myself.

>> I'm queer, <<

... my sexuality is a tesseract. I have a Swiss Army gender icon.

>> I'm in my 40s, and I'm married. I live in a city, and I do a lot of work in rural and small-town areas in the Upper Midwest. <<

Well, you've got good opportunities to find people you can learn skills from, at least. Living in a city limits a lot of your options for everyday self-sufficiency, but if you get out of the city often, you can find other opportunities to learn.

*ponder* Actually, the easiest way to learn skills would be to volunteer to help whatever rural folks you are talking with. Few people will turn down an offer to pull weeds, mend fence, or muck out the chicken house, even if they suspect the cityboy will make a fool of himself. And you'll get the hang of it, and you're make tighter friends.

A related approach, if you have a parish or other religious community, would be to start a volunteer group. Some folks will already have skills, others will be willing to learn. Gardening, farm repairs, food preservation, mending, upcycling -- ask what people are interested in. It's a good way to support people who need a helping hand and it will skill up your members quickly.


>> I want to get real about growing food and exploring homesteading. <<

Do you have a yard, patio, or balcony? If so, that's enough to get started. Try growing a few herbs and vegetables. There are cultivars for containers if space is tight. Consider a rain garden or pollinator garden. Native plants are really hard to kill and need little care once established.

I recommend homestead magazines. They'll give you lots of inspiration. Plus they're fun for fantasizing even if you can't do all the things. Hit a farm store, they usually have a magazine rack by the checkout counter or somewhere.

https://www.getrichslowly.org/magazines-and-websites-about-homesteading-and-self-sufficiency/

https://www.homesteadingtoday.com/threads/what-are-the-best-homesteading-and-off-grid-magazines.334108/

Another fun option is to look for farm events and fairs. County fairs, craft fairs, local-famous-thing festivals, they all have their appeal. These are good places to find tools and supplies, but also experienced people -- blacksmiths, homespinners, I've even seen a society devoted to cane and woven furniture making. Look up (state) + "street fairs" or "county fair" or "farm events." Hit the rest stops when you travel, this time of year they'll be posting their spring and summer event guides.

I'm in central Illinois myself.


>> I'm terminally reflective by nature.<<

Yeah, most clergy have high existential and/or intrapersonal intelligence. Thinky thoughts are good.

Re: Thoughts

[preserved_by_bronzing]

Oh, wow. Friend, I see that you are a gifted Resourcer. Thank you for all of this helpful information: about Dreamwidth and about practical matters to do with gardening, homesteading, and community. I'm looking forward to looking at all of these links more deeply during this snowstorm we're supposed to get tomorrow.

I'm eclectic Pagan myself.
Ah! My sister is Pagan. I'd love to hear more about what that looks like for you.

*ponder* Actually, the easiest way to learn skills would be to volunteer to help whatever rural folks you are talking with.
Thank you. I've been considering this. Some people I work with have livestock, and it seems like extensive kitchen gardens remain much more common than they are nowadays in the city. I have experience with vegetable gardening, but not at scale and not with preservation skills beyond freezing.

Another fun option is to look for farm events and fairs.(...) Look up (state) + "street fairs" or "county fair" or "farm events." Hit the rest stops when you travel, this time of year they'll be posting their spring and summer event guides.
Awesome tip. I'll definitely look around.


Thanks again for your thoughts and the information. Are you a farmer or homesteader?

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> Oh, wow. Friend, I see that you are a gifted Resourcer. <<

Bard-O-Matic information dispensary, at your service! :D I have about a brown belt in google-fu. A real geek can beat me, but that's about it.

I'm a writer, so I do a ton of research. Fans love that I put links at the bottom of my writing, so they can find recipes or craft tips or horrible news stories.

>> Thank you for all of this helpful information: about Dreamwidth and about practical matters to do with gardening, homesteading, and community. <<

I'm happy I could help. It's fun to find someone else interested in similar things.

>> I'm looking forward to looking at all of these links more deeply during this snowstorm we're supposed to get tomorrow.<<

Rain is predicted here, which we desperately need. Usually spring is quite wet. This year I'm having to water plants in March. 0_o

>>Ah! My sister is Pagan. I'd love to hear more about what that looks like for you.<<

Some highlights:

* I was raised by hippies, so I started out with an eclectic background. Also Mom's family has some Cherokee heritage, which makes life interesting because I'm still finding tidbits like, oh so that's where that came from.

* My main Pagan influences are Celtic, Sumerian, and West African.

* I tend to view nature as relatives and myself as part of the planetary body. I'm not really attached to humans as a species. So that sets me at odds with most humans. But sometimes Gaia plants things in my yard for free -- the wild grapes, elderberries, and cup plants are all volunteers. \o/ I am more likely to chat casually with the gods than set up a formal ritual, though we do rituals for the sabbats (seasonal festivals) and esbats (monthly lunar ones).

* I'm similarly casual about magic. Unless I'm doing something really complicated or that needs a lot of power, I just do the thing. Some of it's sensory stuff I can't turn off anyhow.

* Our coven site is here and has a lot of recipes, a few rituals, some of my earlier Pagan writing, etc.

* I've written a book on how to do Pagan liturgy, Composing Magic.

* I write for the Llewellyn annuals and have been over 20 years now. I've done a bunch of other stuff in the past but that's lasted the longest. I'm just starting to get my assignments for the summer writing season, which will be for the 2026 editions. If you're curious, I recommend the Herbal Almanac, which is gardening-oriented rather than spiritual or magical. Check the publisher site or Amazon, there may even be some of the 2024 ones left.

* I'm interested in interfaith work and comparative religions.


>> Some people I work with have livestock,<<

If at all possible, get experience with someone else's critters before obtaining your own. Also it's entirely possible to have a chance at free ones if all of someone's hens go broody at once and they're trying to get rid of 100 extra chicks, or whatever.

I highly recommend learning to clean and butcher dead animals. I learned when I was 2 and 3 because Mom tried chickens those years and my hands were small enough to fit inside. And my grandparents fished so we cleaned those too. You can save money, and you can also save the day if someone winds up with a carcass that won't fit in the oven.

Waste nothing. Feathers or fur can be used for crafts or composted. Guts make great bait, or pet food, and can also be composted if you bury them deeper than scavengers can smell. Bury fish scraps in the garden, we did that a lot (Cherokee thing).

>> and it seems like extensive kitchen gardens remain much more common than they are nowadays in the city.<<

Very true.

>> I have experience with vegetable gardening, but not at scale and not with preservation skills beyond freezing.<<

Critical point: canning varieties are NOT the same as fresh eating varieties! Many vegetables have a branch of canning varieties that produce one mass crop, then you pull them and plant something else. A salad variety will produce smaller amounts over a much longer season. Look on the label or catalog description and it should say something about fruiting habits.

Alternatively, hit a farmer's market and ask if they have "seconds." These are bruised or split fruits / vegetables that are usually either half off or $1 / pound. You have to use them the same or next day, and it's better to cook them, but if you're going to throw everything in a crockpot or canner anyhow, it doesn't have to look pretty. I'll dump an entire bag of produce into a 9-quart crockpot and make spaghetti sauce to freeze.

Hit a bookstore or library and browse the books on food preservation methods to find one you like. It's prudent to start with a book that will introduce many different methods. Figure out what you want to try and then get a second book on that specifically.

Note that some types of food have been developed for specific types of preservation. Native American corn, squash, and bean varieties are mostly meant for drying and do so very well. There are apple varieties for cider, drying, winter storage (e.g. in barrels), cooking, and eating fresh. And so on.

For self-sufficiency, consider seed saving so you can develop your own landrace varieties. I have marigolds like that, and they are so tough they can volunteer in the lawn and win. I did recurring posts on landrace gardening a while back. Last year I got my hands on some Zuni sunflowers, this year I found Arapaho ones. A good introduction to landrace gardening:

https://lofthouse.com/articles.phtml

>> Are you a farmer or homesteader? <<

I suppose you could say homesteader. We have a 2-acre yard in rural Illinois. I don't have a big vegetable garden. I have some small scattered gardens for herbs and flowers, and sometimes I do a few vegetables in pots. I have a lot of edibles just planted into the landscape. There are mulberry trees all over the yard, and wandering black raspberries, and so on. I like being able to walk around and put things in my mouth. I call it laissez-faire permaculture.