Welcome back to another edition of Sunday Thoughts. A break from my regular style of writing, these posts center around a favorite quote and what it means to me in the homesteading mindset.
Dream Another Dream, from the quote by C.S. Lewis
“You are never to old to set another goal or to dream another dream”
C.S. Lewis left many quotes that I find interesting to ponder. I particularly love this one. How encouraging to think that we can continue to have dreams and ambitions no matter our age or place in life. We do not have to set our goals based on some outside guideline or mandatory retirement age. We can continue to grow and learn and dream of more to come.
If you are dreaming of beginning to homestead, to be more self sufficient, to move to a farm, it’s not too late! Even if you can only take small steps in the direction you want to go, the dream can still come true.
Let me make a few suggestions that may help you become more self sufficient.
If you are hoping to raise more of your own food, now is a good time to dream about your spring garden. Ask for seeds as a Christmas gift idea. Gather some containers that will fit your current space, whether you have a big yard or just a patio space. You will be surprised at how much food you can grow using container gardens.
If you think you want to raise livestock, start with two or three laying hens, if permitted in your community. A small flock of laying hens will only need a small coop, and a fenced yard, in suburban area. Keeping hens will provide you with farm fresh eggs nearly everyday! This is a wonderful source of protein for you and your family.
If you want to be more self sufficient learn a new skill. There is so much knowledge available through your local extension service, online tutorials, e-books, which can all be accessed for little or no money. Take advantage of all that is available to us in this time. Suggestions of skills you might want to learn include, knitting, sewing, canning, and other food preservation methods, herbal remedies, woodworking, archery, shooting, engine repair, the list could be endless.
If you are looking to be more prepared for unexpected disasters or hard times, take one step in that direction. Leaning to preserve food will help you store some healthy food for bad times. Whenever possible, buy one extra canned good, or dried food product to store. Work on clearing up any debt you may have. It doesn’t have to be paid off in a short time, but try to not incur more debt and pay down debt as often as you can.
Please remember the list is not all inclusive and each item can be taken individually, too. You don’t have to do it all at once. Pick one thing that interests you and make that your next goal.
We are never too old to Dream another Dream!
Thanks for dropping by today. Until next time, Take that one step. Write down your plan and keep dreaming.
Janet
You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream! I can give you a perfect example: in 2003 my daughter, mother, and I graduated from college at the same time! 3 generations! Mom was raised on a dairy farm, married and became a chicken farmer, account clerk, small business owner, full time stay at home mom, and then back into the workforce after we were all in our teens or older, while moving around the country with us and dad. She started college taking 1 or 2 courses per semester while working full time, even after open heart surgery. I spent 1 year in college in 1976, and returned to my studies in 2001. I worked full time in molecular genetics and studied full time, completing my Bacelors degree with concentrations in both biotechnology and occupational & environmental health and safety, graduating with high honors. I changed jobs twice after that, allowing me to earn more and start reducing my debt. My daughter finished her degree in clinical psychology and has been working for nonprofits helping others with her passion to do so. All three of us completed our dreams at the same time.
I have a new dream. My dream for retirement is to complete the circle. I plan to leave the hustle and bustle of city life and move to Maine where my mom was born, and have my own small homestead of about 20 acres. My first step towards this goal was to start learning as much as I can. Timber Creek Farm and just a few other blogs help me immensely in my quest for knowledge. I have also gathered quite the reference library on topics ranging from building root cellars to raising goats, and everything in between. I want to live as self sufficient as possible, and my pension will be quite limited. So I have been raising my own organic nonGMO vegetables, learning to cook, bake, and store foods, I started canning, and more. Dad taught me how to hunt, fish, and trap which will be very helpful too.My daughter is also a great resource for information, as she graduated from a VOAG program, winning awards in swine production and as a lot of experience with many other farm animals. When I move to Maine, I have nieces there with a lot of experience raising chickens and goats, grinding wheat, and even living off grid for the most part.
So in 3 short years, at the age of 60, I plan to live my new dream. It will happen, with the help of so many others along the way. In the meantime, I need to get started on my chicken coop so I can have some experience with some laying hens starting in the spring.
AnnMarie, I can not wait to hear that your dream is coming true. I think it already is, one early small step at a time. Chickens this spring?? how exciting! you know that they are the gateway drug to goats, cows and sheep, right? ha! Thank you so much for being part of my story. I love love love hearing from you – Janet
Great starting-out suggestions, Janet! I love the idea of this– it’s so true, and I think more people are realizing it every day.
thank you Kelly. I appreciate you stopping to comment!