Change: The Double-Edged Sword

A few years ago I learned that my great grandfather was buried in Chinook where he homesteaded.  While his dream was short lived, his heart was here and now my roots trace right back here to Montana!  Who would have thought a southern/sort of city girl like me would have had roots here?   It explains a lot about me now that I think about it.  I’ve often wondered why I think the way I do; why I’m so inspired by the pioneers of this land; why it was so easy to let go of the city slicker mentality and settle in to a life without bells and whistles but a whole lot more!  It’s the quality of life I’ve learned about; that family is everything; that having a few great friends is better than a bunch of phony people who won’t show up when you really need them; that working together harvests great reward.  Still, this little town on the west side has brought many others like myself from the city that say they want to leave that former mentality behind, yet move here and try to change everything to “a city with a view”.  I suddenly feel as though what once seemed like “the country” to me has become just that "city with a view".  I’m removed from this fast paced world where no even knows my name; where neighbors don’t talk and friends are friends as long as you have something they want.  Now I long for the prairie more and more; getting back to the basics of daily living.

I dream of the day my husband and I can move away from this place.  In three years, our youngest will graduate high school and the opportunities for more land and a smaller home will become a reality.  Of course, still room for the kids and future grandchildren to always come home for a visit.  But for now, we are no where near retirement age and still must find work.  Therefore the prairie life we envision seems to take back seat as a result.  My husband looks forward to returning to the quality of life he once knew growing up in a farming community and I long for a life I never had and only dream about.  However, the cost of owning such land has skyrocketed in some places only to be sold as recreational land and there is not enough work in these small towns to make ends meet otherwise.

Farming and ranching communities throughout eastern Montana have taken a hard hit over the past several years as the younger generations show no interest to return home and carry on what their forefathers worked so hard for.  As a result, these small towns are shutting down.  The only hope now is for another oil boom; therefore bringing revenue back to those who have stuck it out over the years; but only for a short time as history repeats itself.  What then?  What will happen to the current farmers when there is no one left to take over?  What happens to all the old homesteads where rocks were picked by hand day after day?  How did these places become ghost towns when they once thrived with fewer resources than we have today?  How can we rebuild these communities and the question is, do they “want” to rebuild?  These are the questions that must be answered as a community in an effort to rebuild small farming and ranching towns across the Hi-Line.

Change is a double edged sword.  We don’t want it, but yet we need it; in moderation that is.   It has helped, yet at the same time, has hurt farming and ranching communities across the Hi-Line.  The change I am talking about came by way of technology, the deregulation of communication, televisions and the travel industry.  With technology came greater crops, more money per bushel, yet the need for more land; more cattle; and finally the need for more money to purchase it all.  If you think about it, homesteaders didn’t have anything of the sort back in the day.  They  traveled only when they needed something; words were used for negotiating and an occasional get together down by the creek; and radios were used if they needed to hear anything important coming out of the White House or the weather forecast and a nice song now and again.  Their time was spent focusing on what needed to be done and the rest was for family and friends.  Worries were focused on crops, the weather and providing for one’s family.  When darkness came, everyone went to bed for a good nights sleep; they lived with what we now call “the basics”; what a hard, but wonderful life it must have been. 

Today, we can’t seem to sit still; so many choices; too many.  All of which have created stress, broken relations, crime and corruption, greed and the loss of what once was; now everyone wants it back.  They say they want growth in these small towns, but without the youth returning after college or sewing their oats, who would be welcome?  What would they do to make a living?  The farmers and ranchers who are dying off are selling out to other locals that want to expand; that's understandable.  So how can one make a living otherwise? 

I recently read an article about a community in North Dakota where they had offered cash incentives and land (lots) for families to move to their town.  A family from Florida decided to take a chance, but failed as a result of many things; feeling unwelcomed; competition with other businesses, stereotyping, etc.  While they understood the reality of harsh winters, high winds, hard work and were willing to make sacrifices in an effort to fulfill their dream of a better quality of life, they were not greeted by a town that claimed they needed them; a town that needed revenue.  I’m sure there is much more to the story than I know.  Unfortunately, these same types of issues are real for small towns along the Hi-Line as well.  Buildings are being abandoned and old homesteads becoming a haven for mice and rodents at a rapid pace.  Towns cry out for the way things “use to be”, yet little are willing to participate when push comes to shove and it’s time to roll up the sleeves and explore new avenues to generate revenue.  What are needed are families; therefore the need for housing, food, clothing, etc. and an increase in revenue as a result.  But they must feel welcomed; wanted.  It’s only natural.

When my husband and I find that piece of heaven out on the prairie somewhere, I hope that whatever town we end up in will welcome us unconditionally so that we might contribute in the efforts of rebuilding their town.  But they have to want it; they have to be willing to accept outsiders and know that our hearts are in the right place.  After all, no one is going to sacrifice and make such a move to destroy such a town already dying.  All one is seeking is a chance to get back to basics and add quality to their life.  I have no doubt we will make it happen one day, perhaps it might even be your town.  Until then, I continue to research ways of making an income online to make it a reality so we can live anywhere we want.  After all, I would follow that man to the end of the earth to see him reliving his dream; somewhere I can cook for my grandchildren, grow my garden, welcome a neighbor and get back to “the basics”.

Emergency Preparedness

I use to think of people that put together emergency preparedness kits as either being paranoid individuals or backwoods militia men that anticipated war or the world coming to an end.  That was before I became interested in a more frugal lifestyle and getting back to the basics of living; being more self sufficient if you will.  Since becoming unemployed, my income level has dropped beyond significant to flat lined, back up again and then nothing.  Nonetheless, I am able to hold my head up.  I want for nothing in regards to food, water and shelter and it is all possible due to being prepared. How prepared are you in the event an emergency happened where you are?

We don't relate unemployment on a daily basis to that of an "emergency", however when the food runs out and no sight of a paycheck anytime soon, one quickly goes in to survival mode; seeking anything in the pantry that could possibly make a meal; rationing the toilet paper, paper towels, etc.  Don't laugh, it's true.  We rarely consider emergency preparedness at all until we see countries like Haiti and Chile and the total devastation they have experienced.  Why is that? Is it the same type of fear just as we were afraid of talking about death in my one of previous blogs?  Is it the fear that should we reach the point where our lives switch over to survival mode, it might really be the real end?  It doesn't have to be like that.  I promise, you aren't going to  be viewed differently; you won't be called a "hoarder" or anything of the sort.  In fact, you more than likely will be admired for being proactive just as I have learned to admire those who have taught me; some young, some old.  Stereotypes such as these prevent us from being proactive and as a result, we rely on others who are prepared their resources rather than our own.  By doing so, however, could result in an emergency of its own should they die or not be able to get to you.  It is important that each of us take steps toward self sufficiency simply for that reason.  While I am constantly learning, I am becoming more proactive in my daily life and gaining confidence in being prepared for the smallest emergency as temporary as it may be.
Another example that is easier to relate to is something as simple as a winter storm with no heat or power for hours; days even.  This is more of a reality as we have seen this across the nation lately with nontraditional weather patterns as we enter what should be "spring".  While it's more typical where I live in the northwest and living in a rural area, most inner city folk are not prepared.  They can't be blamed as weather patterns like this do not occur regularly, but nonetheless it puts them in "survival mode"; a temporary state of panic; relying on road crews, power companies, grocery stores and agencies to do whatever it takes to get things back to normal . It's only natural for us in a crisis situation to make comments that "next time", we'll be prepared only to find ourselves integrating back in to our daily lives and never making the effort.  Finances are a good example of such.

Being prepared for any sort of emergency builds confidence and can reduce the stress and panic one might experience in such a crisis.  Food seems to be the main focal point and the most intimidating item when preparing an emergency preparedness kit due to a lack of knowledge in how to prepare dehydrated food.  You would actually be surprised just how much you already cook with it and how you can have fun creating meals that you will enjoy.  Many have the preconceived notion to think that should an emergency occur, there they will be with a box filled with bland, boring meals for survival.  Not so.  I came across the blog Trail Cooking & The Outdoors that appears to market to back country trail hikers.  But what I found is that there are volumes of recipes that are fun and made with everyday food items you probably already use; and they're dehydrated!  For the average spouse that has children, you can't go wrong with their recipes and may even find yourself trying some their cooking ideas for fun.  There are videos, tutorials, and alternative cooking ideas.  This has been my site of preference.

Depending on how involved you want to get, there are many sites regarding emergency preparedness.  Through my research, I have found that the FEMA website is another great resource for  anyone considering their own emergency preparedness kit, but it is not an easy read compared to the Preparedness Pantry blog I found.  It is an interesting site with more information than one could imagine including recipes for food stored items.  It's really a matter of preference and how detailed you want to get.   The idea behind it all is to have fun with it and determine whether you are looking to create a long term storage plan to last for up to twenty years, or one that will provide the basic essentials for a shorter period of time.

While water and a heat source are essential for food stored items, there are also non-food preparedness items that one needs to consider as well; especially if you are considering emergency preparedness kits for long term storage.  A detailed list of such items can be found in the Just Add Water book  written by Barbara G. Salsbury advertised here.  She is by far one of the best pioneers on studying dehydrated foods; developing and testing a variety of recipes and speaking at functions regarding food and water storage and usage.  I highly recommend this book for anyone working with churches and community organizations considering an emergency preparedness kit for their group. For the average person, I found it a little more than I cared to bargain with.  It does, however provide a wealth of knowledge and recipes to boot.

Should plans such as these be too overwhelming, consider starting by simply adding a few extra items to your plan over the course of a few months each time you go to the grocery store.  Regardless of who you are or what status you may have in the community, I hope that you will take the initial steps toward being proactive; self sufficient.  Never rely on outer resources to be able to get to you in the state of an emergency; no matter how small.

What Are You Hungry For?

Have you ever been really hungry? Many would answer "no", but I bet you have.  We tend to think of the word "hungry" only in relation to food.  So for those that have never truly experienced hunger in that sense, it's difficult to relate and one goes about their life.  It's only when they see a picture of someone with tattered clothes, a five day shadow on their face or a woman standing with a rag muffin child that society turns and say "oh, sad".  Then for a moment, they rush a few cans of food to the local food bank or better yet, make a drop off at the grocery store because they don't even know where the food bank is located.  That's alright, at least they made an effort and any help is greatly appreciated.  One in eight Americans suffer everyday from the lack of food and many go without several meals a day; even days.  What many don't realize is that the local food banks are set up as "emergency food assistance".  They do great wonders with the donations they receive, but it is not enough.  

The definition of hunger goes beyond food; it means discomfort; weakness; a strong desire.  So again, have you ever been hungry?  Chances are you have.  Hunger is like a dirty diamond in the rough; it has many facets; each that shine brilliantly when the cloudiness is washed away. It's a matter of how we choose to look at it.

Sixteen years ago, I didn't look much different than the picture I have here on the blog.  Maybe a few less wrinkles and better eyesight, but physically, not too different.  I dressed pretty much the same.  I think it is fair to say that my looks are not a fair assessment of what one would think as being a "hungry" person; one of discomfort; weakness; but perhaps a strong desire.

When I divorced my first husband, while it was my choice, I had not thought beyond how I would make ends meet with two small boys.  I only knew that I wanted to be on my own and soon I found myself sitting at a Salvation Army with a boy tucked tight under each arm.  By nightfall, I would have no place to go, no place to sleep and no vehicle.  I moved to Montana because I had been here for a few visits and knew this would be a good, safe place to raise my boys.  I just failed to have a plan.  It was one of the worst times of my life and I had created it.  Suddenly, complete strangers picked me up by my broken wings and took over.  I can't even recall how I got from one place to the next; they literally were like angels carrying me.  By nightfall, I was sitting in a little furnished studio apartment; groceries were on the kitchen table; milk was in the fridge and a lady said she would stop by in the morning to help me arrange day care so I could work; and my rent was paid up for about a month through a group called Neighbors in Need.  It happened so fast I never got to say thank you. 

While my story is not one of hunger for food, I had a strong desire; a hunger to make things right in my life; to get back on track.  I was only down on my luck as many would say.  I was starving for help as so many do today.  Discomfort and weakness come in many forms and with today's recession, we are seeing it more and more.  We were not prepared for a recession; we didn't have a plan.  Rarely does one live by the rules of society that say we should have a three month emergency savings tucked away and it is times like these that we become hungry; unfortunately even a hunger for money.  The lack of money can create a hunger beyond all others.  It controls us; our relationships; what we do on a day to basis and even our food supply.  We finally submit and ask for help.  It's what we do from that point on that determines our success.


I survived my short lived discomfort and weakness through the help of others and by holding my head high in difficult times.  I found a job and was fortunate to have a boss that would pick me up everyday for work, drop my boys off at day care and bring me home. Over time, I was able to get an apartment and bought a Radio Flyer wagon for transportation.  The boys would ride in the wagon and when I had groceries, they walked beside me.  I had slowly began my road to independence, barely paying my rent and living in somewhat of an empty apartment.  I was so proud the day I bought a car for $125!  Ran like a charm; well, kinda.  I loaded up the boys and drove almost to Glacier Park out of sheer joy, but then turned around out of fear I would get lost.  Little did I know at the time that the Park  was only another mile down the road.  A few months later I met the love of my life and have been with him ever since.  Yes, he was truly an answer to my prayers and has raised my two boys as his own.  Together we have a beautiful daughter.

A few years later after receiving my degree in Human Services (imagine that), I returned to the local food bank; this time as a paid Volunteer Coordinator. I soon realized that their efforts are simply not enough.  Food banks are set up as "emergency assistance".  A person was allowed twelve visits per year.  That could be monthly, weekly, etc.  When their visits were exhausted, they had to find alternative resources and often times there were none.  During their visits, they were permitted one pound of meat; one pound in the form of either burger, lunch meat, bacon, etc. and ten pounds of food per family member. That's it. Many did not know what to make of the food that was provided and it ended up going unused. They were permitted, however, to visit daily for bread, doughnuts and other danishes that were not healthy for them; still it was food.  It bothered me that at one time, I walked in their shoes, but I never saw how it all came together as the food bank and other agencies came to me. My needs were met and my situation truly was "emergency assistance".  However, many rely on their services daily all over the nation.  This is the hunger we as a society relate to and there are many ways we can help through volunteering with local agencies; donating to food banks; working with community supported agricultural programs, etc.
 
With all the joy and comfort I now have in my life, my hunger has never gone away.  It is no longer a discomfort or weakness, but a strong desire to help others.  Not only with their own lives, but to help them understand others who are down on their luck; hungry.  My hunger is the strong desire to motivate others to get dressed even when there's nothing to do; let them know that it's alright to ask for help regardless of their status in the community; to tell them to fake it with a smile until things turn around; to encourage them to turn that discomfort and weakness into a healthy hunger; to help others have a strong desire to knock the dirt off that diamond and shine.  What are you hungry for?

Eco- Balance

Did you know there's a difference between farming and ranching?  Some of you might, but I know many like myself at one time, who take that for granted.  Farming is actually cultivating and harvesting and ranching is raising livestock like sheep, cattle, etc.  Of course, you'd never admit that you didn't know, believe me, I understand.  Did you know that Montana is one of the largest wheat producers in the country and roughly 30% of that production feeds Russia and parts of Europe?  Me either.   My husband grew up farming and ranching both in a VERY small town in eastern Montana, population of maybe 40 now; graduating high school class of nine, I think.  His great grandfather homesteaded there almost one hundred years ago and ran a mercantile store in addition to farming and ranching; something one just doesn't hear of growing up in the city. While the farm is still in operation today, it's a struggle to break even. 

The expenses involved in large farming and ranching operations today to maintain quality production barely makes it worth their while.  But it's the quality of life that keeps some hanging on; the core values and the old belief of working together as a family and a community to get things done; being self sufficient as well as the pride that comes with knowing they are needed by the rest of the nation.  But as their children get older and with all the new technology today, traditional nights of watching basketball games and attending community events in some of these small towns become a thing of the past.  The children move on to college and the city life; never to return other than for a short visit.  Businesses slowly start closing their doors after fifty to a hundred years of surviving droughts, recessions and plain hard times.  As the older generations enter into their final days in the local nursing homes, old homesteads are abandoned and the mice settle in. 

Farming and ranching communities are dying all across America primarily due to a lack of interest from these younger generations.  Market pressures and low prices are forcing some out of business as well while others are slowly being bought out for recreational property by big time investors who want to put conservation easements on millions of acres; promising long term leases and then terminating the lease over time; slowly putting the farmers and ranchers out of business altogether.   Massive sized turbines cover the landscape now as far as the eye can see with big money leases in place.  Don't get me wrong, I am all for alternative energy.  But there must be a balance.

This past week as the winter storms hit the Washington, DC area, I received a call from my son stationed there with the Marine Corps.  His first words to his dad were "oh my gosh dad, you would think the end of the world was here" as he spoke of his journey through town to buy a quart of orange juice in the nine largest metropolitan area of the United States.  People panicked as the word of a winter storm hit the news.  Shelves were suddenly depleted of the basic foods; milk, eggs, bread, and meat.  Rooms filled quick at the local hotels as people feared getting stuck in their cars.  Power outages reached from the metropolitan area as far as Virginia for up to thirty hours in some places.   Another storm hit today.

America has become too dependent; relying on others for even our basic needs.  When we want something, we expect it to be there when we decide to go and get it.  We are taught at an early age the life skills necessary to skate through life; checkbook management; how to pay bills; a basic understanding of history, etc. and failed in teaching self-sufficiency.  We are a spoiled society having everything at our fingertips at a moments notice.  When it comes to a leak in the plumbing, a car breaking down, having no power, no heat and the possibility of our food running out, we panic.  I'm not saying that everyone should rush out and become masters of all trades, but there must be balance.

Small scale farming and ranching is becoming more and more popular across the country as society sees the rising cost of  food with no end in sight for a recovering economy.  Self-sufficiency is empowering and goes hand in hand with sustainability.  By learning how to do for ourselves, we can maintain even in rough economical times.  The balance between these and the new wave of promoting alternative energy in the way of oil, gas, wind energy and land conservation is teetering toward the latter.  Without our farming and ranching, we deplete our food source not to mention the impact on the rest of the world.  Even for those that choose to hunt wild animals in an effort to feed their families, restrictions have become so tight in some areas that even they are unsuccessful in providing an alternative food source for their family.

Sustainability means to support; to maintain; to endure.  We must find a healthy balance; working toward the common goal of giving back to the earth what at times must be taken in order to survive.  Especially when it goes beyond survival for unnecessary luxuries.

The "friendly" in "eco-friendly" becomes "not so friendly" when the pendulum swings too far to one side or the other.  Judgments are cast on both sides thinking one is better than the other; better yet, right or wrong.  In order for there to be harmony in this effort, one must earn respect for the other side and be open to learning and understanding and set judgment and stereotypes aside.  These extreme attitudes leave us stagnant at a time of when our nation is most vulnerable to fail.

Sustainable Living

Sustainable living has been around forever, it simply has a name now.  Another term is the "green movement".  But what I have noticed is that it has become stereotyped.  For those that want to do good and leave a smaller footprint on the land, we have a tendency to call them "greenies" or "granolas".  Therefore, if we feel we do not fit into those categories in our everyday life, we resist our temptations to get involved; fearful that we may become "one of them"; that we must dress and act differently; or that we must jump in and transform all of our bad habits at once and "go green".  Notice that I say "we" because I have definitely been on the outside looking in at this topic.  Because it is such a broad topic, one questions where to begin.


It's not a matter of getting caught up in the politics, it's a matter of finding what works for you and working toward a common goal of leaving things better for future generations.

Let's face it, we have the capability, the knowledge and the resources to be more self sufficient in this country. But it takes more than engineers to make it happen.  By finding what works for each of us in our daily lives, we can work toward the common goal of sustainability. Who is to be the judge as to how much or how little, making an effort is all that matters.

Join me as I explore sustainable living and find where you can make a difference.