Right now we are faced with a unique mix of Eco-crumbling. The economy and the ecology are both being nailed on a global scale.
Now whether or not the world goes to hell in a handbasket is not a sure thing. Regardless.. things happen.. weather happens.. war happens. Long term.. short term.. who knows. I look at it this way.. prepping (to some degree) is logical, and self sufficiency is ethical.. both are acting in accord of being responsible. They make sense to me.
This appeals to me because in these endeavors, various art forms are being reawakened. Canning, cooking, gardening, smoking, fermenting, designing, building.. creating. In the insanity it triggered a rip tide of creation. A quest to learn about things that 20+ years ago.. not many would have ever considered.
Rediscovery and enjoyment of local and seasonal bounties are now more appreciated in many cases than the act of defiance. It isn't novel anymore to eat "fresh" asparagus in September or melons in January.
It inspires me in a time where so much can really feel oppressively smothering. In this unique era we have access to information so easily that it is amazing if you think about it. On the same level, some technological "advances" could also set us back.. but awareness and defiance are keeping options open.
I have to admit.. the ones that inspire me the most are out there doing it for themselves.. sharing.. encouraging.. helping others.
Mini rant... I find it sad when a good concept gets corrupted by self marketing. Even worse when credit is taken, or contemplating selling something that is directly copied from someone else's work ( creator of the no-knead bread and here is the recipe to make it). If you are going to push being eco-conscious... and that is your focus.. you'd share how to make something vs packaging it up in plastic and mailing it across the country. Something that youngsters figure out very early and very fast when living on a farm (or even just experiencing puppies or kittens).. a mammal produces milk after it delivers it's young. As a mother.. heck.. as a woman.. that's kinda something you would think one would figure out before hand. Good concept..good work.. good intentions.. marred by asking others to write in for more face time and contradicting what is being preached by realization of their own marketability. Rant over before I go any further.
If I know how to do something.. I share the information... especially in seed saving. I marvel at the tenacity and focus of those backyard rebels who work at creating their own strain of plants. They are to me the unsung heroes that get taken for granted. I giggle at the ingenuity and crave more more more.
So that's just me. I'm the one cheering in the background as someone just starts taking up gardening.. beekeeping.. canning.. seed saving.. etc. I cheer for the harvest tallies.. will hope and good luck when problems occur.. and applaud the efforts made.
To the preppers and eco-gardeners..( artisans) keep up the amazing efforts. Even when things don't work out as planned, your efforts are inspiring and what you achieve is amazing.
...... back to packing I go.....
I would rather contradict, as a critic, contrarian by nature, however what you have exposed is the way it is.
ReplyDeleteImagination, self sufficiency requires tenacity, perseverance.
Great post!
I see it as this.. some discover young a knack, while others may not be aware of it until much later in life. Over time their gift can be cultivated or ignored.. or come into being out of the sheer passion and desire to do something.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has to start somewhere. Those that do it just for the trend will drop it when it fades, those that discovered a passion for it will remain.. However an awareness and an appreciation for what is being done by those who persevere remains.
Who else can truly appreciate a garden than another gardener?
If you haven't tried it, it is easy to see someone else's work as just "pretty".. if you have tried it you see more deeply and understand the commitment, the labor, the passion. You notice the soil just as much as the blooms.
The same thing applies when doing and creating anything. Easy to take for granted until the effort is made to try doing it yourself.
Growing ones own food, learning a few basic homesteading skills like canning, cooking, baking, animal husbandry, and so forth is very empowering. I hope that you are right and many more people head down this path so that they can share these skills with future generations. Like you said, it is logical to do so. Really, we should all know how to plant a seed and bake a loaf of bread...at least I think so.
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