Free-Range Living

Modern 'automated' life can induce a level of frustration in a person, from the point of view from the automation itself and also that such a process doesn't seem to be that strong in respect for the individual ------ Then, the urge to tell the world to 'go away' might come accross a body ----

Fortunately pleasant and peaceful rural living may well provide 'balsm for the soul', along with the feeling that freerangn' self-reliance can at least keep 'automation' a little at bay ---- although the increasing preponderance of the artificial 'A.I.' world might make the job somewhat tougher --- ?  Small - very small -life here at the UK midlands eco micro-holding (small smallholding) has lately focused on maintenance of site work, with a fair amount of hedgecuting, lopping and general 'sorting' having had to take place.

The 'eco' features here such as the small air-source heat pump, the solar panels and the woodstove have all helped to cope with the UK's high energy costs (100% increase) - good to have at least some 'combat' facility --- The site has too other diversions such as good diversity of wild birds to watch, as well of course the array of home-grown organic produce to pick.

Given the strong focus on material gain these days, more traditional areas such as 'spiritual life' have been on the wane, but there are some signs that the younger generations are valuing 'personal spirituality' somewhat higher --- Maybe due to some of the conditioning methods used, spirituality tended to be 'thrown out with the bathwater' --- ?

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People being essentially bio-diverse, there then must presumably be many ways, styles of living, --- and wealth seeking could be too dimensionally limited, for some at least - ? Two example lifestyles are then given, and differing creative lifestyles are demonstrated.

Active 'anti' measures are reviewed, along with 'lean living', and current results and happenings on the eco micro-holding (small organic smallholding in the UK midlands) are presented. The original role of money was as an exchange mechanism which worked well to better facilitate exchange of goods and services.

Some useful supporting quotes then preceed exploration of whether money brings happiness to people, and the piece ends with musings for the next season and what immediately lies ahead.

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Modern life pressures for 'ordinary folk' may mean that self-sufficient-style lifestyles could make something of a come-back - ? Folk may need to be aware that modern 'on-the make' commercial practice, driven by the drive for big profits, has got the individual in its sights. The 'free market' business-sector 'philosophy' without the restraining condition of 'maintaining many sellers and many buyers in the market place' appears to have produced large predatory commercial organisations viewing the small powerless businesses and individuals as prey, as an example amply demonstrates.

The micro small semi self-sufficent lifestyle here at the organic micro-holding (small smallholding) in the UK midlands has given some counter protective shelter from any modern rapacious commercial trends, with this year's growing season results satisfactory to good, in what's been a sunny hot summer so far. Wood stocks as usual have been building through spring and summer and the cottage's solar panels and air-source heat pump, both now over ten years old, appear to be still in good shape.

There are reports in the broad sheet papers that there's a growing use in the UK of solar panels together with battery packs, to in some cases give zero domestic energy costs - it will be interesting to see whether more semi self-sufficient systems make a come-back - ?

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(Occasional blog)

At the risk of being tasked of taking a 'negative' approach, it does seem that modern life has in the UK thrown up a considerable number of challenges and difficulties for 'good ol' ordinary and honest folk', whilst the 'wealthy and powerful' have been having it quite good, resulting in the questioning of some as to whether there's been a general trend moving away from democracies towards plutocracies - the 'upper echelons ' few holding the reins of power - ? The distribution of wealth, for instance, is said to have narrowed considerably.

The role of money may have changed somewhat in stronger self-orientated times, and staff management styles reverted more to more authoritarian modes which can have contributed to more constrained conditions for those of the 'freerange' bent - ? The changing role of money is examined, along with relevant business modes.

The semi self-sufficiency style of life here at the organic micro-holding (small smallholding) in the UK heartlands has mitigated against the life problems due to the considerable cost of living rises here over the last couple of years, helping on several fronts. This year's growing efforts have been hampered at times by quite cold spring and summer air temperatutes, along with 'natural' pest attacks in the form of carerpillar attacks on the brassica plants - 'caterplillar carnage' has had to have been the order of the day otherwise there'd be no production. Crops of potatoes, onions, broad beans, peas , celery and runner beans have been variable - no two growing seasons are ever the same.

Energy costs have been kept to reasonable levels by using more wood stored on site, and bringing into use other supplies, such as smokeless fuels, also stored here and purchased previously at lower prices. Some cottage painting has occurred, along with general improvements here and there.

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(Occasional blog)

'Hands on' activities can give what might be called 'prime satisfactions', such as making things and/or growing own food, and the like. It might be that if the activity is linked to another area, say, such as 'working in nature', the experience can be enhanced. If that involves 'growing biologically', without using chemical fertilisers or sprays, then cultural methods from way back when, such as rotational crop growing, need to be used to maintain/enhance the on-going fertility of the soil. 'Organic' fertilisers such as compost can of course be used, making good use of the crop and general garden waste - here at the eco organic micro-holding (small smallholding) in the UK midlands it's a two year process involved in compost production, but shorter term systems are possible.

This time of year, deep mid-winter is the 'slack' time, allowing some rest via winter semi-hibernation - also useful for aiding motivation a bit later on, needed for the busy 'planting and sowing' stretch. There's though still a few mid-winter chores needing to be done, such as bringing in wood and kindling for the woodstove, and harvesting winter crops such as greens and leeks, plus the early winter produce of turnips, celery and beetroot.

It can be argued that the 'primary' function of a business is to supply goods and services to society that are needed - that is, are 'in demand', even though in practice it could seem that in modern times, making themselves 'large profits' can often seem to be the primary objective. There are some firms though that don't go helter-skelter for making max profits, and by focusing more on giving good value, service and quality goods and services, risk having longer-term more secure businesses, with a stronger customer base.

Micro-life here on the micro-holding has certainly slowed up now in winter, with time to think ahead a little, to order seeds for the coming year, and to sort out and plan for any needed additional activities - and then, to shortly start sowing some of the early crops ----- 

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(Occasional blog)

A patchy summer weather-wise has produced a mixed set of results in the veg growing department, although some crops such as potatoes haven't cropped too badly. Yet another new pest has attacked the leek crop, with the result that there are now no leeks available this winter, as too has happened with the purple sprouting winter brassica crop, so overall winter supplies from the veg growing area will be somewhat depleted, counteracted though, by the fact that considerably more turnips and parsnips have been grown.

A new addition to the 'eco travel' fleet has been an electric bike which has a more appropriate range than the former model here at the organic micro holding (small smallholding) in the UK's midland region, and which would seem to be one of the world's most economic forms of motive power, as well as supremely 'eco friendly'.

Some of the UK's broadsheet papers have been branding the UK a 'sick nation', outlining the seeming quite a few areas which have  considerable problems, and one correspondant highlights the differences between the UK and his holiday destination, Mallorca. The political party's politicians seem reluctant to assume responsibility for the situation, preferring to highlight their 'positive achievments', but maybe underestimating folk in general, thereby risking some negativity in the form of 'counter-productivity' - ? 

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(Occasional blog)

Cultures can vary significantly, and can change over time. Here in the UK, in days gone by the accent was more on social priorities, whereas these days the 'out for self' philosophy would seem to dominate more, with social priorities taking more of a back seat. In times of emergency, individual priorities have had to take the back seat, the security of the nation becoming the main priority. In less urgent times it would seem that a balance between individual and social priorities needs to be struck - ?

The growing season here at the organic micro-holding (small smallholding)in the UK midlands hasn't been too bad with decent crops of broad beans, potatoes, calabrese, peas and salads items, and with other crops such as beetroot, onions and parsnips coming along well. In response to high inflation rates - especially in food and energy - more stuff's been planted and more produce -beans and peas - has been stored by freezing.

The balance between individual and social priorities is examined further, then community living is introduced, being particularly relevant both to the main topic, and to the daily life relating to the micro-holding, adding further diverse dimensions to day-to-day living, and so with luck contributing more life meaning ----- 

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Occasional blog 8

Sometimes problems can crop up in the short-term which then 'resolve themselves' in the longer-term ---- The short-term outlook for the crops here at the eco organic micro-holding (small smallholding) in the Uk midlands looks reasonably good in spite of a sort of 'stop-start' spring, Some seeds have been quite slow to emerge, and germination rates haven't been at their best, whilst other crops such as onions from sets ('baby onions') have forged ahead, as have the early potatoes started under plastic, which look particularly good.

Longer-term considerations involve both fuel supplies and on-going soil fertility. Fuel supplies for next winter are building-up nicely, to be added to with regular sawing sessions, a feature of the summer season.  The current compost heap is getting regular contributions, mainly from weeds and excess herbage growth at this time of year.

The 'push for profits' modern trend seems to continue unabated, although a brief case-study shows that one experienced campaigner operated somewhat differently, eschewing the short-term 'push-for-profits' style in favour of longer-term more sustainable profit making. In the case of farming, for instance, before the advent of chemical farming systems, any chosen method had to build-in longer-term aspects of soil fertility, growing a mix of 'demanding' crops (eg. wheat) and 'replenishing' crops (eg. legumes - peas and beans)         

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(This is occasional blog 7)

Western-style cultures are pretty heavily commercialised, tending to be geared to individual gain, but maybe lacking in  'social balance' which other cultures do manage, which could promote some problem areas - ?

The new growing season here at the organic eco micro-holding in ther UK midlands has got off to a useful start with seedlings, onion sets and broad beans already 'on the go', and thriving. The broad beans not only fertilise the soil, being a legume, but also come available, if grown early enough, in the 'hungry gap' May-June period.

Wood supplies are just lasting out, with the air-source heat pump too helping to keep costs at bay -here in the UK energy costs have risen 100%, which along with significant food costs inflation, have seemingly caused some consternation for quite a few. Some have considered that the strong level of commercialism has 'dumbed down' the culture to quite a degree.

Living in what seems to be an increasingly 'power and money geared' world may mean that individuals need to be aware of the need to self-protect, with the freerange approach of attaining a degree of self-reliance being a practical move in that direction. 

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Concluding section to 'Towards Fuller Fulfilment--- Pt 1 (see below)

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