Homesteading is popular, off grid, decreased carbon footprint. Ooh ahh. There are tv shows, Homestead Rescue !
But there are others. Others in the woods, others in the woods. Others.
They have various lifestyles, most do have electricity, some have indoor plumbing and some outhouses. They grow food, they barter, they buy and dumpster dive. They don't fit in any precut category, they have a foot in both worlds.
Some are called woods hippies, some are just called crazy.
I read too many mother Earth news magazines in the '70s. Some how captivated and entranced by the basic way of life.....I never yearned for a life without electricity.
So what do you call that? It's not off grid which is all the rage now.
No one features people who live a basic life but still refrigerate their food , run washers, hot water heaters , appliances, lights(!), Computers stereos, TV's, vacuum cleaners and the occasional electric space heater in the winter to supplement that lovely warms twice all natural fire wood for the wood stove that really heats the house.
In the '70s influenced heavily by mother Earth news and general back to the land movement. It was full of heart. 80's living in southern urban areas which are inches from rural areas visualizing the ideal little simple living situation while spinning my wheels surviving the rat race. 90's the window of opportunity opened up to move to insanely beautiful place in southern Appalachian mountains. Never left. Never lived without electricity, never grew all my own food, sheered a sheep spun wool or weaved my own clothes. Ok? Wtf is that? Oh rural american life. Maybe. Maybe yes maybe no.
Yes it's American rural life in the literal definition, but life style....all that and more....
Lifestyle.
It's winter as I sit in front of a cozy fire it slowly gets lighter outside. Sixteen degrees, spent some time out there, coffee cigarette. Every day no matter the weather. Staying in touch with nature. Go outside several several times a day, heat with fire, have grey water system that drains sinks tub washing machine toilet for pee but out house for other human waste.
Not off grid by a long shot but way more back to basic living than most country or rural Americans.
There are many of us we are legion but our demographic slips through the cracks and we are unknown and for the most part silent.
Silent because we've chosen this life, away from worldly distractions. And it's not a consistent lifestyle, it varies from family to family. Most are networked with others in some way, duh no man is an island.
In my own attempts at solitude I'm still continually interrupted, those seeking peace quite and solitude are never bored - put that on your fortune cookie chew it up and eat it.
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