Simplifyng Again and Again

If money were no object what would be my dream?

1,000 or 10,000 wooded acres, with a river running through it, lakes and ponds, and a clearing in the middle for a small log cabin and a massive meadow for my permaculture garden beds.  I'd have fruit trees too, and dogs, lots of dogs to be my buddies.

This would all be situated across the street from the beach.  I'd be happy to remain in Georgia.

Or I could grow everything on just one acre, or less, if need be.

A very small house would suit my needs, and I'm, of course, talking about when my kids are grown.  I'd want to live in the same town with them all too.

I'd want to own very little, a couple of outfits, a little bit of used furniture, I just don't wanna spend my time taking care of stuff, I wanna grow food or hang out with my many relatives.

I don't want to go to town, don't want to shop, I'd be so happy just walking on a beach every day and then working in my gardens.

I'd read e-books, I'd compost, recycle, re-use, and need very, very little in life.

I can save my own seeds, and I can graft or propagate other plants, I can barter and I can trade.  I use very few tools as it is, I don't really want to own one-use items.

Simplistic?  Boring?  Or...satisfying?  Not chasing status symbols that put folks into debt, not striving to get ahead, enjoying my own company, leaving little carbon footprint.  What could be more exciting?

I already know that nice clothes, a fine car, luxury items, or high-end crap doesn't fulfill any inner need of mine.

Nothing I could ever own feels as good as not owing anyone anything.

Becoming vegan six months ago further simplified everything, pared down my needs, the thought of which alone makes me even happier.

I don't need a gym, I can walk and I can work to get a work-out.

I know that I am the happiest when I'm with my kids or my grandkids, when we're just being together farting around.

Sure I love a baseball game, those Sun Trusts seats were to die for, but I don't have to have this to be happy, I also totally enjoy watching the Braves on TV.  So I do want to own a TV...and a DVR, a computer, and my Iphone.  Uh-oh, racking it, up ain't I?  Or as my friend, Kandy, just suggested flying down to the Caribbean to watch winter baseball.  Now you're talking.

I'm super happy for Sabrina, for having accomplished what she's accomplished.  I pray that she too will find satisfaction in being, rather than in having.  So far so good.  The huge majority of my children are not at all obsessed with hyperspending to impress folks.

Nearly every single thing in my house is used, and I like everything, I really do.

I know who I am, I'm not what I own.  I am who I am, and that kind of inner self-confidence, that inner peace is so priceless, so unbelievably valuable.

I'm not gonna move anywhere, I'm happy here with what I now have, I can drive to a beach, there are awesome ones on the Southeastern coastline.  I have wonderful gardens already, great kids, adorable grandkids.  I have woods, a meadow, and three creeks on my property.  I have a cache of free manure and wood chips available.

I have great dogs too.

I had a glass of my garden salsa for breakfast, fiery hot, a breakfast of champions, I'm raring to go.

I watched Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead on Hulu Plus - best weight loss method ever, best reboot, best nutritional advice.

I've put out three truckloads of manure this weekend, spent time with Gina, then my daughter-in-law, Megan, today.  "Bout had a cow when Sarah didn't show up for church and didn't initially answer my text - that's what trauma looks like - and now I'm scanning the skies for the promised rain