tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post7438984065571496509..comments2023-11-03T08:56:03.162-04:00Comments on Grow the Change: Chocolate and CollaborationFreija and Beringian Fritillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11591614320106389316noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-84640671754480892542009-10-29T15:22:14.343-04:002009-10-29T15:22:14.343-04:00Robbyn, you've got me blushing! You are so ri...Robbyn, you've got me blushing! You are so right, it is easy to become consumed with the logistics of how to do [blank], and lose sight of the point of all these skills... strengthening our communities and relationships.<br /><br />Hope you're well and healthy, and enjoy the winter downtime.Freija and Beringian Fritillaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11591614320106389316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-1258235502189620382009-10-25T19:44:34.357-04:002009-10-25T19:44:34.357-04:00Hi guys...I'm doing some much-needed catching ...Hi guys...I'm doing some much-needed catching up with my favorite blog people. I've been sick since June and had a hiatus away from the computer for the most part. I'm just reading about your relocation plans and reasons behind it. It's something I'm taking to heart, as community is very important to us and we've too long been concentrated on other goals at the expense of connecting alongside others for shared projects and relationship. I can't wait to see where this takes you guys...I hope you'll continue blogging if possible as the new doors open! We cheer you on...love, love, love what you're doing...you're such an encouragement to us<br /><br />Robbyn and Jack/thebackfortyRobbynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01860870861321231048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-75175151177279180402009-08-28T21:40:33.603-04:002009-08-28T21:40:33.603-04:00I'm a relative newcomer to your journey but yo...I'm a relative newcomer to your journey but you've inspired me and I thank you for that!<br /><br />I doubt I'll ever achieve a level of self-sufficiency that you enjoy (my hubby is a city mouse who likes living on the grid and having the comfort of oil-based heat) but that doesn't mean I haven't tried and had small victories! I will continue to plant the seeds and hope they grow into great changes!<br /><br />I hope you don't give up sharing your journey. I know that between owning my own website and homesteading our own place, I don't get here nearly enough but you've truly been inspirational to me. Thank you for sharing it all.Tammyhttp://www.frugal-families.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-56688165995605638152009-08-16T11:11:29.810-04:002009-08-16T11:11:29.810-04:00A very wise decision, best of luckA very wise decision, best of luckParishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03515659709838380272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-89169337218611048212009-07-30T15:55:35.870-04:002009-07-30T15:55:35.870-04:00Wishing you all the best in all you do..
I think w...Wishing you all the best in all you do..<br />I think what you are doing is wonderful!Beegirlhttp://burbsandthebees.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-86524123439332730752009-07-28T12:47:22.626-04:002009-07-28T12:47:22.626-04:00d.a. Austin is a great place, only visited once, b...d.a. Austin is a great place, only visited once, but knew right away it was the kind of place I'd be able to feel at home. And a pretty radical contrast to most of the rest of Texas, a bit of an oasis in the desert. Thanks for the well-wishes!<br /><br />ps pirro, Welcome and I'm so glad you found us, absolutely love your site, I'm an instant fan. Best to you as well, finding your people and building community.<br /><br />Caroline, thanks for the invitation, you are very generous! But I do believe we will be taking the northern route, above most of the big cities. Neither of us has seen much of the north, and look forward to exploring. Thanks again!Freija and Beringian Fritillaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11591614320106389316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-55446809077496003592009-07-27T09:09:27.580-04:002009-07-27T09:09:27.580-04:00It is indeed hard to feel sustain when so few shar...It is indeed hard to feel sustain when so few share our hope and belief around. I hope you will find a community to your liking! If you happen to bike pass Montreal, give me a shout and maybe you could stay a few days with us.Carolinehttp://lilyanepeace.spaces.live.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-21686233803239211832009-07-26T09:34:35.817-04:002009-07-26T09:34:35.817-04:00First visit, and I'm quite in awe of what you&...First visit, and I'm quite in awe of what you've accomplished and so very sympathetic to your plight. As a transplant to conservative, rural midwest USA I have been working to find my people and create community here for ten years, and the overall lack of interest and tired thinking I encounter is every bit as hobbling as you describe. Best of outcomes to you.ps pirrohttp://pspirro.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-48381302095118375582009-07-25T22:30:47.465-04:002009-07-25T22:30:47.465-04:00I've always appreciated the Austin, TX (and su...I've always appreciated the Austin, TX (and surrounding communities) push & support to buy/grow local, but reading what you've gone through makes me appreciate it even more. I wish you the best of luck in the new effort, and that you find all the community and support you desire. Keep writing!d.a.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10701833441665984965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-44515097211321373172009-07-23T13:34:21.867-04:002009-07-23T13:34:21.867-04:00jimmycrackedcorn, nope not a typo. We don't h...jimmycrackedcorn, nope not a typo. We don't have a car, bike maintenance is included in that figure, about $5/mo. Food is still about $50/mo. We use a community access center for internet and internet phone. We own a very simple mobile home, and moved it onto a property with no buildings or services, where we rent, at the cost to cover property taxes $200/year. Most of our power comes from solar (already payed for itself), but we supplement with about $5 in a gas generator/ month.<br /><br />It's possible, just not your typical life.<br /><br />mostlypurple, it's the "self" part that we take issue with in the self-sufficiency, self-reliant lifestyle.<br /><br />Anon, it's one thing to be able to sell what we produce, and another thing all together to participate with the local community to build a sustainable food culture. <br /><br />Amanda, thanks for sharing in our excitement! We'll make it out to the coast one day or another, and we'll keep our eye on Pender Island.<br /><br />Margaret, thanks for your well-wishes, we'll be sure to continue posting as the journey unfolds.<br /><br />Derek, thank you so much for adding your support. I'm always curious about you lurkers, especially the far distant ones... :)<br />I am familar with Arcata, a place where the fringe is mainstream, must have been quite the shock. We are also familar with the Transition movement, very exciting, I wish you and your family all the best in finding a place to advance your own vision.<br /><br />Pampered Mom, thanks for the encouragement, we will certainly continue sharing.Freija and Beringian Fritillaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11591614320106389316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-54442642222599834252009-07-23T10:37:16.677-04:002009-07-23T10:37:16.677-04:00I can relate to your desire for community. I thin...I can relate to your desire for community. I think if I were in your situation we'd likely make the same decision. I can't wait to hear about your further journey!mamarabyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05474499494009129003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-2791375736292684702009-07-23T04:54:08.681-04:002009-07-23T04:54:08.681-04:00I've been following your blog for at least the...I've been following your blog for at least the past half year, though this may be the first time i've posted.<br /><br />*eyes caste down in lurker shame*<br /><br />At least i think so, anyway.<br /><br />I am a US expat now in Denmark, and though the media may portray it otherwise, The move actually had a similar affect for my "self-sustainable community" as your transplant into rural america. Consumerism here is rampant, with astronomical home prices, and reliance on cheap imported food, and industrial pig meat.<br />Now i have to admit to myself that where i came from in the US makes a huge difference, i came from Arcata California, which if you are unaware, is probably the last refuge of dyed-in-the-wool hippies on earth.<br />But there was also a very solid undercurrent of progressive permiculture, and appropriate technology innovation; the place was like a community test lab for radical sustainability experiments.<br />This harsh contrast incountered was not what i was expecting, and ultimately has driven my family to do the same as you, and find like minded people. As it turns out or research and travel in europe led us to growing transition communities and permiculture experiments ongoing in Portugal of all places. We are planning a similar transplant their in the coming year also.<br />I just wanted to add support to your thinking that the community matters, that your thinking suffers from constant opposition, and simple "just don't get it" thinking from your peers.<br />I say find that someplace special, connect, collaborate, and advance with strength and vision.<br />Keep up the blogging to.Dereknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-16769388016016945512009-07-22T12:18:30.136-04:002009-07-22T12:18:30.136-04:00I live in BC and drove through the Kootnays once, ...I live in BC and drove through the Kootnays once, it is a beautiful place which I hope to visit again. If you choose to move there,I'm sure you will love it. <br /><br />I wish you all the best - actually I'm a bit envious of your new adventure, and look forward to reading about it in your blog.<br /><br />MargaretMargarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03593728147751269710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-27083259453288891572009-07-22T02:05:22.221-04:002009-07-22T02:05:22.221-04:00I have been reading your blog for a few months as ...I have been reading your blog for a few months as I have been dabbling in my own striving for self-sufficiency.<br /><br />And I read this and I was sad for you and the lack of community but I was excited too. Because I live on Pender Island, in BC. There are approx 2500 people living on this island and many are committed to a self-sufficient lifestyle, or striving toward it. I find your blog really encouraging and I hope your bike trip may take you through vancouver island and the gulf islands.<br /><br />Thank you for your honesty and beautiful writing. I'll keep checking in to see where your adventures take you!<br /><br />Cheers,<br />AmandaAmandahttp://blog.horizonfarm.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-85582905973543481142009-07-21T22:23:40.600-04:002009-07-21T22:23:40.600-04:00we have lived in New Brunswick for the last seven ...we have lived in New Brunswick for the last seven years, doing basicly what you are doing, which is a wonderful thing, hard work but very satisfying. In the sixth year our local neighbours have found their way to our farm, buying the things that we produce, after having driven by slowly wondering what on earth we were doing. Persevere, it does happen!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-11961161172813483182009-07-21T18:22:20.261-04:002009-07-21T18:22:20.261-04:00Wow. Self-sufficiency has a downside. who knew.
-...Wow. Self-sufficiency has a downside. who knew.<br /><br />-wishing you successmostlypurplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09211876492729253692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3420957879376754270.post-83313181401472087972009-07-21T16:54:17.403-04:002009-07-21T16:54:17.403-04:00Is that a typo in the opening paragraph?
'liv...Is that a typo in the opening paragraph?<br /><br />'living comfortably on $100 a month (including rent, utilities, food, transportation, you name it).'<br /><br />What? I can understand the food part, perhaps, since you're producing your own, and maybe transportation if you rarely go anywhere and have an old reliable truck. But even if you already own your land wouldn't property taxes be will in excess of $100 a month?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com