Self-Sufficiency vs. Homesteading

[Wifezilla]

 

[valmom]

That's my dear departed grandma! Tough as nails, raised 12 kids on nothing in Erie PA. (my inspiration for a lot of this SS stuff)

 

[Farmfresh]

Now which one of my young 'uns had you?

Since my senility has kicked in so strong and I have "departed" my good senses for so long ... I don't QUITE rek-amember you child.

 

[valmom]

I'm from your oldest- one of the twins. Remember, grandma??

I still remember the tons of home made bread and rolls and the semi-outhouse sort of attached to the house.

(i'll bet you aren't much older than I am )

 

[FarmerChick]

It's easy to get caught up in definitions or semantics. I wasn't so much curious about what the official definition or etymology is of the term 'homesteading,' but more the differences between the people who consider themselves homesteaders vs. the people who simply identify with the concepts of self-sufficiency or self-reliance.

The people in this forum just seem happier, more content and not nearly as preoccupied as the typical homesteader with the notion that the world is teetering over an abyss, ready to slide in. Many homesteaders with whom I've communicated in the past seem to have a bit of a fatalist mentality that extends well beyond being prepared for an emergency and instead has them building a doomsday shelter filled with 5,000 cans of kidney beans and enough guns and ammo to protect a small country. How can this not end up leaving you feeling as if you're living life under a bit of a gray cloud?


http://www.meticulum.com/bombshelter.jpg



I just think that when it gets to the point where someone's kids go without basic essentials because the parents are convinced they need to buy more ammo for the bomb shelter that it's gotten a bit out of hand. Yes indeed, there are many people who identify as homesteaders for whom this doesn't apply; I'm simply sharing my general overall impression.

Just my 2.

I think you are blending homestead with Survivalists. They sure aren't the same.

 

[Diavolicchio]

d
I think you are blending homestead with Survivalists. They sure aren't the same.

I'm not blending anybody, actually. I'm simply sharing my personal experience with the people I've met who identify as hard core homesteaders.

Remember, I'm just the messenger here.

 

[FarmerChick]

Out of curiosity, which one of you self-proclaimed SS Crones is this?

Please step forward.


http://www.meticulum.com/SSCrone.jpg

That's my grandma! She got on the intenet somehow..LOL
NOT!

funny pic



ya know most people who homestead do not like dabblers. homesteaders that I chatted with don't dabble...they kinda go all the way off grid and live in their own little worlds. not all, but alot. They expect you to do the same. To be in that "niche".

and survivalists KNOW the world is ending and want to be prepared for that day...probably any minute now to them.

This is SS...tons of reasons why we prep and prepare. Tons of reasons why we want to be more self reliant. I have guns. Don't come knocking on my SS door and take my food. I got a bullet for ya...LOL...I am not stocking ammo to prepare for anniliation day and hordes of 1000s coming to my house, but we SS people have some survivalist in us also.

 

[FarmerChick]

d
I think you are blending homestead with Survivalists. They sure aren't the same.

I'm not blending anybody, actually. I'm simply sharing my personal experience with the people I've met who identify as hard core homesteaders.

Remember, I'm just the messenger here.

In your post you mentioned bomb shelters and all that stocking of ammo and guns to fight off attackers etc. Stocking rations for long term military type situations and canning peaches or green beans isn't the same..LOL


OH DIAV
we aren't like "going at you" this is just us talking...LOL
we talk like this on the board. it is hard to show attitude etc. when typing..LOL
we all just throw out what we are thinking when we read a post and chat about junk.
We ain't too mean here..LOL---we won't be killing the messenger..HAHA

 

[freemotion]

We ain't too mean here..LOL---we won't be killing the messenger..HAHA

Speak for yourself. If he posts a recipe with powdered milk or margarine as ingredients all bets are off.

 

[FarmerChick]

Oh lordy not the powdered milk bit again?
LOL