You might have recognized the title from a country song by Rodney Atkins. I enjoy country music very much, and let's face it, I live in Texas. No shortage of country music here. But what I really enjoy is the image of actually doing those things. Fixing a fence, finding eggs, milking the cow (although the only thing I've every tried to milk was a goat at the fair when I was 14, but I think I got the hang of it). I have an image in my head of one day living out in the country or at least a house with land and being a part of nature. Of actually having a hand at growing food and caring for livestock. Although my husband would definitely limit the animals we could have because I would have them all. And I'm talking like in the movies where a goat presses his head through the window of our wood cabin. I know, such dreams. :)
I enjoy reading books about pioneers. To read about their way of life and how they survived without all the amenities we have today. They would take as many supplies as they could and load it into their wagon. They'd bring things like cornmeal, eggs, dried meat, potatoes, rice, beans, and a big barrel of water. They'd bring their cow if they had one and use it for milk. Pioneers also made their own clothing and performed all their own repairs. Everything that fit in their wagon couldn't weigh more than 2,000 pounds. And this was for the entire family. Everything they needed.
There's a particular series of books I enjoy. It's called the Love Comes Softly series by Janette Oke. It's the kind of series I can read over and over again and imagine myself in that time. To be able to pick up and journey off to a new land and find a beautiful clearing near a river and build a log cabin, raise chickens, and start a vegetable garden. If you haven't read this book I encourage you to. They are not very long but are very descriptive and just fun to read. And yes they are sappy love stories as well but what woman doesn't enjoy that every now and then. I also found the books to be great spiritual uplifters. Which is always a good thing to be able to enjoy when you can, especially with all the other entertainment choices out there.
And you can tell this stuff interests me by my favorite movie choice, which is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Again the story takes place back in that time where there was 'courting' and wood chopping and beautiful full length skirts. Lol My mother-in-law always tells me that she wishes she could be apart of that era. She says she was born in the wrong time. Lol. I think I would enjoy to be able to experience some of that time. But, that is why I am determined to bring the essence of that time into the now. I know I can't go out and buy a farm somewhere (even though one of my dream vacations would be to go to a working ranch and work for seven days straight . . . my husband is probably shaking his head at this). I know, who would want to work on their vacation? I still think I would enjoy it. :)
I believe that adding a little bit of self sufficiency into our lives is a very good thing to do. Grow a garden. Collect seeds. Learn how to preserve food by canning. Make your own blankets (I'm working on a blue crochet one now for my hubby). Grow herbs for cooking. Bake your own bread. These are just a few things I am determined to try and I will definitely share my progress. If you know of anything else I can try please let me know. We can lengthen the list.
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