Free-Range Living

There'a currently a mid-winter feel about the place - the organic eco micro-holding here in the UK midlands - , which might be due to the fact that it is mid-winter ------ . The hungry birds get their feed every day, and the 'Houdini 'wild bunch' hens lay relentlessly away, thankfully now out of harm's way. An extra wood source usefully provided a further supply of free fuel, some of it for current use but most of it put in store to boost next year's supply. A new chainsaw augmented the wood cutting armoury well, equipping that side of things handily for the forseeable future.

A late pest attack on what was a good leek crop has wreaked its havoc, with chances of recovery perhaps slim. Winter veg is generally pretty good and hopefully will crop for the next period, untill the spring greens come on tap in March.

'E' mail blitz seems to be rampant in this day and age, getting to the poimt of becoming a nuisance - one of the effects of a highly commercalised culture. There doesn't at times to be that much awareness of the dangers of counter-productivity, with some firms seemingly sending a never-ending supply of 'e' messages. Maybe it's all part of the new 'make-believe', 'build-it-yourself' reality that seems to be in the making, although some - many? - might say straying from actual reality could yet prove to be a dangerous pastime  - ? Then again the unfashionable longer-term 'husbanding scarce resources' approach might need to be resurrected - ?

[Read more →]

'Geese gone' - their stay next to the mico-holding here in the UK midlands was temporary, to then move on to winter quarters. The mid-winter rest period of semi-hibernation has arrived - time for rest and 'navel contemplation'. One piece in the weekend broadsheet paper bemoaned the fact that politicians, et al. seemed to be on a crusade to make older people do work. 'If they want to sit and do 'b----r all', why not, they've earn't the right', said the writer. Winter landscapes are now the order of the day, and good to see , with the many trees hereabouts looking particularly good.

Recent events don't appear to bode particularly well for planet conservation, and maybe more 'down-to-earth' awareness could be needed, as folks in olden days knew - ? Heavy material levels of consumption may not be long-term sustainable, so economic or frugal, even, living styles might yet be useful, and beneficial at the individual level. People may feel that at the micro individual level, any contribution they might make might be too insignificant, but if more than a few act ------ and of course, why should it not be meaningfull and significant at the individual level - ?

Having and retaining individual values may be important to act as 'anchors' for people against the 'fast flow' of mainstream commercially-focused cultures - it's what's lead 'downsizers', for instance, to give up 'buck chasing', to then adopt more multi-dimensional lifestyles, and/or more 'basic living' lifestyles, which reminds - better get that wood chopped up ----

[Read more →]

Migrant geese have colonised the field next to the cottage, here at the organic eco micro-holding ( small smallholding ) in the UK heartland. They've been feeding up, maybe to continue the journey , reminding of the flock of lapwings which did likewise two/three years ago.  The autumn micro-holding work has proceeded as usual, with quite a bit still to do, and home grown produce has lasted out pretty well.

'David v. Goliath' mini battles ensue as ever, trying to limit the adverse effects of what's often perceived as quite a 'grasping' commercial culture, with car insurance and broadband and phone provision being the latest 'battlegrounds'.  Getting past the 'it's all about money' mindsets seems to be at least some of the problem ----- Local good community interaction has helped in the 'faith in human nature' restoration department. It's reported generally that faith and trust are in dwindling supply, which may just be to do with the aforementioned commercial cultural style and a propensity for 'big is best' mindsets , given the extent of 'corporate power' - ?

The individual, though, can still practice the independent ( 'freerange') style of thinking and to at least some extent, the independent style of living ----

[Read more →]

Autumn is both the maintenance and the 'preparing for winter' season here at the organic eco micro-holding in the UK midland heartlands. Sorting and sawing wood is a major part of the latter, with both two man chainsaw and one man sawbench operations taking place to ensure a decent wood supply to last the winter out, and at the same time providing satisfying work.

It's been a pretty good growing year for both micro-holding veg and for wasps, with old fashioned cornfield gleaning  resulting in straw for the chicken house and run, aiming to look after them well, the same intention apparently as a local food supermarket which announced that it would only stock milk from grazed cows. A variety of seasonal tasks beckons , all working to the 'end of season' satisfying purpose.

Getting pleasure and joy out of everyday activities might be seen as 'small beer' in today's 'fame and fortune' culture, but also as a blessing for those who can, employing even, an 'expanded awareness' approach - ? Various authors have expanded on this theme, raising again Fritz Schumacher;s theme that 'small can be yet beautiful',  supported too by eastern mysticsm examples..

[Read more →]

The lazy, hazy days of August passed by nicely with a fair bit of sun and heat for a change  - the last two/three Augusts haven't been that great, weather-wise. here on the UK  Midlands-based eco organic micro-holding (small smallholding). With fewer cattle about  there's more corn stubbles sitting in the sun these days, increasing the 'golden glow' factor. The caterpillar pest on the brassica plants has been prominent this year, and steps have had to be taken.

According to some, the modern scientific, rational age has impinged adversly on natural feelings, so innateness and intuition, for instance, have waned, maybe to a point where 'imbalance' has occurred - ? No imbalance though, in the compost compartment, although the simple ( but effective) method used here doesn't match up to that of the TV experts, who's recommended methods seem to involve quite a lot of work - ?

Loss of intuitive powers might imply that 'wrong roads' could be taken and that the potential for fulfillment, for, instance, could be lessened - ? Modern cultures, though, seem to hold more store by 'external display' success factors such as wealth, fame and power position, with then less emphasis on 'internally directed' success factors such as self-integrity , self-development and fulfillment - ? The semi self-reliant micro-holding style of life here is definitely 'internally' motivated, with wealth accumulation a fairly distant prospect - may have to settle instead for a pint of Holden's aptly named beer ----- .

[Read more →]

Onwards through the summer the eco organic micro-holding's journey continues with the usual ups and downs, but always in countryside that's gorgeous this time of year. Crop results have been as usual mixed resulting in the feeling that it'd be useful to make and use even more compost, especially after seeing the outstanding crops of the freeranger couple featured below in this piece. The chickens, though, sail on regardless -----  and soft fruit production has been one of this year's features.

Interesting freerange-type of bedtime reading has come unexpectedly from  one of the downtown charity shops, which sell books at very reasonable rates, including some 'extreme freeranging' classics - interesting to read them again. Some modern 'live' examples of extreme and semi-extreme freeranging are related, along with some of the effects thereof.

Quite a range - a freerange - of reading material has materialised via this source - useful to read before surrendering to the world of the sub-conscious ----- .

[Read more →]

Now at the end of June the countryside here in the English heartlands is looking good -at its best - and a simple walk down the lane is a feast for the eyes. The old collie dog, Pipster, can just about make a couple of hundred metres or so, but soldiers on gamely. A recent break in the scenic Yorkshire Dales area of the UK brought a moving tale of animal loyalty, again concerning a collie dog.

The results of the organic growing in the eco micro-holding here have been mixed, with the legumes, the broad beans and the peas, not really living up to their early promise. Potatoes, though, seem to have done not too poorly in spite if the customary attack of blight, and similarly the maincrop onions, which are recovering well from their usual attack of the alium leaf miner fly, courtesy of a couple of doses of good ol' nettle juice.

The UK referendum result appearsto have 'put the cat amongst the pigeons', with various factions unhappy with the 'leave the EC ' outcome and apparently trying to reverse the decision. Might though, any difficulties and hardships incurred in 'going ot alone be worth it in terms of regaining independence and protecting democracy - ?

[Read more →]

Hot weather here at the eco organic eco micro-holding (small smallholding) in the UK midlands has mean't watering the crops has been  on the agenda, there being fortunately plenty of water supplies. New transport of the 'reasonably eco friendly' variety has also been a recent project, although an economic electric small pick-up would have been the vehicle of choice.

Good views from the new vehicle of the stunning and verdant Welsh countryside were enjjoyed on a recent 'chill-out' four day break to the west Wales static caravan, re-charging the batteries. Local visits to plant fairs and the like have lead to going to some stunning sites, probably looking at their absolute best at this time of year (early June), and promoting that particular 'awe-inspiring' experience.

An 'awe-inspiring individual to many, Muhammad Ali, recently past away, a man with a 'big' persona' but who could seemingly relate humanely to so-called 'ordinary' people. One of his daughters relayed something of Ali the family man in the UK national press. Ali had seemed to command 'natural respect' from many, and maybe could act as a role model to aid those engaged in leadership roles , some of whom who don't seem to overplay the repect angle - ? Respect for the planet, for Mother Earth is another area which could be, and may need to be ramped up for the future - ?

[Read more →]

Busy micro-holding activity taking place in the newly-emerged spring countryside has been the order of the day here on the organic eco micro-holding (small smallholding) in the UK midlands, varied though due to weather influences, especially the spells of cold air. A mild winter has mean't a significant slug/snail problem with quite a few seedlings eaten right off. Quite a number of jobs of various types and hues have had to be undertaken, with still quite a list to complete.

Maybe 'competitivism' has its potential problems if overdone - ? Many TV programmes appear to include the competitive element these days, even some seemingly geared originally to 'r and r' activities - ? The 'get rich' message seemingly apparent from various angles these days, could presumably fuel competitivism to the 'overdone' level, although there is evidence to suggest (as ever?) that wealth is not necessarily the precurser to 'automatic' health and happiness - ? Some appear to be able to successfully combine competitiveness with sociability -----

In a fast-paced world it might well pay to take 'antidote' measures to counteract, for instance, stress and tension. Meditation, for instance, is said to be 'non-competitive' and so can be effective 'time out' to allay stress and recharge batteries. Then again, so can hoeing the leeks -----

[Read more →]

Cold  March has delayed sowing and planting somewhat, although some stuff has gone in the ground under plastic. The useful crop that are the broad beans should be in the ground sometime soon. Even at the end of March the countryside hereabouts still has winter's clothes, in spite of the mild first half of winter.

The latest 'eco' addition - a cheap electric bike - posed some initial problems , now overcome, and proving to be a more than economical form of transport, especially as the solar panels mainly charge it up. It's useful too as a reserve transport form - no public transport in these rural parts of the UK midlands, where th eco organic micro-holding sits.

One local 'frugalist' was well able to 'cut his cloth', solving quite a few life situations creatively and economically, as well as helping otheres in the area with his formidable array of practical skills. He certainly wasn't on the 'more, more', wagon, preferring to follow his own route, and finding creative answers to living within a budget. There's something too about turning spare recyclable materials into cost-effective useful edifices or contraptions, giveing an extra frisson of satisfaction ---- ?

[Read more →]