A Feeling of Vulnerability 

“…if it wasn’t for Wolfie and Sadie…”

Not long ago my wife Nancy joined my daughter Kate on a short trip to the San Juan Islands to visit our cousin. The ranch would be a lonely place when left alone for a week if it wasn’t for Wolfie and Saddie our two trusted dog friends. I worked on projects, read a good book and kept house. The thing I discovered I missed the most (not counting Nancy) was music. Nancy had the link to Pandora on her cell phone and me, being who I am, ignorant to the internet, I had no access to music. The thought of that made me uncomfortable. Not just because I had no available access to music to fill the solitude, but more so, because I came to the realization of how dependent we had become on cyber space. “What would happen if something crazy happened in the world?” I thought. “What if the internet collapsed and I had no way of connecting with Nancy who was on an island, a twelve-hour drive away.” The thought frightened me.  It made me realize how vulnerable I had become to satellites and human controlled technologies; things which can be shut down by governments and powerful people. The reality of that thought caused me to think about computers in general and how dependent our society has become to their present-day existence. Not only are our communication systems, but our transportation systems, including current day automobiles, are fully dependent on them. Everything would shut down. I know it’s not likely, and I know some would scoff me, but the thought of being so vulnerable in such an unstable world shook me none the less.

                         The old cabin

If you’ve had the opportunity to read my book, “A Journey of Gratitude” you know that Nancy and I began our married life together living in a small cabin on a remote piece of land. Living there on that mountain, not having electricity, relying on spring fed water and staying warm in winter only by cutting wood for a rock fireplace and wood burning cook stove.  We learned a lot living there, raising our two kids for the next eighteen years. We had to learn about living with the land and the importance of thinking ahead. Many times we got stranded there for weeks at a time due to deep snows or washouts from heavy rains. We had to think ahead. Every year my dad would visit us in the fall, usually during hunting season. He would inevitably ask us, in somewhat of an adamant voice, “Have you kids put up enough firewood for the winter? Do you have enough hay put up? Are your propane tanks full? Is there gasoline in the farm tank?

He would run down the list of winter necessities and at the time we’ll both admit we felt a little annoyed by it. Now that I’m an old guy myself, living here on Timber Butte Ranch, I find myself asking those same questions every Fall and some others to boot.

There is a term for people who stock up on survival supplies in case of some unexpected catastrophe. The term is often used in somewhat of a derogatory way. People like that are referred to as “Preppers” or sometimes “Boy Scouts”.   There is a big difference between Preppers and those who wish to live more sustainable lives. Preparing for disaster, especially in this day and age of crazy weather crisis, isn’t a bad thing. Most folks scramble to empty grocery store shelves when a disaster is imminent in a state of panic. People who are prepared spend their time battening down hatches instead of fighting crowds

“Sustainability, on the other-hand is a lifestyle”

and gas station lines. Sustainability on the other hand is a chosen lifestyle. It requires being prepared for things, but more so it is about being able to supply oneself with most of the necessities of life on an ongoing basis. People who desire to be sustainable cultivate and grow their own food, as well as the majority of food to feed their livestock and poultry, etc. They not only grow their own food but preserve it so it might feed them through the winter months. Many become independent of electrical grids, outside water sources and fertilizers to nourish their lands. I don’t think anyone in today’s world is totally free of outside resources, but many are attempting to get close.

Here at Timber Butte, we are in pursuit of a more sustainable lifestyle and for those who might be interested or in any way willing to take a step towards that challenging endeavor I would love to share our experiences and thinking on the matter. I believe many are beginning to feel what Nancy and I feel. We have felt more and more vulnerable in a world full of challenges. Our last election was won in part because people were frustrated with growing grocery and fuel bills. The fact of the matter is, as the world grows past the 8 billion population mark, food, drinkable water, organic soils and affordable farm space is making these necessities both harder to provide and more expensive.  Our changing climate, which is stimulating drought, horrible flooding, massive forest fires and wind damage is not making things easier. An unsettled world of competition for resources also makes commerce a greater challenge. It is my thinking that it would behoove anyone who can see what I see, to think about living a more sustainable lifestyle. For those who understand this and can begin to see the handwriting on the wall, I would be honored to share the little bit I know, after having lived much of my adult life desiring this lifestyle for myself and my family.  Please join me on this blog as we explore the pursuit of greater sustainability.