"The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him." Nahum 1:7 Someone mentioned a good homesteading book the other day. I think the author is Carla Emery. I haven't bought the book yet; but a good friend let me borrow it and as much as I liked the book, the thing I liked best about it was a poem in the front. "The little cares that fretted me - I lost them yesterday among the lowing of the herds, among the clouds at play(can't remember it all; but goes on about the fields and birds, etc and ends by saying) - out in the fields with God". I think that is the "why" of alot of people's homesteading - or kinda homesteading like us or wanting to homestead. It is because we instinctively realize on some level that there is a need to be in a lifestyle that makes sense to us. Where we have some say in what goes on and can be "out in the fields with God". Cynthia

-- Cynthia Speer (farmsteader@gvtel.com), February 28, 2001

Answers

Only in a placid pool can the moon be reflected in all it's pefect glory.

-- jz (oz49us@yahoo.com), February 28, 2001.

Hi Cynthia, I enjoyed the poem very much..yes, it is a special kind of "peace" and satisfaction to be out in God's country,,surrounded by his natural creation,,songs of the birds (who we become familiar with) the feel of the breezes and songs of the pine trees ,,the smells of our land. Even if we can't be a homesteader in the country now,,all those same feelings are in our hearts and minds wherever we are. Brings a peace to our soul. Thank you for sharing that with us,, (deep breath) 'sigh',,,Patsy

-- Patsy (cozyhollow-gal@care2.com), March 01, 2001.

You're right. That sums up why I am where I am. I just stepped outside to say good-bye to my husband and I can just faintly see that the morning is coming. I took a deep breath of that cold, crisp air and was reminded of why we moved from the city. God bless!

-- Ardie from WI (a6203@hotmail.com), March 01, 2001.

I agree with all of you - oh what wonderful words are peace, placid, etc. in this stressed-out fast-paced world. And no, being in the country isn't always stressless by any means; but to go along with what Patsy said - once you get the country in your heart, it is always there - the feelings we are speaking of will carry you thru. And I think those feelings come from God. His power can be felt in any situation; but I think we were meant for a more rural, agricultural lifestyle than most get (or want) to lead these days. I have 4 siblings and even though we were all raised in basically a homesteading type situation in eastern Oklahoma, none of the others live outside town; or have any plans to. They are happy in that lifestyle; but I was never as happy in town as in the country. Have a happy day everyone - and may God bless it and you, Cynthia.

-- Cynthia Speer (farmsteader@gvtel.com), March 01, 2001.