May 16, 2019

Change Is In The Air This Spring

I smell flowers. And change.
(Thank you, Nancy, for the flowers.)


Spring brings us into an energetic, creative, get-things-done cycle. And this spring, more than previous ones since we moved to Nova Scotia 4 years ago, I am feeling restless. 

Is that change I smell on the wind?

Since Linda and I left Edmonton, Alberta (a city of one million) in 2005, we have been progressively simplifying our lives in preparation for a low carbon world that will be more simple and sensible than the one we are now unsuccessfully trying to prop up in denial and desperation.

How does one best prepare one's self for this dawning less energy intensive world? 

We feel that renting does not give us the control over our own destiny to the degree we would like to enjoy. But how do people who don't like to buy things turn around and buy the biggest single purchase of their lives? 

Linda and I have always rented, and we have enjoyed the freedom of movement that it has given us. Now we see purchasing an inexpensive rural property as the way to fulfill our the goals we would like to meet over the coming years. 

Thankfully, it looks like that may be a possibility for us because someone that aspires to a more self-sufficient lifestyle that is closer to nature, can buy a liveable rural property here for prices unheard of anywhere else that I know of in Canada (at least in the areas where most people want to live).

For what we would pay in rent in our current location over 5 years, we could acquire an acreage surrounded with forest with a small older home. That would give us the room, and the freedom, to cut our own firewood, grow fruit trees, install solar power and hot water heat, and have a huge garden. 

Linda's wish list includes a walnut tree. Mine, a Rails to Trails system within riding distance of home. Maybe, eventually, the trails will be converted back to rails (The Great Trails To Rails Movement of the 2020s) and we can take the train to our destination. 

In the meantime, I would be able to ride my bike through the woods unimpeded by fast moving, noisy and smelly vehicles blistering by just off my shoulder.

One big goal is living without a car. There it is. I said it. 

I bought my first car before I was legally able to drive it, that is how excited I was to add tons of gasses into the atmosphere while enhancing my lifestyle by endlessly looking for greener grass. More freedom. Better views. 

That freedom of movement and experience came at a cost that is now exerting itself in atmospheric changes we have never seen before. Each year breaks more records than the one previous.

Still, the thought of being without a vehicle makes me anxious. Is a rural lifestyle consistent with being car-free? 

But I also hate that most of the vehicles I have owned have been depressing money pit, smog-spewing, insect slaughtering monsters. 

It should be said that a lot of what we want to do has been modelled for us by readers of this blog. We are inspired by you because you see where this thing is going, and are instigating much-needed changes in response. 

We thank you for sharing your experiences here as we create a synergy that helps to gently nudge the world back to more Earth-friendly ways of living that are low  on stuff and high on satisfaction. 

It is exciting to ponder the possibilities for creating a beautiful, low carbon, low stuff simple life that builds on what we have already achieved, whatever that looks like over the next little while.

Is it the time of year, or is there a stronger whiff of change in the air this spring?  

I'm feeling' it.





14 comments:

  1. Anonymous5/16/2019

    Gregg, I predict beautiful times ahead for you and Linda. Here in Australia we are having a federal election tomorrow. After months of wondering why the media was not mentioning the environment, the last two weeks have seen a huge turnaround. It seems that surveys show that the environment is THE big issue for most people, ahead of the economy, tax cuts etc...It seems that all of those marvellous young people around the world protesting have had an impact as our government has realised that they will be voting in a couple of years. Wow! Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. Australia has so far performed disgracefully as far as reducing use of coal etc...At last we see a light at the end of the tunnel.

    Also, a new film is being released here on May 23rd called 2040, perhaps it is already on view in other countries. It is a film about solutions from around the world to our current crisis. The aim is to inspire people and governments to be pro active.

    Madeleine

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    Replies
    1. We also have an election this year, and I doubt the outcome will change anything. Canada is hooked on fossil fuels, whether it is coal (which is used heavily for electricity generation, as well as mined and shipped overseas), or the tar sands, or conventional oil and gas.

      Finding a good, clean energy source to run our countries is just as hard as trying to find a good, clean system of governance. The two party "democracy" that we have now is just as toxic and dysfunctional as fossil fuels.

      From the sounds of it, you will be nicely set for any outcome with what you have built for yourself and your family. Linda and I hope to do something similar.

      I am looking up the 2040 film to see if I can get it online.

      Delete
    2. Madeleine, thanks for the tip about the movie. I'll check into it. It sounds hopeful as does the rest of your message! Good, we need as many countries as possible getting on board with the environment being THE big issue! It is becoming a lesser issue here in the USA under the current admin. They are actually working to require the departments of gov't who investigate climate science to leave out large parts of annual climate reports so people don't think it is so bad and actually improving so they can move forward with climate destroying policies so companies can profit even more. Altering gov't scientific studies for political and economic gain. Just heard that tonight.
      So many inspiring comments on this post! I loved reading about what everyone is doing! Cheers!

      Delete
  2. Anonymous5/16/2019

    Your rural home and land plan sounds lovely...especially as I sit in my suburban home and again have to hear far too many of those darn leaf blowers going on and on...!! It never ceases to amaze me how noisy a "nice" neighborhood can be with leaf blowers, mowers, dogs, and cars. I use a non-motorized mower for my small lawn, and a broom and rake to move around the leaves and other debris. Much quieter and gives me a workout too! Unfortunately I am not quite there yet to go car-less. Thanks for the great post and the picture of the lovely flowers. - Mary

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    1. One of the most striking things when we moved to rural Nova Scotia was the quiet. There is still the sound of lawn mowing, and we live on a semi-busy road so there is some traffic noise, but it is pretty still here for the most part. One thing I don't miss is leaf blowers, but the best is not having to listen to endless emergency vehicle sirens. When we lived in the city it was endless.

      We will see about the car-less thing. As much as we want to do it, we may have to wait until we move to a larger centre with more transportation alternatives.

      Delete
  3. I hope you can find what you are dreaming about. I think giving up any sort of vehicle is dangerous for Linda. Keeping an older vehicle that runs in case of an emergency is just smart. You do what you think is right and I will support and cheer you on!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you, and I think you are right.

      With Linda in a wheelchair, we have to think about things most people don't, including transportation.

      I dreamt that Linda stood up from her wheelchair and walked away from it. That was last night, and it just came back to me. What a wonderful thing to experience. You never know.

      Crazier things are happening in the world right now.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous5/18/2019

    My family is on the same path as you in the moment. I think we have just found suitable property for us. It has a lot of apple trees, walnut trees, cherry trees, plum trees... There is also spring and about half of the property is wooded. Can't wait to move there!

    I wish you that you find yourself suitable property too, nothing can't beat the feeling that you are at least partially independent from our current system. And nothing tastes better than food you grow yourself.

    Mitja

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    1. Wow. That sounds ideal, Mitja. Good luck on your path to becoming more independent. Hopefully we will be doing the same soon.

      Delete
  5. While reading this post, I could sense your excitement of living your dream. What a wonderful feeling to have hope and inspiration for how to live your life on your terms.

    My family of three (including me) lives in a small home that is located on a lake. We live in a decidedly suburban town just out of boston but our cottage home from the 1940s is down a long unpaved path and is in a heavily wooded area. We feel off the beaten path and rarely travel for vacation (unless to visit grandparents) because home feels like paradise. In the summer we kayak and swim in the lake and in the winter we sled and skate on it. We all go to school and work at the same college campus just four miles from here and I wish we could just do bikes but neither of us feel confident enough to bike in heavy traffic or in really bad snow with our daughter in tow...So we have one car older but well maintained car that we all use together. The whole bike vs. car debate is very tough but we decided that feeling safe mattered most to our family. We carpool and “batch” our errands or trips so we try to stay sustainably minded. Maybe when our daughter is older and better bike lanes are added to our streets we will change our minds!
    Happy spring!!!!

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    1. I love the description of your surroundings. It sounds so perfect to me.

      Way to go on setting up a lifestyle that is conducive to calm living in our changing world. You should be ready for the many disruptions that are coming down the pipes if we don't get our act together. And it looks like we won't.

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  6. Your dream sounds awesome and I really hope you and Linds can achieve this . Sometimes we do have to compromise on buying stuff...buying a home that will allow you to live gently and as you wish though is totally different from just buying mindless crap and feeding the machine. Weve been in our small country town a year now and although it's not the acreage i dreamed off, there's still plenty of room for vegetable gardens and even a mini orchard. Best of all we almost never have to use our (single) car. We are so close to everything we need, so for me that outweighs everything else. If everything goes awry at least my children will be well used to walking everywhere and growing some food so the inevitable culture shock won't be so bad!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you for mentioning compromise, as it is so important to keep in mind. There is no such thing as the 100% perfect situation. We are going for the best case scenario, whatever that looks like in the end.

      It must feel good to be prepared for the changes that are coming. Best to do it proactively, like you are, than in a panic when the SHTF.

      Delete
  7. What a role model you and Linda are! I love the excitement, the itchy-ness to break out even further from the control of the modern world. The car decision would be really hard, but sounds like you are fully considering all angles and I know you will make the best choice. Nothing has to be forever; you can always change your mind! One thing I've noticed over the years of following NBA is that you and Linda seem to have really good luck. And synchronicity too. How you seem to be at the right place at the right time for things to fall into place nicely. I'm remembering how your van deal came through when you were moving from west coast to east. You needed a handicap accessible van and the person with that van needed a truck like you had and you made the trade. I remember how elated you both were about it all and how well that van worked for the long haul across Canada. I remember how perfect the home you are in fell into being yours. There's a lot to be said for believing you are lucky (check out Richard Wiseman's research on the subject). Wishing people good luck has kind of become a sarcastic thing by people saying, "well good luck with that" in a less than optimistic tone. But I genuinely wish you luck in this new venture. GOOD LUCK!

    ReplyDelete

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