My Solution

Part of my intention for this blog was help shape a positive future.

I haven't been doing much of that, hung up on the van and assorted mechanical problems, and for that I apologize.

But now I am free to go in search of my Green Valley.
I believe that after attitude, community is the most critical factor to survival.

I need to find my Tribe.

I want to be far away from the cities. I want to leave this culture of fear and death and poisons.

I want to greet the dawn with the birds, smell dew on the grass, and feel the plants and the forests living around me.
I want to let the sun shine on my face every day, and give thanks.

I will no longer sign contracts I don't understand.
I will no longer be a wage slave.
I will no longer pay taxes.
I will no longer buy useless crap.
I will no longer be a victim of circumstance.
I will not take water or food for granted.
I will not take my life for granted.
I will not take my freedom for granted.

I will take resposibility for my life and its direction.
I will raise much of my own food.
I will generate my own electricity.
I will grow my own fuel.
I will cultivate community with honest, hard working people.
I will cultivate a local barter economy with my neighbors.

I am opting out.
If I no longer feed the beast system, it will get weaker.

I'm fortunate to have found a few groups of like minded people who've already got a good start on opting out.
Sorry, I can't tell where.
Everybody has to find the community that is right for them.
Or cultivate the community they are already a part of.

We need each other to survive successfully. And we need RESPECT to survive as a group. We need RESPECT to survive within our ecosystem.

We must live the future we seek.

I'm off to find a better way.

Finally, a Good Dream

Just down the road from the green valley, a lazy creek winds through a vast field of tall grass. We used to call it "quack grass" because if you squeeze a blade between your thumbs and blow through it it 'quacks'. It is soft and doesn't cut you, and is a lovely shade of bright spring green.
Following a path through the shoulder high grass to a swimmin' hole. Next to the creek was a fire pit, and a shack on a floating dock to lift it up when the creek was high.

Swimming in the creek, seeing fish hiding in the shadows where the bank undercuts.
Grilling food on the firepit, having meaningful conversations with intelligent people, being smiled at by beautiful long haired men, laying in the sun, enjoying a homebrew or two.
Didn't want to leave such a pleasant day, but dusk was gathering and I had to make sure the chickens were in for the night.
Walked back up the road to the farm house, past friendly neighbors who also grow their own food.
Put the chickens to bed, and sat by the fire for a bit while someone told a story.
Then off to bed to sleep like the dead, much to do in the garden tomorrow.
:) :) :) :) :) :)
Thanks Hermit Jim, it worked!