As a continuation of the thoughts from my last post: Well, here I am on the backside of forty and sitting in the midst of an economic meltdown and climate crash. I had plans, and dreams, of moving to the Pacific Northwest in 2008 or 2009 but that dream is becoming increasingly fleeting and crushed by events. As I have mentioned to several acquaintances, "Its hard to sell low and buy high", which would be exactly what we would end up doing if we sold our homestead in Texas and moved to Oregon (Ecotopia) at this point. On top of this, is the pretty much impossible stipulation set by Nilda that once we pay off our mortgage this year that we never have a mortgage again. This pretty much backs me into a corner and means we're stuck in Texas baring a catastrophic change of events. Which, unfortunately, is probably not completely out of the question...
So what do we do if we are apparently stuck here in central Texas? I guess this moves us back to the defend in place position that I had mentioned several posts ago [use Lijit search box on right - directly below the calendar to find it]. Plans include exponentially expanding our current large garden. We will also be adding a chicken tractor soon so that we can have hens for the production of eggs. I plan on developing our backyard into a private garden area to focus on our immediate sustainability. The front yard will also have significant elements of sustainable food production but will also have a significant social element. I plan on adding a major patio area for socializing and political discussion.
The major weaknesses of this sustainable / defend in place plan is the in-availability of water and general criminal instability. I'm prepared and preparing to defend against the criminal element but the water shortage is a problem that may defy solution.
Its a shame that the political "leaders" of central Texas seem so unable to foresee and react to the coming disaster. Instead, its going to be up to individuals to fend for themselves. The hard times are coming and I'm increasingly mentally prepared for the onslaught. Nuts...




You write very well.
Posted by: Tivona | April 22, 2009 at 09:45 AM