Free-Range Living

Colourful flowers hit the eye on leaving the back door of the cottage on the organic eco micro-holding (small smallholding), here in the UK heartlands, raising the spirits. Much growth all round this year with the trees, hedges, and lane borders all flourishing, and the crops here on the micro-holding all seemingly doing well, bar the onions, hit by pests again.

Getting away for a break was good, but having builders in mean't quite a bit of work to get back to, all helping to keep quite busy and get some of that satisfaction Kevin McLoud on UK TV talks about from 'doing and making'. Being able to change and rotate jobs helps stave off  'the dreaded ennui' - long periods doing the same thing could seem to be a recipe for boredom - ?

Customer  experience/reaction may be important to longer term sales, as two examples could indicate. The large and powerful energy companies in the UK are being taken to task again, currently, erm, being charged with hitting the poorest sectors of society. One recent UK TV programme recently charged banks with over charging and restricting local authorities loans, affecting the provision of local community services.

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'Green leaf' lane walking with collie dog Hipster Pipster has been a pleasure recently, to be diminished somewhat, though, by council cutting machines. The trees lining the lane have looked too pretty impressive in their 'timeless strength'. In spite of cold air in May here at the eco organic micro-holding (small smallholding) here in the UK midlands, the micro crops have been doing ok, bar one or two in need of warmer air. Fingers crossed that blight and alium leaf miner attacks of recent years are avoided, which might just be quite a bit to ask for. Next winter's bought log supply has been stored in the 'logs-istics' centre, to be added to later on by wood already here to be cut up. 

The so-called 'free market' may now not be quite so free due to the activities of large powerful commercial firms, some being investigated by regulators for alledgedly less than fair customer treatment. Might the profusion of large-scale organisations tending to use their considerable 'muscle' impact negatively on those lacking power, such as small firms, and individuals themselves - ? Although traditional 'comfort' source such as religion have waned in some western cultures, spirituality itself might yet not be totally past its 'sell by date', as the emergence of new religious type movements could seem to indicate, even if some appear to be influenced significantly by 'man' - ?

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A fast-coming spring this year at the micro-holding has mean't that countryside, wildlife and growing crops have all 'blossomed' in double-quick time, with for some reasons, a profusion of goldfinches hereabouts - ? Hopefully the foot-high healthy crop of onions won't be hit by the alium miner fly again, but if they strike ,the nettle juice is on hand ---- .

Next year's bought wood supply is currently arriving on the driveway, to then be wheelbarrowed into the 'logs-istics' centre to get hopefully pretty dry by next winter. The woodstove consumes quite a bit of wood over a winter running as it does for a fair length of time each day, relying on the bought supply and some already here in various logpiles.

Has the effect of money, for instance, over-simplified 'complex' life, which might contribute to some of the modern day limitations/problems - ? Whilst wealth seems to be a strongly desirable feature of modern culture, one report suggests it may not necessarily always be a bed of roses for the wealthy, leading to the question as to whether, as one ex UK Prime Minister recently stated, a more balanced society isn't needed for longer-term sustainable viability - ?

Energy firms in the UK were once again recently in the spotlight with complaints about their practice of changing their customers payments, generally upwards it seems, without any consultation or permission sought for them to do so. As this could seem to impinge on personal freedoms, the question would seem to be as to whether such an autonomous practice could be upheld in law - ?

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Spring hereabouts in the English heartlands has been non too early due to March's coldish weather, and the growing side here on the organic eco micro-holding has been relatively slow going. In spite of cool weather though, the solar electric unit has done quite well, as has the air-source heat pump unit installed last October.

Quite a bit of needed stuff has arrived on the doorstep in the form of recycled materials, maybe giving succour to that saying - 'the universe provides' - ? It still needs a helping hand, though, especially at this time of year, busy putting in various crops. Somehow it's a good feeling 'working with nature' -a sort of 'connection', although one recent analysis suggested that 'collective' man has eschewed longer-term responsibility, but would yet 'reap what has been sowed' -? Apparently, such a theme was the essence of the singer Don Mclean's famous song.

The postcript to the 'Soddy's farm' case-study brings the tale to a good end.  Has 'making money' become too much of a theme - is it in fact 'putting the cart before the horse' even - ? Not that it's too much of a theme here at the micro-holding, along with fame, power and 'big' lifestyle. Still, it's not too bad for reflection and 'longer-term quiet satisfaction' ----

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Some major hedge pruning has been order of the day recently, with some of the prunings saved as small wood for future use, and with the debris going on the bonfire. Recent cold weather here at the organic eco micro-holding (small smallholding) in the UK heartlands has resulted in lots of (hungry) bird sitings, and the consumption of a fair bit of wood of various shapes and sizes, well aided and abetted by the new air-source heat pump, which when solar powered , gives 'free' heat. Micro-holding seasonal work is under way with various sowings made and woodash and compost spread on half the veg growing area.

Modern increasing animal welfare production systems seem to be being reversed by the trend of introducing large dairy production units with cows kept mainly under cover, thereby unable to practice natural behaviour patterns such as 'roam grazing', at the same time limiting independence opportunities, with small family based farm businesses being put out of dairy business due to lowered prices. The idea that man should be respecting nature and animals is probably more 'feeling' based and maybe therefore harder to argue for in a 'head' based culture based largely on rationality - ?  'Large' concerns too, seem to 'automatically' view 'small' as inefficient, which, may, though, not be the whole story - ?

The 'Soddy's Farm' case-study continues, showing why the retired 'meet-er and greet-er' boar was not unproductive, and then the case of a couple living the simple life officially below the poverty line but rich in other respects, is outlined.

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The winter countryside seems to have stayed quite green this year, here at the organic eco micro-holding (small smallholding) in the Uk midlands, but birds such as buzzards look to be pretty hungry. Quite a bit of bird life is seen at this time of year, including, and new for here, a pair of tiny Goldcrests, although the flock of Lapwings has gone awol.

Winter's the time of year for a bit of 'r and r' and semi-hibernation, although seasonal jobs such as woodsawing continue. Battle has been resumed with the 'wild bunch' chickens, with them currently gaining ground. Shaving green growth off the growing ground is the order of the day, in preparation for applications of compost and woodash. One TV programme recently showed a feelgood whale rescue.

An alternative to the 'pots of dosh' business model is that of running a lifestyle enterprise, which might be described as a 'heart' lead operation, but still in need of some 'head' input - a small farm case study  illustrates the approach. Then - it's the time of year for 'seasonal stirings'.

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Harder conditions here at the organic eco micro-holding (small smallholding) in the UK midlands have brought bird-life to more prominence, as have the chickens here been more prominent with their escape artist's antics. They employed varied tactics to try to outwit man in this 'Man v. Chicken' saga, bringing into question the old  'chicken brained' notion.

It's the time of year to notice the wild bird flights with geese as usual prominent, and a welcome addition being formation flights of lapwings, never seen here before. Buzzards too are around in some numbers, probably pretty hungry looking hard for a meal. Garden birds, though, have been less plentiful. Winter's the season for wood sawing, both by the useful tool that's the sawbench and by the electric chainsaw for bigger wood, which all adds to that 'self-reliance' feeling, as does the tasty home-grown produce available at the veg plot.

Current mainstream life seems to be considerably influenced/controlled by 'big' organisations, and the level of commercial 'pressure' on the individual may never have been greater  - ? One area which in the UK appears to be planned to be even greter is that of personal debt - to what cost, though to the individual - ? Perhaps now it's never been more important for the individual to make her/his own ('freerange') decisions in the admirable cause of longer-term self-preservation - ?

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Modern life depends just a bit on machines, and particularly maybe more in recent times with the vigorous rise of electronic contraptions. 'Throw away' mindsets have mean't that 'mending' and 'making good' are less common activities , aided and abetted by the fact that many modern machines are beyond the indivduals capabilities to mend, plus others such as cars which have become too complex to continue to be able to 'home mend'.

Life on the organic eco micro-holding (small smallholding) here in the UK midlands tends to be deliberately more 'hands on' using a variety of 'intermediate technology' tools and contraptions, with just a few of the heavier tasks being mechanised, with the aim of experiencing what Kevin Mcloud from TV has called the joys and satisfactions of doing, such as creating and mending, as well as facilitating direct contact with nature. 'N''s lifestyle hinges around such activities.

Whilst 'capital' can seem to often automatically be substituted for 'labour' in the name of 'progress', that's not the case with micro-holding operations, with machines just being used for determined specific tasks such as wood sawing.

'One writer considered that because 'giantism' was rife in modern cultures, it was necessary to insist on the attributes of 'small'. Another considered that  either 'heaven' or 'hell' were possibilities in terms of man's operations - and at the moment there could seem to be more than a few not necessarily experiencing too many heavenly delights - ? One society that does seem to be strong and long-term sustainable is Denmark, recently ascribed as the officially 'happiest' society in the world, and now more recently, one of the least corrupt world societies. 'Trust' and 'respect' are stated to be held as key elements in Danish society, elements/values which may not have flourished quite so well in more materialistic, competitive-geared 'giantist' cultures  - ?

Lifestyles though such as the micro small micro-holding variety here may be able to offer a degree of insulation from any perceived negative effects of such cultures - ?

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Outside on the eco organic small smallholding here in the UK midlands, the site acts as  support to all -humans, birds and animals - who live here, producing quite a bit of natural food and cultivated food, grown on the organic self-perpetuating fertility system.

The leeks though have suffered another attack with some remedial steps taken, but the other produce - winter greens, beetroot, swedes, carrots, landcress, turnips -not looking too bad. the new hens are thriving and laying well, reminding of the pleasure to be had looking after animals. The humans here are being looked after too, particularly by the new air-source heat pump installation, keeping living quarters cosy at economic cost.

The United Nations has issued a 'final warning' on impending dangers of global warming - hopefully responsible measures will be taken to avoid 'planet degradation' - ? Some are already being taken in relation to the man-made financial crisis, although the ill-effects of which are still being felt. Not everyone will necessarily feel in tune with the current culture, some feeling even alienated within it, with the culture itself possibly contributing to 'alenation' feelings - ? The subject of 'outsider' living has cropped up in literary output, with Wolfgang Borchert's 'Outside the Door' work probably being amongst the most dramatic. Plenty of work/labours of love always to be getting on with 'outside' on the micro-holding.

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Stuff's grown well with the summer extending right through September, here on the organic eco micro holding in the UK midlands, with crops such as beans and tomatoes doing well. Some normal visiting 'pests' don't appear to have done quite so well, though.

On a recent Scottish trip it was interesting to learn of the independence ways and spirit of the Scots islanders, all seemingly preferring small-scale island life to 'mainstream'. Modern 'mainstream' can be seen as 'fastflow', but maybe periods of  respite are important - ? One of the 'fastflow' effects seems to have been a proliferation of 'large organisation' power, including governments, against which the individual can seem somewhat powerless - ? It can, though, pay to not always 'go with the flow' - not getting into massive debt, for instance.

One businessman had an eye on the longer-term, preferring to price reasonably rather than chase max short-term profit, to encourage longer-term results via repeat business. Seasonal work  a this time of year offers some job satisfaction.

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