Sunday 19 February 2017

You are never too old to learn!

I have been taught some lessons this week.  The first one is how we can say something without really thinking about the meaning and how it affects the listener or reader.  For example, I know Jane over at Hope and Thrift was a bit miffed when various comments called her ‘lucky”, I don’t think I called her lucky but I think I implied it, and I should know better.  So, apologies, Jane.
 

I think when we use the word lucky today, envy is involved, it’s the grass is greener over the hill syndrome.  I think that there is a bit of laziness involved, people see something they would like but don’t want to put in hard yards.  The true meaning of luck implies unmerited fortune.  Living a simple life actually is hard work, hours gardening, canning, and sourcing bargains and so on.  It is enjoyable and very satisfying, but like everything in life you have to work at it.  So, from now on I am going to be mindful of what I say, that’s lesson no 1.


Lesson no 2 is thinking outside the box.  I have been preparing my garden for the autumn and winter crops, lots of weeding and digging, it’s been a struggle, but I doggedly soldiered on.  Yesterday morning the ground was too wet to do any work (it been raining here 3 days), so I decided to do a bit of blog hopping.  I found some wonderful new sites and will add them to my sidebar soon.  On one blog they mentioned ‘no dig’ vegetable gardening and my fingers quickly clicked on the link to a marvellous video of a trial of traditional and no dig vegetable growing.  I struggled with the gentleman’s accent but got the gist very well.  Excited I googled ‘no dig’ gardening and then went on forest gardening and permaculture.  A wonderful morning spent learning.  I have decided to give ‘no dig’ a trial; I have 6 vegetable beds and will prepare 3 of them the ‘no dig’ way in preparation for next spring. Hedging my bets, ha ha!
Here is a link to some of Charles Dowding videos 


Lesson no 3. Always keep on challenging yourself.  I suppose all of us can get set in our ways, and don’t see that a change can beneficial to our goals in life.  I have been thinking over the last month or so that a mobility scooter would make my life a lot easier.  I don’t want the cost of running a car, as I don’t think the costs would outweigh the advantages.  But I want some independence, at the moment I rely on the kindness of friends and a limited bus service.  The friends I know are only too happy to help but I am conscious that it is awkward for them sometimes, the bus service is free and stops near my house but the times are not necessarily convenient.  Having a scooter would mean that I could shop around the stores for the necessities of life, I could visit friends or go to events without them having to pick me up and I would be free to leave at my convenience and not theirs. 

Anyways, the problem was I didn’t want to dig into my savings as they are earmarked for other things.  I have already started saving towards one but it was going to be a long road because they are about $4000 new or $2000 second hand.  Last night I went der….! I have been reading Jane’s challenge of living on $20 a week for 3 people.  I don’t want or need to so strict, but I could cut my food budget right down, my food larder and freezer are overflowing, I can barter with neighbours for the extras.  I worked out that $50 a week would enable me to live healthfully even if plainly.  It might mean more time preparing meals, but hey I am home all day.  I will also be able to save on electricity costs as I am having a heat pump installed, and also won’t have to spend so much on firewood.  I reckon that I will be able afford the scooter before next spring. Or, even sooner if I can find what I want second hand, which is ok as I wouldn’t want to use it much in winter.


I have decided to chart my progress once a week for this challenge on my blog as I hope it will keep me on the straight and narrow.  So here comes 6 months of tightening my belt, maybe figuratively and well as metaphorically, ha-ha.

Thanks for visiting an d see you next time,
 Sharon

10 comments:

  1. Goodness, Sharon! You didn't offend me and I don't think you even said that I was lucky. My rant came from a neighbor that said that. You are much too good of a soul to say anything thoughtless! You are so right that luck implies unmerited fortune. You defined it perfectly!

    There's a Swedish fellow on YouTube that does a no-dig garden, I wish I had listened better to Ran when he was telling me about it. I'll ask him when he gets back and let you know how he does it. I think that would be perfect for you!

    And so would a scooter. I'm sure you'd enjoy having more independence, but in the meantime, I'm sure your friends are only too happy to give you a lift. Hoping you will meet your goal quickly and painlessly! Looking forward to seeing your progress! Sorry if you thought my rant was directed towards you! I need to learn to shut up and not take offense so easily. You are such a dear!

    Hugs
    Jane

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    1. No need to apologise I know your rant wasn't directed at me, but I know I sometimes say something and it comes across wrong, also I suspect I was addressing those people who call me lucky ha ha. One of pet hates are people who say "You're lucky I wish I had the time ..... meanwhile they sitting watching TV all day,LOL. Or say I wish I could afford..... and they are sitting there smoking 30 a day. Maybe, we both are oversensitive
      I would be interested in the link to no dig garden. thanks.

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    2. I'll see if I can find it. Know what you mean about the people with the "lucky" remarks. Got to do a lot of biting of the tongue. I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to link to that post about bartering that you did a few days ago.

      Hugs
      Jane

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  2. hello sharon,
    i found your blog over jane.
    yes simple life is hard working but i think it give also a lot of enjoy
    you have a wonderful blog.
    hugs regina

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    1. Thank you for your visit Regina, yes the simple life does give a lot of joy!

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  3. Isn't it wonderful we can continue to learn as long as we're alive! I hope I'm learning until my last breath. It was interesting to read about your "aha" moments, and exciting to see where they lead. Many wishes that your goal will be made quickly and with ease.

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    1. Thank you. I too hope I keep learning til I die. Thanks for your visit.

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  4. Sounds a perfect way to garden without digging, would it involve extra feeding with compost? I will be back to see how it has worked out for you. If I were you I 'd go for a mobility scooter, people whizz along in them here in UK and it would give you independence, a very valuable thing.

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    1. From what I have read each year you add a layer of about 1 inch of compost, which is what you sood do with traditional.

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  5. Yes, learning should be a life long thing. The "no dig" gardening method sounds very interesting. I haven't planted a garden in awhile due to our drought, but now that we are getting rain, it might be time to plant another garden. Love how you are planning to trim the grocery budget to fund the scooter, sooner. I will be cheering you on from the sidelines. :)

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