Economic Disasters, Emotional Quandaries

When the disaster struck us in the form of a job lay-off, we abandoned our little homestead--not forever, I hope, but for now. Our rural situation in the wonderful hills of Appalachia sadly mirrored our lack of contacts in the area. The result: we sit in an urban place feeling lonely for the community we left behind. The pull to return is great, but how would we do it? And, anyway, now I feel a pull in another direction, this time to my aging father in southern Alabama. Curse this post-industrial lala land for putting me into this melancholy quandary. The economic reality of late capitalism poses a double-edged dilemma for its subjects: we are separated from both food sources and family and, thus, live sadly shut-off lives. Because of this I am faced with a personal dilemma. Should I consider my own, young family's desires of a fulfilling, somewhat self-sufficient life in beloved Appalachia or give my lonely father a chance to hear little ones around him and fulfill my responsibilities to my aging parents as the adult daughter who was nurtured so well as a child?

Who knew bedtime could be so hard?

On July 4th of last year we started out on our property in a 1966 Avion 21' camper with a table and sofa that make into beds. Getting us all to bed at the right time was a nightmare. That small space made for some very interesting family dynamics. Many of the situations that resulted are simply not repeatable. Our wintertime upgrade to a 1955 Spartan Imperial Mansion with a whopping 43' was sorely needed. Now, though, even such a mansion has become too small! I can say that at the present time of 10:00 PM all is quiet inside while I listen to the zillion bugs and frogs joining together in their nightly ensemble outside. I bet the stars are shining bright out there as well. One thing redeeming about life in that cramped camper was that after the kids finally fell asleep, my husband and I would sit outside, discussing our new life in an amazing community while we glimpsed the Milky Way above and fireflies all around us.