The Declaration of Independence
It was the spring of 1976 and from sea to shining sea planning was in full swing for many exciting events to celebrate the bicentennial of the birth of America. Meanwhile, in southwest Missouri, my wife and I were signing our own declaration of independence.
As we signed the Deed of Trust to purchase five acres outside of Springfield, Missouri, we were declaring our independence from landlords and from the corporate providers of food and fuel. No longer would we pay someone else for the privilege of living in our mobile home on their land. On our five acres we would be able to grow a garden and raise chickens, rabbits, pork, and beef. Our plans to build a home included a wood furnace which our woodlot would fuel.
Our acreage had been part of a 40 acre tract that had been “cleared” a few years before. There were still windrows of partly burned trees grown up in brambles that stretched from the front of the property to the back. Some of these we grubbed out by hand. For others we hired a bull dozer. Bull dozing was definitely easier. We had a well drilled, a septic system installed and electricity brought onto the property.
As the first few years went by we made good progress toward the independence we desired. We planted a garden, built a chicken house and a barn. We built a little house with a wood furnace for the two of us. New fences were put up around the perimeter and across the property so that we could pasture a couple of cows and their calves. I built a large (80’ X 80’) hog lot in the woods and started farrowing pigs.
Then a funny thing happened. We got us a baby boy. I have to tell you it was a lot more fun playing in the house with him than doing chores. Besides, I was making pretty good money at my day job. The hogs were the first to go then the cows. The chicken house was emptied and after a while I tore it down. We added on to the house and the mortgage.
In another two years a little baby girl came along. In the next few years it got to be a hassle trying to garden while keeping up with all the soccer games, t-ball and what have you. Besides, it seemed like the deer were eating most of our veggies anyway.
Fast forward to 2008: The kids are grown. Peak oil and peak grain are new to our vocabulary. It’s been years since I made as much money as I thought I was making in the early ‘80’s. The economy is “soft” (LOL). Our once-paid-for homestead is mortgaged again. Somewhere along the line we lost sight of the independence we declared way back in 1976.
I believe the same is true of our nation. I think as a nation we have lost sight of the vision that prompted those men in 1776 to pledge all that they were and all that they had to see a free and independent nation established on this continent. I am not smart enough to list all the ways in which our nation has wondered off the path that seemed to have been set for it back then. But I know that we have big problems and many of them relate to the fact that a very great many of us have given up our independence in the act of getting in line or online to let the government do one more thing for us.
Was it Thomas Jefferson who said that a government big enough to give us everything is strong enough to take everything from us?
Well here at Way Haven we have started to reclaim some of our independence. We are growing a garden and so far getting the deer to leave it alone. (I’ll write more about that in another Blog.) And we are raising chickens. We have 24 Cornish X and 13 Buff Orpingtons in a chicken tractor. I am resolved to establishing a self-sustaining homestead here on this 5 acres as God gives me strength. I will quickly confess my dependence on Him.
Here’s hoping that our nation, WE the people, will wake up, shake ourselves, and reclaim our independence, “One Nation, under God!”
Have a blessed July 4th.
It was the spring of 1976 and from sea to shining sea planning was in full swing for many exciting events to celebrate the bicentennial of the birth of America. Meanwhile, in southwest Missouri, my wife and I were signing our own declaration of independence.
As we signed the Deed of Trust to purchase five acres outside of Springfield, Missouri, we were declaring our independence from landlords and from the corporate providers of food and fuel. No longer would we pay someone else for the privilege of living in our mobile home on their land. On our five acres we would be able to grow a garden and raise chickens, rabbits, pork, and beef. Our plans to build a home included a wood furnace which our woodlot would fuel.
Our acreage had been part of a 40 acre tract that had been “cleared” a few years before. There were still windrows of partly burned trees grown up in brambles that stretched from the front of the property to the back. Some of these we grubbed out by hand. For others we hired a bull dozer. Bull dozing was definitely easier. We had a well drilled, a septic system installed and electricity brought onto the property.
As the first few years went by we made good progress toward the independence we desired. We planted a garden, built a chicken house and a barn. We built a little house with a wood furnace for the two of us. New fences were put up around the perimeter and across the property so that we could pasture a couple of cows and their calves. I built a large (80’ X 80’) hog lot in the woods and started farrowing pigs.
Then a funny thing happened. We got us a baby boy. I have to tell you it was a lot more fun playing in the house with him than doing chores. Besides, I was making pretty good money at my day job. The hogs were the first to go then the cows. The chicken house was emptied and after a while I tore it down. We added on to the house and the mortgage.
In another two years a little baby girl came along. In the next few years it got to be a hassle trying to garden while keeping up with all the soccer games, t-ball and what have you. Besides, it seemed like the deer were eating most of our veggies anyway.
Fast forward to 2008: The kids are grown. Peak oil and peak grain are new to our vocabulary. It’s been years since I made as much money as I thought I was making in the early ‘80’s. The economy is “soft” (LOL). Our once-paid-for homestead is mortgaged again. Somewhere along the line we lost sight of the independence we declared way back in 1976.
I believe the same is true of our nation. I think as a nation we have lost sight of the vision that prompted those men in 1776 to pledge all that they were and all that they had to see a free and independent nation established on this continent. I am not smart enough to list all the ways in which our nation has wondered off the path that seemed to have been set for it back then. But I know that we have big problems and many of them relate to the fact that a very great many of us have given up our independence in the act of getting in line or online to let the government do one more thing for us.
Was it Thomas Jefferson who said that a government big enough to give us everything is strong enough to take everything from us?
Well here at Way Haven we have started to reclaim some of our independence. We are growing a garden and so far getting the deer to leave it alone. (I’ll write more about that in another Blog.) And we are raising chickens. We have 24 Cornish X and 13 Buff Orpingtons in a chicken tractor. I am resolved to establishing a self-sustaining homestead here on this 5 acres as God gives me strength. I will quickly confess my dependence on Him.
Here’s hoping that our nation, WE the people, will wake up, shake ourselves, and reclaim our independence, “One Nation, under God!”
Have a blessed July 4th.
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