Well Ashley, I read all your blog about moving and all the comments. I'm 83 yo and thank God daily that I can live alone in my home, with relative..........actually very good health. I don't know what the future holds, but I do know that I enjoy every day. I have lived in many US states and in Europe for 3 yrs. The first part of your comments distressed me to hear you live as though in someone else's home. It's yours until it's not. At the end, you realized that yourself. Good for you. Take care and enjoy the fruits of your labor until you actually have to move.
Such a beautiful article. I've hit 50+ now and over the last few years here and after our daughter was born I had to make the tough choice of giving up many of the homesteading things around here because I can't keep up with it all. I know how tough it is to do, the hardest was my raised gardens and extensive flower beds were replaced by lawn and down sized.
We have chickens here, I'm in CT, a short drive from VT, I'd be happy to deliver for you any amount of fertilized eggs you'd like. We have a mix of breeds and our rooster is an EasterEgger. We've had great success and raised a number of friendly chicks in the last years.
Best wishes finding a new home, it's an awful time to look. Be patient, everything happens for a reason and when the timing is right you'll find it. Until then enjoy today, it's all we ever really have.
This article is exactly what I needed just now. I've been recovering from an illness these last couple weeks and have found myself slightly depressed; without a purpose except just getting through the days. As always, you have written a remarkably relatable article that reminded me what living for a purpose can do for the soul. Thank you for sharing this and uplifting my sagging spirits yet again! Best wishes for you and your family!
Ashley, I've moved many times and, every time, I've taken heart that I've left the place better than when I found it. The soil is better, the stone walls are fixed and kept up, the wood lot is in good shape, and the dwelling and outbuildings are all in good repair. You'll find the perfect place. - Howard
Years ago I went back to Oregon to visit a place that my then wife and I “homesteaded” years earlier. I wanted to see what was left and explore what my feelings would be upon returning to that place. I found some evidence of our earlier presence; pottery shards of a pot we used to collect water, a piece of tin with a painted heart, some large foundation stones from our crude construction. I sat on the ground and cried. I cried for the loss of those people who had lived there (me and my wife). It was like they were dead (they are). We are different people today than we were yesterday. Yesterday and tomorrow are illusions. Living today is all that is real and sustaining.
GIRL! Don't scare me like that! Also getting me all teary! You've been such an inspiration for the past ?2 years? I've been following your page. So many of the ideas I have for our new place comes from your posts, I would miss you terribly if you stopped but you do what you need to do for what's best for your family. Wherever you land, you will bring hope, creation and life. Blessings on you and your family.
Thank you for these words, Ashley. AT 82, and realizing that my time on earth is getting more limited, it was easy to kind of opt out of living these past few years. And, frankly that has left me feeling depressed, blue, and useless/hopeless. I miss not looking forward to the seasons, to travel, to planning more than an annual garden. And, I'm tired of living with the "what's the use" attitude. So, thank you for writing about your own "valley of hopelessness/uselessness/disuetude". I need to go summer prune my little fruit trees planted before I fell into despond.
Having read your blog for a while now and knowing how much love you have put into this land, I cannot help but feel sad for you and your family as you face the prospect of leaving. I wish that I could buy this land off you and treasure it as much as you have but, alas, I live in Canada. Having said that, I am so impressed that you have chosen to live in the moment, and what a beautiful moment it is. With that attitude, no matter where or when you go, you are already truly blessed. Thinking of you and yours.
Aug 8, 2022·edited Aug 17, 2022Liked by Ashley Adamant
If you don't mind my asking, are you thinking of leaving Vermont? I'm currently in Maryland with an HOA which severely limits what I am able to do. I've only been to Vermont once, but in addition to being beautiful, VT has optimal population density (relative to where I am, anyway which is grossly overdeveloped) and seems to be retaining a sense of ecological protections. It is on my short list of places to move and start a proper homestead. Since you actually live there I'd be interested if you see the tides changing, so-to-speak, that make it no longer ideal.
Oh so relatable. Given that "here" is truly where we are, you might as well live fully and enjoy the hard earned fruits of your labors and stewardship. Your kids will also learn that aspiring doesn't mean sacrificing "NOW" which was a lesson I learned later in life. I have a friend who took a 9 month lease on an apartment many hears ago. She painted and decorated as though it was for forever. I thought she was nuts. She said, I deserve to be happy and feel at peace when I come home. Indeed! I'm very happy for you and your family.
Good Afternoon Ashley, we were thinking the about moving also. But decided not too also. We are seniors and things are getting harder for us to keep up with. We've decided to stay put, at least for now. Never know what the future holds. May God Bless you in all your adventures in life.
Oh Ashley, this was like balm to my soul. We’re renters, looking for our forever land, with no savings or way to purchase it. I assume we’ll be renting for the next little while until some strange and wonderful situation comes our way. While renting, I’ve never set up as if this was a forever home. There is so much mobile furniture and no blinds but blankets, and no garden. If we don’t move before March, we’ve decided to screw it and plant here. This is the last year without a garden. I’ve done what I can with a 2-year old to forage and wild harvest but it is not enough to have a meal. Thanks for your open share. I’m right along with you.
This article had a real sense of romanticism, poetic. Something that most all could relate to I think. Could be the beginning of a beautiful book. Thank you
Well Ashley, I read all your blog about moving and all the comments. I'm 83 yo and thank God daily that I can live alone in my home, with relative..........actually very good health. I don't know what the future holds, but I do know that I enjoy every day. I have lived in many US states and in Europe for 3 yrs. The first part of your comments distressed me to hear you live as though in someone else's home. It's yours until it's not. At the end, you realized that yourself. Good for you. Take care and enjoy the fruits of your labor until you actually have to move.
Such a beautiful article. I've hit 50+ now and over the last few years here and after our daughter was born I had to make the tough choice of giving up many of the homesteading things around here because I can't keep up with it all. I know how tough it is to do, the hardest was my raised gardens and extensive flower beds were replaced by lawn and down sized.
We have chickens here, I'm in CT, a short drive from VT, I'd be happy to deliver for you any amount of fertilized eggs you'd like. We have a mix of breeds and our rooster is an EasterEgger. We've had great success and raised a number of friendly chicks in the last years.
Best wishes finding a new home, it's an awful time to look. Be patient, everything happens for a reason and when the timing is right you'll find it. Until then enjoy today, it's all we ever really have.
This article is exactly what I needed just now. I've been recovering from an illness these last couple weeks and have found myself slightly depressed; without a purpose except just getting through the days. As always, you have written a remarkably relatable article that reminded me what living for a purpose can do for the soul. Thank you for sharing this and uplifting my sagging spirits yet again! Best wishes for you and your family!
Ashley, I've moved many times and, every time, I've taken heart that I've left the place better than when I found it. The soil is better, the stone walls are fixed and kept up, the wood lot is in good shape, and the dwelling and outbuildings are all in good repair. You'll find the perfect place. - Howard
Yes Ashley. What you said.
Happy home hunting.
Years ago I went back to Oregon to visit a place that my then wife and I “homesteaded” years earlier. I wanted to see what was left and explore what my feelings would be upon returning to that place. I found some evidence of our earlier presence; pottery shards of a pot we used to collect water, a piece of tin with a painted heart, some large foundation stones from our crude construction. I sat on the ground and cried. I cried for the loss of those people who had lived there (me and my wife). It was like they were dead (they are). We are different people today than we were yesterday. Yesterday and tomorrow are illusions. Living today is all that is real and sustaining.
GIRL! Don't scare me like that! Also getting me all teary! You've been such an inspiration for the past ?2 years? I've been following your page. So many of the ideas I have for our new place comes from your posts, I would miss you terribly if you stopped but you do what you need to do for what's best for your family. Wherever you land, you will bring hope, creation and life. Blessings on you and your family.
Thank you for these words, Ashley. AT 82, and realizing that my time on earth is getting more limited, it was easy to kind of opt out of living these past few years. And, frankly that has left me feeling depressed, blue, and useless/hopeless. I miss not looking forward to the seasons, to travel, to planning more than an annual garden. And, I'm tired of living with the "what's the use" attitude. So, thank you for writing about your own "valley of hopelessness/uselessness/disuetude". I need to go summer prune my little fruit trees planted before I fell into despond.
I needed this today. The timing could not have been more perfect! Thank you! I am so glad I found you. ❤
Hi Ashley,
Having read your blog for a while now and knowing how much love you have put into this land, I cannot help but feel sad for you and your family as you face the prospect of leaving. I wish that I could buy this land off you and treasure it as much as you have but, alas, I live in Canada. Having said that, I am so impressed that you have chosen to live in the moment, and what a beautiful moment it is. With that attitude, no matter where or when you go, you are already truly blessed. Thinking of you and yours.
Beautiful! Just one of the many reasons I love reading your articles. Thanks for your openness and I am so happy you have a new resolve!
If you don't mind my asking, are you thinking of leaving Vermont? I'm currently in Maryland with an HOA which severely limits what I am able to do. I've only been to Vermont once, but in addition to being beautiful, VT has optimal population density (relative to where I am, anyway which is grossly overdeveloped) and seems to be retaining a sense of ecological protections. It is on my short list of places to move and start a proper homestead. Since you actually live there I'd be interested if you see the tides changing, so-to-speak, that make it no longer ideal.
Oh so relatable. Given that "here" is truly where we are, you might as well live fully and enjoy the hard earned fruits of your labors and stewardship. Your kids will also learn that aspiring doesn't mean sacrificing "NOW" which was a lesson I learned later in life. I have a friend who took a 9 month lease on an apartment many hears ago. She painted and decorated as though it was for forever. I thought she was nuts. She said, I deserve to be happy and feel at peace when I come home. Indeed! I'm very happy for you and your family.
Good Afternoon Ashley, we were thinking the about moving also. But decided not too also. We are seniors and things are getting harder for us to keep up with. We've decided to stay put, at least for now. Never know what the future holds. May God Bless you in all your adventures in life.
Oh Ashley, this was like balm to my soul. We’re renters, looking for our forever land, with no savings or way to purchase it. I assume we’ll be renting for the next little while until some strange and wonderful situation comes our way. While renting, I’ve never set up as if this was a forever home. There is so much mobile furniture and no blinds but blankets, and no garden. If we don’t move before March, we’ve decided to screw it and plant here. This is the last year without a garden. I’ve done what I can with a 2-year old to forage and wild harvest but it is not enough to have a meal. Thanks for your open share. I’m right along with you.
Thank you!
This article had a real sense of romanticism, poetic. Something that most all could relate to I think. Could be the beginning of a beautiful book. Thank you