There have been numerous iterations of the classic fable of the Country Mouse and City Mouse, but the theme commonly centers on each visiting the other cordially, eliciting contrasts about their respective cultures.
I’m a country mouse. I come away with this piece as sort of romanticizing rural culture. Where I live in the rural Midwest, I’m not so sure how many farmers apply land stewardship principles like we want to romanticize they do. People can be isolated, insular, lacking critical thinking skills, and the furthest thing from regenerative. The upshot for me is - the decay is everywhere.
Wow I sound like a negative Nellie. And I suppose I am to some extent. My work right now is to focus on the tiny, micro-good we are trying to do here on our tiny plot of earth. It’s hard work. It’s not glamorous. It’s not glorified and by golly it’s not even economically sustainable! But we get up and milk anyway.
I understand, and agree on all points. It is a historic balance, whether or not romanticized. And self reliance will be the currency of the future when the food system is interrupted.
Hi John. I’m standing out here with our newest calf thinking “boy I was negative”.
And then I see you commented. It was historically balanced yes? And what we are doing right now sometimes feels like we are swimming upstream with pebbles in our pockets.
But we also barter our milk and other skills in exchange for meat and veg and that feels good. It feels real to spend 2 hours shoveling manure out of the barn (so satisfying) and I can tell you every blade of grass our gal chews and turns into precious milk that nourishes our neighbors. I’m in the thick of it so sometimes it doesn’t feel like I can see the forest for the trees. Anyway. Thanks! Are you going to the conference in Madison? My brother will be there.
We had a heifer calf this evening. This mom (Mindy) lost her first calf, a lovely heifer and a horrible ordeal to get it out of her. Thus all the sweeter today. She was practically howling from the pasture, wanting to show us. Manure and hay keep me fit and humble..new life and wholesome food keep me grateful. I never said we measured our success in dollars.... :) probably not attending Madison....
This was sad for me to read because it is so relevant to what has happened to my home state! We need to take back Vermont but I fear it will never be what it once was before taken over by city mice.
I’m a country mouse. I come away with this piece as sort of romanticizing rural culture. Where I live in the rural Midwest, I’m not so sure how many farmers apply land stewardship principles like we want to romanticize they do. People can be isolated, insular, lacking critical thinking skills, and the furthest thing from regenerative. The upshot for me is - the decay is everywhere.
Wow I sound like a negative Nellie. And I suppose I am to some extent. My work right now is to focus on the tiny, micro-good we are trying to do here on our tiny plot of earth. It’s hard work. It’s not glamorous. It’s not glorified and by golly it’s not even economically sustainable! But we get up and milk anyway.
I understand, and agree on all points. It is a historic balance, whether or not romanticized. And self reliance will be the currency of the future when the food system is interrupted.
Hi John. I’m standing out here with our newest calf thinking “boy I was negative”.
And then I see you commented. It was historically balanced yes? And what we are doing right now sometimes feels like we are swimming upstream with pebbles in our pockets.
But we also barter our milk and other skills in exchange for meat and veg and that feels good. It feels real to spend 2 hours shoveling manure out of the barn (so satisfying) and I can tell you every blade of grass our gal chews and turns into precious milk that nourishes our neighbors. I’m in the thick of it so sometimes it doesn’t feel like I can see the forest for the trees. Anyway. Thanks! Are you going to the conference in Madison? My brother will be there.
We had a heifer calf this evening. This mom (Mindy) lost her first calf, a lovely heifer and a horrible ordeal to get it out of her. Thus all the sweeter today. She was practically howling from the pasture, wanting to show us. Manure and hay keep me fit and humble..new life and wholesome food keep me grateful. I never said we measured our success in dollars.... :) probably not attending Madison....
Congratulations! I’m grateful they let us connect with them. What did you name her?
Berry.
Like Wendell Berry..only. she has a really solid hind end so I said she is thick and rugged like a little bear. So it is really Beary. :)
This was sad for me to read because it is so relevant to what has happened to my home state! We need to take back Vermont but I fear it will never be what it once was before taken over by city mice.
Well written and on point, not to mention true to our times
Thank you for both your foresight and insight
Eva
From my cityfied vantage, [if Portland
qualifies] I find most of the city mice to be jealous
and very glad for all the farmers markets.
This city wasn't built to have shared neighborhood gardens,
but there are quite a few around town that are successful.
Still not near enough.
It seems as few as 2-4 houseolds could be sharing gardens,
the 50x100 lots are certainly big enough for something.
Water so expensive though. Glad I have too many trees.
More wells in the city needed, laws probably forbid.
Do you ever watch Kand Dadi in Youtube? Oh right you
are living it.