JOE BENNION on tue 13 may 97
Colleen,
Lets talk. I am a husband, father, gardener, cook , potter and a
recovering jerk. I have lived in the same place with the same people for 20
years. I sell my work at the point of origin. I grow a large percentage of my
family's food. We avoid prepared foods when possible. I drive old cars. Living
simply is a conscious and deliberate aspect of our lifestyle. I've been
described as needing to grow up, out of touch, too romantic, out of the
mainstream, too earthy and now in need of a grip. Nothing I see on commercial
TV, radio , print media or at the mall makes me want to join your real time or
space. My life is intended to have minimum impact on the earth and minimum
contribution to the economy. As I look at that life I see much room to improve
on those goals. Those who know me well know that these are goals and ideals
not hard realities in my life. I've been known to drink Pepsi and eat
doughnuts. As I look at the lives of my three daughters I see no reason to
change those ideals .
As I recall, this thread started with my observation that the decline of
interest in domestic crafts, child nurture and domestic rigors were somehow
related through a common root. I am not insisting that everyone follow the
path that I do. I would like to see it remain a viable option to young people.
As I look at the global corporate economy ( and that includes industrial
agriculture) I see a dead end. We can not sustain this rate of consumption /
growth indefinitely. Top soil and crude oil are limited resources. If we as a
species are to survive it will be by living differently than we do now. In
short, Colleen, the real world is not a healthy place. Please try to grasp
that.
One of my mentors is Gary Snyder I leave you with this poem of his.
FOR THE CHILDREN
The rising hills, the slopes,
of statistics
lie before us.
the steep climb
of everything, going up,
up, as we all
go down.
In the next century
or the one beyond that, they say,
are valleys, pastures,
we can meet there in peace
if we make it.
To climb these coming crests
one word to you, to
you and your children:
stay together
learn the flowers
go light
Joe the Potter
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