I have to have silence when sleeping. Ranae and I often joke that I can hear a cat walk across the yard 200 paces away from the bedroom window and it will wake me up. This sleeping issue of mine is, in no small part, a major contributing factor as to why we live in the country. I could never tolerate the noise of the concrete hell known as city life. If I lived in the city I would be back to countless sleepless nights in a row until I finally pass out due to total exhaustion. Been there, done that. No thanks.
So what in the world are we doing but getting a flock of guineas? We must be off our rockers. Hopefully it won’t be too bad, but guineas are some of the loudest birds ever. The good thing is, they are typically quiet until something startles them. Then it’s one bird screeching that sets of a different bird that sets off another and so on. Once they start screeching, it can take a long time for them to calm down. Which probably means, I will have the pleasure of working many sleepless nights and asking myself “What have I done to my peaceful nights?” Continue reading
While living a self-sufficient lifestyle, especially in rural America, does mean doing without some modern conveniences, such as the ability to run to Walmart any time you like, it doesn’t have to mean doing without internet. I am a computer programmer and my income depends 100% on my ability to be connected to the internet.
Choosing this self-sufficient lifestyle has its rewards and a lot of them I might add, but it doesn’t come without a hefty dose of frustrations too. I want to make sure anyone who considers this lifestyle does so with their eyes wide open.
Happy New Year! I pray this new year brings each and every one of you joy, peace, love and many blessings. 
According to the latest US Census data, nearly one-fourth of Americans live in rural areas. I have read studies, as well as seen with my own eyes, about 40% of the entire world lives in remote or rural areas.