Goin' Off the Grid

One gets so discouraged. Food prices are soaring; so are utilities and housing and transportation costs, yet we make less money. Our government is spying on all of us. The financial sector looks like a big, fragile bubble. The phone rings constantly, with pleas for support for yet another scam or cause (probably both).

There are days when I'd love to go off the grid. Of course I can't. I'm too old, and too established in the existing system. I haven't the training or knowledge to be self sufficient, and certainly not the discipline. One day without my morning coffee and I'd be back.

I suppose a young, healthy family could survive off-grid if they had a snug cabin, solar panels, a well, and an acre or two. As long as the chickens, goats, and garden keep producing, these modern pioneers could survive.

Too bad their kids would hate them. I have a friend who left her prosperous parents to 'live off the land' with her idealistic husband. They managed for awhile, though sharing a river with snakes and bugs wasn't ideal for laundry and such. She said it became unmanageable when they had kids.

Sounds right. There are limits to how off-grid the kiddies can be kept. Kids must go to town for dentists and immunizations. Kids meet other kids. Other kids' parents have cool stuff like minivans with TV, and cell phones and cash. Cash buys more cool stuff, e.g. clothes and fast food. Picture it:

Mom -- "Kids! It's time to milk the goats."
Kids -- "We hate the goats. They stink. Other kids don't have to milk goats."
Mom -- "We need the milk and cheese. You wouldn't like starving."
Kids -- "They have these cool places called McDonalds nowadays."
Mom -- "Stay away from that place and GO MILK THE DAMN GOATS!"
Dad -- (later that day) "The kids went to town carrying "PLEASE ADOPT ME" signs again."

So... 'gridless' seems to be a challenge for anyone, even an imaginary family. Maybe the best bet is to cut back where possible, and strive for a more sustainable lifestyle.

I'll think about that as I finish my coffee and plan tonight's dinner. (I'm thinking pizza with goat cheese.)