I can’t thank you enough Spike. Your posts being tears to my eyes. Tears of joy, tears of grief and tears of relatedness. Like you, the only way I see retirement is to sell my place and live in another country. I don’t have a ranch-you are living my dream-I board 💰and even so this week was a new vet bill for the horse, who is about as old as I am in horse years. I rescued her-but she rescued the 10 year old that lives large inside me, that never got her pony, but was a barn rat just the same. Those early “riding lessons” aka horses, saved me I didn’t understand it then but had my epiphany during my equine therapy immersion. I wish I could send you the almighty dollar the boyZ are raping our wallets of, but for now my gift comes in the form of thank you. Please keep sharing photos of goats riding pigs and you on the mower and life on Green Acres. I am living vicariously and know how heavy those freaking bags are now! Gracias amiga. Gracias. ❤️🙏🦄💪
Sheri! Thank you for your thank you!! You are so welcome. And yes those bags are so heavy. I developed a system recently (that’s an awfully big term for it haha) where I use gravity to help. With the sacks lying on the tailgate, I will empty half of each sack into a five-gallon bucket and then transport the 25 lb load to the shed. I’m trying to focus more on the positive nature of this adaptation than the truth behind it which is that my strength is diminishing. I’m so glad you got your pony after all those years. I try to dedicate time to caring for and nurturing and encouraging my inner ten year old, too. Good for us! ♥️
Oh. I like that plan. I do the drag until I get it to the bin move, or fold the bag in half and stumble into the house! Either way it’s pretty humbling. Keep on Freak-ing on. Your writing brings light to the current red fog. Thanks for commenting Spike! ❤️🦄
Thank you for the ZEN state I receive when I read what you’ve written. It’s BETTER than my prescription for depression/anxiety. Encore, Je te dis, merci mille fois.
Your reframes are alway sooo insightful and helpful! I am looking at retirement myself, since education research is being wiped out by self-centered billionaires and barely legal tech bros. I have to accept the reality - and correct the assumption of others - about what that means for me. It doesn't mean kicking back and doing nothing the rest of my life. It means a minimum basic income that may feel more mini over time. So I am looking at it as a way to reinvent myself and try new ways of making the proverbial bacon for the extras that are not really extra -- vet visits, home and car maintenance, and trips to see loved ones. I loved your framing and I will try to mentally wrap my physical and ephemeral largess in pretty wrapping paper to remind me of the up-side of my upcoming shift in circumstances.
Hi Colleen! Thanks! The comment just above yours is by my friend Krissy. Her substack is so awesome and she often reflects on the benefits of a slower, less capitalistic life. It’s really helping me to read her ideas about this as I am *finally* teaching myself (with help) how to better understand money, including how much of it I have carelessly tossed out the window (I’m looking at you, Amazon). I’m so digging using the library for print and audiobooks—two things I used to spend a ton on. It’s actually kind of fun. Oh, and last week some friends had me over for dinner. Red beans and rice with cornbread. It was insanely delicious and a reminder that good, healthy food can also be affordable. I was so inspired I just got some dry red beans—haven’t gone the dry bean route in decades. This, too should be fun.
So much of your ranch woes I recite to myself each morning as I feed the chickens and walk down to the river and add up all will take to get this place back together again after the winter's floods. I know the groans and worries you talk about AND, as you so wonderfully remind us: the main thing is: Yes! We are living in abundance. in Life. Chickens, coyotes, hawks, otters, all those characters share my place and I am so grateful --- and grateful always for your posts, for times when I forget to be thankful!
Thank you so much for getting it. I’m a little surprised and very delighted at how many people have popped by here to share similar feelings. It really does help knowing I’m hardly alone. Hello to your chickens! It’s about time for your book!!
Hello Spike! Although you've only met me once, I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoy all of your writings. I was at the event for the celebration of Grok This, Bitch. That book sits next to my chair so I have easy access to it.
Lastly, my baby sister is the person who you had breakfast with and showed you the tire repair kit. She knows more about tools than most men!!! I have recently subscribed and just wanted to thank you for all of the joy and positive energy you bring to my home! Your gift is amazing (as well as your ranch)!
I remember meeting you! I just loved it when your family showed up—I’m from a real big family, too. So glad you enjoy my writing and thanks for saying so. Your baby sister totally saved my ass on the tire plugging situation! I love her so much. Thank you for being here.
Thanks Spike, for sharing your thoughts about living in the country. I can so relate! Especially about being in my 60s and seeing it become more of a challenge than when I first fell in love with my spot of heaven in Hays County, on the Balcones Fault Zone. It rejuvenates me, reading how you overcome the obstacles, and I end up thinking better of myself, recognizing how some of the same hardships have turned into remarkable gifts that I am so lucky to enjoy. Thanks for sharing your life and writing. ❤️
Spike, one more comment. I’m thrilled you bought the riding mower! Not only is the color eye catching, but you were financially wise to buy it. After 3 mowings, it basically pays for itself. Win-win.
Spike, I read Substack daily and this is one of the best posts I’ve read in months! Of course, I already love your writing, but this post was filled with wisdom. You are definitely on the right path — not only for your happiness but for doing what you love without expectation of breaking even or getting ahead. I’m in my 60s too, fully retired and busy with many volunteer activities in addition to 2 kids. You are inspiring! Inbox me if you’re able to take a day off and I’ll taking you boating on Lake Travis.
Hi Laurie. Thank you so much. It feels good to be on the right path FINALLY! I love being an old crone who does volunteer work. I swear it was my destiny to be a crone—most comfortable phase of my life so far. (If I ever get a day off I will let you know.)
My favorite sentence “Time to let that shit go. I already am living in abundance”. This is a great reminder to me. I sure wish I lived nearby and could attend one of your writing workshops.
thank you for your honest post as always spike. And I want you to know that the word Sysephian … Did I spell it right?… Once when I used it made somebody take me seriously for the first time and not think I was just a bubblehead suburban wife. Wow she said… You are big. I appreciated it for the compliment that it was.
This is such a good way to reframe dealing with problems! I will have to remember it, since I am always overwhelmed wiht terror at the thought of having to fix something
I relate to your thoughts of "someday I will get ahead," and I think it's a common yet complicated mantra within late stage capitalism. What if you really cannot get ahead unless you sell out? (Remember when Gen X was really concerned with not selling out? I don't see that in younger generations.) I mean, of *course* it's not profitable to tend the earth and care for animals! Or make art, for that matter. Look at our society! Living life according to your values is its own reward, and if your values don't match up with the capitalist patriarchy, well, we have to be resourceful. (Special thanks for the driver POV mower video! So fun.)
I really appreciate the reminder about capitalism and its pitfalls. I’m continuing to reflect on the piece you wrote about Amazon—I learned SO MUCh from that, thank you. In an earlier draft of this post, I had a sentence or two that I ultimately edited out. But the gist was that I’m also consciously making time to appreciate that in my decision to quit Amazon, I have saved so much money. Yes, this money goes right back out the door to pay for plumbing, etc. But it is much better directed now. Glad you enjoyed the mower video. And I’m glad I love mowing so much—relatively cheap entertainment given that zero percent financing.
"he spends his Saturday nights on 6th street dressed as a Jedi. He breaks up fights and escorts solo women to their cars." Wow that is so cool. Good for him!
And yes it is so empowering being handy, isn't it? Also feeds my need to tick the box NOW as opposed to waiting/paying for someone else to come and fix it. Thanks, YouTube!
And that young man—oh my gosh. When he showed up in his custom painted Camaro wearing (non-ironically) a light saber, I confess I felt a little judgy. Then he started talking about his passion and I was blown away!!
I can’t thank you enough Spike. Your posts being tears to my eyes. Tears of joy, tears of grief and tears of relatedness. Like you, the only way I see retirement is to sell my place and live in another country. I don’t have a ranch-you are living my dream-I board 💰and even so this week was a new vet bill for the horse, who is about as old as I am in horse years. I rescued her-but she rescued the 10 year old that lives large inside me, that never got her pony, but was a barn rat just the same. Those early “riding lessons” aka horses, saved me I didn’t understand it then but had my epiphany during my equine therapy immersion. I wish I could send you the almighty dollar the boyZ are raping our wallets of, but for now my gift comes in the form of thank you. Please keep sharing photos of goats riding pigs and you on the mower and life on Green Acres. I am living vicariously and know how heavy those freaking bags are now! Gracias amiga. Gracias. ❤️🙏🦄💪
Sheri! Thank you for your thank you!! You are so welcome. And yes those bags are so heavy. I developed a system recently (that’s an awfully big term for it haha) where I use gravity to help. With the sacks lying on the tailgate, I will empty half of each sack into a five-gallon bucket and then transport the 25 lb load to the shed. I’m trying to focus more on the positive nature of this adaptation than the truth behind it which is that my strength is diminishing. I’m so glad you got your pony after all those years. I try to dedicate time to caring for and nurturing and encouraging my inner ten year old, too. Good for us! ♥️
Oh. I like that plan. I do the drag until I get it to the bin move, or fold the bag in half and stumble into the house! Either way it’s pretty humbling. Keep on Freak-ing on. Your writing brings light to the current red fog. Thanks for commenting Spike! ❤️🦄
Thank you for the ZEN state I receive when I read what you’ve written. It’s BETTER than my prescription for depression/anxiety. Encore, Je te dis, merci mille fois.
Thank YOU Emily. Always so great to see you here. ♥️
Your reframes are alway sooo insightful and helpful! I am looking at retirement myself, since education research is being wiped out by self-centered billionaires and barely legal tech bros. I have to accept the reality - and correct the assumption of others - about what that means for me. It doesn't mean kicking back and doing nothing the rest of my life. It means a minimum basic income that may feel more mini over time. So I am looking at it as a way to reinvent myself and try new ways of making the proverbial bacon for the extras that are not really extra -- vet visits, home and car maintenance, and trips to see loved ones. I loved your framing and I will try to mentally wrap my physical and ephemeral largess in pretty wrapping paper to remind me of the up-side of my upcoming shift in circumstances.
Hi Colleen! Thanks! The comment just above yours is by my friend Krissy. Her substack is so awesome and she often reflects on the benefits of a slower, less capitalistic life. It’s really helping me to read her ideas about this as I am *finally* teaching myself (with help) how to better understand money, including how much of it I have carelessly tossed out the window (I’m looking at you, Amazon). I’m so digging using the library for print and audiobooks—two things I used to spend a ton on. It’s actually kind of fun. Oh, and last week some friends had me over for dinner. Red beans and rice with cornbread. It was insanely delicious and a reminder that good, healthy food can also be affordable. I was so inspired I just got some dry red beans—haven’t gone the dry bean route in decades. This, too should be fun.
So much of your ranch woes I recite to myself each morning as I feed the chickens and walk down to the river and add up all will take to get this place back together again after the winter's floods. I know the groans and worries you talk about AND, as you so wonderfully remind us: the main thing is: Yes! We are living in abundance. in Life. Chickens, coyotes, hawks, otters, all those characters share my place and I am so grateful --- and grateful always for your posts, for times when I forget to be thankful!
Thank you so much for getting it. I’m a little surprised and very delighted at how many people have popped by here to share similar feelings. It really does help knowing I’m hardly alone. Hello to your chickens! It’s about time for your book!!
Look out! It may be released next week!
We’re never going to have enough put away to quit working and it’s a very good thing to finally realize and accept that.
It really is its own kind of liberation. Thank you so much for restacking.
Hello Spike! Although you've only met me once, I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoy all of your writings. I was at the event for the celebration of Grok This, Bitch. That book sits next to my chair so I have easy access to it.
Lastly, my baby sister is the person who you had breakfast with and showed you the tire repair kit. She knows more about tools than most men!!! I have recently subscribed and just wanted to thank you for all of the joy and positive energy you bring to my home! Your gift is amazing (as well as your ranch)!
I remember meeting you! I just loved it when your family showed up—I’m from a real big family, too. So glad you enjoy my writing and thanks for saying so. Your baby sister totally saved my ass on the tire plugging situation! I love her so much. Thank you for being here.
Thanks Spike, for sharing your thoughts about living in the country. I can so relate! Especially about being in my 60s and seeing it become more of a challenge than when I first fell in love with my spot of heaven in Hays County, on the Balcones Fault Zone. It rejuvenates me, reading how you overcome the obstacles, and I end up thinking better of myself, recognizing how some of the same hardships have turned into remarkable gifts that I am so lucky to enjoy. Thanks for sharing your life and writing. ❤️
Spike, one more comment. I’m thrilled you bought the riding mower! Not only is the color eye catching, but you were financially wise to buy it. After 3 mowings, it basically pays for itself. Win-win.
Spike, I read Substack daily and this is one of the best posts I’ve read in months! Of course, I already love your writing, but this post was filled with wisdom. You are definitely on the right path — not only for your happiness but for doing what you love without expectation of breaking even or getting ahead. I’m in my 60s too, fully retired and busy with many volunteer activities in addition to 2 kids. You are inspiring! Inbox me if you’re able to take a day off and I’ll taking you boating on Lake Travis.
Hi Laurie. Thank you so much. It feels good to be on the right path FINALLY! I love being an old crone who does volunteer work. I swear it was my destiny to be a crone—most comfortable phase of my life so far. (If I ever get a day off I will let you know.)
My favorite sentence “Time to let that shit go. I already am living in abundance”. This is a great reminder to me. I sure wish I lived nearby and could attend one of your writing workshops.
I wish you could, too!
thank you for your honest post as always spike. And I want you to know that the word Sysephian … Did I spell it right?… Once when I used it made somebody take me seriously for the first time and not think I was just a bubblehead suburban wife. Wow she said… You are big. I appreciated it for the compliment that it was.
Ha! It really is an excellent word.
This is such a good way to reframe dealing with problems! I will have to remember it, since I am always overwhelmed wiht terror at the thought of having to fix something
In my experience it’s a hard habit to break. But slowly my terror subsides. I hope yours will, too.
I relate to your thoughts of "someday I will get ahead," and I think it's a common yet complicated mantra within late stage capitalism. What if you really cannot get ahead unless you sell out? (Remember when Gen X was really concerned with not selling out? I don't see that in younger generations.) I mean, of *course* it's not profitable to tend the earth and care for animals! Or make art, for that matter. Look at our society! Living life according to your values is its own reward, and if your values don't match up with the capitalist patriarchy, well, we have to be resourceful. (Special thanks for the driver POV mower video! So fun.)
I really appreciate the reminder about capitalism and its pitfalls. I’m continuing to reflect on the piece you wrote about Amazon—I learned SO MUCh from that, thank you. In an earlier draft of this post, I had a sentence or two that I ultimately edited out. But the gist was that I’m also consciously making time to appreciate that in my decision to quit Amazon, I have saved so much money. Yes, this money goes right back out the door to pay for plumbing, etc. But it is much better directed now. Glad you enjoyed the mower video. And I’m glad I love mowing so much—relatively cheap entertainment given that zero percent financing.
"he spends his Saturday nights on 6th street dressed as a Jedi. He breaks up fights and escorts solo women to their cars." Wow that is so cool. Good for him!
And yes it is so empowering being handy, isn't it? Also feeds my need to tick the box NOW as opposed to waiting/paying for someone else to come and fix it. Thanks, YouTube!
It is SO EMPOWERING!
And that young man—oh my gosh. When he showed up in his custom painted Camaro wearing (non-ironically) a light saber, I confess I felt a little judgy. Then he started talking about his passion and I was blown away!!