Comments on: Smelling Datura In The Morning http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/ Personal website of author Doug Fine Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:42:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Hamptons Apartment http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/comment-page-1/#comment-11321 Hamptons Apartment Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:37:20 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/#comment-11321 Very nice post. Very nice post.

]]> By: kaboonfootprint http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/comment-page-1/#comment-5553 kaboonfootprint Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:20:32 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/#comment-5553 Cool site keep doing it. <a href="http://alaminos.net" rel="nofollow"> Kaboonfootprint </a> Cool site keep doing it.
Kaboonfootprint

]]> By: madeleine http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/comment-page-1/#comment-5073 madeleine Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:52:30 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/#comment-5073 your writtings are so peaceful...i read myself quiet after busy days. best of luck on your life and the courage to live it your way. your writtings are so peaceful…i read myself quiet after busy days. best of luck on your life and the courage to live it your way.

]]> By: OrgoCowboy http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/comment-page-1/#comment-4925 OrgoCowboy Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:21:37 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/#comment-4925 Andres-- Good question, though I feel a bit like an advice columnist in answering it (I feel like I should start my reply with something like, "Dear Concerned In Des Moines"). So if you chose to live somewhere fairly remote, which I have for much of my adult life, it's a question of personal taste. If you don't like being alone for an hour in a city apartment, you won't like being alone (or with family and animals) for days in a row. However it's important to realize that 90% of what I've attempted in "Farewell, My Subaru" can be achieved in a city or suburban environment with a half acre or less (provided zoning in your area allows for chicken-raising). Almost anyone can drive on a biofuel, can power his or her world by solar, can grow his or her own food and even raise livestock (as discussed in the afterward of "Farewell, My Subaru." Good luck! Andres– Good question, though I feel a bit like an advice columnist in answering it (I feel like I should start my reply with something like, “Dear Concerned In Des Moines”). So if you chose to live somewhere fairly remote, which I have for much of my adult life, it’s a question of personal taste. If you don’t like being alone for an hour in a city apartment, you won’t like being alone (or with family and animals) for days in a row. However it’s important to realize that 90% of what I’ve attempted in “Farewell, My Subaru” can be achieved in a city or suburban environment with a half acre or less (provided zoning in your area allows for chicken-raising). Almost anyone can drive on a biofuel, can power his or her world by solar, can grow his or her own food and even raise livestock (as discussed in the afterward of “Farewell, My Subaru.” Good luck!

]]> By: Andres Calderon http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/comment-page-1/#comment-4922 Andres Calderon Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:24:28 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/#comment-4922 Hi, Doug. I have long been uncomfortable with the unsustainability of suburban life. After reading "Farewell, My Subaru" I have been thinking of adopting a lifestyle similar to yours. But I am concerned about feeling isolated and lonely living out in the country. How do you make sure that you have enough of a social network to prevent feeling cut off from the rest of the world? Thanks. -Andres Hi, Doug. I have long been uncomfortable with the unsustainability of suburban life. After reading “Farewell, My Subaru” I have been thinking of adopting a lifestyle similar to yours. But I am concerned about feeling isolated and lonely living out in the country. How do you make sure that you have enough of a social network to prevent feeling cut off from the rest of the world? Thanks. -Andres

]]> By: OrgoCowboy http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/comment-page-1/#comment-4890 OrgoCowboy Sat, 23 Aug 2008 20:49:47 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/#comment-4890 Boy, I am no financial expert, and everyone's situation is different. Real estate prices vary by region (and of course the market fluctuates). But once you find your spot, you can take the upgrading slow. I got my goats cheap and most of my chickens free from friends. If you've read "Farewell, My Subaru," you know I built my solar hot water heater for almost free. So I'd suggest taking it one step at a time. Also, I recommend getting existing property rather than building on new land (so as not to be a contributor to sprawl). I guess the last thing I'd say on this in such a short space is that there is payback even on expensive items. Like on my vegetable oil truck, in gas savings alone I've already paid off the engine conversion. Same with solar electricity: forget about moral payback -- you're not paying grid electricity bills anymore. Boy, I am no financial expert, and everyone’s situation is different. Real estate prices vary by region (and of course the market fluctuates). But once you find your spot, you can take the upgrading slow. I got my goats cheap and most of my chickens free from friends. If you’ve read “Farewell, My Subaru,” you know I built my solar hot water heater for almost free. So I’d suggest taking it one step at a time. Also, I recommend getting existing property rather than building on new land (so as not to be a contributor to sprawl). I guess the last thing I’d say on this in such a short space is that there is payback even on expensive items. Like on my vegetable oil truck, in gas savings alone I’ve already paid off the engine conversion. Same with solar electricity: forget about moral payback — you’re not paying grid electricity bills anymore.

]]> By: Rodney Hampton http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/comment-page-1/#comment-4880 Rodney Hampton Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:55:02 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/#comment-4880 Beautiful writing Doug. Hey, I've been doing some reading. To support me and my family it sounds like I'm going to need 5 acres for fruits and veggies, 1 acre for hay, 1 draft horse (or a tractor), 15 - 20 chickens (since we love meat and eggs), 2 goats, and probably at least one beehive (for honey and beeswax for sealing the cheese). I've been looking at farms and they are currently priced a little out of my league since home prices are falling here in Michigan and I'd lose money if I sold my house right now. And, if lacking the solar and wind power, I'd need to equip the house with those too. Any advice on finances? Beautiful writing Doug.

Hey, I’ve been doing some reading. To support me and my family it sounds like I’m going to need 5 acres for fruits and veggies, 1 acre for hay, 1 draft horse (or a tractor), 15 - 20 chickens (since we love meat and eggs), 2 goats, and probably at least one beehive (for honey and beeswax for sealing the cheese). I’ve been looking at farms and they are currently priced a little out of my league since home prices are falling here in Michigan and I’d lose money if I sold my house right now. And, if lacking the solar and wind power, I’d need to equip the house with those too. Any advice on finances?

]]> By: OrgoCowboy http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/comment-page-1/#comment-4718 OrgoCowboy Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:33:05 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/#comment-4718 George -- Thanks for the kind words. The Dispatch wrote itself. Will -- Allergies are not fun, and luckily I appear to have made friends last spring with the only tree that gets to me -- juniper. That is to say, after a couple of nightmare springs (respiratorily-speaking -- they have, despite my not being able to breathe for six weeks, been some of the best springs of my life), I am cautiously-optimistic about this coming spring. George — Thanks for the kind words. The Dispatch wrote itself.
Will — Allergies are not fun, and luckily I appear to have made friends last spring with the only tree that gets to me — juniper. That is to say, after a couple of nightmare springs (respiratorily-speaking — they have, despite my not being able to breathe for six weeks, been some of the best springs of my life), I am cautiously-optimistic about this coming spring.

]]> By: Will http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/comment-page-1/#comment-4715 Will Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:27:55 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/#comment-4715 goddamn man, you must not suffer the pollen allergies. This old boy would be waking up every dog, goat, child, missus and coyote within 2 miles with the explosive high-velocity retroglide sneezing... It's still lovely though. goddamn man, you must not suffer the pollen allergies. This old boy would be waking up every dog, goat, child, missus and coyote within 2 miles with the explosive high-velocity retroglide sneezing…

It’s still lovely though.

]]> By: George http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/comment-page-1/#comment-4706 George Mon, 18 Aug 2008 03:27:47 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/#comment-4706 I saw one of these blooms one evening in far south Texas near the Mexico border three years ago. Your description is masterful. I saw one of these blooms one evening in far south Texas near the Mexico border three years ago. Your description is masterful.

]]> By: Ken http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/comment-page-1/#comment-4704 Ken Mon, 18 Aug 2008 02:26:13 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/#comment-4704 It is a beautiful flower...used by ancient shamans in the region...but I would be content with it's scent...;) It is a beautiful flower…used by ancient shamans in the region…but I would be content with it’s scent…;)

]]> By: OrgoCowboy http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/comment-page-1/#comment-4676 OrgoCowboy Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:18:19 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/#comment-4676 It's been a dream-like time for me. It’s been a dream-like time for me.

]]> By: April http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/comment-page-1/#comment-4675 April Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:39:47 +0000 http://www.dougfine.com/2008/08/14/smelling-datura-in-the-morning/#comment-4675 reads like a dream.... reads like a dream….

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