by Texas Homesteader
It’s all the rage now: Voluntary Simplicity. I guess it means different things to different people. To me it means living slower & more deliberately. But it doesn’t involve deprivation or sacrifice. It simply means shunning things in my life that don’t add any value. I’m shunning all the mindless noise in my days. Voluntary simplicity is often a higher-labor yet slower-paced life. One that bids you to stop and smell the roses.
It’s often softer on the earth as well which is very important to me. It’s also often less expensive so it’s good for the budget as well. But for me the most important aspect is that it’s good for my spirit. Voluntary simplicity is not about deprivation, but about creativity.
The term itself is a little misleading since a “simple” life is seldom if ever a life with less effort. For instance it’s acting on voluntary simplicity to hang my laundry under that blazingly-blue Texas sky instead of quickly stuffing clothes into an electric dryer. It’s voluntary simplicity to work the beds, plant, weed and harvest fresh veggies from my own garden instead of grabbing whatever is offered at the store as I’m walking down the produce aisle. It’s a lifestyle that’s not for everyone, but it’s certainly a good fit for me!
I don’t know what initially lead me to the voluntary-simplicity lifestyle, although even as a youngster I had an old-fashioned spirit. But as I moved to my own home as an adult and began my own life I got caught-up in the swirl of life.
Copy. Paste. Repeat Kinda Life
As a young adult with small children, a full-time job and the new-homeowner excitement that comes with that period of my life, I was having fun playing grownup. I was just maintaining my life but it was just a very day-to-day existence. Every day was much the same as the day before. Of course I was clawing all week for those precious few weekend hours when I could slow things down awhile and enjoy my life. But I longed for a life that was deeper in meaning.
Life, More Meaningful
Since starting on this voluntary simplicity journey over two decades ago my life has become significantly more meaningful. Instead of getting that rush from buying that new whatsit from the most fashionable stores, I get that same charge by sitting on our back porch with RancherMan in our older wooden rockers, glasses of wine in hand, and watching together as that brilliant sun sinks into the western sky behind the old barn that speaks to my heart.
I plan to keep expanding my reach for self sufficiency as time passes. It’s almost something that’s become like a fun hobby for me. It satisfies the crunchy-green me as well as the old-time soul I’ve always had. What’s next? Time will tell!
Live simply my friends! I share lots of fun stories & recipes on our facebook page, so c’mon by & follow us on Facebook.
~TxH~
Other Simple-Life Articles
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- Passive Solar Energy Tricks
- Using The Sun: Solar Cooking
- Easy Laundry Detergent Recipe
- How To Make Your Own Laundry-Scent Booster
- Easy Air Freshener In Cute Repurposed Jar
- Lavender-Scented Gardener’s Hand Scrub
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What a great reminder that we all should sit back sometimes and enjoy the simpler things in life! Thanks for sharing at Share The Wealth Sunday! Xoxo Lisa
Good 4 You!!
What a blissful life we live now. Living deliberately with voluntary simplicity has been a game changer for me. ~TMR~
❤❤❤
This is the first time I’ve heard the phrase “Voluntary Simplicity”. I grew up living that lifestyle which you described so it is embedded in my soul and make me happy! Thanks for sharing such peaceful thoughts with us at Merry Monday.
Yes ma’am Shirley. Although life was much more simple when my parents were raising me, when I became an adult I think I tried for all the things I felt I was supposed to be pursuing. The simple life was certainly not what I was living when my children were young, but as the years go by I find myself gravitating toward it – what a wonderful way to live! ~TMR~
A clothes line. Tomorrow I am going to ask my husband to put up that clothes line again. Having to manage with a little wire rack is making me to use the dryer way too often. I loved the tone of contentment and purpose in your post.
I LOVE my clothes line elvira, I have a nice higher-end dryer but I haven’t turned it on in years! ~TMR~
You and I sound a lot alike, Tammy. I love the simple life myself, and get so much joy out of just sitting outside, soaking up the morning sun and watching my animals and grandson play together while I sip my coffee. It’s a life of hard work, but it’s a good life. 🙂
Yes Kristi – both our hearts are certainly in the simple life. What a joy! It wasn’t always so, I had to intentionally strive to live simply at first and push away the other rushed distractions bombarding me, but after a while it’s become second nature to me. Lovin’ this simple (and AMAZING) life! ~TMR~
Yep, me too. Still working on it. It feels like life can get REALLY busy still lately, but I think that has to do with having kids here at home still (almost adults now), and I think it will be until they move on to their own places and with their lives. No complaints here, just an observation, of course. My heart was not always toward the simple life either! But over the years the longing for things to be less complicated and dramatic has really been a huge draw for me to move this direction. It’s a blessing, and great to be encouraged by other like minds, like yours. 🙂
Sounds like we’ve both experienced the same thing Kristi, it was really hard to focus on deliberate simple living when my children were at home. Busy family lives change over the years and our path to simplicity becomes more & more straightforward. You’re certainly on the path that works best for you – kids at home do make for a busy schedule! But you’ll find that one step at a time, one change at a time, voluntary simplicity becomes easier as life changes. ~TMR~
I thoroughly enoyed this post~ no I do this or do it this way ~ just a plain this is what works for me! Refreshing to those of us striving for that peace of mind simplicity but unaable to achieve it yet. Its my hope to get to a point to no longer rush and worry and be overwhelmed. To just do the things I love, ( cook, bake, and create for my family ) though that may even be more work its an effortless work because its wanted appreciated and loved. Thank you again for reassuring this dream of mine!
What a sweet, thoughtful comment Connie – thank you! Each of us accomplishes our own desired level of simplicity based on our situation in life right now. Those situations change as the years go by – babies grow up, we move to a different city, etc. Maybe it’s too much to plant a garden this year, try a container garden instead. Or it’s too time consuming to cook from scratch every night, maybe start with a few nights a week. We’re all on our own paths to simplicity. Keep striving until you get to your own comfort level. ~TMR~
Nice shots. Please come link up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/07/variations.html
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I love your mindset! You summed it up perfectly: “Voluntary simplicity is not about deprivation, but about creativity.” I think deliberately simplifying is good for the soul. Thanks for sharing at Simple Lives Thursday!
I have to agree with your Kara, deliberately simplifying is good for the soul! ~TMR~
Thank you so much for linking up with us at our weekly From the Farm Blog Hop! Your post was an easy choice for my favorite this week! It’s wonderful to know that another person out there chooses to live this way, much like my family does. Don’t forget to come and grab your “Featured” button too!
Oh, how exciting Krystyna – thank you!! ~TMR~
Great essay, thank you.
I have to agree with all above…great post! I can’t remember when the need to get off the treadmill and slow down became a huge need for me but I remember the overwhelming desire to slow down and enjoy life. I have simplified as much as I can in the city and I’m looking forward to the day we move to our farm permanently. I too hang my clothes under the Texas sun and often wash my dishes by hand. I enjoy reading your blog!
Oh what a sweet thing to say Cecilia – thank you! I started the voluntary simplicity thing while living in a Dallas, Texas suburb while I was raising my kids. I’m blessed to live in the country now, but simple living is as natural for me as rain! ~TMR~
Bravo! Said so well. I hadn’t heard, “Voluntary Simplicity” as a movement, now I know were organized 🙂 I will share, share, share. I recently wrote about gathering fire wood and how much more we appreciate heat for it. Being engaged in the process and not “ready made” helps us to appreciate and be grateful…the world needs more of that 😉
Being engaged in the process feels pretty good, huh Olga? I’m right there with ya! ~TMR~
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Beautifully expressed! We too, once lived similarly. Then a job loss, new job, move to the outskirts of a city changed it all. I am grateful for where we are now and enjoying the benefits of living where we do, but sometimes miss the quite stillness – watching the sun RISE over our barn, or set across the road behind a sea of green grass and trees; hanging our laundry and watching it flap in the wind; smelling the earthy goodness of the garden being turned open each spring and the dew sitting softly on the budding leaves of trees. Coming to your place is such a sweet reminder of that peaceful feeling. Thank you for sharing your life here!
Thanks Karen, and yes you’ve beautifully described the things I enjoy here. I believe the phrase “Bloom where you’re planted” and I’m sure you’re blooming beautifully right where you are. If country living is where your heart leads you in back to in the future then I’m sure you’ll be able to bloom again there as well. 🙂 ~TMR~
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I love our simple life! Much more satisfying. I am going to feature your post on the Thankful HomeAcre Hop tomorrow, it’s just such a good message for us all! Thanks for sharing and I look forward to seeing what you’ll be sharing tomorrow! – Nancy Thankful HomeAcre Hop
How exciting Nancy – THANK YOU! ~TMR~
I love how you put it because it is how I feel and live. It is not that we have to live this way it is the way we choose to live.
Dolly, I agree and less fluff & ‘life noise’ makes for a fuller life for us here on the ranch! ~TMR~
Living Simply is my number 1 priority. Jeanie Cullip ~ Twin Falls Mommy
Sometimes I get caught up in my old life of multitasking to get more & more done in shorter time. Nothing wrong with multitasking unless it pulls your focus away from living the life you want for yourself. ~TMR~
I love this post. It made me stop and take a deep breath. It is a great reminder for me to stay focused on my own progress in simplicity. My journey is complicated by my love of creating art projects, but I am slowly finding a balance by creating things from old objects and giving them a new purpose. I will follow your blog on bloglovin. Rhonda (http://feetgroundedontheearth.blogspot) Thanks again for writing such a motivational post.
That’s so awesome Rhonda. Sometimes we all need a gentle reminder to take a deep breath & refocus. Thanks so much for sharing! ~TMR~
I love this post. It was all just spot on, and that sunset photo is simply breathtaking! I’m off to milk my cow now instead of running to the store, so I totally get where you are coming from! 😉
This speaks to me too! 🙂 I am visiting from Deep Roots at Home link up.
Beautiful post! A lot of it sounds very familiar to me!
Ahhh…what a breath of fresh air it is to read that there are others just like myself! I too, since a child, have longed for a life years before my own. When things WERE more simple- the world was more simple. And I too LOVE that you clarified that to live simply isn’t easier- it’s often harder. SO true! But doing things the hard way is good for the spirit, isn’t it? It makes you feel useful and good. And that you’re doing things the way we were intended to. Thanks so much for sharing, a truly enjoyable read 🙂 (visiting from the Homestead Barn Hop) Erin http://yellowbirchhobbyfarm.blogspot.com
Thank you Erin – like you I’m happy to know there are others out there that feel like this. To be honest I see many people are wishing to get off that hamster wheel and slow things down a bit to enjoy life – I love to see that trend & I hope it continues! ~TMR~
This was a wonderful post. Thank you so much for sharing it (and all the other great posts you linked up) with us on the Independence Days Challenge. I have chosen to feature this post this week! It will be highlighted on the blog tomorrow and I will give it a shout out via facebook tomorrow evening. Thanks again and hope to see you back this week!
That’s awesome Colleen – Thanks! ~TMR~
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I completely agree! Love this post 🙂
Simpler to my husband and me is living in a small cottage, buying only what we need, not watching television and enjoying each day on the beach. Now that I am retired we hope to grow some of our food in our tiny garden. I admire your life style because you are living life. Working all week at a job you don’t love only to have a few weekend hours is no life.
Carol – you’re right, if you’re not doing what you love for a living it’s time to take a good hard look at what your lifestyle is costing you not only financially but in terms of life enjoyment. If you’re having to work 50-hour weeks and travel away from your family often at a job you dislike so you can afford that large house or fancy car, what’s the real cost? ~TMR~
I definitely feel like I’m rushing too much and not relaxing and enjoying the moments. I love your emphasis on creativity because to me that’s what life is really about – approaching things with an open, creative mind willing to experience each moment as fully as possible. Thanks for linking up to Fabulously Frugal Thursday!
A beautiful post! 🙂
If I didn’t dislike FaceBook so much, I’d wish there was a “Like” button on this post. I think you and Rancherman are truly blessed. I enjoyed his post on electricity!
Awwww… Thanks Barbara. I certainly feel like RancherMan & I have been blessed! 🙂 ~TMR~
There are times I want to just throw the laundry in the dryer, but it doesn’t take that long to pin it on the line and I enjoy seeing it flapping in the breeze. My one exception is when the Kansas wind is whooping hard! Then I don’t hang laundry. Not worth the struggle! 🙂 I really liked your thought that “simple” doesn’t mean less effort.
Thanks for your comments Deborah. There are times I don’t hang laundry outside either such as ragweed season (currently in progress) We each have things we do that work for us and things we don’t do that just doesn’t seem like a good fit for our family. I think it’s all about moderation. Thanks so much for stopping by! ~TMR~
What a wonderfully endearing post. I understand completely! A few years ago I was a full time working Mom caught up in all the worldly desires. If you had told me then that I would end up living in the country, making homemade EVERYTHING, line-drying clothes and home educating…I would have laughed you out of the room. Funny how God knows best and it takes us some time to figure all that out {or me anyway} Found you on ‘new life on a homestead’ blog hop blessings, Shan http://www.The-How-to-Guru.com
Shan, Indeed! It seems like this voluntary simplicity thing just builds on itself and it’s WONDERFUL! ~TMR~
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Can I please add a link to this post from my blog? This really speaks to me and the life I’ve wanted to live for a while now! What a blessing. Thank you. Amber
Amber, how thoughtful of you to ask. Adding the link for this post points back to my page so that would be awesome. Thank you! ~TMR~
Seeing this testimonial to the good and simple life linked up at the Creative Home and Garden hop was heart-warming. Finding a kindred spirit is always great. We hope you’ll pull up a deckchair, link up your creative home-making and garden posts, and enjoy the sunshine with us every weekend at http://mumtopia.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-creative-home-and-garden-hop-2.html
Allison, it’s always fun associating with kindred spirits – love it! Thank you for your kind words. ~TMR~
Love what you said about living simply not meaning deprivation, but creativity! After years of living in “survival mode” due to family crises, I’m making a real effort to add richness to our lives through creativity these days. Looking forward to exploring more of your blog…visiting from Family Fun Friday today. 🙂
That’s awesome Jen. Slowing down really helps you to focus on things that matter in your life, good for you for adding richness for you and your family. The effort won’t be wasted and you won’t be sorry! ~TMR~
Beautiful! You’re right, simplicity can be harder but so much more rewarding. I’m on my own journey to simplicity, I just wish I could do it on a farm like you! Amy
LOL Amy, I hear ya! RancherMan and I started pursuing our dream of living on a ranch several years ago. In the meantime we bloomed where we were planted and slowed things down where we could. Even with the children and soccer practice, PTA meetings and full-time corporate careers there were places to simplify. Gardening was calming to me and preserving it’s produce spoke to my heart so those are primary places to focus on. It took several years to finally attain our dream of living this life but it’s everything we dreamed and more. Don’t stop dreaming and taking baby steps toward that dream – It WILL happen! ~TMR~
Your post reads a little like poetry and is a gentle reminder to enjoy the simpler things in life. If you have time maybe you can link this to Family Fun Friday – I try to focus on enjoying time with loved ones and I think your post does that too. Monica http://happyandblessedhome.com/category/family-fun/
Why thank you Monday, what a kind thing to say! I’ll hop over to Family Fun Friday… 😉 ~TMR~
I just wanted to let you know that this post will be featured tomorrow at the Friday Follow Along. Stop by to see us!
(gasp!) That’s awesome Leah – Thank you! ~TMR~
One thing that’s cool about trying to use up everything in my fridge and shelves is that it gets me trying new recipes!
Indeed Mary Jo and the result is often delicious. ~TMR~
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I always enjoy your posts. A clothes line is on our “to-do” list. I haven’t had one in 18 years! Gorgeous sunset. Thanks for sharing! Please join us again Thursday at: The HomeAcre Hop ~Ann
Thanks for your kind words. You might try a retractable clothes line like we have – we don’t have a permanent line with poles cemented into the ground, we simply hang the line, dry our clothes and remove the line. Easy-Peasy (and CHEAP!) ~TMR~
Wonderful post! Thank you for sharing with Natrual Living Monday! I hope you join us again! http://nourishingsimplicity.org/2013/07/natural-living-monday-35.html
So beautifully said!! I see myself attempting to live much simpler as I grow older. Thanks for sharing this at TTF this week. Linda
Thanks Linda – it seems more & more people want off the status-quo treadmill! ~TMR~
Thank you for linking this up to the Friday Follow Along. I really like it and have been working towards living simpler for awhile. One day I will get there!
I echo your sentiments here. This life is not necessarily easier, but it is simpler and much more meaningful. Continued blessings…
Beautiful Pictures, I especially love the last one. I have a sign that says SIMPLIFY! I think I need that reminder often. Enjoyed your post!
Thanks Sandra, that last picture is pretty sentimental to me. ~TMR~
Hello from Ontario Canada . I understand what you mean about Living Deliberately – Voluntary Simplicity . I was raised on a farm and to got caught up in the whirlwind of life as I grew in to an adult and now am retired and living in a beautiful old farm house built in 1895 in a country valley village not far from the north shores of Lake Erie . This area is full of beautiful country side , Ports , farms and wonderful wild nature and some right in our own back yard ! I am slowly getting back into home grown and home made remembering how I was raise on the farm as a kid living off of the land ! Simple , yet calming and peaceful with the odd shaker upper every now and then . Hubs AKA Papa and I love the quiet simple at home life , with our girls Miggs our dog and Harley our cat and of course all the nature we have here . Nothing like sitting on the porch in our rockers just dreaming the day away ! Your blog is wonderful and right up my alley or rather country road hehe ! Thanks for sharing ! Have a good day !
Country Gal, thanks for sharing your thoughts. It seems we are indeed of the same mind – the simple life suits me and I wonder why I didn’t get here sooner. Thanks for stopping by, country-Road friends are great, no? LOL. ~TMR~
I love that you said “even as a youngster I had an old-fashioned spirit”. Me too! And now that I’m older, I get to live the old-fashioned-ness that I have wanted! It gives me so much satisfaction at the end of the day. I couldn’t ask for anything more! And I am hoping to instill that in my own kids. Anyway, great post! Totally agree! 🙂
Thanks Heather – it’s good when we can finally come full circle to live the life we dreamed we could. ~TMR~
I loved your article. It describes the way we live our life and why. There is no deprivation here. We are all better for doing a little work along the way. It becomes enjoyable.
Thanks Heidi. I found that at least for me, the ‘work’ I was doing for this voluntary simplicity lifestyle was taking the place of completely wasted time, like sitting in front of the TV (which I think I did way too much of back in the day) I’ve replaced sitting in front of the TV for actually LIVING my life, and I love it! ~TMR~
Today is my first visit having found you via Our Home Away From Home. I like your mantra of “living deliberately”. We have tried to live simply for quite a few years and now that I am retired, I am determined to be better. I talked at dinner tonight about starting to compost and hope to plant vegetables next year when I clear a spot. I have a long way to go, but I know we can simplify.
Carol, retirement offers so many more ways to simplify your life so you may be pleasantly surprised that one thing easily leads to another. If you’re looking to start a compost I wrote about the procedure here —> http://bit.ly/TMR-Composting It will give you an idea of the basic procedure. It’s easy – go for it! ~TMR~
What a beautiful post! I love (and share) your philosophies. I believe living simply will help you live well. It took me a long time to turn away from the normal ways of society and reject consumerism, but it was a liberating experience! Thanks for sharing on Natural Living Monday!
Andrea, I’m glad it’s not just me that took time to turn away from the consumerism lifestyle Why did it take me so long – it’s WONDERFUL! I think in my mind I was afraid it would be a life of deprivation but it’s quite the opposite – my life is more full now than it’s ever been. ~TMR~
Love this!! Amen! We shared with our FB readers at homesteadlady.com.
Oh Tessa, that’s awesome – thanks for sharing on FB! I think more & more people are feeling the tug toward simplicity, and what an exciting thing that is! ~TMR~
What an absolutely beautiful piece you have written.
(blushes) Thanks Tricia! ~TMR~
Enjoyed this post as well! 🙂
Love seeing your clothes hanging on the line. It’s my favorite chore in my fairly simple life. Love your post!
Hanging the clothes on the line is my favorite chore as well! I don’t see it as a chore at all, it’s very calming for me. ~TMR~
Your blog today, and the picture of the clothes on the line, was so timely! Last evening we were working on lists of where to start when we get to Leonard in less than 6 weeks (!!!) and I told David, “I want a clothesline right away.” I grew up with one and haven’t had one in decades, but I still remember the peaceful feeling of hanging up clean damp laundry, and later the wonderful sun-kissed smell of the clothes as I would bring them in and put them away. I am so excited to embark on this new journey!
Yes, Christine. Yes, yes, YES!!! If you don’t already have a clothesline at your new home I’d recommend the one we use. It’s a retractable and removable two-line clothesline. We hang it on the tetherball pole and string it to the wall of our garage where we hook it on two decorative hooks we’ve anchored into the brick. When the laundry is done I simply retract the lines and bring it inside until next time. No ducking underneath to mow or walk around our yard – it works great for us. –> http://amzn.to/1LPzq4W I know you’re excited for your big move. Woo-Hoo!! ~TMR~
Thanks for the tip! I’ll check it out today!
Living simply is not depriving yourself or your family. How many times have I said that to people I know! Before we had all of these modern conveniences, we didn’t feel deprived, and now that we have them, we all fully know we can survive without them, just as our grandmothers and great-grandmothers did. I know people who say they couldn’t live without a dishwasher. I have NEVER used one in my 43 years on this planet, and I don’t need it. I think part of it is just. pure. laziness.
Lori – I think you may be right. Although I’m not against convenience, it seems more & more the driving force these days. I’m not judging – to each their own, but I’m loving a more deliberate life! ~TMR~
That convenience thing is a real vicious circle. We have all these things that “save time” but the time saved is often not used to slow down and refresh people. Instead they begin stuffing in more and more optional things which aren’t necessary for a reasonable life and which in the long run don’t provide rest or satisfaction. It’s as if people get so accustomed to running around in a frenzy that just sitting down, resting, reading, talking with others, contemplating,——- being truly leisurely—–seems to them to be a waste of time. Victoria in Indiana
Well-said, Victoria. Oftentimes frazzled folks are using those convenience items so they have more time to sit in front of the TV. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think TV is bad in & of itself, but in my opinion far too over-utilized. I used to think the frazzled lifestyle was just the way it was when you grew into an adult – I was so pleased to find out it didn’t have to be that way! ~TMR~
Using a dishwasher isn’t lazy. It just means I get to spend more time with my kids & family.
Each family is in a different place in their lives Brenda and with different needs. What works for one may or may not work for another, we each strive to do what’s best for our own families. ~TMR~
Lovely post! Nobody ever said simplicity was the ‘easy’ way but it certainly is the most soul-satisfying way for me! 🙂
Candy – “The Most Soul Satisfying Way”… YES! ~TMR~
I love to read stories like this! About 5 years ago, right around the time I had my first baby, I started to really look at the way food was produced. It was alarming to see how things have changed, and that I was so accepting of it, even though my mom had a huge garden when I was growing up. The food was the trigger for me, and then it just became a spiral of other things that I could do to live more intentionally. It is amazing to see the changes we have made in just a few short years, and also how far we still want to go. But, it is an exciting journey! I’m glad that you still find joy in it!
Heather, you and I are on the same page here. The drive for more natural food was the trigger for me as well, then it naturally lead to other things such as cleaners, toiletries, household items, etc.. Now it’s a very fun hobby for me to provide more & more for my family. ~TMR~
Oh! Bravo! I’m clapping my hands…I loved this post. You put it so eloquently…exactly how I feel. I love this **** Voluntary simplicity is not about deprivation, but about creativity**** I get so jazzed to take something ugly, used up, small and insignificant… and turning it into to something of beauty, something useful again–saving the seeds to dry on a piece of newspaper to be sown later gets the wheels of my mind going. When I plant that rooted sweet potato— I’m thinking of all the ways, I want to eat SWEET POTATOES later on… Great post. Hope you had cool temps today in your part of Texas. We had 78° and drizzle all day!!! I was thankful to turn off the A/C and eat outside on the porch. 🙂 ~ Pat
Pat – I love that – I feel the same. I think more & more people are starting to realize that the consumer treadmill isn’t the answer. Temps in our part of Texas were shockingly cool! As RancherMan & I sat outside watching the sunset last night, we had to come in early as even wearing a sweater it was uncomfortably cool. In *JULY*! IN TEXAS! Wow. About 1′ of rain last night, praying for more! Hope you’re getting the wet stuff as well. ~TMR~