Who Does & Doesn't Belong on This Forum?

[MawKettle]

Originally Posted by Karen

There are so many places of different interest on this site that I can't even think of someone who wouldn't belong here. We've got everything from homesteading, to cooking, to animals, to pets, to bees, to religion and politics, to woodworking, to survival, to health issues, to computer help -- and even where to get comfortable bras!

We're no longer just for the homesteader or wanna-be-homesteaders. We've got something for everyone to learn and even more that we can learn from them!

Karen - I agree.......for the lurker that's just what HT is.....

But for the "red-headed stepchild" in the next room - those that lurk often - but post infrequently.... (NOTE - if you have red hair, are a step-child, have step children, or are sitting in the next room - I MEANT NO DISRESPECT!!!!!! please don't ban me - please don't ban me [mods - totally tongue in cheek ] )......HT is a hard crowd to break into.............

[Karen]

Jill, I've heard people say that before and I would really like to understand that better so we can make it easier. Could you please explain?

[Melissa]

Originally Posted by Shygal

Well i guess I dont belong here anymore, because due to circumstances, I no longer have my chickens, ducks, turkeys, garden, or even a home any more.

You will always belong my friend, because no matter what you don't have, you still have a heart...

[Ravenlost]

Originally Posted by rose2005

Do you really think so? When I joined back in 2005 I felt very welcomed and enjoyed all the helpful advice and friendliness. I never felt like an outsider...I posted that I was a newbie at things and was eagerly helped.

If someone feels like this place is 'clicky' then that is sad, because I don't think anyone wants that.


Rose

Same here. When I joined I was SO happy to find such a nice, friendly site.

[Melissa]

Originally Posted by fellini123

Timely topic, I guess the powers that be, here in Homesteading Today fell that I do NOT belong. Everyday I am banned from more and more areas and from reading most topics.
It says my IP address has been banned. I dont think I have done anything. I have written and asked many many times, but never have I gotten any answer at all.
At first it was just General Chat and Admin, now it is most of the topics in the Family Forum, and today it was several topics in the goat forum. Soon I will not be able to get in anywhere.
Wish I know what to do about it?? Deleted my cache no change..... very depressed

Alice in Virginia

It isn't you specifically, it is an administrative issue and I know Dean is working on it, hang in there!

[Caitedid]

I grew up a farm, but live in the city, and I like it. Yes, I said it, I don't think the city is totally evil. That said, I come here because a lot of you don't think like me. It's like having a big extended family that you don't always agree with, but someone's guaranteed to have some advice, a laugh, a shoulder to unburden on.

[quietstar]

Diversity is one of the things I enjoy about this forum..but then I am always inclined to choose the container of Mixed Nuts when I shop..LOL! Serious now, I like the sense of constrained freedom that Melissa has provided. It has made a varied group of individuals such as we, comfortable and welcome. I will confess that just the thought of her disapproval is enough to keep me mostly remembering my manners.

As a homesteader, I'm a contradiction of sorts. Growing up earlier than most here, I worked hard as a boy from Gee/Hawing a team of Spanish mules, to working cattle in brush pastures. Years of learning and working have blessed my life enough that I can make choices now. I find satisfaction in my garden and wood shop, using my old fashioned hand tools, but confess to having enough power tools to stock a rental store. Like any country boy, I'm independent and confident I can deal with what ever comes down the trail. Most folks on this forum belong here because of sincere interests and the spirit to love a life style that many others find unattractive...Glen

[AR Cattails]

Originally Posted by Melissa

I agree Lisa. I do kind of have a live and let live attitude about most people. I figure even those who are not actively pursuing the homesteading lifestyle, will learn something here.

Not long ago, I was thinking about why this board is so important to me. I have a big, close family, I have plenty of friends, a great husband and children, a church that is very special to me. I am not a lonely person as far as people go, but in this place I find a community of people who want to be independent, who don't think it is strange to take garlic tablets if you are sick, homeschool children, question the government, eat real food, around here I appear to be normal! In real life, as Brady says, I am decidedly weird.... LOL

So if you want to be as weird as I am, if you want to learn how to look at the world in a different way, if you want to question the status quo, you belong here. If you aren't quite sure about all of that, but you are willing to take a stab at it anyways, you still belong here. If you think we are all a bunch of lunatics then you probably don't belong here. If you dream of a life of independence, if you care about the land, and the air, and the water, if you want to grow something, even if it's just a tomato plant or some lettuce in a pot, you belong here. If you love chickens, and freshly dug potatoes, and laying in a field watching the clouds go by, you belong here. If you have this overwhelming desire to live a life that matters, you belong here...

Wow. I wasn't really going to post here too much anymore after reading what some people were saying on the other thread. I didn't feel quite so welcome because I'm not a "true homesteader" and felt like some members wanted those of us like that to find another place. I love it here and still feel like I can contribute to people's threads without being negative at all. You've made me feel so welcome.

Thank you, Melissa!


I hope southrngardngal doesn't mind that I borrowed this little snippet from one of her posts today where she was talking about her experience in the bad storms in Mississippi. This kinda summed up my feelings about this place before I read all those replies to that thread by Tracy today. Now, thanks to Melissa...I feel that way again.

"...Thank you all for being here for me. I will tell you the truth......I am terrified of bad weather and being by myself didn't help any. But I wasn't really by myself was I? I had you all. Thank you for your prayers and just for posting to keep me going."

sgg-Jan

[chickenista]

You know, this post and the other that spoke of people's unhappiness with the current way of the board has kinda made me a bit sad.
As I made biscuits and bacon (yes, I bought bacon again and have it on occasion...ya'll are to blame..bacon is a vegetable) a fwe moments ago so I wouldn't have to do it in the morning I was thinking about this and decided it was indeed sad.
One of the reasons I love it here is that I and I am guessing everyone feels welcome. Now, I have doubts.. I feel that I do belong.. I have a ton of birds, a garden etc.. and 3.5 acres...I can and make 90% of our bread..but I have never really thought whether or not I met someone's standard of belongedness... or that a post I may post may not be homestead-y enough... or to think that others are feeling this way.. kinda sad..
It is like deciding who is worthy to live in your town... who decides.. and why..
I should probably go to bed.. I sound sleepy and tired and whiny. If I was a kid, I would send myself to bed..

[MawKettle]

Originally Posted by Karen

Jill, I've heard people say that before and I would really like to understand that better so we can make it easier. Could you please explain?

Karen...it's really only an issue in some of the more "controversial" forums....GC is one (don't get me wrong - I love reading GC...if it wasn't for Oggie and his daily dose of tom foolery - I might lose my mind).....and maybe GC is not the place to "immerse" yourself here......but......

A lot of people (myself included) especially "newbies" don't have much to offer the board in terms of life experience....my own story is a perfect example. I live on less than 1/8th of an acre. I have no practical opinions to give on well drilling, septic maintenance, gardening, canning, preserving, etc.

I do make a mean meatloaf - but that was the subject of another, controversial thread recently.

I, am I am sure others, get intimidated. Anything I might post.....is probably wrong.

I can spout reems of information on reloading ammunition (only cause DH is a reloading fanatic, and is convinced he will need to defend house and home by 50 BMG any minute) , or my general feeling on conspiracy theories, or on the need to prep for the unexpected. One of the reasons I'm one of Angie's (and her forum's ) biggest fans.

But for the most part, I've really got nothing to offer the board (at this point at least)....I'm here to learn.

So where do I gravitate when I want a conversation with like minded individuals? Well, either here at CF or in GC. In CF I can read all the warm and fuzzy threads (for the most part)....in GC I can get into a discussion (or a fight as the case may be).

Now, we all know what kind of free-for-all can happen in GC....and I have no issue with the rules being maintained......but since I had a thread locked - I'm not so eager to post there either.

Without going into specifics....because its not necessary, Chuck had his reason, I respect that reason even though I've seen others violate the same rule (frequently), yet my thread was locked.

But it turned me off to the idea of engaging other HT members. I don't want to step on toes. And this happened during the last rash of banning.

Trying to keep my nose clean.

So I lurk in GC. I lurk in CF. I lurk in HQ and I lurk in SEP.

And I keep my mouth shut.

[Marsha]

I rarely ever post here...but have been on the board since it with associated with Countryside Magazine, and, when Ken was heading it up.

I first of all want to acknowledge that I feel Melissa does a fine job of keeping
things on track here, and, it is a job that I am sure is not always easy.

Secondly, I would like to say, that probably most of us come here because of
a common interest that we have in homesteading, and, the things that go along with homesteading. I would also like to say that each, and, everyone here might have a different idea of what homesteading means to them.

Just because we homestead does not mean that we don't have other things going on in our lives...things that break our hearts, or, make us mad, or, things that bring us joy.

I appreciate the fact that this is a place where folks feel like they can share...the good, and, the bad that is going on in their lives.

I am on several different forums, and, I really do enjoy being here...even if
I do occasionally read a rant or two, or, a post from someone who I might
feel is way out in left field.

I am born again christian, and, each year as I read through my Bible I read
stuff, that I just really don't like to read...things like...the murdering of innocent babies, whole cities being destroyed, brother killing brother,
people being beheaded, and, so, on, and, so forth.

I'm sorry to say, but, this is life...and we all have a story, and, sometimes,
it isn't a nice story. That doesn't mean we are not homesteaders...it just means we are real people who actually have good, and, bad things come into
our lives, on top of trying to be 21st century homesteaders.

What qualifies you to be here on this forum...well I think it would be an interest in homesteading, and, the honesty to say...that there are other
things going on in your life outside of your quest to be a homesteader.

If you read this forum with only the intent to know how many eggs so, and, so, is getting from their chickens daily, or, how large their gardens are, than I would say, it is probalby pretty easy to recognize those posts, and, navigate
towards them.

The other posts, are usually pretty easy to recognize as well...and, if you are
in the least interested in reading a rant from someone, or, in hearing of something that is going on in their lives outside of homesteading, be it good, or bad, than I encourage you to read, and, offer up a praise or a prayer whatever the need may be!

Blessings,

Marsha

[Peacock]

Originally Posted by chickenista

You know, this post and the other that spoke of people's unhappiness with the current way of the board has kinda made me a bit sad.
As I made biscuits and bacon (yes, I bought bacon again and have it on occasion...ya'll are to blame..bacon is a vegetable) a fwe moments ago so I wouldn't have to do it in the morning I was thinking about this and decided it was indeed sad.
One of the reasons I love it here is that I and I am guessing everyone feels welcome. Now, I have doubts.. I feel that I do belong.. I have a ton of birds, a garden etc.. and 3.5 acres...I can and make 90% of our bread..but I have never really thought whether or not I met someone's standard of belongedness... or that a post I may post may not be homestead-y enough... or to think that others are feeling this way.. kinda sad..
It is like deciding who is worthy to live in your town... who decides.. and why..

Well no, the whole point of my original post was to assure everyone that they ARE welcome. I wanted people to SAY it, just in case there were some folks who doubted it.

And I wanted it to go beyond just saying "of course everyone's welcome, we never said there were entrance requirements..." because that's too easy of an answer.

I am satisfied. This thread is turning out just the way I'd hoped. Thanks everyone!

[Songbird]

Well, after reading some of the other threads here recently I was starting to feel maybe some wouldn't think that I belonged here. I'm not a hardcore homesteader myself, but come from homesteading roots from way back. I do alot of things the homesteading way as I was raised, but don't own alot of land. I do maintain a big garden, care for several rescue animals, recycle, try to do things the "natural" way, including taking care of me and my family's health. My dream is to own land and to have chickens, sheep, goats, a horse, etc. but I don't think it will happen in my lifetime due to money constraints, but I love to come here and dream anyway. Hope that is ok with ya'all.

[AngieM2]

Personally I think Tracy's thread was not about people being here or not, but the attitude that is getting mean and frumpy (lack of better description) here. It use to be described as a place that was being nice like visiting your Great Aunt or Church Ladies in being nice and minding company manners. That seems to be missing more lately (or feels like it). I've even missed that warm feeling.

But I may or may not belong here. I like Country Living and use to but that darn suburban sprawl is making this 'country' with the little goat pasture next to this small mobile home park that is now a self storage area about to open. (I say they knew I needed more room close by for more fabric ).

So, I don't think it's about people as about attitudes. We all can learn from each other and get some neat ideas, or someone as a key question that makes us all think - but the mean, sometimes nasty stuff appears more often than it use to. Or at least it seems that way.

Also, as some said, it's winter and a politcal year ....

Angie

[cindyc]

Originally Posted by Ravenlost

I don't know if I belong here, or anywhere else for that matter, but I like it here so y'all are stuck with me!

Yea, that's kinda me too.

Cindyc.

[booklover]

To me, HOMESTEADING doesn't have a set of criteria that you have to meet in order to "belong". The only litmus test for homesteading, I think is the desire to simplify your life by getting back to the basics and the earth. Period. Some people want to practice only certain aspects of that, some people are ABLE to practice only certain aspects of that.

I think the reason that others want to say that some don't belong here isn't because of Homesteading issues, but because there are some that have different views of LIFE. And they don't like it when those nasty little tidbits about another way of thinking is brought up. Some here are not Christian or they live alternative lifestyles, or are liberal, or believe in zero population growth... But hey, even the gay muslim pro-abortion anti-gun liberal can enjoy the different aspects of homesteading.

[suzfromWi]

Originally Posted by Melissa

I agree Lisa. I do kind of have a live and let live attitude about most people. I figure even those who are not actively pursuing the homesteading lifestyle, will learn something here.

Not long ago, I was thinking about why this board is so important to me. I have a big, close family, I have plenty of friends, a great husband and children, a church that is very special to me. I am not a lonely person as far as people go, but in this place I find a community of people who want to be independent, who don't think it is strange to take garlic tablets if you are sick, homeschool children, question the government, eat real food, around here I appear to be normal! In real life, as Brady says, I am decidedly weird.... LOL

So if you want to be as weird as I am, if you want to learn how to look at the world in a different way, if you want to question the status quo, you belong here. If you aren't quite sure about all of that, but you are willing to take a stab at it anyways, you still belong here. If you think we are all a bunch of lunatics then you probably don't belong here. If you dream of a life of independence, if you care about the land, and the air, and the water, if you want to grow something, even if it's just a tomato plant or some lettuce in a pot, you belong here. If you love chickens, and freshly dug potatoes, and laying in a field watching the clouds go by, you belong here. If you have this overwhelming desire to live a life that matters, you belong here...

I had to stop reading and comment on your post Melissa. I think it says it all and very beautifully too. Thank you.

[homefire2007]

This thread very much reminds me of growing pains, it happens on forums all the time. The very words,'who belongs and who doesn't,' leaves me cold.... I, too, have been here since Countryside, different names and a couple of moves later under homefire 2007. At one time I had goats, chickens and such, no longer. I am still a 'homesteader' because it is a state of mind and a way of looking at things. I've always liked it here for the very reason it was okay to be different! There will always be situations where a post may upset some, make others uncomfortable, etc. The vast majority of posts and posters are interesting, informative and I, for one, have learned much...and made friends.

[homefire2007]

P.S. Shygal, I have been reading your threads and replies forever...elfie and your tangles with tallpaul....you very much 'belong.'

[Scrounger]

That Scrounger guy HAS to go......wait.......hmmmmmmmmmm.......

We live on 100 acres and both of us grew up on farms. In addition to the benefits, we enjoy living the way we do. It's a state of mind.