In my last bit of writing I stated that I would launch a series soon. Sorry it took me 4 months! You left the claptrap of urbanity behind. You're taking a risk. You rusticated. Safe harbour is behind you. If you weren't able to assemble you're crew before leaving shore, don't worry. They are out … Continue reading Go: Build Inner Community
Author: Aeron Nicholas
New Series
Some ideas are just too good to pass up. In this case, a series of writings about a linchpin in my life. A single post is not enough to insulate the reader from the electricity. I have an entire series in mind, hallelujah. It's about the land—the source of all things good. It's about the … Continue reading New Series
Gutbusticator
When my girl and I first broke ground on what would later be the foundation of our new house, we were in pretty good shape. Fast forward a few weeks later; shovelling, tamping, lifting heavy bags of gravel in the dry summer heat left our bodies in absolute agony. We relied only on a neighbour's … Continue reading Gutbusticator
The Offbeat Social Dynamics of Village Life
In our modern industrial culture it is not unusual to hear mention of a “global village.”Often touted by utopians, scholars, and demagogues as a benchmark of progress, the notion of a global village is really just a stand-in for an actual, localized village. I don't consider it a village at all. I belong to an … Continue reading The Offbeat Social Dynamics of Village Life
The Poetry of Burning Cardboard
I love to burn cardboard. Such a satisfying byproduct to have go up in flames. Burns fast, burns hot, and marbles when incinerated. One day I asked myself why I felt this way. Here's my answer.I like to manage my own waste—it's satisfying. The importance of taking care of your own shit has never been … Continue reading The Poetry of Burning Cardboard
A Look into ‘Gladenook’
In my previous post I shared that my family and I live on a plateau amid the St. John River Valley, known as Dawnland to the Maliseet people of the region. I said you'd find the nuts and bolts of our homestead in this post, so here it is. On one hectare of field and … Continue reading A Look into ‘Gladenook’
Nooks and Crannies
Buffered by a young wreath of poplar, silver birch, spruce, and dogwood, my family and I built a home on one hectare of field and woodland in the crook of a meadow. It's sort of like a nook, in fact. And we consider it a glade too. Farmers used to work the soil on this … Continue reading Nooks and Crannies
How to Elude the Housing Racket
"It has been most truly said that our land does not belong to us only," said William Morris. "It is not in any sense our property, to do as we like with it. We are only trustees for those that come after us." How common it is today to hear about the outrageous cost of … Continue reading How to Elude the Housing Racket
Energy Independence: Solar Power
There are dozens of terrific articles about the virtues of solar electricity for off-grid (and on-grid) living. In order for me to include solar electricity into my own home I had to hit the books. Thankfully, it's not all that daunting of an undertaking to learn about solar. If you're gonna rusticate, here's what you'll … Continue reading Energy Independence: Solar Power
All in Together: Community
Rusticators long to belong. In my blog post 3 Good Reasons to Return to the Land, I reserved an entry for the topic of community. I make no apologies for the helter-skelter way in which I will turn you on to the golden fleece of rustication. You know you want it.Before I begin, a definition … Continue reading All in Together: Community
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