Non Electric Homestead McMinn County (Knoxville, Mason: lease, lawyer, cost)

[texasfirewheel]

What an awesome tribute to an awesome man. Thank you so much for sharing that.

[rlrm777]

As painful as the loss of a loved one is, you were blessed to have him in your life while you could.

Hugs from Fla.

[LegacyFarm]

Have been following your story and have appreciated all you have shared about your experience and about Jimmy & Hazel. What an honor that you got to know him and thank you for allowing us to know him a little. Sounds like the kind of people we'd all like to have as neighbors. Seems as though Jimmy has just gone on ahead to clear the next piece of land for those that will follow. It's so nice that you are living a dream and that he was such a major part of it. Again, thanks for sharing your story, it's an inspiration.

[billr]

You have just gave us all a lesson in living. We too often go through life without fully realizing and enjoying the blessings that we have.

It is wonderful that fate brought the bunch of you together at a time that each of you needed each other. There really is a greater plan that God has in mind for us beyond what we can even imagine.

I have known a couple of wonderful people in my life who had a tremendous impact on me and while they were not blood related they certainly became a part of my family.

It took love to write such a tribute to what was such a wonderful friend and as you say the father you never had.

I feel blessed to even be able to read it and share in it just by virtue of you sharing with us.

BillR

[vacation bound]

Forestbreath-I am so sorry to hear about Jimmy. That was such a loving tribute you wrote. It sounds like he was an angel sent to you and he has finished his job. Cherish the time and memories you had together. You are in my thoughts.

[Rach1966]

prayers to you and his family
saw this in the The Daily Post Athenian

[Shenandoah]

ForestBreath,

Our thoughts and prayers go out for you and your family. Jimmy will be missed, but the memory of him, and his legacy in you will last forever.

blessings, Shen

[Forest Breath]

Quick update: We have been very busy lately. We stayed with Hazel for 2 weeks and that certainly put us behind on getting anything done at home. It needed to be done though, because she was just not doing well at all. We had to put the insulation on hold for a bit. Hazel had a minor health issue this past weekend, I think attending the funeral of her best friend’s daughter, so soon after losing Jimmy, was just too much. We got an alarm system on her house this week, so she is feeling much better about staying alone at night. We are not sleeping at our home and just checking in on her throughout the day and go see her every night before bed.

So we started the insulation and currently have it ¾ of the way done. It would have been nice to do that before we moved in so there would not be such a mess and the house would not be in disarray, but that was not possible with our funds and deadlines. So we are just working our way through it and dealing with the stress. Meanwhile, we have to focus on Winter arriving as well. We have been cutting wood and Don, Jimmy’s brother showed up the other day and said his neighbor had a 200 or so year old Oak that was struck by lightening last year. It was cut down but not cut up. They would give it to whoever would haul it away. So Chris and Don have been struggling with our small chainsaws to cut this huge tree up in pieces. They load it onto the trailer with a tractor and chain, bring it to the house and unload it with the tractor and chain. It has been interesting watching Chris and Amanda chop up these huge pieces with the axe (and wedge, crowbar, mallet, and more. It is slowly being chopped and added to the woodshed however. I think when we get it done, and the hackberry and sweetgum we already have cut into pieces, we will have at least 4 cords.

We are also working on the root cellar as well. I am not sure when we will get that done, but hopefully soon. I am making some time to enjoy the cool weather on the front porch. We generally work until after dark on things, but take a few minutes to sit on the porch and crochet or play cards. The water barrels are full again from the last rain. We are doing pretty good with the water collection and have not run out of water so far. We get about 200+ gallons with just ½ inch of rain, so we have plenty of fresh water for baths and such. I have dried a LOT of food for the Winter, beans, peas, green beans, apples, figs, pears, blueberries, blackberries and lots more. I am now in the process of collecting pawpaws, persimmons and drying pumpkins. We will go out foraging soon for acorns, and nuts (hickory, pecans and black walnuts). I will make flour with the acorns. Don told me I could pick the rest of his muscadines, there will be over 20 gallons of them. I can make juice with them and that will be wonderful for breakfast with hot biscuits and fresh butter. OR….blueberry scones made with the dried blueberries.

We continue to love life and love this choice we have made. I cannot imagine living with electricity now. I miss nothing about it to be honest. I love to crochet by the oil lamp at night, light it of a morning and get ready for work, cook on the grill and eat outside on the porch, carry water in for dishes and laundry, hang out clothes on the line, barefoot in the dew and less noise that life seems to have most places. So, for this update, life is good. We are still enjoying the homestead, we have not a single regret in this whole decision, I miss Jimmy so badly that I feel my heart will certainly break into, but….we are so grateful that we are blessed to have this wonderful life and such a perfect home to live and enjoy it in.



Delivering one load of wood


Unloading


Perrin helps "tear up the tree" with a wooden mallet Chris made
him to play with


This is just one section of the tree!


I love the front porch, it is the main (an most used) part of the house


Taking a break from work, my daughter Amanda and grandkids Perrin and
Lakota get attacked by a mad dog named Cletus!


Lakota finds a super cool tree on the property


Devin helps dig a hole


Watching the kids play

[younglisa7]

It's sounds like you are doing well. I'm sure Jimmy would be proud. Maybe Hazel would like a dog for companionship and protection. I know I would if I was alone.

Your pictures are really great. I love the last one. You look really happy. Good luck with all the winter preps. We are also racing against time, As much as I love the cooler weather I want to be in the house before any snow LOL.

Lisa

[Forest Breath]

Thanks

As for the dog....She has 2 dogs and 3 cats. They are all spoiled rotten. One of the cats, Scooter, was Jimmy's cat and has attached herself to me and Chris. She is 28 years old...can you believe it? 28!