If there’s one question I’ve always dreaded it’s, “So, what do you do?”
When the kids were younger it was easy; “I’m a Mum, a Home Maker, a (shudder) Housewife”.
Then I dabbled in writing for a bit and grandly called myself an author but I always felt a bit of a fraud (three kid’s books is hardly Enid Blyton or J K Rowling). A place on the local Music School committee catapulted me into the role of Director as these things have a habit of doing, but it always felt like I was role playing, and then temporary reprieve arrived in the shape of Farm Girl (phew) but now I’m back to the big question, again.
“So, what do you do?”
But I’ve finally sorted it, and myself, out; I’m a Homesteader.
Usually people say “Oh!” or “Wow!” and then the conversation rambles off down another avenue (Did you watch The Crown/Tiger King/Jacinda on whatever-she’s-been-on-lately, something Covid related, or (as a last resort) what about this crazy weather – which it has indeed been – two days nudging 40 degrees C, one of torrential downpour; I could go on…) but at a recent in-town appointment I was brought up short by the response: “So, what’s that?”
Totally taken by surprise, I rambled about growing our own food, lessening our environmental footprint, and general self sufficiency, thus leaving myself wide open for the whole The Good Life (Good Neighbours in the USA) reference Do-You-Make-Peapod-Wine ho! ho! ho! I mean, don’t get me wrong, I loved that show, it’s probably partially responsible for my belief that goats can live in a suburban backyard, and, if we’re talking roles here, I’m over the moon to be cast as Felicity Kendal, but it did leave me feeling like a bit of a silly joke. So, after much mental stop-rewind-replay I’ve come up with something which may or may not make me feel a little more valid.
Our style of Homesteading is like that of a small scale Farmer except we don’t make any money; it’s not a business.
I spend my days tending and harvesting fruit, vegetables, and animals for our table and freezer but have no desire to set up a stand at the end of the driveway. I get a huge buzz out of tucking the seedlings grown from seeds I saved from the best of the previous harvest into little holes lined with a handful of Homestead compost and a chunk of our own sheep’s wool, in one of our ramshackle vegetables patches that will never feature in any gardening magazine. Being meat eaters, I take pride in tending our own sheep, goats, chickens, and pigs; It resonates with my history and where I come from. When the birds hit the fruit trees, I know it’s time to get out the preserving jars; in September I ring the Shearer, in December the Hay Guy. I keep the home, attend the needs of the Homestead fleet, feed everyone, fight an ongoing battle with keeping the algae out of the pool, and attempt to instill manners in one over-enthusiastic bundle of lovin’ Labrador.
All this makes me incredibly happy (most days) and I’m lucky my family sees the value in what I do even if I don’t bring in a pay cheque.
Yep, I’m a Homesteader.
Union Homestead 
I loved your description of how you spend your days and think the title you give yourself fits perfectly.
Thank, Susan. Its taken me a while to work it out
It is what a lot of people would like to be if they had the opportunity and the courage. I take my hat off to you.
Thank you, but it really is just doing what I was born to do. I am very lucky my family values my contribution as, without them, I would be left role playing forever 😁
Would have to be my favourite series I have the dvd set. lol. Great way to describe yourself. Fantastic description as working on the land isn’t just what we do, it’s a part of who we are. Love the photo.
Its truly in my DNA. Yes, I was pleased with the photo, too … I’m in my happy place 😁
I too loved the description – and the picture! Glad you got your turn to ride, lol. It’s funny how we feel a need to label ourselves, isn’t it? It’s so limiting…some vlogger I follow quipped recently that many people have fixed ideas as to the definition of homesteader – she herself believed for a long time that if you didn’t use canning jars every summer, you didn’t qualify. Like you she believes the label can be widely applied and has a very loose definition; it’s more a matter of lifestyle. Also – pool? I didn’t remember mention of a pool..
I am a disaster at “canning”. Can pickle and make jams and jellies and cordials but the rest – useless. Always goes mouldy no matter what method I use.
The pool is a put up/take down one The Farmer surprised us with. I love it – reminiscent of my childhood, living in my togs, multiple swims a day – but fight a daily battle with keeping it clear.
ah – we had one for many years – although in the end we snagged it with the mower and it ripped, sending thousands of litres of water all over creation. It had a filter thingy on the side that my hubs was in charge of, which helped a ton. They are just the thing for cooling off after a dusty session in the garden or paddock.