Bear Poop and Applesauce: A Migration to the Country

It is a myth many people believe: that rural life is easy, bucolic, peaceful, and cheap. Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t. But one thing is certain: there aren’t many urbanites who try it for themselves. Many that do are either wealthy or retired.

Join us on our journey away from the city lights as we embark on a sometimes hilarious, sometimes harrowing expedition to adopt a rural lifestyle. I’m not talking about a move-the-city-with-you- to-your-luxury-cabin-in-the-woods lifestyle, either. No, I’m talking about a move-to-the-country-with-no-money lifestyle. We did what I later found most people only fantasize about: chucking it all and finding your slice of rural paradise. Through sheer hard work and no small slice of luck, we succeeded. (Bear Poop is still an unpublished manuscript.)

Life 101: 101 Lessons in Simple Living

After extensive reading of every book I could lay my hands on, I concluded that the Simple Living movement has been hijacked by a certain political and philosophical demographic, leaving the rest of us out in the cold.  To me, simplicity isn’t (necessarily) about living green, chucking all your possessions, or espousing a certain political view.  I became increasing frustrated by my inability to find a book that reflected my beliefs about simple living.

To me, true simple living is about fulfilling vows of fidelity and support with one’s spouse; about raising children with love and discipline; about living a scaled-back lifestyle and avoiding debt; about maintaining one’s health; and most importantly about keeping a proper attitude so that life’s difficulties can be overcome with less stress.

Imagine how simple your life would be if you and your spouse loved each other dearly, if your children were well-behaved and respectful, if you had no debt and a home in proportion to your needs, and you were in good health.  Wow.  Can’t get much simpler than that.

That’s what Life 101 is all about.

(My agent is currently seeking placement for this manuscript.)