Category: Philosophy

The Golden Rule of a Minimalist Homestead

~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”

Wise words from William Morris.

William Morris
William Morris

This is the mantra that drives the entire vardo project.  I try to keep this in mind for every thing I add and every part I build.  Otherwise, isn’t it just junk?

Enjoy the Ride; Happy Birthday Edward Abbey

~ George Crawford ~ 7 Comments

Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Ride

This is a re-post from last year.  However, I think the message is a strong one and worth think about again.

Life is short.  If you’re fortunate enough to live with the means and privilege and food security, consider yourself lucky.  When I feel low or unhappy, I always want to remember the people subjected to abject poverty worldwide through no fault of their own.  It seems that the privileged, the comfortable, and those with the least to complain about are the most vocal and judgmental and superior acting.  A few words by Edward Abbey from a speech to environmentalists published in High Country News, (24 September 1976), under the title “Joy, Shipmates, Joy!”

DSC_0326
Columbia River 2015, G.T. Crawford.

One final paragraph of advice: […] It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it’s still here. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, the lovely, mysterious, and awesome space.

Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to the body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this much; I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those desk-bound men and women with their hearts in a safe deposit box, and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this; You will outlive the bastards.

Edward Abbey

The Tobasco Donkeys, a little known musical group working at the Philmont Scout Ranch recorded a song using Abbey’s words in one of the verses.  It fits well and brings a smile to my face.

Let Go of the Things that Do Not Matter

~ George Crawford ~ 3 Comments

“We live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities.”

— Oscar Wilde

I’m not one for New Year resolutions.  However, it is a time of reflection and I’m glad for the progress I have made in decluttering my life and prioritizing what truly matters over the past few years.  Maybe 2016 is the year for another person out there to step away from the frenzy of mindless consumption.  More junk around house doesn’t make anyone more happy.  And it is certainly not your duty to spend your hard-earned capital only to increase corporate profit.

Alternatively, I don’t advocate volunteer poverty as such.  It is wonderful to have nice things; decent clothing, well-made furniture, good food, and a cozy house.  Just remember, unless you were born into wealth you did not earn yourself, the objects you buy don’t really cost money, they cost your time, freedom, and ultimately, your life.

My constant resolution is to become better, do better things, and be a better person than I was last year.

Happy New Year to all.

What are you resolved to do this year?

Perpetual Beginner Mentality

~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

Here’s a nearly perfect little essay from Greg Merritt about amateur woodworking that can be applied far beyond our chosen hobby. It’s a great way to start off the New Year on a positive note.

I particularly like this line: “To build furniture you need three basic skills.  You must know how to sharpen, layout accurately and then accurately cut the wood to layout.  That is it. Period.”

Greg Merritt's avatarHILLBILLY DAIKU

The following is written for those of you, like myself, who are amature/hobbiest woodworkers. We just want to build things with wood and enjoy the process as well as the result.

In days gone by, when the apprentiship system was in full swing, a person knew where they stood in the hierarchy. You entered as an apprentice and worked your way up through the ranks. Crossing milestones allong the way that advanced you to the next level. Eventually working your way up until you were considered a master craftsman, or whatever similar rank, depending upon your chosen proffession. My assumption is, that as these individulas moved up in the system their attitude changed as well. Gaining both confidence and a sense of reponsibility to the profession.

That was then, this is now.

Something I have observed over the years is that amature woodworkers are almost always viewed as perpetual beginners…

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