Money and the Illusion of Security

For some time now, I have been trying to come to terms with living without money. In theory I know that money is nothing but paper that is accepted as inately valuable for as long as the government controls it´s people and forces them to use their special money. If you don´t have their special money they will take your property or freedom in place of their special money. Just try to pay your taxes with corn and see the results you recieve. You will lose your farm.

I believe that the universe or god is unlimited and full of potential, and therefor I put my faith in the universe rather than the government to provide for me. All I must do is plant my crops and take full advantage of the opportunities that are presented to me. If I follow these basic rules then I will never go hungry or be of need.

So, that is the goal, the philosophy that I live by, but I still cling to my old habits and try to keep a little stash of cash for a rainy day. Just in case, god forgets about me or I miss the hint that I should have acted on a given opportunity and did not.

Now is the time to take off the training wheels and live without money and trust completely in god to provide us with what we need to remain healthy and happy. It is an exciting time, I expect to fall down once or twice, but in the end I am looking forward to the freedom of living in the NOW and not worrying so much about the future. The illusion of security that money in the bank can give you is being discarded.

Tree Cutting During Autumn Storms

This is Marco, a neighbor in Fazenda, using his rock climbing gear to scale our massive Eucalyptis tree in the back yard.




Once in position, he attaches a pulley and steel cable to the branches, so that Konswan and I can lower them down after they are cut. It is tedious and dangerous work, but it must be done before these giants come crashing through our roof!



Our other neighbor had a mudslide on his property after an Acatia tree gave way and started a chain reaction that broke away 20 meters of the hydro-electric canal system.


Here you can see the break from the street across the valley.


Acatia trees are a real problem on this island for everybody, although their lumber is beautiful once safely cut into planks.

Chicken Disaster and Easter Egg Hunts

Autumn winds and rain brought down a huge acatia tree in our backyard.

We planned to cut it...but mother nature did the job for us.

Unfortunately it landed directly on our chicken pen, killing four chickens instantly and flattening their chicken penthouse!

So now, our flock has dispersed itself into the surrounding woodlands...allowing me the pleasure to hunt easter eggs on a daily basis.

Ahhh the joys of country living!