Happy Independence Day
What am I independent of?
What freedoms have I provided for myself?
Let's start with the things my mom had to buy, maintain, and keep up to date.
• I am free of buying hats. I have a Panama for sun protection.
• I am free of buying gloves. I keep a sturdy pair in the barn. I keep a knit pair in the car.
• I am free of a tending to my hairstyle. Bandana. No bad hair days ever.
• I am free of buying shoes. My Birkenstocks last 12-15 years as I am barefoot whenever possible. My nice winter boots last 6-8 years. I have an 40 year-old pair of boots for the barn.
• I am free of manicures and pedicures. I keep them short and bare, except for one long pinkie (tool) nail.
And add the freedoms I have chosen that my mom could not have envisioned.
• I am free of buying drugs, medicines, remedies. Everything I need, nature supplies, with a little work/play on my part.
• I am free of food shopping. I forage. I garden. I trade. I keep dairy goats and rabbits. And I am a member of a CSA with a pick-your-own garden in addition to the weekly share.
• I am free of garbage pick-up fees. Since I don't buy much, and recycle assiduously, I don't have much to throw away. We fill our pickup truck (mostly empty cardboard boxes from the books I sell) and go to the local Resource Recovery site 3-4 times a year. And a big "thanks" to the activists who have made my home state of New York free of single-use plastic carry bags. I was horrified in Wisconsin to see those bags littering every mile of road and foisted on me at every opportunity.
• I am free from checking my phone. I own a cell phone cuz I couldn't travel without it. Love poem to GPS. But I don't carry my cell on me unless I am in transit. Most days, I don't even look at it. (Devoted to my iPad for writing, email, messages, zooms with my students, making slides for classes, and giving interviews.)
• I am free of being a wife. Over 50 years ago I resigned from being a wife. The best decision I ever made! Since I don't have to fulfill that role, I can love and relate freely. Anything can happen. I prefer women, but am happy to relate to any man who has a wife. (That way I am certain he won't mistake me for one. LOL)
• I am free of doctors and vets. Green blessings surround me.
What independence have you chosen? Created?
What freedom do you long for?
Today is a great day to free yourself.
I salute your independence.
May we all walk in beauty.
May our hearts beat as one with the Earth's heart.
May we breathe with joy and gratitude in an endless give-away dance.
May we honor our inter-dependence.
Green blessings to y'all.
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