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One of the reasons that this is quite beautiful is that it portrays the ideal of having just enough, living simply, and being grateful. There is something also
by milchek 5y ago
One of the reasons that this is quite beautiful is that it portrays the ideal of having just enough, living simply, and being grateful. There is something also stoic about the character described.
I imagine the farmer you're telling us about doesn't want attention, material possessions, or any kind of excess at all. This person is happy to build something slowly over time, in small increments. They're happy with what they have, who they are, and that they exist.
I think there are elements in your portrayal that we can all strive for, whether this person was a farmer, carpenter, or programmer, doesn't really matter.
- tromp 5y agoThis man exemplifies the saying A rich man is not he who has a lot, but he who needs little.
- jimnotgym 5y agoI don't know this guy, but I know the area a bit and it is not so different to where I live about 70 miles away... >A rich man...who needs little This guy is rich in several ways. A farm in Wales is still a pretty valuable asset, especially in a valley rather than on a hill. Owning a farm gives you a lot of financial independence, which can take a lot of stress away! It was a lovely article, but...An old country man told me that the three rarest things were 1) a dead donkey 2) a red headed parson 3) a contented farmer Here are the tests I would apply before I would agree he had reached some zen state of contentedness 1) how would he feel if a parcel of land came up for sale next to his. Would he itch to buy it. Most farmers would move heaven and earth. 2) How would he feel about me walking through his fields to share what he has got? 3) Is his stocking rate excessive? 4) If someone told him that by managing his flock differently he could damage the ground less and improve water quality in the river, would he take that advice? 5) If there was an awkward corner of his land next to my house that was not useful to him, but it was perfect for me, would he sell it to me at a fair price? 6) Why is there no succession plan. When he dies his sister will move into a home and the farm will be liquidated, the flock of sheep sold, the land broken up, the house sold off...because he didn't let anyone else in. I'm afraid I have met enough like him to remain cynical.
- joejerryronnie 5y agoI’m not sure about 1-5 but I was actually worried about his succession plan when I read about his stroke.
- PapaSpaceDelta 5y agoThe fact that he went into hospital and came back out to a functioning farm suggests that he has a good relationship with his neighbouring farmers. My guess would be that he's planned for exactly what will happen to his livestock and farm when he passes.
- joejerryronnie 5y agoYeah, this makes sense.
- xtracto 5y agoThis tenant is true at so many levels. In the everyday ratrace that we are all living, the "financial freedom " we all strive for is nothing but our passive income being enough to cover our expenses. Most of us race to increase our passive income, when maybe the healthiest choice would be to run to decrease our expenses.
- nickstinemates 5y agoDo both, and you get there much quicker.
- patentatt 5y agoI love this comment, but also had a chuckle at the contrast between “not wanting attention” and having a newspaper article about yourself being discussed worldwide on hacker news. I understand you were referencing someone else’s story they were telling in another comment, but still found it amusing.