Howdy, y’all! Let’s yak about them homesteading shows. You know, them TV programs showin’ folks livin’ off the land. I ain’t no expert, but I watch ’em when I ain’t busy feedin’ the chickens or weedin’ the garden.
First off, there’s this “Pioneer Woman.” That Ree Drummond, she’s a hoot! She cooks up a storm, all them fancy dishes. Not my kinda cookin’, mind you. I stick to good ol’ meat and potatoes. But she’s got a nice ranch, all them cows and horses. Makes you think about the simple life, you know? Though, I reckon her simple life ain’t the same as mine. Hers is kinda fancy-pants simple if you ask me. Still, it’s nice to watch.
Then there’s this “Unplugged Nation.” They talk about gettin’ away from it all, no phones, no city buzz. Sounds nice and peaceful, but I tell you what, livin’ out here, you kinda ARE unplugged most of the time. Cept when them city folk come callin’ on their cell phones, wantin’ this or that. Sometimes I think they need the unpluggin’ more than us country folk. But the show, it’s got some purdy scenery, makes you appreciate nature and all that.
Now, “Homestead Rescue,” that’s a show that gets my gears turnin’. That Marty Raney, he’s a tough fella. He goes around helpin’ folks who are bit off more than they can chew with their homesteadin’ dreams. I seen some folks on there, city slickers tryin’ to raise chickens and grow their own food. Bless their hearts, they don’t know a hoe from a hammer. But Marty, he whips ’em into shape. Shows ’em how to build, how to survive. That’s a good thing. It ain’t easy, this homesteadin’ life. Takes grit and gumption, and a whole lotta sweat.
- You gotta know how to fix things yourself.
- Ain’t nobody gonna come runnin’ every time a pipe bursts or a fence falls down.
- You gotta be resourceful.
One thing I wish these shows would do more is teach ya the real nitty-gritty. Like, how to start from scratch. I mean, from nothin’. Most of these shows, folks already got land and a house. What about the folks who ain’t got nothin’ but a dream? That’s what I’d like to see. A show that teaches you step-by-step. How to find land, how to build a shelter, how to get water. The real basics. Not everyone’s got a fancy ranch like that Pioneer Woman. Some of us start with just the dirt under our fingernails.
I saw somethin’ about “Homestead Rescue: Raney Ranch” too. I reckon that’s Marty’s place. Probably shows how he does things on his own homestead. That might be worth watchin’. Seein’ how a real pro does it. Not some city slicker pretendin’ to be a farmer. No offense to them city folks, but farm life is a different kind of animal.
Homesteading ain’t for the faint of heart. It’s hard work, but it’s rewardin’ work. You get to see the fruits of your labor, literally. You eat what you grow, you build what you need. There’s a sense of pride in that, you know? Something them city folk miss out on. Always buyin’ this and that, never makin’ nothin’ with their own two hands.
And let’s not forget about the animals. Homesteadin’ ain’t just about growin’ food, it’s about raisin’ animals too. Chickens for eggs, cows for milk, maybe some pigs for bacon. You gotta learn how to care for them critters, keep ’em healthy and happy. They ain’t just food, they’re part of the whole deal. And they depend on you, just like you depend on them.
So, if you’re thinkin’ about homesteadin’, watchin’ these shows ain’t a bad place to start. But don’t think it’s all sunshine and roses. It’s dirt and sweat and a whole lotta learnin’. And don’t believe everything you see on TV. Them shows don’t always show you the tough parts. The part where you’re up all night with a sick calf or the part where the crops fail. That’s life on the homestead. It ain’t easy, but it’s real. And for some folks, like me, it’s the only way to live.
Anyways, that’s my two cents on them homesteading shows. Take it or leave it. I gotta go now, them chickens need feedin’.
