Life in the Sagebrush
Or, more about me. As I noted here, town and all meager conveniences there in, are a twenty minute drive away. For any real shopping experience there is at least a two hour drive. Or, I shop online.
For anyone who thinks that is just too remote, here’s the tradeoff.
My back yard.
Sunset
Moonrise Jan 7, 2012
A snowy Winter night, 2011
In exchange for living out in the sticks, I get expansive uncluttered views and very low population density. The top two pictures were taken facing roughly southwest. The bottom two are facing east. If I look north then evidence of civilization appears. I prefer not to look north.
Once upon a time I lived in a region with lots of trees and everything was green. It is lovely, except for the nine months of rain that happens each year. Apparently, Water = Green. Who knew?
I have discovered several things about myself. I am solar-powered. I need sunlight to operate. Nine months of gray and dreary weather are completely depressing for me. I like the openness here, being able to see around me and ahead of me. Lots of trees are very comforting, giving a sort of womb-like cocoon feeling, but they also can obscure my vision. I guess it’s a perspective thing. I love living in the desert. When I visit the Northwest now, I feel claustrophobic in a way.
You will not find many references to pop culture here. Mostly because, as you may have guessed, I make an effort to step out of the mainstream. Also, I lack culture of any kind. I am too cheap to pay for cable, my internet connection has limitations and there is one TV channel that comes through semi-reliably. I buy movies out of the $5 bin when the mood strikes me. Most of my entertainment comes from the horses and the other critters here. Horses are funny, they make jokes.
All in all it works pretty well. There are fewer temptations to buy things impulsively, which helps with sticking to a budget. There is also a sense of calm that I can approach each day with, that was hard for me to find when I lived in the suburban-metro-jungle of people.
January 20, 2012 at 2:55 am
[...] Life in the Sagebrush [...]
February 6, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Nice to meet ya!
February 7, 2012 at 3:22 am
Hi there! Thanks for stopping by.
March 15, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Where in the desert are you? I think your desert is WAY prettier than the one I’m in. We’re pretty flat here, although I can get to some mountains in 60 miles or so……… We don’t even have the lovely grasses……………..just a lot of sand, some yuccas, and some mesquite here and there….
And, ftr, I don’t think 20 minutes away from a town- unless it’s my town, lol- is rural. I’m 200 miles plus in any direction to a larger town….. and you can get to Trader Joes? The closest one to me is over 200 miles away……….. I am jealous!
March 16, 2012 at 3:08 am
Somehow, if there are any cattle guards to cross on the way into town, it counts as rural. I go over two on my way to the nearby town. But, my nearest TJs is only 165 miles away.
I am in the Great Basin. My understanding is it all used to be under the water of the Great Salt Lake. It covers large parts of Eastern Oregon, Northern Nevada, Southern Idaho and Utah. Which also means I’m at elevation. According to my smartphone app that tells me such things I’m at about 4375 feet above sea level.
Thanks for stopping by!
March 16, 2012 at 3:06 pm
I have to laugh with the cattle guards- we have them all over here.
I’d take your Great Basin over the Northern Chiahuahuan Desert any day….. we’re elevated, too, but not as high as you are. 