Quote:
What Dirttime means to me...."Trading"
Like anything in life worth doing,there are skills involved.No matter if it is relationships with other people,your 9-5 job,or riding a bike. To do one of these things means that first you have to have an understanding(knowledge) of the skills,Then you must apply these skills. As so often happens in life that is how we get better with what we are trying to do.
The first time we went camping, all we really knew was that we were going to eat and sleep, somewhere other than the building we were accustomed to. We soon found out that it involved more,much more than that. First we had to get there. then choose a campsite, then pitch a tent, roll out sleeping bags/blanket rolls,etc.... Our knowledge increased and so did our skills,by learning and doing.We learned how to tie stuff using string and rope,we learned lashing.we learned so many things not by reading alone but more importantly by doing. We learned to build and start fires. At first we used matches and lighters,but that wasn't enough for us we had to know more. We moved on,we progressed,we found that eventually we could do more and carry less.
Now we are beyond mere camping,and starting to learn some "Primitive skills". We learn to discard the tent by learning to build our shelter. We lose the matches and lighters in favor of Fire steels,Bow Drill sets,flint and steel. We trade water cans and water faucets for wild streams and water purification methods. We trade canned and freeze dried foods for snares,fishing nets,and wild edibles. We traded cookware for spits,animal skin "soup pots",Gourds,and wooden and stone utensils and cookware.We then traded our guns for bows and arrows,metal arrowheads for stone. We added bolas,slings, and Rabbit sticks to our arsenals. We trade all manner of modern "conveniences" for wilderness self sufficiency.
Some would say that by learning "Primitive Skills" we are "backwards",Because we have gone backwards in our quest for knowledge and skills. I say we are going Forward,because we are not taking away from what we know and use we are adding to what we know and use. Some would say we are losers because we search out that that was thought to be "lost". I say we are winners because we find that that was lost,AND we learn how to use it. Some would say we are crazy because we seek the wild places. I say we are smart because we learn how to connect with our whole and complete existence,not just modern day society.
Now how, you might ask, does that fit in with ********.com? It fits in with this Forum,because all of us that seek and share these interests... no loves is a better way to put it. We share that which unites us, a common interest,a common love. We share knowledge,we share skills,we share Camaraderie. We help each other to learn what we may or may not know,sometimes better,sometimes different ways. We share our heartaches, our trials, our tribulations, our frustrations." A sorrow shared is halved". We share our joys,excitements,our successes,our knowledge. " A joy shared is Doubled". However in the end we are all winners. We win because of our skills make us true survivors. Our skills can be used in the face of adversity and keep us and those we love safe,sound,fed,and cared for. How can we lose? We can't,not if we keep doing what we are doing,Learning and Sharing, and Participating.
So now you have an idea of what "Dirt Time" means to me. It means something so positive in my life that I can't give it up,and won't. Thank you for allowing me to bore you to tears!
Quote:
"Dirt Time"
A Poem
Tired of just sitting around spinning your wheels?
Then head for the woods to hone your skills.
The more you take the less you get to know
so leave some of that stuff, let's get up and go.
You're a smart and wise woods running tramp,
you know what to look for to make a good camp.
It's late summer and you're starting to swelter,
you know all you'll need is a lean to shelter.
It's hot out, 90 degrees in the shade.
So grab some Sumac, and make woods lemonade.
You're starting to relax, starting to feel good.
You know for the fire you're gonna' need wood.
You head out looking for all the right sticks.
Gotta' be careful, you don't wanna' get ticks.
For tonight's dinner, it's 'hoppers and wild plants,
but you lose track of time watching some ants.
You got real lucky caught a rabbit in a snare.
Man this is the life! You don't have a care.
Before you know it the weekends over,
but you'll always remember that dinner with Red Clover.
You start to head "home" with a heart heavy sigh
cause your real home's roof is a clear blue sky.
Although you're blue your heart starts to skip
'cause you're already planning your next Dirttime Trip.
I hope I didn't bore anyone.Sorry if I did.
