Hobbit Dreams

I'm sure I'm not the only one in the world who dreams of being a Hobbit (instead of an Overweight Hill-Troll....).

My son and I are mid-way through Chapter II of LOTR, going a few pages each night. And as I read, something inside me cries out for the rural, "peaceful" (yeah, they squabble, but who doesn't), natural way of living of the Hobbits. I would love to live the way they do - enencumbered with machines and technology, enjoying their food and drink, working the earth, creating all they need to survive, being totally engaged in living.

As I sit in my office this morning I wonder if I'll ever be able to fulfil my dream of a back-to-the-land type existance. What would it take for me? How would I make it happen?

Sure, I have an extensive veggie garden on my tiny bit of land - even dug up a bit of lawn to plant tomatoes and marrows, which we're being overwhelmed with at present. I get a bit of digging and cutting and harvesting and pottering in every day - first thing in the morning and right ater work for half an hour. But it doesn't feel enough for me. I truly am happiest outdoors, growing stuff and enjoying little things like the rat that eats our leftovers under cover of the ferns. (Yes, we have a "pet"/wild rat who we feed and keep an eye on - we figure if we feed him enough outside he won't need to come looking inside, which has worked so far). I love hard physical work that produces visible results (no gym for me, thanks!). I really enjoy making what I need - from baking the most delicious bread to hammering a table together or building a brick braai (barbecue to you outlanders).

I'd love for my son to be actively involved in farm-style living - and he would to, while he's still young enough. We both have such a love and appreciation for nature. We notice little things and wonder over them, when others couldn't be bothered.

I wonder if, in the mists of the future, I'll get to live my dream, or if it will only happen when I get my own planet in heaven....