An Introduction Post.
Writing this almost feels like a narcissistic exercise, but I'll attempt to be entertaining - or at least compelling.
Life Changes
My life has changed so radically over the last year, I'm still learning who I am.
Aloha!
I grew up in rural North Carolina, at 21 I enlisted in the United States Army and trained and served as an Infantryman. I served in the 10th Mountain Division - located in Upstate New York, it was the coldest place I have ever been - and when I my service ended I jumped on the opportunity to go to Hawaii, and until February of 2023 it was my home. I spent 20 years as a Construction Project Manager and an Environmental Consultant - if you've visited Waikiki or Honolulu in the past decade or so you've probably been inside a building or site that I helped renovate. I loved Hawaii so much I even married a Hawaiian girl.
While I'm not publicly political these days - I spent a few years volunteering for political campaigns, and even traveled to Washington DC as a Delegate to the National Convention. The experience was informative and somewhat disillusioning - I found professional politicians and consultants to be more like each than average people. While there were a few idealist - what I encountered almost uniformly were opportunists and ruthless self promoters - Democrat or Republican are almost sport teams - the logos and the branding is at odds but they are most certainly playing the same game.
Tragedy
In January 2023 of this year - We had a an apartment fire - and we lost everything we owned, my dear father in law, our beloved dogs - and sense of place. Honestly we are still reeling - instinctively every night I still reach for my little dog - who liked to curl up on my pillows with me. Time has made the grief more bearable but is always perched nearby ready to overwhelm me.
Going to North Carolina.
In February 2023 we determined we could not stay in Hawaii, and moved back to the home of my youth in rural North Carolina. The move has been healing for us though we keep things relatively simple. Thankfully my wife and family enjoy each other's company. I've spent the past several months reclaiming part of our property that was overgrown and converting it into a small homestead.
The Homestead
Part of our family property had fallen into disrepair and was overgrown with invasive trees - I spent the better part of a February through April cutting and digging out trees and demolishing a 3,000 square foot barn by hand. As April came in I raced to put in gardens and dug beds by hand.
I practice a form of regenerative gardening where I sequester old wood under the beds - it's labor intensive initially but as the wood decays it builds the soil and makes a reservoir of fertility. This particular bed is now full of strawberry plants, that will be split up and transplanted in the spring.
Life is Simpler these Days
My wife and I work from home and I have an immense amount of flexibility. I don't leave the property most weeks - except for Church or to visit nearby neighbors. In addition to my own projects I rebuilt one of my uncle's barns, and demolished an old chicken coop for my neighbor. Rural neighbors are wonderful if you are lucky - we treat our neighbors like family and they do the same.
My Passions
Almost every day I do a Youtube program, though I'm looking for alternatives to get away from corporatized social media. I read classic stories - while an artist creates illustrations - we are currently performing Tolkien's Lord of the Rings 3 or 4 nights a week - and in the day I'm also reading Redwall - and shorter works like Sherlock Holmes. My artist is a genuine talent - most of the compositions were created traditionally pencil and ink - and typically within an hour.
The artist Elrodimus Flash has given me perpetual permission to use the images that are created in my Youtube Program. I Hope you enjoy his artwork you can contact him here elrod.elrod@gmail.com for inquiries or purchases.
Why am I on Hive?
I find the idea of decentralized social media compelling and a needful thing. The mechanisms of Hive itself seem to make for more thoughtful communications. I'm still a neophyte and only have a cursory understanding of the mechanisms and etiquette of Hive.
If you've made it this far - God bless you - please say hello, and please do send any pointers, tips, or point me in the right direction.
Aloha