tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post2107154748805949356..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Be bold, live a life you care aboutUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-50341438934573859532011-11-13T12:39:36.168+10:002011-11-13T12:39:36.168+10:00Thank you, Rhonda. This blog is for me! I have c...Thank you, Rhonda. This blog is for me! I have come here periodically over the last few years, and keep coming back. I live a relatively simple life already, but, prompted by you, want to live it more deliberately. Living deliberately, mindfully, is key to happiness. What I have decided to do, is embrace the life I have been given, starting from where I am; grow a beautiful and productive garden for my own healing and growing and because I love growing things;live with generosity of spirit and kindness; and essentially live simply and humbly, rejoicing in what I have.<br /><br />Sonya (no blog)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-88984679909240110342010-05-16T22:39:24.186+10:002010-05-16T22:39:24.186+10:00Been reading your blog for a little while now. You...Been reading your blog for a little while now. Your life style is something many of us aspire to having. Not everyone has support from their spouses to make it happen. I dream about it but have to hold back due to my spouses insistence that he works hard for whatever he has. He`s not keen to downshift as he has no understanding for the time he might actually gain to spend on priorities. Your blog is my escape from the clutter and the worklife we have created around ourselves. If I would live on my own I`d change emediately. Keep inspiring us with your wisdom. I`ll keep reading!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09114653674812242486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-63270876585868344492010-04-08T12:00:11.985+10:002010-04-08T12:00:11.985+10:00Hi Rhonda,
I'm 29 and I'd like to lead a ...Hi Rhonda,<br /><br />I'm 29 and I'd like to lead a life of simplicity. I'm getting ready to move into my first house and I'm looking forward to setting up routines and habits that support a life of simplicity. I have much to learn. If only my great-grandparents could be here to teach me the many lessons that I never learned in the name of progress. Anyway, I plan on not having a television-gasp! I feel like I have truly lost so many hours, days, months of my life watching TV so I've resolved not the spend the next 30 years of my life doing more of the same. It's small, but it's a start. <br /><br />A couple of years ago I spent a summer living at an orphanage in a third-world country. I had one small bag of clothes and I didn't want for a thing. I spent my summer with kids, friends, chasing sunsets, sitting under the stars, talking, sleeping, swimming, walking, eating, exploring. It was at times, emotionally difficult and physically uncomfortable, but it was the most satisfying time of my life. It was extremely difficult to return to the U.S. TV bored me as did entertainment news/gossip. I hated having to figure out what to wear, even the AC felt a little too cold and artificial. Ultimately it was short-lived. Now I spend most of my day staring at a computer screen in email triage while sitting in an office chair under artificial lighting. It's not satisfying. When I ask myself when I have been the happiest, it's never a memory associated with being on the internet or an email or a tv show, it's a real life experience, time with kids, friends/family, chasing sunsets, sitting under the stars, talking, sleeping, swimming, walking, eating, exploring. Isn't that something?!<br /><br />While I tell myself that the beauty of my life is that I can choose my own adventure, I tend to default to the consumerist, plugged-in American Way. I'm writing you today because I want to choose to go my own way, a better way and it's hard to do it "alone."<br /><br />Thank you for your blog which serves as an inspiration and outlet for many people who seek a better way.Dananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71262797335804435462009-03-13T09:09:00.000+10:002009-03-13T09:09:00.000+10:00Were we separated at birth? LOL I was so glad to f...Were we separated at birth? LOL I was so glad to find your blog, to see that others choose to live a "simple" life with joy. We are physically challenged, and a simple life is the most practical for us. We have to work to the very limit of our capacity, but it's satisfying to do so. We are able to care for ourselves and not be a burden to our children physically or financially, which was impossible in a busy city. Keep up the very enjoyable and informative posts! You have a fan in Western Canada!Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14133236228952504852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72968419201413034502009-01-12T00:22:00.000+10:002009-01-12T00:22:00.000+10:00Only found you yesterday! You're speaking my lang...Only found you yesterday! You're speaking my language, and as others have said you express it SO well! I shall enjoy reading about your journey as I explore mine!Julie'smusingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10790403340488378333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-21903347937614176382008-11-21T05:54:00.000+10:002008-11-21T05:54:00.000+10:00ok lady!!!!!!!!!!! stop these WONDERFUL POSTS ALRE...ok lady!!!!!!!!!!! stop these WONDERFUL POSTS ALREADY! STOP! MY heart if full of happiness and I must say you have read my mind Rhonda Jean! I hope you do not mind that I linked to this post. You said what I have wanted to say but I can never quite say it without sounding proud or rude but you said this so lovingly. I am getting so many people wondering WHY IN THE HECK we choose to live off grid! I know why, we know why, my husband knows why, but for some reason I cannot adequately explain it to others. thank you for your wonderfulwriting today!Homemaker Anghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04681301252854580094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-27167126387551061262008-06-21T01:52:00.000+10:002008-06-21T01:52:00.000+10:00this is so inspiring for me to read. my husband a...this is so inspiring for me to read. my husband and i made our decision to downsize before we ever had the chance to upsize! i read schor's book "overworked american" in the late 90's, just out of college. but even with the support of these wonderful ideologies, fresh college mind, etc. it was really hard work convincing myself that we could live on so little. it's people who are really doing it like yourselves that give folk like me the motivation to stick with it!Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12638554578686575560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-18648664994317325122008-05-18T11:59:00.000+10:002008-05-18T11:59:00.000+10:00Wow. I just found your blog, and went to look at t...Wow. I just found your blog, and went to look at this from the most popular link - and I can see why. It's fantastic to read of others living the life I aspire to - thank you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71813467332927122972008-04-29T14:32:00.000+10:002008-04-29T14:32:00.000+10:00hi i really like your blog!do you know of anyone i...hi i really like your blog!<BR/>do you know of anyone in the US that is doing similar work of documenting their simplified life?<BR/>i feel like there is a lot i can get directly from what you have here, but since i am in the US i thought i'd ask :)<BR/>thanks so much!<BR/>brittanyt shirt challengers!https://www.blogger.com/profile/10315607715702354389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-47769688454644904362008-02-17T23:40:00.000+10:002008-02-17T23:40:00.000+10:00I love your writing. I just linked to several of ...I love your writing. I just linked to several of your posts at mommysecrets.blogspot.com. I can't wait to try making your scones, and I love your writing on simplicity.Ann @TheAssetEdgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00198438219767685976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-51666681534226589832007-08-10T13:52:00.000+10:002007-08-10T13:52:00.000+10:00Lisa, thank you. You've always got wonderfully enc...Lisa, thank you. You've always got wonderfully encouraging comments.<BR/><BR/>Kirsty, I have Carla's book, it's a been a real help to me along the way. I reckon Carla would have had a blog had she not died too early. I really can't be bothered with the book now. It's not just writing of it - which I'm fine with, I don't want to get back into re-writes, editing and proofing. I'll concentrate on an e-book and think I'll get a lot more out of that than being tied down with a contract and a publisher.<BR/><BR/>Michelle, thank you for your words too. You enrich my spirit by telling me that I've helped you towards a more satisfying life.<BR/><BR/>Uh oh, duck herder has her marketers hat on. You'll regret that when I ask you to help market the e-book. ; )<BR/><BR/>Hello Marg, welcome. H heard a similar broadcast, I think on the local ABC, from a woman who said similar things about the internet and how the concept of the printed book is old. I'm going to listen to that Radio National link you gave later today. Thank you.<BR/><BR/>Oh my farm mom! A smoozer award. LOL what next. Thank you. I'll have to get back to this later.<BR/><BR/>Hello Wildside and Elizabeth!Rhonda Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-66297846399423678782007-08-10T01:34:00.000+10:002007-08-10T01:34:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda Jean,Great food for thought.Blessings,El...Hi Rhonda Jean,<BR/>Great food for thought.<BR/>Blessings,<BR/>ElizabethAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80698403147314755422007-08-10T01:11:00.000+10:002007-08-10T01:11:00.000+10:00Thank you for sharing!(Wildside)Thank you for sharing!<BR/><BR/>(Wildside)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-3390177033830503102007-08-09T22:41:00.000+10:002007-08-09T22:41:00.000+10:00Beautiful writing, Rhonda. We all appreciate what ...Beautiful writing, Rhonda. We all appreciate what you share with us. I've nominated you for an award. Check out http://childreninthecorn.blogspot.com/2007/08/im-schmoozer.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-20859574345764251702007-08-09T21:43:00.000+10:002007-08-09T21:43:00.000+10:00You have a talent for conveying information as wel...You have a talent for conveying information as well as being able to knit dishcloths. Good content is no less valuable because its not in a book - and in fact may be more useful by not being so - so I think continuing to develop your skills in this medium and enjoying yourself is a good way to go if battling with publishers doesn't appeal. The internet is the new tool for information dissemination and to some extent community development these days anyway. <BR/>I heard a very interesting talk on Radio National today that suggested that we should be radically re-thinking how we present educational information to the younger generation that you might find interesting <BR/>http://www.abc.net.au/rn/<BR/>lifematters/stories/2007/<BR/>1999918.htm <BR/>(It's about 15 minutes into the audio) <BR/>This guy's ideas on re-inventing learning networks made a lot of sense to me - there are some areas out there where the use of technology is still sadly lagging - as a bonus, I think he's over 60!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-37488070395535419422007-08-09T20:42:00.000+10:002007-08-09T20:42:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda! I love Jewels idea of a "blook!" Perhap...Hi Rhonda! I love Jewels idea of a "blook!" Perhaps you could do all three - a blog blook, e-book and a book!? YOu probably have enough readers, friends and fans scattered accross the planet that you could send us all 10 books on commission to sell and make a fortune! :o)The Duck Herderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12804351827909380328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72611283998254827672007-08-09T19:20:00.000+10:002007-08-09T19:20:00.000+10:00Rhonda your writing encourages me everyday. You re...Rhonda your writing encourages me everyday. <BR/>You remind me daily of what is important, how to stay on track and avoid the consumerist pitfalls that are regularly thrown under my feet.<BR/>You remind me that simple is not always easier but always better.<BR/>You remind me how good my life is and how lucky I am to have a mother who has taught me to sew, knit, crochet etc.<BR/>I can say honestly that I have learnt something valuable from every single post.<BR/>Just remember that Harry Potter was rejected numerous times before it was accepted by a publisher :)Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16907021712935423492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-62930485365832735172007-08-09T18:41:00.000+10:002007-08-09T18:41:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda, Carla Emery spent years taking her Old...Hi Rhonda, Carla Emery spent years taking her Old Fashioned Recipe Book around to publishers. She ended up printing it herself and selling it at markets all over America. It was eventually picked up by a publisher and still being printed today! I have three copies! I know you must do what is right for you but I would buy at least three copies of your book to!!!!Love KirstyBroad Bettyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16639698248639623386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-13524040843497730982007-08-09T16:48:00.000+10:002007-08-09T16:48:00.000+10:00Eloquent as always I love that you are a role mode...Eloquent as always I love that you are a role model to us all and please continue with your book quest, in whatever format it takes. I love that you are teaching and passing your knowledge onto us "younger" women.Lishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00066863074405512584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-20950551637444381162007-08-09T15:25:00.000+10:002007-08-09T15:25:00.000+10:00Thanks Ali. : )LOL @ blook. Thank you Jewels. I'...Thanks Ali. : )<BR/><BR/>LOL @ blook. Thank you Jewels. I'd love your children to read it. Mine have and they've showed it to some of their friends.<BR/><BR/>Hello Niki, it's so nice of you to delurk and say hello. I love it when my readers make contact. I hope you enjoy your visits. I feel I should be providing tea and scones. ; )<BR/><BR/>Hi Deborah, I'd given up the idea of publishing but all these comments have moved me to talk to H about it. He agrees with all of you, he thinks I should do an e-book. Hmmmm. Although I would like to get a bit of money from a book, that is not my primary motive for writing about my life. I believe that older women should step up and pass on what they know to the younger women. I hope in some small way that is what I'm doing here. You know, you reward me by saying I'm your role model. That makes me feel proud of what I'm doing and encourages me to keep going. Thank you. X<BR/><BR/>Thank you Marlo. It's a blessing for me to be able to pass it on to such wonderful people.<BR/><BR/>Jenny, thank you. I feel we have a similar outlook on a look of things. I appreciate your kind words.<BR/><BR/>Hello Brenda, will you go ahead with a book? Let me know how you go if you do. Thank you for dropping by.<BR/><BR/>Maria, thank you. I'll think about an e-book and maybe some fact sheets for things like bread and soap making type things. <BR/><BR/>Ginger, I'm so pleased you found my blog. Thank you for stopping by regularly and for your kind words. It's a great encouragement to keep going when I know people appreciate what I write.Rhonda Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-46810963740574174082007-08-09T12:41:00.000+10:002007-08-09T12:41:00.000+10:00I agree with the idea of an e-book. I would buy i...I agree with the idea of an e-book. I would buy it in a heartbeat, I only discoved your blog a month or so ago, but it is now a regular read. Love e-books, they don't clutter up the house, talk about simple. ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-77913676633543626812007-08-09T11:56:00.000+10:002007-08-09T11:56:00.000+10:00Thank you Rhonda Jean for sharing such powerful th...Thank you Rhonda Jean for sharing such powerful thoughts! I agree that maybe you could sell "the book" as an e-book. Your instructions are greatly appreciated. Thank you again! Maria S.The River Househttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16835972681604148095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-36384424948458649272007-08-09T11:28:00.000+10:002007-08-09T11:28:00.000+10:00I am constantly getting e-mails from blog readers ...I am constantly getting e-mails from blog readers asking if I plan to write a book.<BR/><BR/>I always tell them that my blog IS my "book". <BR/><BR/>I love your writing. If I remember, I came over as a recommendation from Jewels.Brenda@CoffeeTeaBookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02719695370857675146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-31846081604132759222007-08-09T11:07:00.000+10:002007-08-09T11:07:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda, I feel privileged indeed that you are s...Hi Rhonda, I feel privileged indeed that you are sharing your book on the blog. Many other bloggers seem to be writing books based on their blogs, perhaps the publishers will be more interested when they know you already have an established audience.<BR/>Challenging people to really think about what they want from life and how they want to live their lives is a very honourable mission. Giving them some of the knowledge to get to that place is a kindness and a generous gift.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06659929017085133209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-48595321633094499792007-08-09T10:17:00.000+10:002007-08-09T10:17:00.000+10:00Rhonda, what a great idea to write this book as a ...Rhonda, what a great idea to write this book as a blog, we are so blessed to be able to have all your experiences and advice within such easy access. Thanks again and I look forward to each day that I log on and see what you have (beautifully) written about, and hopefully put into practise. MarloAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com