Really, we are dedicated, not obsessed.

Yes, we choose a complicated life–

It is complicated.  Don’t believe anyone that tells you rural life is simple. It may be simpler than some lifestyles, but it is far from simple.

We choose this (whole foods, homeschooling, scratch cooking, atavistic hobbies and farm animals) for the only reason anybody should:  We think our lives are better for it. We think it’s worth the effort.

Sometimes it’s hard to be different, and I’ve had years of practice saying these choices “don’t matter” (because I didn’t want anybody to believe I thought less of them).

If you want, you can read my recent manifesto (on my other blog) about loving my choices (not minimizing or apologizing for them any more) and letting you love your own.

But these choices do matter, or (believe me) I wouldn’t waste my time on them.

Does that mean I think everyone should be like me?

Sometimes.

(Admit it: you do, too.)

But will your choices change how much I love you?

Probably not.

I am excited about my life and what I get to do.  I might even feel sorry for you, what you’re missing out on. Then the days come where I wish I had your simple life, and I have to remind myself why I chose this way.

And I stay dedicated.