Another transition family

Another post-peak oil family is described by one of its members in this Washington Post piece. Doug Fine, his fiancee, and son live a life similar to ours in many ways, even though they're in New Mexico:

• Goats for milk (no word on meat)
• Chickens for eggs (ditto)
• Gardens for produce
• Far from nearest town

Some of his concerns resonate with us, namely relying on others for a lot of repair skills, and possible security worries.

Unlike us, they've made a lot of progress in generating their own power, taking advantage of the American Southwest's terrific sun. We have another key difference, which is that we're doing fine for water (too fine, this summer); Fine's Butte has to irrigate mechanically.

Perhaps a more subtle difference is that Fine writes as though community networks are of minor importance to his family. Ceredwyn and I, in contrast, have been working hard to grow our Ripton relationships, in part because of the things we lack (skills, tools, etc.)

The regional differences (they in New Mexico, we in Vermont) are obvious, but also telling. Fine doesn't seem to worry about heating their home, while wood burning and preparing for it is a crucial part of our daily lives. We look forward, too, to March and getting maple syrup.