Hi Andrew!
Wow, that sounds like the sort of thing I should read. In 95 I was much the
same -- I had a lovely old farmhouse, loved my permaculture ten acres, but
was going broke real quick. I'd raised my two sons on the farm, so they'd
learned a lot, and maybe it was time to move on. But if I sold, what would I
do? Where would I go?
Well, to cut a long story short, some buyers came along and wanted a
"pretty", old house, what I mean is it was a pretty settler's cottage two
storey, pit-milled kauri, built about the turn of the 19th Century, and
prettyu much in original condition. So it was old too, for NZ.
What I wanted to buy was EXACTLY what I was being forced to sell. So I did
something I had wated to do for 35 years -- rode my horse the length of the
country. I packed up all my books, my beautiful china, my antique furniture
etc, etc, and wondered how I was going to cope with all my possessions. Took
one faithful dog with me, and do you know - I met some wonderful people, so
many fantastic people, who offered me hospitality even though I hadn't
offered them first, and realised as I sat at their dinner tables that
everyone had problems -- but they were all different. I wasn't the only one
that felt that the world had shat on them.
To cut a long story short (have I said that before) on my ride, I only
"missed" two books -- one was Juliette de Bairacli Levy's fantastic handbook
HERBAL HANDBOOK FOR FARM AND STABLE and the other was a government
publication which helped me identify "weeds" of NZ. I found it interesting
to see what my horses would eat as I travelled around.
If you're interested you can find out more on my website - there's some
enjoyable pictures there.
Thanks for yourpost - I don't often read Shakespeare but will look this one
out.
----- Original Message -----
From: "andrew hill" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2000 2:54 PM
Subject: Timon of Athens
> Read Shakespeare's Timon a few days ago, and it raises a lot of issues
very
> relevant to this group. For those who aren't familiar with it: Timon is a
> wealthy Athenian, who shows limitless hospitality. When he falls into debt
> he finds that none of the people he's favoured are ready to help him and
> lend him money. He goes off into the countryside to live alone, pouring
> scorn on the values and people of Athens.
> The attitudes to money, need and desire he articulates once in the
> countryside are fascinating. In the ejection of his past life he moves
> towards embracing a life lived in harmony with nature, best conveyed in
> these lines:
>
> "Why should you want? Behold, the earth has roots;
> Within this mile break forth a hundred springs;
> The oaks bear mast. the briars scarlet hips;
> the bounteous housewife Nature on each bush
> Lays her full mess before you. Want? Why want?"
>
> Anyone else have any thoughts on the play?
>
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