Adult 50 plus Commune Idea

Sorry, I thought that you had earlier, at some point in time, told me that you were a lawyer, or maybe had worked in the legal arena? I wasn't insinuating anything, just thought you were well off, not like Donald Trump, but well off. I was well off, until my x-wife and her lawyer cleaned my clock in the court room. My divorce judge was a mean man hating monster. In less than five minutes she started refering to my house as "the maternal home" and I understood what the outcome would be. So, Mister T, I miss my old money; but, I can survive somehow and get some new money! A man can survive with a level, drill, and circular saw in hand!

 

Nope.... never worked in law. Never made much money either. I've always been borderline poverty or lower.

 

I'm just a truck driver with a college education. I wasn't related to the management, so never got promotions. Cronyism never got me anywhere, because I always opposed the Republicans. Consequently, I am here at the sunset of my life, still fighting Republicans who wish to steal our Social Security benefits.

 

You're going to find them everywhere...

 

Big Ten Four

 

I've been reading through your posts tonight, they caught my eye because I've been wondering for awhile if this is a viable option for me. I was diagnosed with afib last year, and I've had asthma since I was a baby. I'm on a lot of meds to control both. I can't continue to work full time. I can do a lot of things still though. I just can't walk more than 30 feet without stopping to rest. I am 57 years old. And I'm a bus driver. I know I probably wouldn't be able to pass the CDL physical the next time it's due. Do we all have to be mountain men, or can we be women who can do many things, except chop wood?

I live in Las Vegas and would love this life you talk about, but mobility is an issue.

Coffee is wonderful and I can cook.

 

Sounds interesting but I got a few years to go until I can retire.

 

Hi Zorro & Snow, both of you would be welcome where-ever I am. I am disabled because I have had a major operation. So anyone with health issues would be welcome and not put through the discrimination machine. Right now I have a friend staying with me, because he cannot walk-without a three wheel walker. So, that leads me to the next level: I like people, and poor ordinary ones. So, if a group of people live together, it would be good if all can contribute what they can...each according to his or her ability. So, if you can make vegan pizza, or water the garden, then that would add "the goodness" into the communal home. If another can fix a car or fix a lap top computer, that would be adding the goodness. If someone steals from his or her house-mates, that would be a diminishing of the goodness. Three years ago I took on a house mate in Colorado. The guy acquired my personal info and attempted to steal my money. So, in conclusion, I say that we need to check people out and let the good ones into our communal home. The goodness has a way of growing like a cool little bean plant in a ceramic pot.

 

Well, if you end up in Oregon, I'll be sure to check it out. I don't seem to have any pressing engagements these days.

 

Hi Scratcho, long time no talk? I have a friend who lives in Eugene. She has asked me to come there. I know that Eugene is very expensive; but, there are other places more reasonable. When I was in Oregon and California (Arcata) last summer, I noticed many people into some serious street drugs. The issue really turned me off. It is sad that such beautiful and sacred places along the Pacific coast get violated. If we find a cool and secluded farm I would be game for it. My friend from Wisconsin says there are some affordable places there. I would like the growning season in Oregon much more. I have a free house in Indiana right now. The problem here is the Republican party. The Republicans want everyone to accept Jesus as their personal savior, buy guns, eat meat, ban abortion, and vote for Ted Cruz. Let me know if you locate a sweet sanity spot!

 

... each according to their ability.

That's the thing about getting older. One's abilities start to decline. That ladder gets less steady and the shovel a lot heavier.

Communes used a lot of labor instead of $. and that option isn't available in this scenario.

A mixed age community (sustainable, natural) would be a better option than an "old folk's Farm"

 

I think you are right on the money. Older poor people will do less and less as time goes by. Last month I had a 33 year old guy stay at my house and he cannot do much. He should be in a wheel chair, because a strange disease has destroyed his spine and legs. I had to do nearly everything for him, except wash him. It was a sad experience. I think at the same time, many older guys can still do some work. That's where I think the "to each according to his own ability" will come in handy. Don't forget many folks on social security income or disability income can contribute money if say there was a new leak in the roof, so a tech could be hired. But new leaks in the roof don't happen every day. The garden and yard work will be required more often. Some might have cars and some not. Some might be able to do dental cleaning and some computer repair. So if we find the right mesh, where people are willing to get along, we'll be up and running a functional commune that is not based on the "party house scenario."

 

Again. If you end up in Oregon, you'll have no roof leak worries.

 

Thank you Scratch, I love Oregon. I hope that I can put something together soon. My brother in law said the same thing about Georgia. I think Oregon is very nice. If we get a good group of people together, we might can do it.

 

I think this is such a wonderful idea! I've just hit fifty and usually feel and think like I'm still somewhere around thirty,Lol.
But, my parent's were casual hippies and have still maintained mainly of those ideologys that have proven to be right on the money
Over the years. I find after living in and around larger cities for so long that its seriously messed with me on so many levels that
As much as I love being around people I'd much rather be around a close knit group of like minded individuals rather than the toxicity
Of those in eternal pursuit of bigger, better, more stuff. I'm in the Orlando area and after the attack on a nightclub that at one time I worked and played at back when it opened, I'm more convinced than ever that I truly would feel so much better and more the
Person I used to be.... I'm actively pursuing the various thing's I'll need to have to contribute to such a community. Hope people are still trying to keep this idea alive.

 

Yes, life in a big city is horrible. I truly liked living in the mountains.

 

I have been growing a vegetable garden since spring. I started most of my plants inside the house to avoid extreme cold for the new sprouts. For the most part, everything has done well. I lost some plants when I transplanted them outside and a hard rain came and knocked them down. Most of the loss has been due to rabbits. So, I started thinking about what I would do, if I lived in a commune or IC, like we've been talking about on this thread. Now I would like to hear from anyone who knows what humidity ordinary food plants can take on a year round basis. I am thinking of building a green house wing off the main commune house, with a hot tub in it. It seems to me that an on-going hot tub would produce both heat and humidity for the green house. The air should be rain-forest like, or tropical-like in that space. My current garden is 20 feet by 25 feet and it looks like it would produce enough to provide for many people. Inside a green house, I was thinking we could have twice that area on each side of the tub and produce even more healthy organics.

 

Two things...

Fuel cost heating the hot tub... Not cheap.




On their own a greenhouse generates their own heat, a lot of heat, during the day. The task is holding that heat at night. Making the legs or supports for the growing tables out of black plastic barrels full of water will absorb heat from the sun and hold it through the night. Of course the glass will all be double pane recycled windows and the greenhouse is part of the passive heating system of the house during the winter... During the summer some of the windows need to open with screens or it will get too hot in there... Locate the greenhouse and functional windows for natural air circulation so you don't need a huge vent fan running 14 hours a day.


Yeah, I've already researched the attached greenhouse for this place.

 

I just read in the Fort Collins paper today July 5th that a Ghost town is up for sale in Colorado, for $350K. It is small with a gas station and a few buildings, including two houses. That would be a great one to start a commune. I just don't have enough money to get it by my self.