Protecting the Homestead

An interesting observation came into my sight recently. I can't call, what I'm referring to, a conversation, in that it was more like a diatribe or tirade, but it took place primarily between two people. One was slamming doors and dishes and the other was slamming people. Through the course of this raucous an interesting term was used to describe the concept of a homestead. The term compound was used, and of course in quite a derogatory manner. It really got me thinking. Maybe I don't know the difference between a homestead and a compound. I mean, I just began contemplating the label a few weeks ago. Maybe this isn't a homestead at all! Who knows? When I was growing up, the Kennedy's home place was always referred to as Hyannis Port, then later became known as the Kennedy Compound. Since that's my first recollection of the term and after what the Kennedy's went through in the 60's, I always associated the term "compound" with a heightened level of security. Now, with all the unrest and uncertainty of current events, I found myself led back to the circle of thought between a homestead and a compound. There are many homesteaders that discuss their survivalism, which tends to lead the thinking toward a certain level of security. The term "survival" does sound like someone will implement some skill or at least energy toward responding to a confrontation if one is presented. Well, back to my idea of homesteading, which just recently got a label anyway. There are no sentries posted at the garden gate, and probably because of that, a couple of sneaky determined milk goats feasted on the greens earlier this summer. There's no curfew, there's no password, there's no watchtower, there's no security camera. So, I'd say, in light of recent revelation, if I was starting a compound, I've failed miserably. What is that term now, EPIC FAIL! People are free to leave at will! I've been known to jokingly say, "How rude of us. We should go to bed, so these nice folks can go home!" The practicality of the matter seems, without a survivalist mentality, or compound lock-down, homesteading is an investment concept that can be shared. For me, homesteading is very spiritual and practical. So, for those who are interested, I'm happy to share and for those who aren't, I'm happy to not waste their time. Investment homesteading is sort of like banking and the stock market, only money isn't the currency, energy is. I see the land as my portfolio, the animals are, of course, the "stock," the garden, eggs, milk, and soap, and all that is produced is the inventory and currency, and the canning and freezing are the dividends and interest. I think for homesteading to work, and even expand into a community, it takes investment on the part of all participants. Oddly, in relatively the same time frame of this one occurrence, I've been blessed to also become aware of folks that are investing in simplicity and forming community, bigger community, than I imagined. Since my basis for homesteading is spiritual I don't feel the need for gate locks and motion sensors, but I will be casting out the confusion, to keep the shalom.