Why an urban homesteading blog? Do we need another blog?

As much as I would love to have 20 acres in Oregon’s Columbia River Valley or 10 acres overlooking the Tennessee River- the fact is that acquiring that much land in a rural space isn’t always the best use of resources.  For all their faults, urban areas are often greener and deliver more of what we as people need.  Rural areas often lack medical care, grocery stores, banking centers, and other entities that make modern life possible. 

I was raised on 10 acres of swamp land in SW Florida.  We had well-water and a dirt road that was nearly impassable during the rainy months of summer.  I have limited interest in “living off the land” in some type of off-grid set up- mostly because I don’t want to build a system for managing human waste, or solar power, or decide on whether to have hydropower. Humans have been living in cities for (tens of) thousands of years- we have done well to improve sanitation, electricity, and service delivery. Consider also what it means to be a good steward of the land in rural spaces- managing pasture rotation, growing seasons, crop selection, etc. Especially considering that worsening climate change will increase the management burden for land owners- dealing with water, wildfires, forest management, etc. 

Besides, in 2013, I moved my family to Chicago for a job.  My child- born in Florida, now considers himself a Chicago guy.  And my husband is a Cubs fan… So, we’re petty locked into the city.

Some would argue that in many ways, city living can be more environmentally friendly than living in rural areas.  Of course, that likely comes down to how one lives.  Regardless, I live in Chicago.  My healthcare is in Chicago.  We’re not going anywhere anytime soon. 

So rather than put off my goals of growing my own food, living in sync with the seasons, and reducing my carbon footprint- I am trying to make it work in place.  This space is a chronicle of my efforts at doing these things.  In this blog, I am documenting the lessons I have learned and mistakes I have made, and I am hoping to connect with similar minded others.

Why now?

I don’t know, dude.  I am feeling a certain kind of way.  Economic anxiety?  General anxiety?  I am one one of those breeds of anxious that feels better when they can do stuff.  I am hoping that by starting a blog, I will be forced to stop doom scrolling and start doing.  Writing, building, cooking, preserving, etc.  There are so many things I would rather be doing, then learning about what Kim K said about being in India.  Or learning about anything that a Real Housewife said or did.  Ever. 

Also- I am looking for a community.  And it would be nice if that community were based around things that I am into and that I like.  And that I find useful. 

Why Little House in the Chi?

Well- most Americans’ formative experience with homesteading came from reading Laura Ingalls Wilder’s series about life on the frontier or watching the popular NBC series that ran from 1974-1982. 

I think of Little House in the Chi as a modern take on that “classic” material.  But non-fiction.  Also, hopefully with less malaria, fewer near starvation winters, and offensive references to minoritized individuals.  Also- less colonialism. 

So what is this blog about?

Obviously, the historical context surrounding the idea of a “homestead” relied heavily making a place a home.  In the United States, that was often on stolen land.  At the time, the idea included a strong component of self-sufficiency and sustainability- with the idea that homesteading was an effort to sustain a home in a place not previously “settled”. Being able to maintain that homestead for a number of years meant that land could be “owned” for low cost because it was “settled”- largely by people unable to purchase property in more “settled” areas. For some, it was the only route to land ownership that was possible. Of course, it was only possible due to genocide and decimation of entire societies of indigenous people, who had existed on that land long before settlers showed up.  To me, the modern concept of homesteading is less about establishing a property for the sake of maintaining ownership- but rather about fostering self-sufficiency, community, and sustainability to live comfortably and abundantly with what you have. 

So that is what we are doing here- we’re heavy into gardening, composting, baking, brewing, sewing, building, crafting, etc.  I am also super into the idea of doing a lot of stuff on my own- thanks to all of the audacity.  Some some of this is going to be documenting all the times I get knocked on my ass by reality.

So, then what is this not about?

This is definitely tricky- how do we talk about the stuff mentioned above when it has become the purview of the trad-wife community?  Because if you talk about gardening and baking long enough, we get closer and closer to the “vaccines are poison” and “science isn’t real” crowd.  And when you get close to that crowd, you also encounter the “I am not racist, I have a black friend/Just do what the police tell you to do” crowd.  And then we’re talking about a woman’s place being in the home and if “she didn’t want children, she should have kept her legs closed”.

And that is all just tedious. 

And limiting- in so many ways.  I have an advanced degree.  I am a scientist and a researcher.  I believe in science.  I believe Black Lives Matter and that Palestine should be free.  I also believe that American democracy as we know it is being threatened.  And that we live in unprecedented, but really, really dumb times. 

So, if you’re likeminded and want to hang out, cool.  I look forward to meeting you.  Drop a comment about where you are and what you’re interested in. If this isn’t for you, that is cool too. Please don’t be a jerk in the comments.