Recently I am reading a best-selling book on American modern and contemporary literature. The book named: Farewell, My Subaru: An Epic Adventure in Local Living

Definitely inspiring to go live off the Concrete jungle.

The Author is Doug Fine.

When I picked up the book in the library’s shelf, I couldn’t let it go. It was funny and intriguing and covered topics close to my heart, he reminded me of Jack London or Thoreau in the new era. They are all American writers I like. In other words, the scene they portrayed is the only pastoral life that I have longed for in the noisy Metropolis.

You are there with Doug Fine as he creates a life on land he purchased outside of Silver City, New Mexico….

Farewell, My Subaru tells the true story of Doug Fine’s first year after he moved to rural New Mexico. His goal was to reduce his carbon footprint by: growing his own food, using solar power and driving on used vege oil. It’s got a lot of great information about how he worked to accomplish his goals and a lot of very funny stories about what happened along the way. His guts, ingenuity and adequate cash money have him sharing the land with goats, chickens, good water supply, vegetable garden and eventual girlfriend.

When he was affectionately watching his two sheep(Melissa & Natalie) and playing saxophone in front of them; when he was holding a shotgun and sleeping in the stinky sheepfold to prevented the coyotes from towing the sheep for dinner; when he touched the sick Natalie but could not do anything he was Weeping; when he tried to create a dreaming rose wall, but every time forced to pull two sheep away from the rose bush… I immediately fell in love with this warm and gentle author.

I was a little astonished why a man can observe the world so exquisite but so romantic as well. Like Thoreau in his Lake of Walden.

I guess Thoreau’s inner side world is pure and rich, fulfilled with childlike naive. Doug Fine’s inner power is great too.

I am very young and young enough that I am not eligible to retire. (Having just worked for a few years) It is my life’s dream to have my own farm; Of course, I will not choose to settle in the desert like Doug Fine. I often wonder how I will run my farm when I retire.

When I get up early in the morning, I can’t wait to see if the hen has laid eggs. I can use them to make a fragrant fried egg and then be chased by the fierce geese. Holding my 2 sheep (I won’t say I want raise the sheep that because Doug Fine also raised the sheep and got the ice cream he loved), go to the fertile place and see the sheep eating delicious grass. (I have the experience of grazing cattle. Every time I didn’t have breakfast, my parents asked me to feed the cows first, I have been hungry and my mouth was watering when I saw the cattle swallowed the grass. Even right now, when I see a green lawn, I have the urge to rush to the grass and bite the grass)

In the afternoon, I go to the field to kill a few weeds, watch the strawberries getting redder every day; and touch my pumpkin and talk to it. (According to reliable rumors, touching the pumpkin gently and talking to it every day can help the pumpkin grow especially bigger). So it can help me win the autumn vegetable competition. By the way, walking my dog and sitting on the beach to enjoy the sunset and feel the grand and silent eternal handover ceremony of the day and night. In the evening, family and friends sit under the magnolia tree garden which I take great care of, enjoy the moon and have a barbecue. Play the Ukulele to my sheep before going to bed, (because I won’t blow the saxophone), if my sheep don’t Mind that I can only play the simplest 4 strings Hawaii ukulele that I learned the day before yesterday , the free 12 lessons that the Ranch ukulele introduced, and which can be carried everywhere. People always say that when you are getting aging, learning an instrument can prevent dementia.

The days are really long and long, but they are really short and short. At least in this noisy afternoon, this book brings me peace and happiness for a while.

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