THE FOURTH OF JULY

Guest Post by Hardscrabble Farmer

For the third year in a row our family has hosted a kind of open house on the farm on the Fourth of July. We wanted to thank all of the people who had supported us for so many years in our efforts to make a life on a homestead possible. Most of those people were only known to us through the Internet, most of whom were visitors to a blog about outsider economics and Fourth Turning theory called The Burning Platform.

The Admin of the site was a man I had become friends with years before after posting comments on various threads and essays he’d written over the years. He’d been kind enough to post some of my commentaries as stand-alone essays and after nearly ten years of having given up on writing, I felt encouraged to take it up again and I was profoundly grateful to him for giving me an opportunity. I met with him early on to let him know I had been an early casualty of what has become known as the cancel culture for some of my opinion pieces and didn’t want to draw any unwarranted criticism of his site because of it.

He stood fast to his principles of free speech and assured me that I was free to post whatever and whenever I liked and we’ve become friends ever since. Then, with my wife’s encouragement, we put out the invitation to anyone in the same spirit of welcome and planned our first annual 4th of July celebration and opened our property to anyone else who felt drawn to see the place I’d tried so diligently to describe in my writing and to share in our commitment to community with good people wherever they lived. It was a way of turning a virtual community into an actual one and to thank the man who’d made it possible.

Most of the people I knew by screen names and sobriquets and from their written word alone. Others were the readers who rarely if ever posted a word online and the first year we wound up with a group of a hundred or more people from all over the country. We didn’t know what we were doing, but we tried our best to make sure that there was enough food, drink and atmosphere to make the journey worth it and it was a modest success.

There were of course plenty of family and neighbors as well, others who’d given us so much encouragement and help over the years and the blend of young and old, from one region or another, across a fairly broad spectrum of the American landscape. Everyone had a great time and a lot of face-to-face friendships were established.

This year, after the past year of unusual behavior, it was a relief to get a large group of simpatico souls together for a full day of simple socializing, interesting conversations, a game of horseshoes or a plate of farm raised meats and side dishes. There were kegs of local beer, kids on trampolines and knots of twenty-somethings manning smoky firepits throughout the day.

We had the goats roaming around followed by toddlers and the weather- after a week of scorching heat followed by torrential rains- was nearly perfect. There were no mosquitoes, I never heard a cross word or saw a face that wasn’t smiling and animated, and no one complained about the fare. My oldest friend in the world and his wife drove up from New Jersey and my next-door neighbor helped prepare the meal in the sugarhouse. All of our frequent visitors who’ve become good friends pitched in and brought things to make the day a breeze.

And to everyone’s good fortune Admin and his lovely wife made the trek up the east coast to New England to meet all the frequent and loyal visitors to his blog and to hand out some really nice custom coffee mugs. I think I may have walked more miles in the nineteen hours I spent on that Independence Day than I did on my best day this year so far and every step was worth it.

We flew flags from every fence post and hung them from the front of the barn, not ironically or politically, but out of love for what we understand as America, something far more than an idea or a place. America as a people, with all kinds of opinions, idiosyncrasies, talents and concerns, origins and destinations, who share a common sense of kinship to one another. And everyone who attended felt it too.

Despite the ever-present social anxiety that has spread like a plague through not only cities and towns, families and associations in the last year, I have remained optimistic and upbeat. When you are surrounded by the beauty of Nature and the profound and important work of raising a family with values and honor, it is impossible not to be no matter what happens.

When you see that reflected in the faces of so many others, friends and strangers, and hear the sound of laughter and pleasant chatter from one end of the lawn to the other under a Summer sky it reaffirms all of the confidence and hope you could ever imagine no matter what may come about.

I remain entranced by the splendor of this country and inspired by the variety and wisdom of the people who inhabit it. Whatever the dark and unhappy people of the Narrative may think, America is the last best hope of mankind and it is impervious to their perpetual efforts to dampen and squash the spirit that inhabits those who reject their malicious attempts to tell us otherwise.

I saw it with my own eyes on Sunday and it looked back at me in all the faces of everyone who came to share the day with us and I know that it will spread out much further than the small patch of in the land in foothills of New Hampshire when everyone returns to their homes and neighborhoods across this country. And while I cannot promise that I will be around forever, as long as I am we will open the gates every year for anyone who wants to share the sense of community built here in the ether and made real in person on The Fourth of July.

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112 Comments
Llpoh
Llpoh
July 6, 2021 7:33 am

Sorry I missed it. Well done, HSF.

Llpoh
Llpoh
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 7:48 am

Ok, got it. I guess I will focus instead on the width of that double wide you call your butt. I knew you missed me. 🙂

Avalon
Avalon
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 8:47 am

We don’t own a donkey. And as for your butt, when you walk down the street, from behind it looks like two hogs fighting under a blanket.

But I loves ya’ anyway, snookums.

Stucky
Stucky
  Avalon
July 6, 2021 11:13 am

“And as for your butt, when you walk down the street, from behind it looks like two hogs fighting under a blanket.”

Now THAT’S funny!!!!

Whenever I think of your “snookums” is that now the image forever in my brain? Probably.

SeeBee
SeeBee
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 8:00 pm

That is some funny shit…but I’ve met Avalon..and I don’t believe she would Ever use that kind of language…with her honeybunny or anyone else! Great spending time with you! Except..Stucky…you suck. You could have skyped us.

sgt snuffy
sgt snuffy
  Llpoh
July 7, 2021 9:09 am

WELL, THAT MY FRIENDS DERSERVED A CHUCKLE.

Stucky
Stucky
  Llpoh
July 6, 2021 8:09 am

Listen asshole, I am not going to ask you where the fuck you have been. You’re a private kind of guy, and I can respect that.

All I wanna say is … I really really really fucken missed you being around!! Really.

I’m not even going to say “welcome back” because I don’t know what your intentions are. Don’t want to put pressure on ya. Although I would really like to say it.

I hope you and your family, including your dogs, are in good health, and happy. Hope you’re safe. Hope you didn’t take the shit shot.

Seeing your post has already made my day.

Llpoh
Llpoh
  Stucky
July 6, 2021 8:18 am

Thanks Stuck. I needed a break. Really as simple as that. And I was tired of all the virus crap, nonstop, everywhere I looked, including here. So I largely went dark on everything for a while. Sensory overload set in, and my tolerance for dumbasses hit empty.

I have written a piece, which I will post. It is dark, and touches on the topic of hate and vengeance. Might see about submitting it now.

Stucky
Stucky
  Llpoh
July 6, 2021 8:35 am

I know all about needing a break. I was hoping all along that’s all it was.

But, in the back of my mind, and because you are not a spring chicken, when someone disappears for a long time the unspoken thought bounces around between my two ears …. is the Great Injun dead?? I mean, it’s not like it hasn’t happen here before. (I still wonder that about SSS).

Looking forward to your article, old friend.

Auntie Kriest
Auntie Kriest
  Llpoh
July 6, 2021 9:15 am

Auntie loves hate and vengeance.

At least the Shackledragger SS didn’t perform a Nacht und Nebel operation on you. Yet.

Stucky
Stucky
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 8:31 am

Wow. My eyes are welling up. I am not joking.

TS
TS
  Llpoh
July 6, 2021 8:12 am

I was wondering what was up with you, Llpoh. Good to see you’re still rambling around.

Llpoh
Llpoh
  TS
July 6, 2021 8:44 am

Thanks TS. Same as it ever was with me. Just with a few more creaks and pains. Growing older sucks, but beats the only other option.

TS
TS
  Llpoh
July 6, 2021 8:49 am

Truism.

'Reality' Doug
'Reality' Doug
  Llpoh
July 6, 2021 10:19 am

The shit on this comment in the branch above. Something else. Thanks for making me almost worry, Stucky. I hope your dark thoughts are kindred to mine, Llpoh. I understand why you took time off. If I do the same, it is probably for the same reasons.

Stucky
Stucky
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 8:14 am

“no pictures of the attendees.”

That’s a shame, Jim.

What if the attendees give permission to post their pictures?

It would be really nice to put actual faces to the names here.

Stucky
Stucky
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 8:19 am

“We don’t want to make it easy for the authorities.”

That’s a helluva level of paranoia. If I were there, and you took my pic, I wouldn’t give a rat’s ass if you pinned it to the top of the page forever. Really. Fuck those pansy ass incompetent authorities.

Brewer55
Brewer55
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 10:39 am

So, that’s what you guys look like! Nice. And, HSF, you have more hair than you need. How about passing some to me! hehe

Iska Waran
Iska Waran
  Brewer55
July 6, 2021 2:47 pm

They both pass the physiognomy and symmetry tests. Also, HSF is particularly fashionable. Add one or two more shirts and he’d be positively Steve Bannonesque, although with half the BMI.

Tony
Tony
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 12:54 pm

Glad there were no g-men roaming around taking plate numbers ala the Godfather wedding scene. Blur out the plate number in the picture!

hardscrabble farmer
hardscrabble farmer
  Tony
July 6, 2021 12:55 pm

If there were they’re on our side now.

SmallerGovNow
SmallerGovNow
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 7:43 am

Excellent essay. Thanks for the bright ray of hope you brought this morning… Chip

robb88
robb88
  SmallerGovNow
July 6, 2021 8:19 am

if anyone here has his shit together,this guy does.

Llpoh
Llpoh
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 7:51 am

Stop the cultural appropriation, paleface. Only injuns get to wear their hair like that.

Georges S
Georges S
  Llpoh
July 6, 2021 8:54 am

I have my hair like that! And I’m a pale face mix of Viking Slav and Celt.

Da Perfessor
Da Perfessor
  Llpoh
July 6, 2021 6:31 pm

I dunno, LLPOH, there’s a passing resemblance to Jimmy Page there.

Maybe the wife enjoys a bit of Led Zeppelin….

Llpoh
Llpoh
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 7:49 am

No barbers anymore in NH?

Hands are looking strong, HSF.

hardscrabble farmer
hardscrabble farmer
  Llpoh
July 6, 2021 8:13 am

It began as a test of wills concerning the mask thing- who blinks first.

Now it’s just something my wife likes.

Stucky
Stucky
  hardscrabble farmer
July 6, 2021 8:43 am

Good for you!! You look real good with long hair!!

FYI … I also have not gotten a haircut since we met … and for the same exact reason, lol. It’s a bit longer than yours, I also haven’t trimmed my mustache. When I stretch it out it goes from ear to ear. My always loving complimentary mother tells me, not kidding, that I look like a homeless person. Obviously, I don’t give a rat’s ass what she thinks. Looking forward to getting a pony tail.

B. Les White
B. Les White
  Stucky
July 6, 2021 10:06 am

Rollie fingers -shit flinger

The Oragutan
The Oragutan
  Stucky
July 6, 2021 11:01 am

Me Three – same reasons. Last Haircut – Oct 2019. And of course, that one was a “freecycle” one. All mask mandates need to be dropped before the hair and beard get snipped.

James
James
  hardscrabble farmer
July 6, 2021 12:22 pm

As a much longer haired individual all I can say is yet again welcome to the ranks……

Hmmmm….,well that and “Don’t hate me because I am beautiful”

Seems like a good time had by all,not too far away at all when in homelands but way too much going on to attend,that said,will try and hit up a future event,glad all had a great time1

flash
flash
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 8:29 am

I hardly recognized Jerry Garcia without the beard, but Jason Alexander, I would have recognized with or without facial hair.

Wish I could have been there. I would have brought some ‘shrooms.

James
James
  flash
July 6, 2021 12:24 pm

” I would have brought some ‘shrooms.”

Flash,you make it next year I will be looking for ya’s,will say,with the cows and all may be some local pickings!t

Ken31
Ken31
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 8:30 am

Looking as healthy and fit as those posts about farming would indicate.

B. Les White
B. Les White
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 10:02 am

The best part of waking up….
Is drinking from my new TBP cup.
Thanks Admin and Avalon for all you do (and the mug)

Thanks Marc for showing us that “IT”can be done. Every year your little slice of heaven gets harder to leave.
Once the distillery is up and running i may take up permanent residence 🙂

SeeBee
SeeBee
  B. Les White
July 6, 2021 8:08 pm

Hey Buddy! So nice getting to see you and the Family again. I see another get together in our future….and soon. It’s comforting to know you guys are not that far away.

B. Les White
B. Les White
  SeeBee
July 7, 2021 11:43 am

Back at ya’. We have to do something local. And soon. No letting a whole year pass again 🙂

'Reality' Doug
'Reality' Doug
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 10:55 am

Some decent looking gents there.

NH Yankee
NH Yankee
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 6:38 pm

Love this picture. While I seldom comment on posts and articles, in fact never even provided a name or “handle” when I have, I’ve grown to love the TBP family. I’ve got to get your to your farm and help support the cause. Live less than an hour away in Bedford. You’re a hero in my eyes Mark! Gotta try to get to next years gala. I have no excuse.

nkit
nkit
  Administrator
July 8, 2021 11:04 pm

TBP in a shot…funny stuff…till it’snot…damn hippies…

realestatepup
realestatepup
July 6, 2021 7:51 am

I was very disappointed as I could not attend and it’s not a far ride for me.
I am so glad you had a fantastic weekend and I hope to be there next year.

TS
TS
July 6, 2021 8:11 am

Ah, the first of the vicariously sweet posts.
You are to be commended, Marc, for what you do. Both behind the keyboard, behind the shovel and behind the smile.
THANK YOU!! for the opportunity, though I couldn’t – and probably never will – be able to make the trip.
Although who knows? Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised and be able to get there one fine year.

Davido Davido
Davido Davido
July 6, 2021 8:25 am

Thank you Hard Scrabble. That warmed my heart.

Ken31
Ken31
July 6, 2021 8:25 am

Thanks for the post, HSF. We are happy you all were blessed with another successful celebration. Even the idea of it is inspirational, so we can only hope next year is more forgiving of our schedules.

Ken31
Ken31
July 6, 2021 8:31 am

Which was primarily why we wanted to go.

RogerP
RogerP
July 6, 2021 8:32 am

Thanks Hardscrabble, it was great! And thank Admin, too.

hardscrabble farmer
hardscrabble farmer
  RogerP
July 6, 2021 8:42 am

It was great to meet you, the wife and I were just talking about you this morning- many thanks for making the trip and sharing the day.

Avalon
Avalon
July 6, 2021 8:43 am

What a beautiful day it was! Everything was perfect, the delicious food, the lovely views and the really great and really smart people. I get nervous about meeting up with people I don’t know in person and everyone ended up being so friendly and warm and welcoming. And I loved reconnecting with those that I met two years ago.

I can’t thank you and M enough for having us, you and your family are awesome!
Dani

hardscrabble farmer
hardscrabble farmer
  Avalon
July 6, 2021 9:00 am

You know we feel the same way.

Steve
Steve
July 6, 2021 9:09 am

Living 1200 miles away makes attending formidable. One year I hope to make it.
I’m glad to hear it was such a success and the weather cooperated.
I appreciate to no end the family at TBP, the perspectives offered and the wealth of info I glean from the misfits who participate.
Hat tip to all who attended and especially to Jim, Mark and all those who make it all happen.
TBP…hooo-ra

Francis Marion
Francis Marion
July 6, 2021 9:38 am

“I remain entranced by the splendor of this country and inspired by the variety and wisdom of the people who inhabit it. Whatever the dark and unhappy people of the Narrative may think, America is the last best hope of mankind and it is impervious to their perpetual efforts to dampen and squash the spirit that inhabits those who reject their malicious attempts to tell us otherwise.”

Amen, brother.

How I wish I could have been there. Hopefully next year.

Stucky
Stucky
  Francis Marion
July 6, 2021 11:20 am

“Hopefully next year.”

Please bring some giraffe steaks.
.
.
.
Yeah, yeah, whatever … I’ll bring the ‘coon meat.

MrLiberty
MrLiberty
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 10:53 am

What’s wrong with that? I would make sure that the safety is engaged if the dog is going to be handling a gun though.

Anonymous
Anonymous
  Administrator
July 6, 2021 8:45 pm

Dad with a full size Sig, Fido with a Beretta 92, Sis with a bottle of beer, Mom with a Mini 14 or whatever that is, Jr and his KelTec 33…hope I get invited next year…

Warren
Warren
  Anonymous
July 7, 2021 6:15 pm

From the way the mag is angled, the look of the rear sights, and the front of the muzzle Looks like the Mom has a Number 4 Lee Enfield,

'Reality' Doug
'Reality' Doug
July 6, 2021 10:42 am

When I criticize, it is in the real Western sense of seeking or freeing value a la the Greek Golden Age.

The American flag is a graven image. You don’t own it. The past victories that gave it value have lost their savor. Each generation needs to define freedom for itself and fight for it. Giving posterity a free pass is destructive to their character and future. Here we are.

We need new victories, new glories, new fresh blood of our enemies. It’s not the flag. It’s not the Constitution. It’s not text or scripture. This is about us. This is about your individual value and the potential of that value to combine bottom-up with other individual value.

The enthusiasm expressed for American diversity saddens me. To protect the free speech of everyone is to protect the domestic military operations of the enemy. A progressive in truth is someone who axiomatically defines truth and goodness in terms of human progress. The Left say they are Progressives to take the high moral ground with your social acceptance and your social standing. It is a lie of course.

If we were to be progressive. If we were to get better and better as a people, we would have higher culture and higher functional order. We would be more and more susceptible to entropy, to the base potential in our one genes, the gene pool of our people, and the gene pool of humanity. Minimum requirements must go higher if there is progress. Some of your children or later posterity are just not going to be good enough and should be cut out without great expense of Big Jail or goddamn tolerance.

Your definition of a diverse American we is wrong. It is the problem. The herd think of muh July 4th like any herd think is masturbatory escapism. We cannot afford the gravy train. We cannot afford civic nationalism. We cannot afford top-down standards and too-big-to-fail violence and orthodoxy.

Where is your vision of a better people? A people who are actually progressive. What is their flag? We don’t need to hold onto the flag but our own higher human potential. If we do not discriminate again inferiors or any other antithetical otherness, we discriminate against ourselves. Take your biblical arguments and shove it. We are part of a system that is killing us. There are cold laws of nature. There are biological rules to life. Resources are limited.

The goodness of the American Revolution has faded into oblivion. Goodness for white culture and most white people not red cultures and most red people, who were happy to genocide each other by tribe, by the way, and I did not say it was wrong like you will so quickly bleat.

We have yet to fight for ourselves. Voting and praying and posting is not fighting. What is manhood? In this time of obvious needs, manhood is fighting. Clearly, there is a lack of manhood. Isolated manhood can do nothing again incorporated rule with public support. We can’t even think about fighting for ourselves without care for the whole fucking world, and that is my beef with most of you. You don’t want to define a viable we and put our people into a position to win the fights necessary to have a progressive Western culture and people. You throw it all away with pride in your tolerance and Jesus.

I’m glad the picnic was fun. I wish I could have gone and enjoyed it. I am not sure I would not have been attacked. No, I don’t want to keep my mouth shut. I want to be free. I want to socialize on my mentally native terms. So do the intolerant Leftists who smell your defeat. As you should be able to surmise but probably can’t, freedom is not one size fits all. White freedom is not red freedom or black freedom, and within races there are incompatibilities as well. There is no single white freedom. I, like most of you, am white. I reject Judeo-Christian culture and revel in the philosophy culture. Philo = love and sophy = wisdom.

How can you love yourself if you are afraid to know yourself? Most of you are afraid of your intrinsic value and need herd validation. You can’t really love what you don’t really know. Nor can you hate or defeat the enemy you don’t really understand. If you don’t hate what is antithetical to your progressive welfare, do you love? Narration is ignorance and ignorance is not love. It can be hate because entropy is very compatible with ignorance and causes destruction of higher-order functionality. Good by to the economy, for example, but also actual human beings with ‘common sense’.

tl;dr Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

hardscrabble farmer
hardscrabble farmer
  'Reality' Doug
July 6, 2021 11:02 am

You wallow in misanthropy. Every post you make is meant to hurl insult and objection at anything and everything anyone finds value in, but these are your choices and have no real impact on most people despite what you think.

“No person has the power to have everything they want, but it is in their power not to want what they don’t have, and to cheerfully put to good use what they do have.” – Seneca

And you are still welcome to visit if you choose. Or invite us to your home and show us how much better you have managed to perfect your world.

'Reality' Doug
'Reality' Doug
  hardscrabble farmer
July 6, 2021 12:06 pm

I can’t do better, Scrabble. This is my best. I lost. You are more normie than I am, and sitting pretty. You don’t know what psychological abuse I went through or continue to go through surrounded by alien social norms that only get worse. I make more of a difference this way than not. Sad but true. I have seen some comments that seem to reflect that. Reasoning does not work, but pain about narrative discrepancies does work a tad. Since I have no future personally, I am investing in the long haul. I don’t expect you to understand.

DRUD
DRUD
  hardscrabble farmer
July 6, 2021 12:09 pm

Yup. Cynicism is a big step forward from naivete, but it must be overcome in the quest for enlightenment.

Doug, you scream freedom like its a simple thing you can relax and enjoy someday, like having a margarita on a beach. That’s a life, its an afternoon.

Realized freedom looks a lot more like carrying a a heavy burden up a steep hill, just doing so voluntarily and with a song in your heart.

You remind me a lot of another hardcore “New” Atheist that graced these threads a while back. He spewed his imagined perfect “reason” everywhere, and the subtext screamed bitterness and resentment, just as yours does. He left in a huff and I imagine his resentment at the silly and superstitious fools he encounters everywhere remains.

I was, at one point, convinced by the same “logic” of the absence of God. It lasted about 2 weeks and a much better understanding of things replaced it. I now realize just how completely, ridiculously ignorant we are of the nature of this existence.

Seneca understood so much more about the living of life than all the genius physicists out there that are certain they understand it all.

I sent out a pithy tweet that hasn’t left my mind, meant to be a simple joke, but there are some levels to it. I repeat it here:

I don’t believe in atheists.

DRUD
DRUD
  DRUD
July 6, 2021 12:15 pm

I can’t edit the comment above for some reason. I should have waited for the other post.

'Reality' Doug
'Reality' Doug
  DRUD
July 6, 2021 1:43 pm

I read the above, DRUD, for what that’s worth. I am about to look at the glorious new post.

psbindy
psbindy
  DRUD
July 6, 2021 8:08 pm

I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist.

Stucky
Stucky
  'Reality' Doug
July 6, 2021 11:29 am

Wow. There’s a LOT to unpack there. I’m not sure THIS thread is the place for it. Why? Cuz it could turn into a shit-fest. And this article is not about that. It’s about love, joy, and especially fellowship, etc. It seems to me (I could be wrong) that these are things you are not particularly fond of.

Would you, and others, mind if I submitted this as a separate post … where the shit can be flung without reservation?

A simple vote will suffice. Let’s go with 7, a lucky number. Seven “ups” and it’s a separate post.

hardscrabble farmer
hardscrabble farmer
  Stucky
July 6, 2021 12:02 pm

I agree, this wasn’t the place for it.

“I begin to speak only when I’m certain what I’ll say isn’t better left unsaid.” – Cato

'Reality' Doug
'Reality' Doug
  hardscrabble farmer
July 6, 2021 12:18 pm

There are quotes for every occasion, HSF. It adds no gravitas with me as a one liner. You reached your limit. That I understand. Whether or not I have triggered introspection in you is another matter.

hardscrabble farmer
hardscrabble farmer
  'Reality' Doug
July 6, 2021 12:37 pm

“He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone.”

― Epictetus

Todd Packer's Mentor
Todd Packer's Mentor
  hardscrabble farmer
July 6, 2021 6:18 pm

Great quote.

DRUD
DRUD
  Stucky
July 6, 2021 12:09 pm

I up-voted. You know I’ll be down for such a shitfest.

'Reality' Doug
'Reality' Doug
  Stucky
July 6, 2021 12:14 pm

Stucky, I don’t think it would be better received front and center. Admin is able to delete it. Why not? Scrabble is right in that my points are redundant. I am not sure who’s points are not redundant, but I am sure what points are popular and what points are unpopular. Many are called and few are chosen. I hope to reach the intelligent outcast oddball who needs to learn what I learned only too late. I hate to see enemy propaganda go unchallenged from such an erudite and well-respected source. Anyone who thinks he is a conservative does not know what a conservative was in terms of policy and culture only three generations ago. Very sad. But maybe I asked for the public flogging. There is little left on these metaphorical bones, which has it’s upside.

'Reality' Doug
'Reality' Doug
  'Reality' Doug
July 6, 2021 12:26 pm

Stucky, if you want fodder for a post, see the video I posted in my comment on adjacent post of Llpoh.

LLPOH: Three Out of Three Ain’t Bad

Do we run to save motherhood? Is she a victim. Etc, etc. In short, a deconstructionist leftist has been outflanked by the far left and the true owners of the country.

RiNS
RiNS
  Stucky
July 6, 2021 12:44 pm

Just voted lucky 7

Stucky
Stucky
  Stucky
July 6, 2021 12:58 pm

Reality Doug’s comment has just been submitted as an article. Please fling shit there once Admin releases it.

Danke Schoen.

BUCKED/BUY MORE AMMO/BOURBON TOO
BUCKED/BUY MORE AMMO/BOURBON TOO
  'Reality' Doug
July 6, 2021 3:34 pm

Doug…do you put butter on that shit biscuit you eat everyday ?

'Reality' Doug
'Reality' Doug
  BUCKED/BUY MORE AMMO/BOURBON TOO
July 6, 2021 4:20 pm

No, Bucko, broken glass.

Anonymous
Anonymous
  'Reality' Doug
July 6, 2021 8:56 pm

Doug, simplify once in awhile, wouldja? You’re eating yourself alive. Abuse, I get it – but don’t keep feeding it – starve it.

'Reality' Doug
'Reality' Doug
  Anonymous
July 7, 2021 1:25 pm

i think I have starved it as much as possible. The remainder I repurpose.

MrLiberty
MrLiberty
July 6, 2021 10:56 am

Glad to hear it was another great success…but how could it not be when you are surrounded by great people and great food and a common spirit about what’s right with the world and what isn’t. Next year for sure.

'Reality' Doug
'Reality' Doug
July 6, 2021 10:58 am

Wholly shit, they used the word ‘Logos’! I will assume the original, nonperverted sense of the word.

Yo, aye, as far as purpose of the thing, AP, is that a field report or wishful thinking? I think we are too diverse and too wrong to even start. Except for the part about incorporated authority and a ‘good’ police state, I think you are insightful and generally correct. Still, a lotta philosophical distance. I think there is a biological basis for social norms that we can’t bridge, but I can see you, like a neighboring star system.

Robert Gore
Robert Gore
July 6, 2021 11:11 am

Looks like everyone had a great time. Sorry I missed it but as I said last year when I missed it, I’ll try to get there next year.

hardscrabble farmer
hardscrabble farmer
  Robert Gore
July 6, 2021 11:21 am

A lot of folks were asking about you. Hope all is well and we’ll save a chair for next year.

Captain_Obviuos
Captain_Obviuos
July 6, 2021 11:28 am

I really wanted to make it this year, but there just wasn’t any way. It would have taken me 4 days driving (through states I’ve never been to, usually for reasons) or 17 hours if I used airlines (which if you think I’d be willing to have my belongings dissected by some TSA dyke, yeah — no). But it wasn’t the time which was the determining factor, because I would gladly have invested it to come see you all, it was the fact I can’t leave my 80-year-old widowed mother alone to go gallivanting across country, much as I wish otherwise. Still, I hope you all had a time of the ages, and that you also know I’d love to meet you someday to join in those memories. The world’s a big place, but it’s funny how small it can be when you’re surrounded by happiness. There’s nothing which will keep me from making that journey to HSF’s spot of happy, I will definitely make it there in the future.

Happy Independence Day to everyone!

-G

DRUD
DRUD
July 6, 2021 11:53 am

I wish I could have been there. Truly.

Anonymous
Anonymous
July 6, 2021 12:10 pm

July 3rd, 2025 (I am Legend)

My name is HardScrabble Farmer
I am a survivor living in New Hampshire
I am broadcasting on all shortwave frequencies
I will be at my farm every 4th of July all day
When Summer is at it’s most beautiful
If you are out there
If anyone is out there
I can provide food
I can provide drink
I can provide a petting zoo
If there’s anybody out there, anybody
Please ~ You are not alone

Stucky
Stucky
  Anonymous
July 6, 2021 1:45 pm

Make sure you stroke the sheep in HF’s petting zoo.

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psbindy
psbindy
July 6, 2021 2:15 pm

Somebody post a pic of the coffee mugs.

Dobbsfan
Dobbsfan
July 6, 2021 3:05 pm

Sounds like you folks had a great 4th of July.

By all accounts, good memories.

Da Perfessor
Da Perfessor
July 6, 2021 4:01 pm

Sounds like a mighty fine get-together. Congrats, HSF, for pulling it off with help of family and friends/neighbors!

As long as I have a mini-cherry orchard, I am probably out of the time to get there. Picking and putting up needs doing.

This year added a couple new wrinkles though with nursing an aging dog and moving water to keep my raised beds alive at temps over 100 F on a daily basis. I’ve been moving faster than a cat in a litter-box of Pop Rocks.

Maybe one of these days….

Da P

Todd Packer's Mentor
Todd Packer's Mentor
July 6, 2021 6:16 pm

Nice write up, congrats to you both for bringing people together.
What was the headcount?

KaD
KaD
July 6, 2021 8:10 pm

Nancy Pelosi Directs Capitol Hill Security Police Units to Regional Offices in California and Florida, Future Locations Coming

SeeBee
SeeBee
July 6, 2021 8:33 pm

Another great gathering, Marc. Thank you and the Mrs. and your charming son. You guys make everyone feel at home. And, as a concrete jungle dweller, the only wildlife I get to see are the occasional cockroaches, cat sized mangy rats and smeared sidewalk doggie doodoo. I LOVE the farm animals. LOVE them all. Especially the kids. They were so adorable I will think of them and smile, instead of scratching the faces off the zombie, vaxxed mask wearers surrounding me.

Jim and Avalon, I hope we can do a mid-way Jersey meet-up someday. Have Stucky dance for us and keep us entertained.

Avalon
Avalon
  SeeBee
July 7, 2021 9:28 am

Hi SeeBee, that’s a great idea!

James Burke
James Burke
July 7, 2021 12:33 am

I am a lurker. But love you guys! Truly inspiring. Thanks you

Ghost
Ghost
July 7, 2021 8:07 am

When I was a kid, the Rotary Club (whatever they were) and the Jaycees (Rodeo folks) put on a big Independence Day festival in the town’s park which was also the rodeo grounds. There were usually ponies to ride. Kids played freeze tag, mother may I and Simon says. Then, some sort of entertainment (usually gospel music, but sometimes squaredancing!)

Everyone in town (412 people then; updated sign there says 426) would stroll or drive over and there would be fireworks at dusk.

Now, 50 someodd years later, that park is roped off, the entry drive gated and locked. The little pavilions and benches put there by my grandfather (Mr. Rotary) and other community members long destroyed by vandals and/or druggies.

It sounds, HSF, as if you’ve recaptured that atmosphere.

And, your hair is a very nice color.

Now, this is 99, Mr. Thistle…

TS
TS
  Ghost
July 7, 2021 8:19 am

[youtube

TS
TS
July 7, 2021 8:17 am

Whoo Hoo!!!
100!!!

Ghost
Ghost
  TS
July 7, 2021 8:19 am

You ARE good!

But, you misspelled Woo.

TS
TS
  Ghost
July 7, 2021 8:22 am

Now that is a very subjective subject right there.
I replied to Lloph and Not sure on my post and – once again – a 99 was staring me right in the face. It was there, I had to use it.

Ghost
Ghost
  TS
July 7, 2021 8:58 am

One must do what one must do.

I checked with Miriam Webster and you are correct that Whoo is also synonymous with Woo. I thought Whoo is what an owl says only, but I was wrong.

I can admit when I’m wrong.

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Machinist
Machinist
July 7, 2021 3:51 pm

Video unavailable
This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated.

Two if by sea. Three if from within.
Two if by sea. Three if from within.
July 7, 2021 11:02 pm

This for those who haven’t a clue yet…

From the Notebook: Eviction is Just Another Word for Extinction

Svarga Loka
Svarga Loka
July 8, 2021 10:53 am

AP, I missed you at the party, because I didn’t know who you were. Was hoping to chat with another follower of Owen and Matt. Maybe next year.