Web Pages Not Just for High Tech
By Bruce A. Love
Our nephew, Jeremy Pellani, and his wife Tavia, are experiencing the “simple” life by living off the land on a twenty-five acre homestead in rural upstate New York. They chose this homesteading lifestyle, which they live to the fullest, nearly a decade ago. Jeremy and Tavia are both very creative thinkers as well as talented musically and artistically. They support their lifestyle by selling her crafts and his services as a stone mason and artisan.
The Pellanis have creatively dodged or hurdled a number of obstacles along the road. With two young children and another on the way, they have felt it necessary to make some resourceful upgrades to their archaic homestead - they initially had no electricity, phone lines, or other modern conveniences - in order to survive the harsh Adirondack winters and help their business succeed.
In an article recently published by Homestead.org, Jeremy Pellani writes of the “strange paradox” that allows him to pursue the “simple life" with the help of the Internet. His column provides an overview of the trials and tribulations of their homesteading experience, and gives great advice and inspiration for anyone interested in pursuing a similar lifestyle. With aggravating daily commutes, outrageous gas prices and grocery bills, and television programming lacking much redeeming value, I must admit that there is a certain allure to returning to the simpler ways.
Jeremy and Tavia have learned in their business endeavors not to try to compete with mass produced items that can be manufactured in third world countries for ridiculously low prices that exploit the efforts of workers. The Pellanis sell their made-to-order creations on Web sites they run, while other crafts they make are sold on eBay and other online auction sites. Many of their creations use the hand-dyed yarns that Tavia spins from wool produced by their llamas. Hand-made hats, scarves, baby booties, and raw skeins of natural hand-dyed yarns are all commodities sought by a growing “green” community of environmentally-aware customers. For a more detailed description of how the Pellanis make homesteading work for them, read the Homestead.org alticle at: http://www.homestead.org/JeremyPellani/SellingOnline/SellingWhatYouMakeOnline.htm.
Although Jeremy Pellani has never been motivated by making money, he acknowledges that it is sometimes necessary to have a few bucks so he can interface with the outside world. “Jer” is a very giving person and is always quick to help friends, family, and neighbors. He acknowledges that he probably lives below the poverty line, but because he doesn’t have to drive to work everyday and lives off his land, money goes a great deal further for his family than for those of us who have chosen a lifestyle working for others.
If your homestead needs masonry work, Jeremy has an impressive track record using his skills to restore stonework on many private estates and cathedrals. He can be reached through either of his Web sites. If your pet has recently passed to the great homestead in the sky, Jeremy also customizes memorial markers commemorating our departed furry friends (http://pet-memorial.lazyfrog.net/). For decorative garden or address stones visit The Shady Garden. Jeremy would never approve of such obvious promotional self-serving tactics, but sometimes even a homesteader can benefit from methods used by a capitalist uncle.
