HEALTH CARE REFORM - VIDEO FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

WANTED: 1/2 ACRE OR MORE

Never underestimate the power of an old woman - neither 'old' nor 'woman' translates to 'helpless' ... and 'disabled' does not mean UNable!

We need 1/2 acre or more on which to live. I'm sure you have a lot of questions. I'll try to address as many as I can think of below. If you are seriously interested and have more questions, please contact me.

Why do you need such a big lot?
I need at least that much for my horse to get proper exercise and have a little pasture to graze. All I ask is that it have at least a couple of big shade trees and be in an area where you don't have to dig too deep to get good well water. An old pasture would be perfect. I don't mind clearing land, but the more money I have to spend to have that done, the less I would have to give you. That's one thing I can't do myself.

Why don't you get help from another source, like a HUD house or Habitat for Humanity?
I have contacted every agency in the area. The HUD waiting list is years long, and a HUD-approved house with enough land for a horse is virtually non-existent. To have a horse inside the city limits you must have 100 feet clearance from the horse area to the nearest neighboring building of any type. Habitat for Humanity only operates within the city limits of San Angelo. The Texas Dept. of Aging and Disability and Adult Protective Services only offer apartments in town - without animals.


There is no governmental or foundation help for families like mine. Therefore, my goal is more than personal; by achieving this dream for myself, I hope to be a guiding star for others, to light their way to hope, renewed self-esteem, and a better quality of life. Please see the parent blog to this one, Saving Tails Alternative Rescue & Re-habitat (S.T.A.R.R.), to learn about my Special P.A.L. Community.


Why don't you get rid of the animals?
My spiritual beliefs dictate that once you have adopted an animal it becomes part of your family, and the commitment is for life. Animals are not disposable 'property'; they are living, breathing spirits, with the same right to life as humans. I believe it is immoral to discard or kill an animal to make your own life more convenient. All my critters are rescues, except my horse; that makes the commitment even stronger, because I did not go to a pet shop or breeder and choose to purchase a pedigreed animal - I took in whatever came my way in need of help. I raised my horse from a foal; he is my closest friend and longest-term relationship in my entire life. Giving him up is beyond my comprehension. Moreover, given the age and health of most of my family, the only option would be euthanasia. The guilt of killing them for my benefit is not something I am willing to live with.

What are you willing to pay for the land?
I can offer a little money, and perhaps a tiny monthly payment, and barter the rest in knowledge, skills, or perhaps there is something else you need that I can help with (besides money). Or, if you will "loan" me the land, you could have it back, with improvements, when I die. Since I am a senior citizen with COPD, I probably won't live more than another 10 years, if I'm lucky. It would be a great investment for a younger person, or another senior who wants to leave a more valuable piece of property to heirs.

What help could a disabled senior possibly be to me?
Everyone needs a little help from time to time, especially in these difficult economic times. There may be things you need done from time to time that you are not able to do yourself and can't afford to pay to have done. That's where I come in.

My knowledge and skills range from natural medicine and nutrition (very important in these times of new diseases, shortages of doctors and vaccines, pharmaceutical companies selling us drugs with too many dangerous side-effects, lousy medical plans, and the ridiculous cost of prescriptions) to advertising design and layout, consulting, to basic auto maintenance and repair, simple plumbing and electrical installation or repair, rough carpentry, to dog obedience training, horse care and basic training ("green breaking"- instruction only, unless it's a young foal), to writing, landscaping, research, interior design, financial planning (how to live on a budget, cut costs and save money in and for hard times), to green living (alternative energy, alternative housing, conserving electricity and water, avoiding the use of pesticides, herbicides, and poisonous chemicals in the home), and even a little web site design (with personal connections for assistance if needed). I have office skills, too!

I don't claim to be an expert in any field, or to be able to do all - or even most of - the work myself, but I can help you and/or teach you how to do whatever you need done. If I can't do it, I can show and teach you how to do it, or at least how to get started. If I can't do that, I can research it for you and find out what you need to know.

Maybe all you need is a security guard - a "land sitter" to protect the land. Between my horse (first alert), dogs, and me, we make a pretty dang good security team. Never underestimate the power of an old woman - neither 'old' nor 'woman' translates to 'helpless'! Neither does 'disabled'!

Of course, there is the concept of "paying it ahead", too. If you have compassion for others, and the wherewithal to help, you would gain the satisfaction and gratification of helping others. Sometimes that is the greatest reward of all.

How can an old, disabled person do all this?
I am still able to do work, albeit only a little at a time, and not every day, so I feel confident that I can tackle the job of helping someone else on an ad hoc basis and of building a little home for myself - papercrete is a wonderful construction material, lending itself to use by not-so-strong people by virtue of its light weight and ease of application. I would camp in my horse trailer until I could get my home built - I'm guessing it would take about a year to get the first room and a bathroom built. The rest can be added on later, if needed and I'm still able. That's one of the beauties of papercrete; if you want to add on, you can just cut a hole in the wall somewhere and make a new door or window.

If you are concerned about getting stuck with a bunch of animals after I die, rest easy; two of my dogs are so old I'm very likely to outlive them. My horse is 25 1/2 years old, an easy keeper, gentle and sweet; if he does outlive me, a therapeutic school or someone who just wants an equine pet might take him. The youngest dog is being trained to be an asset to any individual or family, so would be fairly easy to adopt out. Just in case, with a little luck, I will have arrangements made for them in advance, before my time comes.

What is the least you really need?
All I want is a place to call home; a place to spend the remainder of my days with my beloved family in freedom, peace, quiet enjoyment and relative security, without fear of a roof collapsing, eviction, or feeling like a second-class citizen.

If you have a little land you're not using, I'd sure appreciate hearing from you!

Thank you!