Comment from Elizabeth Emerald

Excellent

I peg this as a winner. Charming and wry--dark humor indeed--love the snarky references. Priceless ending as to the twins' mimicry of "finger food" play.

 Comment Written 09-Jan-2023

---

reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023

Thanks so much Liz for the fine review and funny comments. Every day on the farm was a challenge. For some unknown reason that defied all logic that I could see, we seemed to insist on doing everything the hard way. It was especially bad in the early years. I rebelled against most of the "rules" that were passed down from the eldership. Eating corporately was a nuisance, but I guess no more than other things we had to do. It might not have been so bad if the food had been appetizing and we could have enjoyed it while it was hot. I guess that was too much to expect though- actually enjoying your meal might be bad for the spirit. Oh well, water under the bridge.
Have a blessed evening gal. Stay in touch.
Tom

reply by Elizabeth Emerald on 10-Jan-2023

I would have jumped off that bridge!

Comment from Bill Schott

Exceptional

Terrific story that captures the flavor of this type of living in this society in Alaska. The whole idea of a commune, when many head to Alaska for the solitude, sounds incongruent, but what do I know. My brother and sister moved to Fairbanks and North Pole a couple years before that. Neither fared well.

 Comment Written 09-Jan-2023

---

reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023

Hi Bill,
Thanks so much for the exceptional review and stars. Fairbanks and North Pole are close to each other and I wouldn't want to live in either place. It's too flat and too darned cold. Communal living isn't something that I recommend for anyone. If you're at all independent, you're going to have problems. I found that out very quickly.
Blessings
Tom

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

You and Jan are so brave to have lived in that environment for ten years! I bet your children have a lot of memories about that place. I am glad that you got to meet and work with so many different people. Thanks for sharing!

 Comment Written 08-Jan-2023

---

reply by the author on 08-Jan-2023

Hello Helen,
Thanks for the fine review and comments. I never thought of the experience as being brave. There was a lot of fear that I think was involved in staying there. On the one hand it was like being in the navy again; we were thrust into having to work and live with a number of different personalities, many of whom we would never have had anything to do with normally. I think I'll probably have to do another post to explain a little more about why we were there that long. The kids don't talk about their time there much. I don't think it was a very pleasant experience for them actually. There were no sports or alternate activities for them, there was someone always watching your every move it seemed and it just wasn't a fun place for anyone to be. They did get a surprisingly good education, and they learned things that I suppose might have been helpful in their adult life, but they still made mistakes that one would expect them not to make when the got away from the strictness of the farm. Have a blessed evening gal.
Tom

reply by lyenochka on 08-Jan-2023

I'm sure God had a plan for that experience in all your lives! 💖🙏

Comment from Mary Shifman

Excellent

I have several friends who lived in communes in the sixties, but I was never tempted. I can't imagine living this life style. I don't like large groups of people and I don't like so much structure. I'm not judging here, I just know that I like my alone time. Living like this would give me a nervous break-down!

 Comment Written 08-Jan-2023

---

reply by the author on 08-Jan-2023

Hello Mary,
I don't consider your comments judgemental at all. I honestly had no idea of what I was getting involved in or I never would have left where I was. Of course if I'd stayed in Charleston, I wouldn't have had the experiences that I had. Whether I liked it or not, my life was pretty interesting. No doubt I'd never have ended up in Alaska or become a commercial fisherman if I hadn't been involved in the Move. Believe me, I struggled mightily over the time I was there. At one point I considered shooting myself; then I started thinking that instead of shooting myself, I was going to shoot the sapsucker who was giving me so much grief. Fortunately, I came to my senses and God provided some alternative relief until such time as we were able to move. Thanks so much for the thoughtful comments and great review.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

reply by Mary Shifman on 09-Jan-2023

I always like to ready your posts because they are interesting and I often learn something. I'm glad you came away from your experience with growth and a positive outlook on life.

Comment from Susan Newell

Exceptional

Tom,

This is another fantastic story about the daily life and trials of living at "the farm." In so many ways I can see this all made into a movie, along the lines of "The Money Pit"--good intentions and great plans going astray. Good luck in the contest!

Sue

 Comment Written 08-Jan-2023

---

reply by the author on 08-Jan-2023

Sue,
thanks so much for your generous review. I'm overwhelmed by your generosity and kind words. The first five years were the worst. I had more than a few people ask why we stayed so long in a place that I obviously didn't enjoy. I think I'll do a follow up post soon that hopefully will help to clarify things. I just don't want to overdo the stories from the farm, and on the other hand, it wouldn't be right to those who purchased the book to see the stories given away for free. Again, thanks so much for the very generous review. Blessings.
Tom

reply by Susan Newell on 08-Jan-2023

Tom,

You earned the review. I didn't remember, or hadn't heard that you are writing (have written) a book about the farm. Is it available now? I am fascinated by it from concept to collapse.

Sue

reply by the author on 08-Jan-2023

Hi Sue,
yes it was my first book. I self published, which was scary, but it's worked out well. I've covered a few of the stories here on FS, but there are a number that I've kept just in the book. When I left the farm, I was angry, but over the course of time, writing the book, I started to heal. If you're interested, send me a PM and I'll give you the details. Thanks gal.
Blessings
Tom

Comment from royowen

Exceptional

I seemed to remember the group you were with, was a little on the cultish side. We nearly joined a commune in the 70s when it was all the rage, but Elaine, ever sensible decided it wasn't a good idea, thank God, for various reasons, beautifully written Tom, blessings Roy
Typo : I (don't) remember the girl(')s name. Can't? 2: she couldn't (yard) them out. Herd?

 Comment Written 07-Jan-2023

---

reply by the author on 07-Jan-2023

Hello Roy,
thanks so much for the generous review and comments. When we first got involved with the "Move" it was just neighbors getting together for meetings. There were other groups that were involved from different parts of the country, but I wasn't made aware of that until later. I really had no idea of what I was getting involved in before we moved to Alaska. I was blinded I suppose by the idea of fishing in such an unspoiled wilderness that I didn't give much thought to anything else. The group I was associated with were like family, so when I got to Alaska and things were much different, I was taken aback, but it was kind of late to regroup at that point. I changed the word yard to yank. Yard must be more of a local saying. In the logging camps, there is a big machine called a yarder that is used to pull logs out of the woods. You're not the only one that commented on the word, so I thought I'd change it to cause less confusion. Thanks again.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

reply by the author on 07-Jan-2023

reply by royowen on 07-Jan-2023

Bless you Tom

Comment from Annmuma

Excellent

Let me rate the writing first -- Ir is 5 stars, well-done. Characters are clearly drawn and scenes are easily seen in one's mind. The commune atmosphere can be felt, as well as the tension in the dining area.

Then, my question is: WHY would you and your spouse and your children live this particular life for ten years, unless you were enjoying it? That enjoyment did not come through in the post. HOW did you decide to take this life on for ten years?

But, again, good writing. ann

 Comment Written 07-Jan-2023

---

reply by the author on 07-Jan-2023

Hello Ann,
thanks for the fine review and the reasonable questions. I wish that I had an easy answer for you, but I don't. I believe I'm going to write another post soon that hopefully will help clarify things. It really didn't make sense to anyone with any wisdom, but other issues were at play. I hope the next post helps. Thanks again.
Tom

Comment from damommy

Excellent

That's one way of getting rid of people you don't like. I wish I'd thought of it. Knowing my boys, though, pushing food down their throat would have ended with the food back on the table, if you know what I mean. hahaha

 Comment Written 07-Jan-2023

---

reply by the author on 07-Jan-2023

Hello Yvonne,
ha, ha ha - I'm surprised that didn't happen as well. To say the least, Jan was mortified. Of course the boys didn't know what they were doing, but it was funny to watch. Thanks so much for the great review and comments.
Have a blessed day.
Tom

Comment from BethShelby

Exceptional

I enjoyed reading this story. I especially like non-fiction and seeing the experiences others have in life. In the past, we've had friend that went to live in something like a faith-based commune. Most didn't stay around long. I'm surprised your family was there ten years. I agree that it is mostly the family's responsibility to raise the kids, but they do need to be a part of social situations so they can learn to deal with people who aren't family. Your story is well-written and interesting.

 Comment Written 07-Jan-2023

---

reply by the author on 07-Jan-2023

Hello Beth,
thanks so much for the exceptional review and the thoughtful comments. Several people have commented on why we stayed in a place that I hated so badly. It's not easy to explain, there were several factors at play. I think I'll do another post soon that might clear things up a bit. I agree, kids do need to be with other people, but they only have on mom and dad and it's up to them to pass on their values to their family. Have a blessed day.
Tom

Comment from aryr

Excellent

Good luck wishes regarding the contest entry, Tom. Wow, that certainly was some adventure and you, your wife and seven children lasted ten years. I agree that it doesn't take a village, it is your responsibility. I liked the picture, lol. Very well done and greatly enjoyed. Blessings!!!

 Comment Written 07-Jan-2023

---

reply by the author on 07-Jan-2023

Hello aryr,
thanks so much for the fine review and thoughtful comments. I wouldn't label it so much an adventure at the time, it felt like I'd died and gone to hell, at least for the early years. I'll be doing another post that will hopefully explain our reasons for staying so long. It might clear things up.
Have a blessed day.
Tom

reply by aryr on 08-Jan-2023

You are so welcome, Tom.