I remember returning from my last tour, on the road for three weeks, and how strange it seemed to be in this house of mine. Wow. What excess. Entire rooms filled with furniture, appliances, tools, a whole room for food preparation (known as a Kitchen). I didn’t have access to any of this stuff while I was on the road. My little world consisted of my bicycle and gear I carried under my own power. No more possessions than I’m willing to haul across the countryside.

I’ve gotten used to living here again now. It’s not strange anymore. But I have a new perspective. I know now, that all these possessions somehow justify themselves in a self-referencing sort of way. For example, I have a shed with a lawn mower and a bunch of garden tools. Imagine trying to carry that on my bicycle. But if I didn’t have a house with a yard I wouldn’t need all that stuff that’s there to take care of it. Likewise for all the cookware, or my big refrigerator and stove, etc. I see it this way because I more and more confirm for myself that a day to day healthful and sustainable existence doesn’t require more than I can carry on my bicycle. Life doesn’t have to be as complicated as the life I’ve designed seems to deem necessary.