Up in the plane over Lake Michigan it was a Forever Day, where the sky and water blended together and seemed to go on for an eternity. The day had gotten off on a misdirected start, but we were finally on our way to the Homesteaders of America conference.

There's nothing quite like traveling to make you appreciate home, at least for me. The food, the air, the water, the views - it's amazing how different one place can be from another. Many Europeans remarked during the recent World Cup that visiting different states within the United States was like visiting different countries, and I'd have to agree.

In our corner of northeast Wisconsin, the land has a gentle roll. Roads are wide and often straight, with broad shoulders and ample ditches. The Green Bay metro area, which has around 330,000 people, is still fairly easy to navigate.

Some areas have shallow topsoil, but most have ample soil for digging basements and growing crops. Our well water is high in iron and has a bit of sulfur, but after a run through the gravity filter it's clear and refreshing. Our pantry and garden are well-stocked with delicious food.

In contrast, the Washington, D. C. metro area has approximately 6.46 million people. That's nearly 20 times as many people. (No wonder it felt so crowded.) Road lanes are narrow, shoulders often non-existent. (I swear I could have reached out the van window at points and touched telephone poles on the side of the road.)

Highways are punctuated by stoplights, so you get up to speed and then stop again. Plane traffic and road noise were constant companions. There was a bird singing with a harsh call punctuated by more musical notes in the hotel parking lot. We joked that it probably had a sore throat from trying to sing louder than the traffic.

Basements are rare, due to high water tables and rocky sub-surfaces. The tap water at the hotel tasted rather swampy. (I was missing my water filter.) Tourist focused vittles were quite pricey, with very mixed quality. (Bananas should not be crunchy.) I'm sure the locals could direct me to better fare if we had the time, but we were time crunched for the weekend, largely due to airport preflight check in times and heavy traffic.

Travel tip - mark your bag with a bright colored shoestring or cloth strip to make it easier to spot in the baggage claim or overhead bin. Easy peasy and works like a charm.

The people were the highlight of the trip - sharing stories on the plane, conversing and answering questions at the conference, and meeting folks in person that I've known online for years.

Contrary to what the media might have you believe, most folks were kind and polite, inquisitive without being rude. It's amazing how the enormous airports at DC and Chicago can deliver so many people safely to their destinations. Chicago O'Hare manages 860,015 takeoffs and landings per year (averaging roughly one movement every 37 seconds), making it the busiest airport in the world. It's stunning.

It was all a learning experience, but it was also wonderful to finally be back in my own bed in my own home.

This Week's Resilience & Abundance Boost

• Appreciate what you have. Familiar surroundings can make us forget how fortunate we are. Take a fresh look at the food, water, shelter, and everyday conveniences that make your life comfortable, and consider what it takes to keep them that way.
• Learn from different places. Every region has its own strengths and challenges. What works well in one location may be impractical somewhere else. Stay curious, ask questions, and look for ideas you can adapt to your own circumstances.
• Prepare for the unexpected. Travel rarely goes exactly according to plan. A little extra time, a few useful supplies, and a willingness to adjust can turn frustrating delays into manageable inconveniences. The same is true closer to home.
• Make time for real connections. A conversation with a stranger, a shared story, or finally meeting an online friend can remind us how much we have in common. Strong communities begin with people taking the time to know one another.
• Recognize the systems that support daily life. From clean drinking water and reliable transportation to the countless people who keep things running, much of what makes modern life possible happens behind the scenes. Understanding and appreciating those systems can help us make better decisions about our own resilience.

Abundance isn't always about having more. Sometimes it's seeing familiar blessings with fresh eyes, discovering new possibilities, and remembering that wherever we go, the people we meet can make the journey worthwhile.

All our best to you and yours,

Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan)

A Few Things We Brought Home

Travel is a good reminder that our surroundings and daily routines affect us in ways we don’t always notice. Different food, different water, unfamiliar smells, and long hours sitting can leave us feeling a little out of sorts.

This week’s articles include a couple of health topics inspired by our travels, a tasty way to enjoy the flavors of fall, and some extra resources from my root cellar presentation at Homesteaders of America.

Is Perfume Bad for You?

One of the less pleasant parts of our trip was Duncan’s flight next to someone wearing a heavy synthetic fragrance. By the time we landed, his eyes were watering and he was terribly congested. Thankfully, a shower, clean clothes, and some fresh air helped him recover.

Fragrances are so common that we don’t always think about how they affect the people around us. In this new article, we look at what’s in perfumes and other scented products, potential health effects, and ways to reduce unwanted exposure.

Read: Is Perfume Bad for You?​

Getting Things Moving Again

Travel can throw more than our schedules out of balance. Between sitting for hours, eating unfamiliar or more processed foods, and not drinking as much water as usual, my digestive system tends to slow down when we’re away from home.

If you’ve experienced the same thing, this article shares practical ways to encourage regular bowel movements, including food choices, hydration, movement, and other gentle home remedies.

Read: Home Remedies for Constipation​

A Little Taste of Fall

After all that traveling, it’s good to get back to homemade food and familiar fall flavors. This easy pumpkin dip is a fun way to enjoy pumpkin without baking a pie, and it’s handy for autumn gatherings, after-school snacks, or a little something sweet.

Read: Easy Pumpkin Dip​

Root Cellar Resources from Homesteaders of America

One of the highlights of the conference was sharing our experience with root cellars and answering questions from people who want to store more of their harvest without relying entirely on electricity.

Whether you attended my presentation or couldn’t make it to the conference, I’ve made the PowerPoint slides and additional root cellar information available through our Root Cellars 101 article.

You’ll find practical guidance on choosing a location, managing temperature and humidity, ventilation, and different storage options — including ideas for people who don’t have a traditional underground cellar.

Read: Root Cellars 101 — Plus HOA Presentation Resources​

Whether we’re traveling or tending things at home, a little practical knowledge can make life more comfortable, help us avoid unnecessary problems, and make better use of the resources we have.

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