I have a confession to make. A little secret if you will...
I really enjoy watching The Legend of Mick Dodge on NatGeo. (The National Geographic Channel)
Farmer John saw the advertisement for it and set it up to record. I, in all my high and mightiness, laughed at him. "You're really going to watch that?" I thought it looked silly.
But despite the quirkiness (and earth worshipping world view) of the "star" of the show, Mick Dodge. I found myself strangely drawn to his lifestyle.
He lives in the Hoh rainforest of Washington's Olympic peninsula. But he lives a bit more than off-grid. He makes his home in trees and stumps and eats off the land, bartering for what little of the "real" world he needs.
Now I don't for a moment believe that what I'm shown on the show is the total "reality" and a little internet research proves me right. But I like the concept of his life. It has a freedom to it that so many of us tied to the grid and slave-wage jobs don't have. (Though I also confess that I have no intention of crawling into stumps to sleep if I have a choice.)
I have watched two episodes so far. In the first show we met Dodge and a leather working off-grid friend. I was in awe of the handcrafted goods this man makes. In the second show, Dodge finds one of his hidden bows (for defense against bears and cougars) stolen and needs a replacement. We then see him in barter action. A burl he finds in a clear cut and some juice made from wild berries is traded (with the leather worker from the first show) for a pair of buckskins and then the buckskins are traded to a master bow maker for the needed bow, which we get to seen made. No money! Just work and ingenuity! I am inspired to see what I can find or produce that I can barter with.
It will be interesting to see what else he does and who else they introduce on the show and what crazy ideas I get from it.
Has anyone else seen the show? What do you all think?
3 comments:
Greetings Cynthia!
Ha ha ha! I too groaned and rolled my eyes at my husband when he programmed this show to record, and believe me, he has a long list of such shows on our DVR! But as always, I got sucked into watching it with him! (Curse my weakness!)
Like you, we don't care for his earth worshiping ways either, and the episode with the sacred geometry guy was really disturbing - did you see that one? As for me, I get a kick out of it when God mocks earth worshipers like he does in Jer. 2:27 and the entire chapter of Isiah 44. That stuff really brings out his indignant sarcasm.
Anyway, I haven't done any thorough research on the guy, but I'm sure the "reality" is that he doesn't live anywhere near in the manner that is shown. For instance, I like walking around barefoot myself, but walking barefoot in a forest on purpose is just plain idiocy. Besides, his feet look better than mine, and I live in the suburbs!
I too enjoy watching the process of looking for value in things and abilities in which to barter, and the concept of being a good steward of the earth's resources is a good thing, but they go too far by pushing the philosophy of worshiping these things. So, I think I won't be watching this show anymore, as entertaining as it is. =)
Love in Christ,
Heather
Hi Heather,
I vaguely remember the episode with the sacred geo guy. But I was multitasking at the time and didn't really pay too much attention to it. I watch to pick up useful tidbits and as you discerned there wasn't too much useful about that one. It does sadden me when people worship the created and not the creator.
Ladies, I have watched this series since the 1st episode.I really keep hoping he will mention "God" or being a Christian? That would really make my day?
Reality Check:Left Coast,Dark Blue State,Hippie Influence?
Probably never going to happen?
Take heart!
Mick is an Original and a Gentleman.His mission is to educate.
He wants the family to watch and learn? Not a bad influence *
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