Posted on 11/02/2013 1:08:28 PM PDT by nickcarraway
There’s a man living in the Ventana Wilderness in central California’s Santa Lucia Mountains who has been the fascination of many for years. Why? Because he’s 93 years old, lives alone five miles from the nearest road (the way he likes it) and has a different view of life.
“I’m just different than most people. I’d rather go back than go ahead,” Jack English said in a recent video by filmmaker Grace Jackson. It’s one of several videos and photo stories featuring the man who makes violin bows.
Living in a cabin made from materials off the land, English can go up to two weeks without seeing a single person.
He said he “fell in love” with the area when he first stepped foot on it, coming to hunt deer at 11 years old. Decades later he learned an isolated parcel was being auctioned and he bought it.
“I think the main thing is that it doesn’t change,” he said of the property. “It seems to be the same as when I first come here.
He had always wanted to set up his permanent residence there, but his wife, Mary, and other responsibilities prevented him from doing so. It was on his last visit to the hospital where Mary was being treated for cancer that she gave him permission to move there after she died. And he did.
“Life has its problems, but it’s like my wife always said, ‘it’s how you contend with those problems that will be the result,’” he said. “I look back and I really did have a good life.”
“I’m different, I know, and this is an individual thing,” he continued. “It’s the kind of life I like, and that’s why I’m here and that’s where I hope I’m going to be ’til the end. Maybe with luck I can make it.”
Watch the short, uplifting film about English’s lifestyle:
I went to look for the DVD on Amazon, as we have a charge there; it’s more expensive as I expected, but that would be fine. I see, though, the only 1-star review states there are no closed-captions, and I, too, require them, to hear. *sighs* But look at these amazing reviews... http://www.amazon.com/Alone-Wilderness-Dick-Proenneke/product-reviews/B0009PUAFG/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Yuk - what a combination of frustration in trying to enjoy something interesting: The cluttered and confused Blaze website and the incompatable vimeo that never loads and plays without stopping to catch up with itself.Frustrating indeed. I couldn't even get that far. A huge ad covered the site, and it wouldn't "x" out.
This guy is the real deal. Loved the TV documentary on him that showing you referenced here on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYJKd0rkKss).
No, but you know how the federales under Leftist regimes feel about independent types. They're rounding up a posse right now to go out and git 'im or shoot 'im.
I’m a Glenn Beck fan, but I have to skip on anything linked to the Blaze and I never open his emails which keep on coming even though I’ve tried to block them.
We checked it out at the local library. Interesting old film.
How does he get lucky?
I know what you mean. It is annoying. But without the network backing he has to pay the bills somehow. It costs money to produce and publish on that scale. TANSTAAFL
Good one!
(I’m from the Palmetto State!)
along with a nice “yes dear” when she tell you no!! always worked for me
Yes. I also noticed that. Unfortunately, he's missing a couple here and there and is experiencing some drift of his remaining choppers. Best to have all of his teeth extracted and proper dentures provided this poor man.
Thus, his dental hygiene is not compliant with government standards as per Section 447745873453.8385 of the Collective Citizens Dental Care Services Act. (A little known benefit of Obamacare.) This section details the protocol pertaining to any substandard teeth. He will have to be reported. It's for his own good to get this matter resolved with foremost urgency.
So congratulations, Mr. English; eager, diverse Government dental navigators will be knocking at your door shortly to help you and whisk you away to the nearest camp for treatment-- and possible re-education if deemed necessary by said public servants.
“It’s the kind of life I like, and that’s why I’m here and that’s where I hope I’m going to be ’til the end. Maybe with luck I can make it.”
Not to be nit picky, but we all make it to the end.
Punk.
I’m jealous...
If by “safer” you mean “Not wake up dead in the morning in a pool of my own blood,” yes. Ask the Mrs permission first. It’s always safer that way.
Cool.
If I had known that I would have said Palmetal Tree...but I was afraid you wouldn’t know what the H-— I was talkin ‘bout...
Take care down ‘ere...hey...ain’t there something called Palmetto bugs too? What are they??
The look in her eye explains his caption on the picture. He must have loved her very much, poor man.
Oh my gosh what happened?
Caught an elbow from a 6'9" 260 lbs pivotman.
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