Jennifer & Steve Hulme
Jennifer and I have settled down on Vancouver Island, British Columbia (Qualicum Beach to be specific). It is the immense beauty and natural diversity of this magnificent province that appeals to us. For instance, British Columbia has over 900 parks, protected areas, ecological reserves and recreation areas (surpassing 126,000 square kilometers) which comprises a provincial park system that protects nearly 15 percent of the province. There are parks and green recreation areas within reach of virtually every community - from Ballingall Islets Ecological Reserve at 0.5 hectare to Tweedsmuir Park at 981,000 hectares. In fact, the sheer range in park size, diversity and varied beauty is unmatched anywhere on Earth! The old goat sincerely hopes that this is just the beginning to sound, sustainable ecological land management and it doesn’t get mucked up by politics. One of our great heroes is John Muir who, way back in 1898, stated the following:
Thousands of tired, nerve shaken, over civilized people are beginning to find out that going into the mountains is like going home again; that wilderness is a necessity and that mountain parks and ecological reserves are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but also as fountains of life with its peaceful ability to rejuvenate the soul...
That was over a century ago! Since then our world population has grown exponentially. We are inundated with technology and mindless consumerism. Combined with an ever increasing level of stress and complexity in our everyday lives, it has all become somewhat overwhelming - probably why the old goat is cranky!
Cranky Goat (aka Steve) and family are striving to simplify our lifestyle so we can spend more time with what truly matters - our friends, family and beloved canine companions. Be it simply walking along the beach, hiking in the mountains, or sharing a cup of coffee at a local café - those are the precious moments in life and truly our escape from the ever increasing madness of mass humanity.
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| Mountains of Beautiful British Columbia |
Who We Are...
Who are we? Tough question ... we tend to be private people and generally like it that way, but in today's 'social networking' atmosphere, privacy is increasingly rare. So here are some basics: Jennifer and I are both university educated and currently employed full-time as health care professionals ... who would much rather be out sailing, cycling, gardening, or hiking with our dog and exploring the world.
We have been together as a couple for over twenty five years and counting - it has been a great friendship and Jennifer is an absolute joy to share my life with. I have been very fortunate indeed, and lucky enough to realize it. As with most people in their mid-life stage, we have acquired a broad diversity of experiences - from sailing, swimming, scuba diving, horseback riding, horticulture, farming, construction, photography, mountain climbing, cross country running, cycling and so forth. The common denominator has consistently been an absolute love and appreciation for all things outdoors, especially when it is near the ocean.
Although we call British Columbia home, and love it immensely (particularly Vancouver Island) - we both hail from Nova Scotia and very much consider ourselves Maritimers still. Growing up in the Maritimes is unique and it stays in your blood forever and remains a glue and common bond with fellow Maritimers ... for all those who hail from the Maritimes, you know what I am talking about.
However, Beautiful British Columbia called out to us and it is truly a remarkable province in its beauty, immense size and overall diversity. We moved for the jobs, and stayed for the magnificent natural environment! We are now at the stage in our lives where we are starting to explore early retirement and what life may have in store for our future.
I have had a love affair with the outdoors for as long as I can remember. I am a proud introvert in the sense that I’d much rather be hiking in the mountains or sailing around some cluster of islands than attending a ‘social get together’. Growing up, I was truly blessed in that my parents let me spend much of the summer months either sailing by myself or with friends around the LaHave Islands and Nova Scotia’s beautiful South Shore region.
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| Fabulous LaHave Islands, Nova Scotia |
My wife is amazing in that not only does she put up with my outdoor expeditions, she typically will join me on my outdoor excursions ... for the most part. When I really feel like ‘bushwhacking', it is usually just me and the dog - always has been, likely always will be. Forty plus years of an endless adoration for simply exploring the outdoors and enjoying nature's beauty!
I do not need to travel the world and explore exotic places, on the contrary, I most enjoy hiking the mountains of Vancouver Island in the fall with new snow; or kayaking in the Broughton Archipelago / Northern Gulf Islands and swimming off their rocky reefs on a hot day.
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| Discovery Islands, British Columbia |
However, I have noticed many things change over the years - and none of it for the better. I definitely am an “environmentalist” in the sense that environmentalism is a broad philosophy and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the state of the environment. Some of my most loved regions have degraded badly over the years due, in large part, to human greed, rabid growth rate and senseless pollution. Mercury levels in the fabulous lakes of Kejimkujik Park causing our beloved Loons to lay eggs so fragile they crack under their own weight; Plastic and human garbage strewn across miles and miles of formerly pristine coastline - do you have any idea how heartbreaking it is to see a sea otter hang itself and suffocate from a plastic beer can holder? Or the frustration of how toxic waste is causing the magnificent Beluga Whales in the St. Lawrence to go sterile and face extinction; and, sadly, the list goes on and on.
As mentioned elsewhere on this website, the world in general is at the precipice of environmental catastrophe and this simply is not an exaggeration. If you truly believe so, then shame on you for both your ignorance and apathy. However, I am an optimist by nature and sincerely believe we as human beings will finally “get it” and do the right thing for Mother Earth. When we started out on our life journey together over twenty five years ago, never did my wife and I imagine a world where humankind’s blind greed, growth and ambition may have caused irreparable damage - we can only hope that within our next twenty five years, we shall see humankind’s ability to care, nurture and repair our beloved Mother Earth shine through! If not, then I truly pity our future generations and my heart aches for the lost beauty they will never see...
Why Cranky Goat ?
The Mountain Goat is perhaps the animal I would like to most emulate in many ways from a sustainability perspective. This remarkable animal is the epitome of sustainable living - frugal in the extreme sense; able to use the harshest terrain and survive; versatile and adaptable. It does little / no harm to it’s natural environment and in many ways actually enriches the harsh terrain it calls home. However, humankind’s encroachment on it’s habitat, destructive environmental behaviours and senseless need for trophy killing is but a few good reasons for this goat to be cranky ... and is a microcosmic example of the horrible footprint mankind is leaving on Mother Earth.
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| The Epitome Of Frugal Sustainability? |
Depressing? Absolutely. You can choose to ignore the issues all you want - but that will not make it go away. The planet needs a rest from our incessant greed and rampant human population growth. We, humanity, simply need to grow up and take responsibility as caretakers of Mother Earth. Perhaps more importantly, what will you do about it?
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| WHEN Will We Finally Get It... |
Unless people speak out - no voices will be heard... and that is why we choose CRANKY GOAT as our online persona. An online persona is defined as your complete online presence. Your online persona is more than your website or your blog. It is also more than your Facebook profile and your Twitter account. Your online persona is the sum total of what you are on the world wide web. Your persona is what people will find when they Google your name. It is your digital reputation...
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| Help Mother Nature Out, Enjoy The World We ALL Share... |
The Live Simply. Live Healthy. Live Happy... philosophy is truly one which we strive to live by. However, this website is purely for fun and it simply provides a face and online presence for the Jennifer and I ...
“One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering."
