This brought tears to my eyes. How tragic that these meaningful connections are so rare these days. I am so relieved you have her contact number. Please do keep in touch and give her a warm hello from me.
Keep us posted on your next encounter. Encourage her to join Substack if she has the ability to do so, then let us know so we can follow her adventures.
P.S. RV life may not be as bad as you fear—watch "Nomadland," and you realize many people feel the freedom is worth the tradeoffs.
I watched that movie. I thought it was really cool. It also makes one realize, half the stuff we accumulate we don’t need...or want anymore (“you can’t take it with you”). It’s actually, true freedom.
Indeed, Renee. One of the things I love about Chloé Zhao is she uses *real* people (with the exception of Frances McDormand and David Strathairn) in her films, and the people featured in “Nomadland” are actually living the nomadic life portrayed in the movie.
Her previous two films, “The Rider” and “Songs My Brother Taught Me” use all non-actors and are exceptional as well (I’m pretending “Eternals” doesn’t exist). The protagonist in “The Rider” experienced the brain injury depicted in the film in real-life, and the story that emerged was inspired by his own.
Yeah I thought that was a little patronising yet I know he didn’t mean to be, I have friends moving into caravans and mobile homes by choice they have plenty of money and access to homes but want the freedom of van life.
Some people want to live this way. And, if money allows, there are some VERY nice RVs out there! I had a 22ft. Kodiak trailer. It was awesome! I moved and sold it, and the truck (storage was a waste of money).
Dec 17, 2022Liked by 2nd Smartest Guy in the World
Thank you for your beautiful writing. Very moving, touching for me as I'm about to become one of these "old ladies living -not in an RV, too expensive- but in my car''. Rents more than doubled, and I will not throw my money as bread to the crowd watching the circus. I made plans some years ago to go the nomad way of life. Don't know what will happen when they force everyone into electric vehicles and forbid gas-powered ones, but I don't think they'll (who's they ?) be able to implement it all. RESIST. REFUSE to comply with anything they try to shove down our throats. Thank you again for sharing this lovely little segment of your life. Cheers
Absolutely, have his book. I travel this way often, cheaper than hotels, and way more fun, discovering new places, ppl, and things I didn't know existed !! When I was 20ish, we got a station wagon and explored the US. Thanks !!
This is fantastic. I’ve been living in a very small van (vw caddy) for 4 months now. As in, I sleep and drive in the Van and the rest of the time I’m living outside the Van. It’s summer here in Australia. Excellent knowledge base of relatable skills you need to possess to live this way. Thanks!
Interesting story. Here in Boston there are still about a quarter to half of the people wearing a face mask in a grocery store. Not me though. In fact sometimes I sport a cool looking Lone Ranger mask and a Fuck Fauci or Fuck Joe Biden tee shirt. I'm not having any of this. Become ungovernable - Do Not Comply and make yourself hard to kill. About the 99th smartest gut in the world... :)
“I believe we are living here now at this crossroads for a reason. I believe we are meant to be here; that we are being given a chance to be the right people in the right place at the right time. I believe that we can end this evil, but only if we dare to try. It begins with one simple step: Telling the world “We Will Not Comply!”
Heartbreaking. I feel this woman and her life. The way she raised her kids, the organic life she has and the challenge of living in a world that you don't belong in. So maddening.
I feel for her this lady too but she has proven that she won't succumb to the idiocy and her dignity is intact. Love, contribution to humanity and dignity (integrity) is about all we can expect in these contemporary times, and her needle reads "full' on the 'consideration' scale-bless her heart and may the gods of righteousness protect her always. ( my tribe- hanging onto what is right behavior).
Dec 17, 2022Liked by 2nd Smartest Guy in the World
WTF? 2SG literally made me tear up. This is a huge, important perspective the elites are trying to cancel: human contact. Fck ‘em all. I highly recommend MARK OSHINSKIE’s substack for more of this.
Dec 17, 2022Liked by 2nd Smartest Guy in the World
How are you selfish, if you can’t live with yourself if suspecting yourself to be unkind, self-absorbed or self-deceived? Selfish people don’t bash their foreheads against walls, trying to answer with any reliability or finality the question of did they do enough, self-cross-examining their motives and gaslighting themselves. As a matter of fact, the selfish are pretty satisfied -- self-satiated, really--with themselves; when (if) they do question themselves, their standards are pretty low and they leave the examination season feeling quite justified.
I love that you acknowledged that you only know what she told you about her situation. That takes humility and self-control, actually. We don’t like the way it feels when we are moved to compassion by someone’s story, and we take action (even if it is just blind hate of the assumed “oppressor”), and then find out we were wrong, because we were not willing to question if we knew enough before we took that action. Many would rather fight to maintain the initial illusion, rather than ask hard questions. Hard questions takes a lot of energy, and it puts you at risk of losing peoples approval.

I love that you bring people to life in the grocery store. That you sow seeds of life by inviting people to lift their faces to the searchlight, unafraid of being exposed by higher thinking, as people can handle (because we all have to start somewhere), indiscriminately. I love it! I love it because you don’t know who’s the quiet one with all the potential, so you let them show themselves in their response to you.
Thanks for writing this out and sharing it all with us. It was not just worth my time to read; it was also worth my time to find.
This is a beautiful story but I can't help but think that the cabal are thrilled. Their plan is working. People are scared to talk to each other but better yet, more and more people are poor. They won't be happy until we are all living in RVs.... er wait, that's still owning something. They won't be happy until we are all living in their RVs that we rent from them because it's 2030 and we own nothing and are happy!!! Tell that lady to just hold on... happiness is coming!
Understand. I got accosted by a female rent a cop at Whole Paycheck who was ready to fight to the death over a mask.
On the other hand some of the best conversations have been had with people working in grocery stores. My take is that the American people have not yet spoken or taken a stand - but they are out there in the millions. Primarily because of the way we speak and body language we don't have to wear uniforms to understand sides.
Usually don't. We like small independent and community minded stores, farms, suppliers. Starving Sch-Amazon not likely based on the store full of eager recent New Yorkers and Californians who do their simpering yuppy dance through the Franklin TN store. The signs are not good.
Over Here, I say "Well done"! The day may yet come when checkout queues will be even friendlier places. Is that why "social distancing" was enacted? Another demoralising tactic by YouKnowWHO.
Time for a GoFundMe. I posted the article on a page I administer. Libertarians on MeWe. Get her personals and let us get this started. I will make sure to spread it as far as I can. Volunteerism is the way.
Dec 17, 2022Liked by 2nd Smartest Guy in the World
Thank you for writing and sharing this beautiful piece. Kudos to both you and the elegant old lady; I'm inspired to relax my "vaccine filter" even more than I have already...
Damn man I legit teared up reading this. This is what humanity is all about.
Yes. It's times like this that I wish I had been financially assertive and made a bunch of money.
This brought tears to my eyes. How tragic that these meaningful connections are so rare these days. I am so relieved you have her contact number. Please do keep in touch and give her a warm hello from me.
Keep us posted on your next encounter. Encourage her to join Substack if she has the ability to do so, then let us know so we can follow her adventures.
P.S. RV life may not be as bad as you fear—watch "Nomadland," and you realize many people feel the freedom is worth the tradeoffs.
I watched that movie. I thought it was really cool. It also makes one realize, half the stuff we accumulate we don’t need...or want anymore (“you can’t take it with you”). It’s actually, true freedom.
One of my favorite rockers said it like this: "Never see a hearse with a luggage rack.
All your money, your hard earned pay.
It don’t mean shit, babe, at the end of the day "
https://youtu.be/-H-1Hj0xry0
Indeed, Renee. One of the things I love about Chloé Zhao is she uses *real* people (with the exception of Frances McDormand and David Strathairn) in her films, and the people featured in “Nomadland” are actually living the nomadic life portrayed in the movie.
Her previous two films, “The Rider” and “Songs My Brother Taught Me” use all non-actors and are exceptional as well (I’m pretending “Eternals” doesn’t exist). The protagonist in “The Rider” experienced the brain injury depicted in the film in real-life, and the story that emerged was inspired by his own.
WOW! That’s amazing. I love it! Thank you for that cool insight.
"RV life may not be as bad as you fear—"
Verily. 💖
Yeah I thought that was a little patronising yet I know he didn’t mean to be, I have friends moving into caravans and mobile homes by choice they have plenty of money and access to homes but want the freedom of van life.
Except that he described a beat up RV and a Walmart parking lot.
Not a nice trailer park many nomads go to.
Plus she wanted her own little space.
Not a drug infested Parking lot…
Good point, and we only feel like this because of how the world has made our families etc. Sad really.
Some people want to live this way. And, if money allows, there are some VERY nice RVs out there! I had a 22ft. Kodiak trailer. It was awesome! I moved and sold it, and the truck (storage was a waste of money).
Perhaps not, for some. But his description of her particular RV suggests that her resources are pretty thin.
Great piece, especially this time of year.
Thank you for your beautiful writing. Very moving, touching for me as I'm about to become one of these "old ladies living -not in an RV, too expensive- but in my car''. Rents more than doubled, and I will not throw my money as bread to the crowd watching the circus. I made plans some years ago to go the nomad way of life. Don't know what will happen when they force everyone into electric vehicles and forbid gas-powered ones, but I don't think they'll (who's they ?) be able to implement it all. RESIST. REFUSE to comply with anything they try to shove down our throats. Thank you again for sharing this lovely little segment of your life. Cheers
I'm sure you've done your research and know about Bob Wells, his website and YouTube channel, but if not:
https://cheaprvliving.com/
"See you again" Ms. Swan.
Absolutely, have his book. I travel this way often, cheaper than hotels, and way more fun, discovering new places, ppl, and things I didn't know existed !! When I was 20ish, we got a station wagon and explored the US. Thanks !!
This is fantastic. I’ve been living in a very small van (vw caddy) for 4 months now. As in, I sleep and drive in the Van and the rest of the time I’m living outside the Van. It’s summer here in Australia. Excellent knowledge base of relatable skills you need to possess to live this way. Thanks!
Who can afford or even want an EV?! Many drawbacks. Wouldn’t take it as a gift!
❤️ 👊🏼 One of the best pieces I’ve read in a minute.
💯
Interesting story. Here in Boston there are still about a quarter to half of the people wearing a face mask in a grocery store. Not me though. In fact sometimes I sport a cool looking Lone Ranger mask and a Fuck Fauci or Fuck Joe Biden tee shirt. I'm not having any of this. Become ungovernable - Do Not Comply and make yourself hard to kill. About the 99th smartest gut in the world... :)
“I believe we are living here now at this crossroads for a reason. I believe we are meant to be here; that we are being given a chance to be the right people in the right place at the right time. I believe that we can end this evil, but only if we dare to try. It begins with one simple step: Telling the world “We Will Not Comply!”
—Brandon Smith
Heartbreaking. I feel this woman and her life. The way she raised her kids, the organic life she has and the challenge of living in a world that you don't belong in. So maddening.
I feel for her this lady too but she has proven that she won't succumb to the idiocy and her dignity is intact. Love, contribution to humanity and dignity (integrity) is about all we can expect in these contemporary times, and her needle reads "full' on the 'consideration' scale-bless her heart and may the gods of righteousness protect her always. ( my tribe- hanging onto what is right behavior).
WTF? 2SG literally made me tear up. This is a huge, important perspective the elites are trying to cancel: human contact. Fck ‘em all. I highly recommend MARK OSHINSKIE’s substack for more of this.
THANK YOU!!!
Thanks Steve.
Here's a link:
https://substack.com/profile/34669508-mark-oshinskie
How are you selfish, if you can’t live with yourself if suspecting yourself to be unkind, self-absorbed or self-deceived? Selfish people don’t bash their foreheads against walls, trying to answer with any reliability or finality the question of did they do enough, self-cross-examining their motives and gaslighting themselves. As a matter of fact, the selfish are pretty satisfied -- self-satiated, really--with themselves; when (if) they do question themselves, their standards are pretty low and they leave the examination season feeling quite justified.
I love that you acknowledged that you only know what she told you about her situation. That takes humility and self-control, actually. We don’t like the way it feels when we are moved to compassion by someone’s story, and we take action (even if it is just blind hate of the assumed “oppressor”), and then find out we were wrong, because we were not willing to question if we knew enough before we took that action. Many would rather fight to maintain the initial illusion, rather than ask hard questions. Hard questions takes a lot of energy, and it puts you at risk of losing peoples approval.

I love that you bring people to life in the grocery store. That you sow seeds of life by inviting people to lift their faces to the searchlight, unafraid of being exposed by higher thinking, as people can handle (because we all have to start somewhere), indiscriminately. I love it! I love it because you don’t know who’s the quiet one with all the potential, so you let them show themselves in their response to you.
Thanks for writing this out and sharing it all with us. It was not just worth my time to read; it was also worth my time to find.
This is a beautiful story but I can't help but think that the cabal are thrilled. Their plan is working. People are scared to talk to each other but better yet, more and more people are poor. They won't be happy until we are all living in RVs.... er wait, that's still owning something. They won't be happy until we are all living in their RVs that we rent from them because it's 2030 and we own nothing and are happy!!! Tell that lady to just hold on... happiness is coming!
Understand. I got accosted by a female rent a cop at Whole Paycheck who was ready to fight to the death over a mask.
On the other hand some of the best conversations have been had with people working in grocery stores. My take is that the American people have not yet spoken or taken a stand - but they are out there in the millions. Primarily because of the way we speak and body language we don't have to wear uniforms to understand sides.
Don't go to Whole Paycheck--starve the Amazon beast, they are part of all this.
Usually don't. We like small independent and community minded stores, farms, suppliers. Starving Sch-Amazon not likely based on the store full of eager recent New Yorkers and Californians who do their simpering yuppy dance through the Franklin TN store. The signs are not good.
I hear ya.
I read every single one of your Substacks. This one may be the best one I’ve ever read. Merry Christmas. #donotcomply
🕯
Over Here, I say "Well done"! The day may yet come when checkout queues will be even friendlier places. Is that why "social distancing" was enacted? Another demoralising tactic by YouKnowWHO.
I still see those STUPID pieces of tape on store and pharmacy floors. Absolutely insane!
The aversion therapy as had the desired effect. Frog-boiling.
Touching story indeed. Thanks.
Time for a GoFundMe. I posted the article on a page I administer. Libertarians on MeWe. Get her personals and let us get this started. I will make sure to spread it as far as I can. Volunteerism is the way.
Thank you for writing and sharing this beautiful piece. Kudos to both you and the elegant old lady; I'm inspired to relax my "vaccine filter" even more than I have already...