Where to find value in the global financial meltdown?

The news from The Economist this week is even more grim than last week's dire news.  Markets are collapsing everywhere, and in nearly every sector.  What are normal people to make of all this collapse?  Is this the end, or worse?

We'd like to offer another view; call it the world view from the alpaca pasture.  The sun rose on time this morning, the first day of the Chinese New Year.  The winter pastures greened up a bit with some bright sunshine, and the alpaca fleeces are growing longer.  The animals are hungry each morning, and we all eat breakfast.  Thank goodness for that lovely Deschutes Valley hay we stored last October, and we're glad we have plenty of it.

Perhaps it's time for western civilization to remember some important qualities that have been forgotten in the rush to create ever more money.  We all need to know where our food comes from, and how to stay warm in the cold.  We recommend alpaca socks and sweaters before you turn up the heat in the house.  It just makes good economic sense.  The infrastructure we call "Nature" still functions, unless it is too damaged by greed and abuse.  Taking care of Nature, the environment, the ecology, whatever you call it, will always make good economic sense.

Our investment is growing, and we're very happy with our decision to invest in alpacas.  We like the tangible quality of these assets, assets that are vulnerable to neglect and can also thrive under good stewardship.  Perhaps the heady days of the big ticket sales in alpacas is over, who knows?  But the enduring value of livestock will go on, just like the sun rising on time every morning.

If the corporate insanity has gotten to you, we'd encourage you to consider that there really is another life possible for you, out in the pasture.  If you want it enough, you can have this life too.

Christine 26 Jan 2009