Editorial questions if Wisconsin will ever see Green Acres of medical marijuana

Some people may not even know where Tomah Wisconsin is and as the generation gaps grow the show Green Acres may have never even been watched by some activists.  While others are reliving their joyful youth and found memories of the show, hoping to incorporate part of  the simple life into their current lifestyle.  A recent letter to the editor printed in The Tomah Journal and Tomah Monitor Herald entitled Goodbye City Life by Bob Kliebenstein takes is down memory lane and some visions of a progressive future for central Wisconsin, including medical marijuana.  I have read another editorial from Mr. Kliebenstein touching on the subject of music, marijuana and ideas for the state and it sounds to me like this guy should join up with NORML or some other organization and help make some noise.

Most of the activities in the past years centered around the Madison and the rest of Wisconsin is eager to see some action also.  The 2009-2010 legislation session saw emergence of the movement outside our state capitol.  The T.H.C. Tour (Talking Hemp and Cannabis) made several locations statewide, a statewide activist meeting in Tomah and formation of Northern Wisconsin NORML were among the highlights that included a variety of protests and street side awareness campaigns.  Up next the Milwaukee and Eau Claire area look to officially mobilize and the national is talking about the next Willie Nelson Teapot Party meeting date set for January 18th.  The proof is the activity that every corner of the state has people waiting to help.  The proof is in the facts that marijuana reform could help every county within our borders here in Wisconsin.   We just need to connect all the dots and tie these strings together through networking, communication and continued activity.  I wonder what we will hear nest from Mr. Kliebenstein?

How many people recall the comedy program Green Acres popular in the 1960s?

Green Acres starred Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor as a Manhattan couple who moved from the comfy confines of the Big Apple to a small “fixer upper” farm in Hooterville to fulfill his dream, which was her nightmare.

Albert’s character, Oliver, dreamt of being a gentleman farmer raising a few cattle and tilling the land on an old tractor. Gabor’s character, Lisa, was a constant source of comedic anguish for Oliver as she tried (meagerly) to adapt to their new lifestyle.

What fuels this trip down television’s memory lane? After getting married, Marie and I moved from my family farm and successfully integrated into “village life,” while still working on the farm for a short period.

That consisted of adapting to life in a small village of less than 900 residents, which was less traumatic than moving to a large city. Eventually our family moved to Tomah. Although a rural community, it took a while to settle into a small city routine.

At some point I hoped to escape the confines of city life. It took a little longer than anticipated, but after more than 10 years our family has returned n sort of n to Green Acres.

A few weeks ago we closed on a house that sits on 1.5 acres a couple miles on the outskirts of Tomah. It is a quiet area that fit two of the needs we sought, close proximity to Tomah, yet located in a country setting.

Its location can be more accurately described as “domestic rural.” Unlike Oliver on Green Acres, neighbors won’t see me bouncing around on an antique tractor planting corn or milking a few cows by hand.

Although after surveying a much larger yard I may consider putting up an electric fence and grazing a few head of cattle. The initial investment would likely exceed the cost of a riding lawn mower, but the end result of steaks on the grill would be a succulent reward.

I would enjoy the early morning bellow of several Holstein steers. The family would likely frown on having our home surrounded by a small pasture. I will research the cost of a small riding mower just in case the cattle proposal does not fly. A couple of pigs would be a nice touch. I will name them Arnold I and Arnold II. But like the steer, the fate of any Arnold the Pig would result in a pork chop.

If Wisconsin legislators take an aggressive stance to endorse medicinal marijuana, maybe a parcel of our large yard could be sub-divided for a small cash crop. I wonder if there is a tax break for converting some of the yard into agricultural use.

Marie has a skilled green thumb with flowers. Her plant-nurturing skills would be put to the test. Maybe we could build a little financial nest egg for our daughter’s college funds. All legal of course. I wonder if the township has zoning in place that restricts that type of growth industry. Oh well, if Wisconsin drags its political feet, the point will be moot.

If not livestock or a cash crop, our large yard may be just the perfect size for a small neighborhood music festival. Think Woodstock on a much, much, much smaller scale for a neighborhood block party in a domestic rural setting n minus the mud.

Now if I could find a reasonably priced AC/DC tribute band. If not, I wonder if that venue event would warrant a Bonneville Roof Riders reunion gig.

I’m not quite sure how to utilize that 1.5 acre parcel of land we now call home. Agricultural, recreational, the options are intriguing.

Maybe we’ll just set a fire ring in the middle of the yard, start a campfire and enjoy a few cocktails with our new neighbors when the weather is more conducive.

Yup, that sounds like the best choice. We may not have Green Acres, but we will settle for the Kliebenstein Acre n and one-half. And a quick note to our neighbors. I am only kidding about the cattle and pigs.

But I kind of like the neighborhood music festival idea.

Bob Kliebenstein is now a rural Tomah resident.