I guess it's all about perspective. You've gotta define "simple" first, obviously.... I mean, what's simpler: doing work that is directly connected to your livelihood, or running the rat race so that you can have a few hours of "life" after work and maybe on the weekends? I don't know, but it's been a very easy question for me to answer. I grew up working on a horse farm because I've got horses in the blood but my parents couldn't afford a dang thing. Frankly, every bit of that was quality -- and a far greater quality than what all my friends (whose parents paid for everything) were experiencing. Yes, shoveling horse poop 7 days a wk was hard, and working with the vet was sometimes rather gross, and bucking hay was often downright excruciating, but I wouldn't have traded one single instant of it. In my adult life I've had a variety of non-farm jobs, and -- despite the work ethic I gained from working on that horse farm -- every one of them has ultimately been a matter of just watching the clock so that I can get back to my real life. For me, the "simple life" is about work that is worth doing for a living. It's about not buying into the social brainwashing that tells us we have to spend money on a bajillion inane & unnecessary things, and have all the latest doodads and wear the latest style clothes and get new cars every 3 yrs. It's about reusing and repairing stuff rather than just tossing it in the can & running to the store to get a new one. It's about being self-sufficient to the greatest extent possible. As to your other point, about the entertainment "gadgets" -- most of the farmers & homesteaders I've met or communicated with don't have televisions. But even the Amish recognize the wisdom in using the products of certain modern technological advances, though in a very discerning way. It's not necessarily prudent to turn a cheek to tools that are genuinely practical. We're not all looking for simple convenience. The computer is not just a playtoy, though, it's not just "entertainment"... to dismiss its usefulness is rather hasty and malapropos. The computer is a viable source of information -- of very quick, very accessible information -- and for some it is also an important connection to the outside world. In addition, it subjects us to a diversity of views, and challenges our own, which furthers our growth as intelligent, thoughtful, circumspect human beings. (one hopes, lol) I understand & agree with your frustrations to some extent, but I think it's all about perspective.

Satellite has some great advantages as far as more channels BUT the big issue for me is if it rains or it is windy - you have no service and when the service goes out it takes a long time to get it back up. My brother had it and it was a constant problem. They switched to cable. Everyone I know who has it or HAD IT, complained about that issue.

Yes, and thanks for the information. I hate going into a store and not knowing what it is I am looking for. I already have run underground conduit and am ready to get the cable to pull through it. I have supplied the rabbits with enough plastic to eat for this year! Or whatever they do with it. I have written down what to ask for, any suggestions on where to buy a big roll of RG-6 would be appreciated.

We dropped Comcast years ago, because of the poor quality signal on local stations and even what they got off the satellite. They came out twice and said the signal level met their specs. So that's when we went to Directv and have had few, if any, problems. I don't know if Directv or Dish will be any cheaper than what you're paying for cable now. The link below will let you figure what it will cost you with Directv. New subscribers can usually get a pretty good deal. The receivers are leased and there's usually a 2 year commitment. Being in Houston, you'll need a clear shot to the south at about 45 degrees above the horizon for both Directv and Dish. If the dish is properly aligned, and that's very important, you shouldn't have too much trouble with thunderstorms. Here is a link that might be useful: Directv