Saturday I ventured with two other women and we did some garden touring. These were eatable gardens and all the focused on raising food. This region has become very conscious about ecology, food raising and eight Olympians 'urban farms' open up there place for the public viewing.
One of the clever methods of making a yard look attractive from the street is the use of espalier fruit trees along the edge of the sideway screening the vegetable garden behind it. Another added also a line of sunflowers. These people are dedicated and serious gardeners. But the fun thing is they include a sitting area frequently under an arbor of grapes as their resting shaded spot. It become clean to me that the messiest part of any garden is the herb bed. Those herbs are so necessary but they become raggy during the season.
One community garden was outstanding. Instead dividing the land into small little plots for each family they farm this plot together,each donating two or four hours a week of work time. Then each week the family gets a set amount out of the ripe production. They had a hoop house for tomatoes, egg plants and peppers but they also have long rows of potatoes, rye, quiona and every other popular vegetable. I saw they also raised chick peas and soup beans. These people are becoming very conscious about the calories needed for individuals and plan not just for how many pounds they produce. The science of good soil is also figured in their yearly plan. They are having the national speaker come in September, Jeavor for a one day workshop.
Showing posts with label gardens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gardens. Show all posts
Monday, August 9, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Shoemakers
I don't remember why I put the book on reserve at the library, off of what list I got it or what interview mentioned it but after reading it, SACRED DEMISE: WALKING THE SPIRITUAL PATH OF INDUSTRIAL CIVILIZATION'S COLLAPSE by Carolyn Baker, I have firmed up my belief that we are bound to survive by way of our local community and our own skills.
She speaks some hard truths about this nation and goes beyond the charts, statistics and data demonstrating the realities of our situation. There is a state of denial, "technology will come see us though this problem,", "this is America and we are the shining example to the world", "we deserve better and somehow it will all work out".
Baker explain in very clean terms that no elected official can do enough to change the -corporatocracy-- we have become. Only those ruling few elite can do it. The small measure we take to stop or delay the collapse of our society only makes it worst. In the other words, the collapse is the next stop in our evolution, transitions us to the fullness our humanity.
For us that have read Jared Diamond's book COLLAPSE: HOW SOCIETIES CHOOSE TO FAIL OR SURVIVE, this new book is not as surprising to read. Diamond's book takes in to account societies though out human history and tells about how their decisions on social order, nature, food and commerce pointed to their own survival or suicide. Great countries are not destroyed by enemies but by suicide. If you have not read this book, I highly recommend it.
Baker's book focuses on the change of consciousness that is needed to reach a place of accepting that our future is going to be like living 150 years ago. Communities would form that support each member in the group, people will be valued for skills like growing or preserving food, making clothes or furniture, medical homeopathic knowledge, forging in the wild. Commerce is going to focus on local products, local solutions and local needs. These will be the people that survive. In reality, I know many people that actually are on the path of living this way now in this area and I believe they have had the insight to feel this coming. It may appear as fringe to those that live in big urban sittings but there are many people who are the quietly transitioning to this lifestyle.
The question is, can you make your own shoes?
Mostly, SACRED DEMISE is about the spiritual path that is necessary to be peaceful with nature and the spiritual world. This is not about 20th century religion but about our connection to spiritual world in the sense of ingenious people. It is a must read for all of us.
She speaks some hard truths about this nation and goes beyond the charts, statistics and data demonstrating the realities of our situation. There is a state of denial, "technology will come see us though this problem,", "this is America and we are the shining example to the world", "we deserve better and somehow it will all work out".
Baker explain in very clean terms that no elected official can do enough to change the -corporatocracy-- we have become. Only those ruling few elite can do it. The small measure we take to stop or delay the collapse of our society only makes it worst. In the other words, the collapse is the next stop in our evolution, transitions us to the fullness our humanity.
For us that have read Jared Diamond's book COLLAPSE: HOW SOCIETIES CHOOSE TO FAIL OR SURVIVE, this new book is not as surprising to read. Diamond's book takes in to account societies though out human history and tells about how their decisions on social order, nature, food and commerce pointed to their own survival or suicide. Great countries are not destroyed by enemies but by suicide. If you have not read this book, I highly recommend it.
Baker's book focuses on the change of consciousness that is needed to reach a place of accepting that our future is going to be like living 150 years ago. Communities would form that support each member in the group, people will be valued for skills like growing or preserving food, making clothes or furniture, medical homeopathic knowledge, forging in the wild. Commerce is going to focus on local products, local solutions and local needs. These will be the people that survive. In reality, I know many people that actually are on the path of living this way now in this area and I believe they have had the insight to feel this coming. It may appear as fringe to those that live in big urban sittings but there are many people who are the quietly transitioning to this lifestyle.
The question is, can you make your own shoes?
Mostly, SACRED DEMISE is about the spiritual path that is necessary to be peaceful with nature and the spiritual world. This is not about 20th century religion but about our connection to spiritual world in the sense of ingenious people. It is a must read for all of us.
Monday, September 7, 2009
homes and life style
During a gathering of retired people yesterday the subject of second homes in sunny locations was the topic. The discussion continue to point out the advantages of having the over 55 old limit, the pluses and minuses of fees, varieties of activities and the cost, travel and length of time involved. A couple were sharing their winter plans with all of us.
I sat there amazed that I was not interested in any of it. I have had a second home starting in my mid thirties and realize that 'it was the best of times' but want nothing of it at my age or at this time in life. Imagining sitting around my own age and listening to people talk about their last doctor appointment is educational to me, because I know little about illnesses, but in the end it is depressing. Also older people are rarely challenging with new ideas.
It came to me last week, that for years, I saved a house plan that had a walled in center court. That European design of closed in garden area with privacy appealed to me from the first time I saw it while traveling.
Enjoying my gardening last week I realized I have built my plan and did not even realize it. I have the six foot fence, the gardens, the patios, the orchard and the retreat of privacy I have always wanted. All of nature and life have movement and change and of course it is true in my yard. I am always planning how it would be better for me to move plants and create new areas for different things to grow. Now the chickens add a touch of country life to the whole space.
It was beneficial to listen to that discussion yesterday. I know myself better and I realize my blessings. I have no idea if this is my last residence but thanks to my angels and ancestors I will appreciate it more now that they reminded me of my faded house plan of years ago.
I sat there amazed that I was not interested in any of it. I have had a second home starting in my mid thirties and realize that 'it was the best of times' but want nothing of it at my age or at this time in life. Imagining sitting around my own age and listening to people talk about their last doctor appointment is educational to me, because I know little about illnesses, but in the end it is depressing. Also older people are rarely challenging with new ideas.
It came to me last week, that for years, I saved a house plan that had a walled in center court. That European design of closed in garden area with privacy appealed to me from the first time I saw it while traveling.
Enjoying my gardening last week I realized I have built my plan and did not even realize it. I have the six foot fence, the gardens, the patios, the orchard and the retreat of privacy I have always wanted. All of nature and life have movement and change and of course it is true in my yard. I am always planning how it would be better for me to move plants and create new areas for different things to grow. Now the chickens add a touch of country life to the whole space.
It was beneficial to listen to that discussion yesterday. I know myself better and I realize my blessings. I have no idea if this is my last residence but thanks to my angels and ancestors I will appreciate it more now that they reminded me of my faded house plan of years ago.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)