Living a Simple Life

Another shot of the garden area

2011-11-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

2011-10-30T17:44:00.000-07:00

My son moved here recently and this is the new garden area he is preparing.

Bountiful Baskets

2011-10-30T17:35:00.000-07:00

A new source of vegies and fruits is a co op called Bountiful Baskets @ Bountifulbaskets.org. For a $15 dollar donation you get this group of vegies and fruits. They deliver once a week and in many locations. Check out their web page.

Permaculture - true way of life

2011-05-30T13:02:00.000-07:00

stropharia mushroom bed

2011-05-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

I have a great source of wood chips and this is a great idea.

Police State in Mohave County Building: Check Point

2011-03-10T07:48:00.000-08:00

This is what citizens must go through to go to a public meeting in the County building in Mohave County Arizona. This was Mondays , public supervisors meeting.

FoodWaterShelter - Food

2011-02-19T06:08:00.000-08:00

Wayfarer Bread pt 1

2011-02-19T06:07:00.000-08:00

Kibbutz Lotan GA Part 5: Solar Cooking

2011-02-14T12:37:00.000-08:00

Kibbutz Lotan: Green Apprenticeship Orientation & 1st Day

2011-02-14T12:36:00.000-08:00

Kibbutz Lotan: Green Apprenticeship Part 2

2011-02-14T12:32:00.000-08:00

Kibbutz Lotan Green Apprenticeship: Part 3

2011-02-14T12:31:00.000-08:00

Kibbutz Lotan Green Apprenticeship Part 4

2011-02-14T12:30:00.000-08:00

Kibbutz Lotan 2009 - Operation "Desert Peace"

2011-02-13T09:39:00.000-08:00

Kibbutz Lotan - Permaculture - The "Green Apprenticeship"

2011-02-13T09:19:00.000-08:00

Commodity Speculation = Hunger

2011-02-08T08:25:00.000-08:00

More of the anaconda squeeze for profiteers. If only we could want just enough and not too much.

Anaconda

2011-02-07T08:27:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I can't sleep and get up to look for something on TV. Since most of the tv stations have advertising on at night I went over to Bloomburg Tv. The show was about how some of the biggest business men on Wall Street got so rich. One of the Wall Street elite got his start by lending money to mom and pop businesses, then when they got in trouble he took them over and added them to conglomerates. Squeeze and swallow.

Then I flipped over to a show that was about how anaconda's are taking over some Florida neighborhoods and eating family pets. These were pet snakes that people bought when they were small. When they got too big for people to manage they would take them out to the wet lands and let them loose. Anaconda's have two defenses, several rows of teeth in their mouth that are like fishooks and the ability to squeeze their prey to death. These snakes are growing very large and procreating.

It struck me how similar the situation was with the Wall Street business man who was so very wealthy and the anaconda. Get your hooks in, squeeze to death and swallow them whole. Anaconda's if large enough can swallow an allegator or a man. In the case of anaconda's new laws have been made against people dumping them as they are seen as a hazard to the well being to man. There is also a new program to capture and destroy. It's too bad that the predatory businessmen are not treated with the same precaution and laws.

I keep going back to a scripture in the bible that stated the ideal would be that everyman should sit under his own vine and fig tree. Anaconda businessmen make slaves of others while they greedily grab far more than they need to survive or be comfortable. They compete with each other for the highest position in the elite society while squeezing the life out of their fellow man.

Georgia Man Fined $5000 for Growing Too Many Vegetables

2011-01-28T10:50:00.000-08:00

Cures to the World - Part 1 - Economy

2011-01-28T10:33:00.000-08:00

Go Figure - What Would It Cost to Save the World?

2011-01-21T06:31:00.000-08:00

Seems like we chose misery and poverty over wholesome goodness.

Different way of life

2011-01-09T03:28:00.000-08:00

I turned my ankle day after Christmas so I have to stay off my ankle quit a bit. Yesterday, I watched a show on PBS. It was part of the Yan Can Cook series. He was traveling to China and it was very insightful to see how people lived in this Chinese village. The farmers markets, most everything was fresh and grown locally. Early in the morning the elderly and others gathered in a central place and exercised together, the younger ones then went off to their work and the older ones played challenging board games.

He was invited to a family home and it was a compound where one family had lived for 7 generations. Built in the Chinese style it reminded me of the Mexican compounds where the buildings are built around the inner court yard. There were wings for the older and younger generations and there was a common kitchen where they all ate. They had gardens and their own well and fruit trees that were 300 years old and still producing. The people gathered in the community square to share entertainment, singers and dancers from the community.

There seemed to be a overall respect for each other and life itself, not just a quest for more entertainment and excitement like you see so much of in the American culture. I found it very peaceful.

Build Soil Fertility with Rock Powders. Which product is best?

2011-01-08T10:06:00.000-08:00

How to Make a Food Forest with Suburban Permaculture #356

2011-01-06T15:54:00.000-08:00

Urban Gardening with John Kohler #340

2011-01-06T15:42:00.000-08:00

Urban Farmer 1

2011-01-06T14:52:00.000-08:00

OBSESSIVES: URBAN FARMING - CHOW.com

2011-01-06T14:39:00.000-08:00

Little coco

2010-12-27T15:43:00.000-08:00

New baby, Coco born Dec 26, 2010

2010-12-27T15:41:00.000-08:00

The new member of the homestead. My new goat Mylie had a little girl, I call her coco.

Thankfulness

2010-11-29T08:38:00.000-08:00

Not a great picture but it's the great grands petting the new goats on Thanksgiving Day.

There were trays of walnuts and almonds, apple slices and pomegranate seeds, pickles and olives set out on the table. My grand daughter came bringing the deliciously cooked turkey and pumpkin pie. I brought out the cauliflower salad and apple nut salad and made the gravy for the mashed potatoes. I had sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes ready. The turkey was carved and everyone settled with plates of food in front of the fire. The children ran about my little farm and then would come in to warm by the fire. They explored the pond, chased the chickens and enjoyed a day in the country. A day of simple country pleasures on my little farm.

When I was a child my mother used to say, "Clean your plate, there are children in India starving." Just this week I saw a show called, "Cooking Dangerously", about people who have marginal lives and how they cook to survive. There was a segment about India and the caste system that still exists in practice if not in word. Those on the lowest caste system must live only on rice cooked on cow dung pies. The children make the fuel from cow dung, water and straw and dry them in the sun so the rice can be cooked. They must work 12 hours in back breaking labor harvesting rice for the richer class in order to just eat. They have no hope of ever owning anything. Other lower caste members must live off the mice and rats they hunt in the fields. They roast them over a few twigs in a fire.

This same show went to Venzuela where the super rich pay $85K to be a member of a golf club. Chavez is trying to develop food security for the poor with organic gardens and giving land to the poor. Unfortunately all the poor can do is squat on the land as they have no money or seed to plant without paperwork of ownership. They have huge soup kitchens where the poor can go with their containers and get meals to take home to eat. The rich complain about these programs for sure.

I have a small holding of land that I bought for little compared to what land in the state I lived in. I am continueing to plant trees and other food bearing plants that I hope will create my ideal. The scripture that says, "Let everyman sit under his own vine and fig tree." I have no desire to pretend to be someone important, I only want a measure of security and peace.

I believe the caste system is alive and well. The early pilgrims came here to get away from the oppresion of the rich and arrogant religious leaders. Yes, today the average person is laboring for the rich and all the comfort and security comes from debt not real ownership. Let's stop pretending we are kings and queens and realize that real goodness comes from being grateful for what is real and in harmony with nature.

Cool Island in Tucson

2010-11-24T08:41:00.000-08:00

null Here is an interesting article about an area in Tucson, Az that is planting lots of trees and creating a cool and interesting living area.

Mulch

2010-11-21T13:42:00.000-08:00

Here in the desert finding enough mulch is a constant problem. I spread the horse droppings and now the goat and chicken droppings in areas I want to grow. When I can get old hay I also use that or my bamboo leaves after harvesting the poles, make good mulch.

A couple of weeks ago friends were at a recycling place and they met a tree trimmer . They spoke up and asked what they did with their wood chips and leaves and got a phone number. I called hoping I could get them to dump some on my property. They said they dumped on property about two miles from me and I could get as much as I wanted. I was given an address and went out there. Like a huge gold mine there was about five acres of piles of chips and mulch. What a resource. I have been making at least one trip a day to
bring a truck load of mulch home This is going down over weeds to stiffle their growth and preserve the nutrients in the soil.

Mulch is like water. It grabs rain water and holds it. The ususal desert down pours will be absorbed rather than run off. I will get pictures soon but I must say I am very happy.

My way of handling the mulch is to put a small tarp in the back of the pickup . I carry a rake and a childs quilt/bedspread. I rake the mulch onto the bedspread and lift it onto the truck bed covered by the tarp. When I get home I simply open the back after parking where I want the mulch and pull the tarp. The mulch drops in piles on the ground and I rake it out.

If you need mulch check with local landscapers who have chippers.

Equal money

2010-11-07T07:30:00.000-08:00

This morning I read this article from a group called Desteni out of New Zealand. They are trying to start an equal money society and they have modeled it basically like a MLM. You pay for your lessons about $250 and then you get 10 others to subscribe at the same price which gives you $2500. I don't quite understand how you get the residual pay from your downline but anyway it is supposed to give you financial freedom eventually. That said.

I started wondering what would happen if you did that with trees? You plant 10 food bearing trees and convince 10 others to do the same. You don't get the trees but it seems like if we continued to do that we would have food forests doting our land. Just a thought. If all your downline was local and you all shared your profits, each 1/10 to the community group that might lead to food self sufficiency.

New goats

2010-10-30T13:05:00.000-07:00

This week I got these two female goats for $40. They are very gentle spirited and I'm looking forward to the babies. The people were downsizing because they had too many animals and couldn't afford the feed.

Home grown breakfast

2010-10-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

I went out to feed and gathered 2 eggs, squash, onion greens and a pomegranate for breakfast.

Blackbird's Superfood Seed Collection - Vol 1 - Goji Berry

2010-10-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

Thoughts on Life

2010-10-22T07:17:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wake up with an ominous feeling. My connection to nature is not out of wack it is the human content in my life. I think it is the political atmosphere that is creating such disturbance. To hear the ads for the candidates, one professing to be for education is an aspiring pedifile, another who wants to be treasurer is a fraudulent business man, another has a moral compass that is so broken that he couldn't find the parking lot, and wrote for a sex web page. Are there not any solid, down to earth people who want to serve others? Is it all for show, all for prestege, all for money? In a society hurting for jobs polititians get paid pretty good.

More ominous feelings come in from this banking sham. All these fraudulent foreclosures and no real effort to deal with the current home owner so they can keep their home. Instead they foreclose and then sell it at a hugely discounted price. Where is the concern for their fellow man? Is business about being hard hearted and walking over others to feel important? Then there is the announcement by the UN that more countries are facing food shortages and people are starving while commodity brokers, buyers and sellers are pushing food prices higher for profit. This inches life sustaining food away from the fingertips of those who desperately need it. Hands reach out but cannot touch.

Halloween. The time when everyone loves to dress and put on costumes, often scarey ones. Monsters and ghouls roam among princesses and ballerina's all asking to trick or treat. Is this our real personalities being acted out once a year? The real us motivated by greed at the expense of others? Is all our ambition based on doing something dishonest, mean and underhanded to others if we don't get our "treat"? Where is that inner voice, that trueness that makes us conscious of what is right? Where are the moral compasses of the masses? Are we all on automatic? Whatever seems convenient and comfortable for me is ok, who cares if it harms someone else? Are we just motivated by pride and pretense ? How important do I look to others so I can take a position in the social statusphere?

The real truth is we were just naked little babies all of us. We have built around us pretense and scam or remained simple and true with our moral compasses in tact. Whatever pretense we have built is not real or important except in our jaded eyes. Can you find your moral compass under all the self serving pretense? I am fearful of the direction humans go when they lose site of what has value.

A day at the Hualapais

2010-09-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

The great grands enjoying our picnic at the Hualapais on Labor Day

Fish

2010-08-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

Last year I bought 5 feeder fish, I now have a couple doz. In the evening they are especially active and fun to watch.

Fish pond today

2010-08-24T09:30:00.000-07:00

Full of plants and fish, it's a peaceful place to sit in the early morning or evening.

center garden

2010-08-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

The center garden where the pond is has a few sunflowers. I have to use the crates because the quail and rabbits love the area.

living bamboo screen wall

2010-08-23T10:48:00.000-07:00

Last year I planted bamboo to help screen my property from the building next door. In one year it is doing a fair job.
Som of my 3 sister, waffle garden in the foreground with the little peach tree.

Palo Verde Beans

2010-07-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

I've been picking the palo verde seeds. I steam the pods and then slide the beans out. They are going in the freezer for future meals.

Steamed palo verde pods

2010-07-10T19:25:00.000-07:00

Quail

2010-06-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

The juvenile quail are waiting to get into the pone area.There were lots of little skirmishes and run ins this morning as three diffferent covies of quail came to hang out at the pond area at the same time.

Quail

2010-06-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

These are juvenile quail being held back by a momma with 15 or more tiny babies. Seh darts at them as they try to move into the pond area.

Just Peachy

2010-06-20T21:15:00.000-07:00

This little peach tree is two years old. It has about 3 dozen peaches almost ripe on it. I have the fruit covered with netting but today I watched as the little antelope squirrels climbed the trunk and were helping themselves to the fruit. I'm going have to harvest tomorrow if I want to enjoy some of the fruit before they get harvested by the squirrels.

Grape vine

2010-06-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

The grape vine is finally reaching to the top of the arbor. This is the third year and it was a friend who showed me how to prune that helped me get the vine to go upwards. That's the old bedstead, metal headboard it's growing out on. Lots of grapes this year.

Grape clusters

2010-06-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

I have quite a few grape clusters on this vine growing toward my pergala. I'll post pics when they are ripe. These are red flame.

Fat fit

2010-06-18T09:18:00.000-07:00

I took a picture of this fat fig before I plucked it and ate it for breakfast. I got Two that morning. Many more to come.

First squash blossum

2010-06-05T10:39:00.000-07:00

This morning I found my first squash blossum open in my little circle gardens.

circle gardens

2010-05-31T17:50:00.000-07:00

I'm digging out holes like tree holes and filling them with compost and dirt. I plant a variety of vegies in these holes. In this one there are potatoes, corn, beans and cabbage. This helps me make indentations that have mulch and hold water and the variety of vegies provides a diverse diet and look interesting. I'm filling up a space with these circle gardens.

Pond

2010-05-30T09:29:00.000-07:00

The Pond is starting to take on a life of it's own. I enjoy sitting on the bench and watching the fish dart about.

Tub pond

2010-04-25T14:34:00.000-07:00

I've got the fish and water in the pond. I'm doing some land scaping so I will keep you posted as the plants grow and fill in. The fish are happy darting about in the new space.

Progress with the bathtub fish pond.

2010-04-04T14:39:00.000-07:00

I'm making some progress with the bathtub fish pond. It has a way to go but I'm posting pictures to show the progress. Remember the hole I was digging that looked like a grave? Well now it has the tub in and I'm just starting to put rocks and plants around it.

Earthlanguage.blogspot.com

2010-03-21T19:32:00.000-07:00

There's a great blog about West Texas area Terlingua called Earthlanguage
http://www.earthlanguage.blogspot.com/

Check out the photo's

Pioneer Couple

2010-03-21T17:35:00.001-07:00

I enjoy this step back in time video

Solar heating - hot shower using bottles

2010-03-21T09:10:00.001-07:00

Here is a very simple hot shower system for a remote , off grid homestead.

Thoughts On Life

2010-03-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

I just recently added Michael Moores page to my Twitter page. http://www.twitter.com/cactusandquail
Some people don't like his message but to me he is against Big Corporations and Greed along with mindlessness. We humans harm for status and self importance as an everyday matter and without thought. Greed is so interwoven in our everyday lives we hardly even notice, yet it is said greed is one of the 7 deadly sins.
Sometimes I think about life the way it is and wonder. What if every child were given a plot of land for their home that was not too large but large enough to plant a food forest as in. http://www.happyearth.com.au/
or the Darvaes of California. Imagine not having to get a job but making your home your job, doing odd jobs to make up the slack and not having a mortgage? Imagine not till your 60 or 70 to finally have your mortgage paid off. Imagine walking out in your yard and finding breakfast or lunch. Perhaps there could be a community area for raising small animals and grains. Imagine not having a BIG government but small community meetings and governance where people meet to discuss what is needed and how to get it done. Kind of like church congregations but without the dogma. A place where the sick are remembered and supported and the discussion of the next barn raising or community project or potluck. No politicians to hate, no politicians going to Washington to make decisions for us. Yes, I'm a dreamer but wouldn't you rather see young people working in a garden than on Meth?

I saw a video on a reforestation project and after the intital advertizing of the project whole famillies walked to take part and brought trees and tools to plant. It was amazing what was accomplished when so many people participated. So, lets just say we were charged a tree tax or our tax fee was a tree to be planted on tree tax day in an area that was decided that needed to be reforested. Everyone comes with a tree to plant and plants their tree. Smaller, closer communities could accomplish a lot working together and most likely have less waste and much nicer communities if they would just work together. You'd know your neighbor and probably need much less stuff.

Yes, I guess I'm a dreamer but I do think smaller is better and cooperation is better than greed. Think about it. I don't lkie the moneyed society myself.

Fungi

2010-03-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

The last couple days have been just beautiful and I have enjoyed working outdoors. Last night my dog began growling and I heard this terrible banging on the front porch. When I got up and looked out it was very clear that the wind was back. Really blowing. This seems to be the pattern of weather in the Spring here in the desert. Days of paradise and days of wind.

Today, I am indoors mostly and checking out some permaculture information. The previous video on how mushrooms can save the world is really interesting and worth a watch. Paul Stamet who is doing the research has a web page called fungi .com. There is a link to his live boxes that start fungi and forests. I'm going to do more research on his products but I do believe mushrooms have potential to heal our planet.

On my twitter page I also learned of another permaculture resource http://www.permaculture/tv

One thought was that if each permaculture enthusiast/warrior could recruit or inspire 10 more people we might soon have a real change on this earth, a regeneration. Something to think about.

Would you run to the store every day if you could find what you need to eat in your own yard?

While I was working outdoors yesterday my neighbor across the way was out with her little weed can spraying every living thing she wants to control. These are nice people but I grew very weary of our conversations when every time we speak she tells me about every weed she has worked so hard to kill while I celebrate life and yes weeds that will become soil and fodder for life. I'm sure in her eyes my hodge podge is not very appealing and her way is the proper way, so guess we are polarized. Yes, she loves fresh organic food but not in her yard.

My brother told me that in the retirement home they purchased they are not allowed to grow vegitables in the front yard. He's either got to fight for change, accept it, or move to somewhere that respects his ideals. These proper folks are killing our planet.

Paul Stamets: 6 ways mushrooms can save the world

2010-03-19T10:12:00.001-07:00

THis is a very informative video

Bamboo tree protectors

2010-03-18T20:16:00.000-07:00

I have a problem with rabbits stripping the bark off of the trees. Some trees have died from this. Here I took 12 3' bamboo poles and tied them together then I tied them around the tree trunks of the newly planted California peppers. I made 4 of these and placed them around trees today. I will need to cut more bamboo stalks to make more but I think this is a very good solution to protect my trees.

New shelf in lath house

2010-03-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

I brought the portable shelf into the lath house for more seed starting.

Seedling trays in Lathhouse

2010-03-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

I'm having so much fun starting seeds in the lath house.

Permaculture in Action - Greening The Desert

2010-03-17T12:38:00.001-07:00

I have added "The Greening Of The Desert" to help visualize how food forests can be started in desert. The three videos prior to it is about dryland permaculture.

Dryland Permaculture Strategies - Pt3

2010-03-17T12:19:00.001-07:00

Dryland Permaculture Strategies - Pt2

2010-03-17T12:09:00.001-07:00

Dryland Permaculture Strategies - Part 1

2010-03-17T12:00:00.001-07:00

Here is a three part video on dryland permaculture

Greywater reuse - revisited

2010-03-14T11:25:00.001-07:00

An interesting grey water system. I think it is in India. They also grow rice from the water that is recycled.

This is how I grow new Fig Trees

2010-03-14T10:48:00.001-07:00

Good video on starting fig trees

Grafting and Root Cuttings Details

2010-03-14T10:31:00.001-07:00

Here is a good source of starting new plants from root cuttings .

Freedom Tree Farms - Budding and Grafting

2010-03-14T10:29:00.001-07:00

Here they show how to make more trees from root and branches. Big production. Looks like they use pieces of root and pieces of branches.

Back pasture framed by mountains

2010-03-13T15:31:00.000-08:00

Anna Apple tree

2010-03-13T15:29:00.000-08:00

Dwarf peach tree

2010-03-13T15:26:00.000-08:00

Apricot tree

2010-03-13T15:24:00.000-08:00

Grandma Bottle Village: The Art of Tressa Prisbey

2010-03-04T11:00:00.001-08:00

This is very interesting!

Grandma Prisbrey Bottle Village

2010-03-04T10:42:00.001-08:00

Here is another bottle house video, a village built by a woman in the desert.

Beer Bottle House "Empty bottles. Full life" -ecoideasnet

2010-03-04T10:19:00.001-08:00

Here is a video about a house made of bottles. It says scrap iron and I was thinking old bedframes? In a country town where I used to live a little store/bar had one wall that was built of bottles. It was very interesting, especially in a country town.

Aoricot tree in bloom

2010-03-01T10:22:00.000-08:00

One little apricot tree in full bloom. This one has really beautiful bright orange fruit and is usually loaded even though the tree is only three.

Earth Report Down to Earth (1 of 2) Farming the Desert - BBC Documentary

2010-02-28T11:52:00.001-08:00

Here are some good ideas for desert growing.

First almond blossom

2010-02-18T07:48:00.000-08:00

The very first almond bloom.

Rainbow

2010-02-17T17:27:00.000-08:00

Last week we had this beautiful rainbow.

Hannah's Lunchbox

2010-02-08T09:02:00.001-08:00

Here is a new concept. It's about living on half so someone else can have another half. Would it be great if this concept were used to promote permacultue villages? Then people would have enough, instead of so many having too much and others not having anything.

Digging My Own Grave

2010-02-03T11:52:00.000-08:00

It looks like a grave but I'm actually digging a pond. I have an old bathtub that I want to put in this hole to make a fish pond. It's slow going because I only dig after a rain and in bits and pieces. I wouldn't mind being buried there but I don't think it is legal.

Gardening on the water

2010-01-14T09:02:00.000-08:00

I found this picture of a couple who live in a floating home. This is their garden. I hope I am not offending anyone by posting this picture. I will try to find the blog and post it later. I think it is pretty amazing to think that even if you live on a river you can have a garden.

Pallet day bed

2010-01-06T14:41:00.000-08:00

Here is a day bed made from 4 pallets and a mattress. Pallets are free or can cost about $2/each. Imagine this with a nice coverlet.

Grow boxes

2010-01-01T16:13:00.000-08:00

My son gave me these boxes to use as grow boxes. It took a bit to unload them from the pickup and walk them into the growing area. A factory next to my sons company puts these out for people to pick up for free.

Jovanny, the groom

2009-12-30T10:12:00.000-08:00

money dance

2009-12-30T10:09:00.000-08:00

Ring bearer and flower girl

2009-12-30T10:07:00.000-08:00

Grand daughters wedding

2009-12-30T10:05:00.000-08:00

Karina and her dad, my son, coming in the door to go down the isle at the wedding.

HOMEGROWN REVOLUTION - Radical Change Taking Root

2009-12-23T10:18:00.001-08:00

I love the Dervaes homesite. I doubt that I will be able to accomplish what they have but I'm trying to do something.

Christmas Lights.

2009-12-23T08:40:00.000-08:00

My thoughts today were turned to the little antelope squirrels we have here as I heard on the news this morning about the new Alvin the chipmunk movie. I watch these charming little creatures, though destructive, from my window as they cross the fence and steal the prickly pears and pomegranates. They have even climbed the young persimmon tree to t to steal the very limited persimmons.

I took a walk on the back 12 acres and saw the burrowing owl sitting beside his underground home. I love these little owls. I built a refuge/resort for them this year but I think rabbits took it over. I will try again this Spring to revitalize the resort. I have neighbors who have off the ground sheds and these little owls seem to like to build their homes under these sheds. One summer they used my front driveway drain pipe for a home and I would see them sitting on my front gate. That worried me because the monsoon rains come suddenly and could easily have washed them away.

I have been harvesting my bamboo for the stacks. I am planning on using them to create fence panels around garden areas for protection from the rabbits. I learned as I harvested that the stalks have quite a bit of mulch material. The leaves I cleaned off the stalks can be used for feed or mulch.

Everyone have a thoughtful Christmas, enjoy your family and friends and remember this beautiful earth and all it's creatures Let's go forward into 2010 taking care of our planet, planting trees, and finding ways to make a difference. Peace and Blessings and enjoy my Christmas lights.

Reforestation - Hope in a Changing Climate 1 (of 2) - BBC Our World Documentary

2009-12-22T08:42:00.001-08:00

This video shows the amazing change that can come from planting trees of land that appears to be of no value.

Another good site to watch videos on this subject is at the edenproject.

Reforestation - Hope in a Changing Climate 2 (of 2) - BBC Our World Documentary

2009-12-22T08:40:00.001-08:00

50 Million Trees and Counting: Trees for the Future

2009-12-21T10:00:00.001-08:00

Here is a video showing how important tree planting is. People can survive where trees grow.

Urban Gardening: How to Build a Raised bed and Hoop House

2009-12-13T12:12:00.001-08:00

The Garden girl has quit a set up in the city.

Cold rainy morning

2009-12-13T08:21:00.000-08:00

It's a cold and rainy morning so the fire is going and I'm snuggled in. Since about the 4th of December we have had frost and also rain. The rain is large steady drops but not a downpour so the ground is able to soak it in. I feel very grateful for the good rain.

Pallet dish rack

2009-12-12T10:36:00.000-08:00

pallet and shingle cabin.wmv

2009-12-12T08:56:00.001-08:00

Pallets are a resource that can be recycled. Here is a cute little cabin made from pallets. I have the idea that one could build two of these facing each other only one to the side with 6' left on the front porch area. This will create a patio area in back. If the porch 6' x 6' area is closed off between the two cabins it could be a walk through bathroom with a toilet and shower. One living section could be a kitchen living area and the other section a bedroom/ storage area. Each could have a sink so wash up would be simple and since all the plumping would be in the central area of the 6' x 6' enclosed area you could have a door going outside and an ourdoor sink along the patio wall as well. Two sections of fence which could also be pallets would enclose the 10' x 10' patio area, for privacy. It could be used for gardening and have sliding glass doors leading from the kitchen living area.

Pallets can be purchased by the truckload for about $2.00 each or gathered for free from local sources.

Just thinking.