12 February 2008

Doin' whatcha can

When Meg and I started doing this whole quest for sustainable living thing, our primary mission was to live simply and be happy. As we began to explore the blogosphere to resource like minded folk, we were encouraged by the diversity of all the homesteaders, backyard gardeners, tiny farmers, and kitchen witches. There's a polyculture of knowledge out there.

For a bit there we were under the terrible misconception that what we had to strive for was some sort of collection of the whole. Thankfully we learned real quick that logic like that has no logic at all. What we've learned is that if we all do what we can, collectively we're making a big difference.

There have been a lot of posts floating around lately about what compromises and sacrifices people make in their personal quests to be a little bit greener. However, beyond the personal, the collective has been providing some creative solutions that are certainly making our world a better place. Maybe because there's not a lot of outside planting going on right now, many of these posts have been focusing on non-botanical environmentalism: using cloth bags, recycling plastic bottles, and salvaging sinks. I'm salivating at the thought of what inventiveness this new growing season will bring and how much better we will all be for it.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kelly, I'm right with you...and have so been enjoying reading along as you share the things you try and learn. I'm going to experiment with my chickens and the leaf pile this year because we have mostly oak leaves and they take a long time to break down... chicken composting makes great sense!

I really enjoy the willingness you show to try new things and dig deeper. Glad you're out here in the blogosphere. Glad you're on the planet!

Anonymous said...

I agree! It's so much more constructive to focus on what you yourself can do than worry about other people, but at the same time not being afraid to share your ideas and learn from others.

The Internet is great. Blogs are a great communication tool and have really made the world a more interesting place. I too am looking forward to 2008.

Angelina said...

There was a time when it was a lot more challenging to find like minded people, but now I am finding inspiration and kinship on this journey everywhere and it's wonderful.

beth said...

New blogger here...
You are right, I find great comfort in what I am seeing out there. I am busy planning my new chicken coop, loved your pics about chicken composting!

Angelina said...

I just noticed your link to Oakhill Organics- are Casey and Katie friends of yours? That's one of my favorite local farms, but I noticed that you are in Pennsylvania. Just curious.

Unknown said...

Kelly, I forget where I heard this, but apparently oak leaves are ideal for really potent compost. We don't have any oak trees on our property, but the bags we got from our neighbor is chock full of them.

Your blog was one of the first that we started reading, which subsequently led to many others. You will always be high on our list of kick-ass blogs.

Patrick, The beauty of the blogosphere is that a gardener from Pennsylvania can talk shop with a gardener from Amsterdam. It has been a growing experience on so many levels.

Angelina, It's amazing how much we have progressed thanks to our blogosphere collaborative.

We don't know Casey and Katie personally, but we are subscribers of their blog.

Beth, It's a pleasure meeting you. I saw on your blog that your into art; what's your medium or interest?

Good luck with the coop. Feel free to give us a shout if you have any questions. I'm sure we could put you in touch with some folks with answers;)