Well, I'm not sure I can remember everything that has happened in the last five days, but I'll give it a shot.
Our new WWOOFer, Phil, showed up. He's from Maryland, and is a very hard worker. We like to stay up late and look at the milky way.
With Phil's help, we finished the little house for our compost toilet. We're calling it the "PEB", for Phil, Ellie (that would be me) and Beth.
Our shipment of geese came in. They are tiny and fluffy and clumsy and aDORable. We also went to the farmer's market just down the road, where the local folks come to sell things. Phil pointed out that if everyone comes to the market, sells something, and buys something else, all the locals pretty much break even and it's basically a trade instead of a feat currency exchange.
I'm especially homesick today. I miss my sewing machine, my gym, and my SoCal friends/family. So I started thinking today... my latest plan was to stay up here another month until my mom got off work and could come up and see me. I wonder if there's a way for me to take public transportation back for July, and come up again with her in August. I mean, she'd be traveling basically around the same day. If we timed it right, she might not even have to change her hotel reservations.
I haven't spoken with either of my parents about this yet... so I'm going to call them today. I probably would have anyway, just so they would know I haven't been murdered and composted.
I emailed Paige Crandall about a self-defense class at the SLC gym. She emailed Larry Hoffman about it, so now there's a seminar on September 7 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. I love that our staff listens to us!!!
Also, I emailed David House about a methane digester, and he actually answered me back personally, which is very exciting. He said that there would be a lot to discuss before implementing a campus methane digester, which is totally understandable... but he emailed me back!
I'm excited about the amount of action I plan to take on campus this year. I can't imagine a better way to spend my time than guiding my friends and fellow students closer to a regenerative lifestyle.
<3
June 25
Success!
Carmelita, our stubborn but beautiful mustang mare, has worms. But of course, she didn't want to take the medicine. Beth mixed it up into some water with a lot of molasses and honey, but she still wouldn't take it. So Beth decided to put her into a paddock, take out the water trough, and feed her nice dry hay until she was thirsty enough to drink basically anything.
She still wouldn't take it from Beth last night, or this morning. Beth went to the store and I went out to start working in the garden, and Carmelita whinnied at me, so I went over to see her. I decided to try offering her the medicine water... she balked a little, but finally drank it!!! I gave her lots of treats and fresh water after. I wanted to pet her, but she's still skittish. Maybe next time. Anyway, Beth is now calling me the Queen of Horses, but I think I just happened to be there when she was finally thirsty enough.
Either way, we are finally going to have two healthy horses! :D
I also got my Eastern US plant book in, and I am really really excited. I've been studying like mad already and I can't wait to get back to NY so I can actually go looking...
Carmelita, our stubborn but beautiful mustang mare, has worms. But of course, she didn't want to take the medicine. Beth mixed it up into some water with a lot of molasses and honey, but she still wouldn't take it. So Beth decided to put her into a paddock, take out the water trough, and feed her nice dry hay until she was thirsty enough to drink basically anything.
She still wouldn't take it from Beth last night, or this morning. Beth went to the store and I went out to start working in the garden, and Carmelita whinnied at me, so I went over to see her. I decided to try offering her the medicine water... she balked a little, but finally drank it!!! I gave her lots of treats and fresh water after. I wanted to pet her, but she's still skittish. Maybe next time. Anyway, Beth is now calling me the Queen of Horses, but I think I just happened to be there when she was finally thirsty enough.
Either way, we are finally going to have two healthy horses! :D
I also got my Eastern US plant book in, and I am really really excited. I've been studying like mad already and I can't wait to get back to NY so I can actually go looking...
June 23
I've been doing so many things that I completely forgot about writing.
Yesterday I built the room for a compost toilet, which means I put together a structure which is about the size and shape of a porta-potty. Beth was instructing me and helping hold things in place, but for the most part I built it on my own. I feel accomplished. :)
The compost toilet is a way to convert "humanure", Joseph Jenkins as calls it, into viable composting material. You can't put human manure into a methane digester, because the water keeps it from getting hot enough to kill off human (or pig) pathogens. In a compost toilet, the human manure is layered with food scraps and straw or sawdust, keeping it dry. Eventually it reaches 120 degrees, which is enough to kill off even roundworm eggs. You can learn more about them at his website, humanurehandbook.com
I also started my hand loom, but I'm going to need to use one of Beth's son's saws to finish it. When I go over there tomorrow, I'll also pick up the medicinal plant book I ordered, which his girlfriend considerately pick up for me from the post office today. I'm going to start studying as soon as I have it in my green little hands.
I'll probably also borrow his guitar so that I can start writing some music again.
We finally had an internet connection installed right here in the house, so I can update more often. But electricity is still limited, so of course my access won't be constant.
Today I battled with a GIANT stand of thistles that was growing behind the composter. Those buggers are spiky, vicious, and do not give up easily. I felt like the prince hacking through the brambles to get to Sleeping Beauty. Except instead of clearing a path to an unconscious (and basically useless) princess, I was clearing a path to a regenerative miracle.
I've been reading We The People, a book on the active destruction of democracy that is taking place in the US. I have to get off soon so our lights stay on, but for now I'll say about it that when I vote, I will insist on punching an actual card, and never vote on an electronic counting machine. They've been known to hand the election to Republican candidates due to "screen displacement".
New WWOOFers come soon, which is a relief, because my hosts can get a little micro-managey.
What is not a relief is the realization that keeps washing over me intermittently. I can forget about it for a little while at a time, but it always comes back...
I have had some friends who consider themselves anarchists. Those people ought to be pleased, because anarchy is on its way. Our economy is so bad, and corporate takeover is so widespread, that quite soon the democracy will crumble completely and you will find yourself unprotected by law enforcement. This is not the time to sit around playing computer games. This is the time to learn survival skills (if you can).
I just sent an email to the director of student affairs asking for a self-defense class at the Sports Center. Those of you I've talked to said you would love to take one, and it'll be great for both fitness and protection. So I hope they listen to me. I may ask some of you to send them more emails yourselves if they are fussy about it. I also sent an email to David House about getting a methane digester for Sarah Lawrence. If you feel like contacting him too, you can do it through completebiogas.com.
I bought five herbs the other day! I got Agrimony, Valerian, Lavender, Absinthe, and Lemon Verbena in pots. I also got some Chamomile and Echinacea seeds. Looking forward to cultivating them. Oh, we also started some mushroom plugs, which means we drilled holes in that oak we chainsawed the other day and stuck these little mushroom spore twisties in the holes. When we were drilling, one of the logs fell off the sawhorses and hit my leg... now I have a giant bruise on my right thigh!
Speaking of occupational hazards, I also fell down a steep slope straight into the creekbed. For some reason I thought it would be a fun challenge to see if I could control my slide.
I could not.
I only scraped my hand up a little though, and it was actually pretty fun...
OH and Chulito the dog found a rattlesnake under the house the other day. Don't worry, we're all fine (I mean, except the rattlesnake). First one I've ever seen... it was kind of cool.
Alright, I have to go because I'm literally burning daylight. Now that the sun is down, the solar we collected today is running out.
See ya!
Yesterday I built the room for a compost toilet, which means I put together a structure which is about the size and shape of a porta-potty. Beth was instructing me and helping hold things in place, but for the most part I built it on my own. I feel accomplished. :)
The compost toilet is a way to convert "humanure", Joseph Jenkins as calls it, into viable composting material. You can't put human manure into a methane digester, because the water keeps it from getting hot enough to kill off human (or pig) pathogens. In a compost toilet, the human manure is layered with food scraps and straw or sawdust, keeping it dry. Eventually it reaches 120 degrees, which is enough to kill off even roundworm eggs. You can learn more about them at his website, humanurehandbook.com
I also started my hand loom, but I'm going to need to use one of Beth's son's saws to finish it. When I go over there tomorrow, I'll also pick up the medicinal plant book I ordered, which his girlfriend considerately pick up for me from the post office today. I'm going to start studying as soon as I have it in my green little hands.
I'll probably also borrow his guitar so that I can start writing some music again.
We finally had an internet connection installed right here in the house, so I can update more often. But electricity is still limited, so of course my access won't be constant.
Today I battled with a GIANT stand of thistles that was growing behind the composter. Those buggers are spiky, vicious, and do not give up easily. I felt like the prince hacking through the brambles to get to Sleeping Beauty. Except instead of clearing a path to an unconscious (and basically useless) princess, I was clearing a path to a regenerative miracle.
I've been reading We The People, a book on the active destruction of democracy that is taking place in the US. I have to get off soon so our lights stay on, but for now I'll say about it that when I vote, I will insist on punching an actual card, and never vote on an electronic counting machine. They've been known to hand the election to Republican candidates due to "screen displacement".
New WWOOFers come soon, which is a relief, because my hosts can get a little micro-managey.
What is not a relief is the realization that keeps washing over me intermittently. I can forget about it for a little while at a time, but it always comes back...
I have had some friends who consider themselves anarchists. Those people ought to be pleased, because anarchy is on its way. Our economy is so bad, and corporate takeover is so widespread, that quite soon the democracy will crumble completely and you will find yourself unprotected by law enforcement. This is not the time to sit around playing computer games. This is the time to learn survival skills (if you can).
I just sent an email to the director of student affairs asking for a self-defense class at the Sports Center. Those of you I've talked to said you would love to take one, and it'll be great for both fitness and protection. So I hope they listen to me. I may ask some of you to send them more emails yourselves if they are fussy about it. I also sent an email to David House about getting a methane digester for Sarah Lawrence. If you feel like contacting him too, you can do it through completebiogas.com.
I bought five herbs the other day! I got Agrimony, Valerian, Lavender, Absinthe, and Lemon Verbena in pots. I also got some Chamomile and Echinacea seeds. Looking forward to cultivating them. Oh, we also started some mushroom plugs, which means we drilled holes in that oak we chainsawed the other day and stuck these little mushroom spore twisties in the holes. When we were drilling, one of the logs fell off the sawhorses and hit my leg... now I have a giant bruise on my right thigh!
Speaking of occupational hazards, I also fell down a steep slope straight into the creekbed. For some reason I thought it would be a fun challenge to see if I could control my slide.
I could not.
I only scraped my hand up a little though, and it was actually pretty fun...
OH and Chulito the dog found a rattlesnake under the house the other day. Don't worry, we're all fine (I mean, except the rattlesnake). First one I've ever seen... it was kind of cool.
Alright, I have to go because I'm literally burning daylight. Now that the sun is down, the solar we collected today is running out.
See ya!
June 18
So... I am currently sitting in the woods behind somebody's house, jacking their internet connection. If they come out and find me... it's going to be awkward. :P
Yesterday I learned how to drive a stick shift. Apparently I picked it up faster than anyone Beth's ever taught (wooh!) and now I can use their car if I ever need to.
I'm mostly over my fear of horses. I fed Baron some grain out of my hand... it was a delicious experience for him, and a ticklish one for me. It was also ticklish when he tried to nibble my ear. The mare, Carmelita, won't have anything to do with him, so he's getting flirty with me instead. :P Unfortunately, we just found out he has worms. So he probably won't like me as much later this evening when I have to hold his head while Beth squirts medicine in his mouth.
Oh, I also learned how to use a chainsaw yesterday. We needed some oak plugs for the mushrooms we're going to grow. Chainsaws are SCARY, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I also planted our first row of corn yesterday. The Runaways helped me out with that. Man, I don't know what I'm going to do without my ipod! :(
I was bored this morning, so I went hiking down to the creek. I climbed over Split Tree Rock to get there, which is this awesome boulder with a big crack down the middle and trees (predictably) growing out. I waded a little in a pool under a waterfall, but it was freezing cold and there was a big frog sunbathing that I didn't want to bother. He just looked really happy. Oh hey! There is a caterpillar on my laptop. That is really... incongruous... and also nicely symbolic. Anyway, I climbed up the creekbed, which was super rocky. I stopped to watch a spider have lunch, then I climbed over two more big boulders to get back to the house. I ended up on the opposite side from where I started :P
I've been studying my medicinal plants like crazy in my spare time. I only have access to three books on the subject, and they're a little bit dated, so when I'm done here I'm going to try to order one with a complete set of photographs. It needs to cover either typical NY plants or stuff I can find on the East Coast in general (the ones I have are meant for CA).
Someday soon Beth has promised to help me make my own hand loom, and I am ridiculously excited. I'm also looking forward to the arrival of more WWOOFERS-- I think there will be a few new ones within the next two weeks.
Oh yes, so (surprise!) I'm staying here until July 22. I really wanted my mom to be able to come see this place because I think she'll fall in love with it instantly. But she can't go anywhere until summer school is over on the 22nd. Getting me back home was also a financial problem for her, having to stay in a hotel room and all, so this eliminates that problem. If it were just going to be me, Beth, and Mike for the next month, I probably wouldn't do it (I like them, but I need some variety!). With the other WWOOFERs coming though, I think it'll be fine. Especially when I get my updated plant book and can start studying with a greater sense of purpose. I know I promised I'd be back sooner, but I think this is important stuff. Also, I do get this little bit of net access and occasional phone reception, so I can stay in contact with y'all. Letters, of course, are also a great way to reach me.
I don't have anything more political to write about yet, but at a friend's prompting I'm going to watch FOOD INC tonight. I also want to give him a shout out, because he's the one who really made up my mind about the WWOOFing program. Ladies, gentlemen, and those outside the binary, a round of applause for Josh Sterlin! :)
My hands are freezing, so that's it for now. Hope to update soon.
<3
Yesterday I learned how to drive a stick shift. Apparently I picked it up faster than anyone Beth's ever taught (wooh!) and now I can use their car if I ever need to.
I'm mostly over my fear of horses. I fed Baron some grain out of my hand... it was a delicious experience for him, and a ticklish one for me. It was also ticklish when he tried to nibble my ear. The mare, Carmelita, won't have anything to do with him, so he's getting flirty with me instead. :P Unfortunately, we just found out he has worms. So he probably won't like me as much later this evening when I have to hold his head while Beth squirts medicine in his mouth.
Oh, I also learned how to use a chainsaw yesterday. We needed some oak plugs for the mushrooms we're going to grow. Chainsaws are SCARY, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I also planted our first row of corn yesterday. The Runaways helped me out with that. Man, I don't know what I'm going to do without my ipod! :(
I was bored this morning, so I went hiking down to the creek. I climbed over Split Tree Rock to get there, which is this awesome boulder with a big crack down the middle and trees (predictably) growing out. I waded a little in a pool under a waterfall, but it was freezing cold and there was a big frog sunbathing that I didn't want to bother. He just looked really happy. Oh hey! There is a caterpillar on my laptop. That is really... incongruous... and also nicely symbolic. Anyway, I climbed up the creekbed, which was super rocky. I stopped to watch a spider have lunch, then I climbed over two more big boulders to get back to the house. I ended up on the opposite side from where I started :P
I've been studying my medicinal plants like crazy in my spare time. I only have access to three books on the subject, and they're a little bit dated, so when I'm done here I'm going to try to order one with a complete set of photographs. It needs to cover either typical NY plants or stuff I can find on the East Coast in general (the ones I have are meant for CA).
Someday soon Beth has promised to help me make my own hand loom, and I am ridiculously excited. I'm also looking forward to the arrival of more WWOOFERS-- I think there will be a few new ones within the next two weeks.
Oh yes, so (surprise!) I'm staying here until July 22. I really wanted my mom to be able to come see this place because I think she'll fall in love with it instantly. But she can't go anywhere until summer school is over on the 22nd. Getting me back home was also a financial problem for her, having to stay in a hotel room and all, so this eliminates that problem. If it were just going to be me, Beth, and Mike for the next month, I probably wouldn't do it (I like them, but I need some variety!). With the other WWOOFERs coming though, I think it'll be fine. Especially when I get my updated plant book and can start studying with a greater sense of purpose. I know I promised I'd be back sooner, but I think this is important stuff. Also, I do get this little bit of net access and occasional phone reception, so I can stay in contact with y'all. Letters, of course, are also a great way to reach me.
I don't have anything more political to write about yet, but at a friend's prompting I'm going to watch FOOD INC tonight. I also want to give him a shout out, because he's the one who really made up my mind about the WWOOFing program. Ladies, gentlemen, and those outside the binary, a round of applause for Josh Sterlin! :)
My hands are freezing, so that's it for now. Hope to update soon.
<3
June 16 (Tastes Like Petroleum)
Post lady came today! So letters are headed out.
I took a hike down the main road yesterday. Mumford & Sons was the perfect soundtrack. I managed to scare a deer. I saw him go galloping away, and I even felt the vibrations in the ground from its hooves. It's so strange that an animal which is larger and much more muscular than I could be afraid of me. Then I got up onto a stump, closed my eyes, and pretended to be a tree. It was satisfying.
When I was little, I had this little book in which I would draw lots of pictures of plants. My parents joked about my future as a botanist.
Turns out, they may not have been far off.
I've decided to grow medicinal herbs in my garden when I get back to school, and start running myself a little apothecary. Not only has it always been a fascinating field of study for me, but I would rather hand out my knowledge and remedies for free than see my friends give their money to the pharmaceuticals. As long as everyone promises never to reinstate witch trials; the herbalists were always the first to go. :P
But my biggest motivation is that botanical knowledge is a highly desirable survival skill. Which segues nicely into the next part of this entry.
My dear peers, I can't stress this enough. If you want to live to be fifty, get ahold of this book, The Oil Age is Over.
Matt Savinar does a great job of explaining what peak oil means, as well as addressing questions and doubts. Just for the moment, I'll give a go at explaining it for you myself.
Everything in your life exists because of oil. Your computer, your water system, your food, your clothing, your house, your electricity... all of it. It can all be traced back to oil. Now, oil production follows a bell curve. The peak of the curve represents the moment at which half of the Earth's oil has been depleted. Once the peak is passed, cost goes up and production goes down.
If Peak Oil occurred in the year 2000, that means that we will have the same amount of oil production in 2020 as we did in 1980. However, the population will be twice as large in 2020 as it was in 1980. Demand will outstrip supply by an impressive margin, and clearly, that's not going to work out.
And guess what? We are also at Peak Water.
There is a lot more that I could say about what is going to happen to us, especially those of us with debts. All I'll say for the moment is, guys, is that it is time to learn some kind of skill that will make you a valuable part of a survival community.
If you think that I'm a crazy alarmist, you need to read the book, and look in particular for this quote.
"There is a difference between an 'optimist' and a fool. An optimist is somebody who looks at bleak facts and decides to make the best of the situation they can. A fool is somebody who looks at bleak facts and decides to ignore them because they are too upsetting."
- Matt Savinar, The Oil Age Is Over
If you need more convincing, look up the story of the Easter Island heads, and why nobody remembers how they were built.
I had myself a nice little cry today while I was reading the book. I just put my face into my hands and thought, Dude, my generation is so shafted.
And... yeah. We pretty much are. But I eventually got up and started thinking instead of freaking out. And that's how I circled on back to botany! Because eventually, I'll be able to trade that knowledge for water.
Oh yeah, so I think I'm going to do archery instead of guns. Also, I just said goodbye to two piggies... I will definitely not be participating in the consumption of those piggies. :(
I also used the circular saw again to build a shelf. So besides being upset about the end of the world as we know it, I am still really loving it up here.
Okay, going to go run through some more fields now!
<3
I took a hike down the main road yesterday. Mumford & Sons was the perfect soundtrack. I managed to scare a deer. I saw him go galloping away, and I even felt the vibrations in the ground from its hooves. It's so strange that an animal which is larger and much more muscular than I could be afraid of me. Then I got up onto a stump, closed my eyes, and pretended to be a tree. It was satisfying.
When I was little, I had this little book in which I would draw lots of pictures of plants. My parents joked about my future as a botanist.
Turns out, they may not have been far off.
I've decided to grow medicinal herbs in my garden when I get back to school, and start running myself a little apothecary. Not only has it always been a fascinating field of study for me, but I would rather hand out my knowledge and remedies for free than see my friends give their money to the pharmaceuticals. As long as everyone promises never to reinstate witch trials; the herbalists were always the first to go. :P
But my biggest motivation is that botanical knowledge is a highly desirable survival skill. Which segues nicely into the next part of this entry.
My dear peers, I can't stress this enough. If you want to live to be fifty, get ahold of this book, The Oil Age is Over.
Matt Savinar does a great job of explaining what peak oil means, as well as addressing questions and doubts. Just for the moment, I'll give a go at explaining it for you myself.
Everything in your life exists because of oil. Your computer, your water system, your food, your clothing, your house, your electricity... all of it. It can all be traced back to oil. Now, oil production follows a bell curve. The peak of the curve represents the moment at which half of the Earth's oil has been depleted. Once the peak is passed, cost goes up and production goes down.
If Peak Oil occurred in the year 2000, that means that we will have the same amount of oil production in 2020 as we did in 1980. However, the population will be twice as large in 2020 as it was in 1980. Demand will outstrip supply by an impressive margin, and clearly, that's not going to work out.
And guess what? We are also at Peak Water.
There is a lot more that I could say about what is going to happen to us, especially those of us with debts. All I'll say for the moment is, guys, is that it is time to learn some kind of skill that will make you a valuable part of a survival community.
If you think that I'm a crazy alarmist, you need to read the book, and look in particular for this quote.
"There is a difference between an 'optimist' and a fool. An optimist is somebody who looks at bleak facts and decides to make the best of the situation they can. A fool is somebody who looks at bleak facts and decides to ignore them because they are too upsetting."
- Matt Savinar, The Oil Age Is Over
If you need more convincing, look up the story of the Easter Island heads, and why nobody remembers how they were built.
I had myself a nice little cry today while I was reading the book. I just put my face into my hands and thought, Dude, my generation is so shafted.
And... yeah. We pretty much are. But I eventually got up and started thinking instead of freaking out. And that's how I circled on back to botany! Because eventually, I'll be able to trade that knowledge for water.
Oh yeah, so I think I'm going to do archery instead of guns. Also, I just said goodbye to two piggies... I will definitely not be participating in the consumption of those piggies. :(
I also used the circular saw again to build a shelf. So besides being upset about the end of the world as we know it, I am still really loving it up here.
Okay, going to go run through some more fields now!
<3
June 14
I can't remember what happened on June 13th... so it must not have been that interesting. I'm skipping right over it into the 14th.
Beth went back to the house in San Francisco today, so I have the house to myself. I lay out in the sun for a while in the morning reading Radical Democracy. I haven't read much of it yet, but so far it's been addressing the actual definition of democracy. It's really interesting to read about how different groups define it; I never really realized how often I've heard the word "democracy" used to describe a vague economic structure or some self-designated middle/upper class interest group.
Later, Shandin taught me to use a circular saw, a jigsaw, a sawsall, and a chopsaw. I was freaked out at first (I mean, fast-moving blades right next to my fingers) but after enough practice I got fairly comfortable. Then we loaded lots of dirt into a trailer attached to the ATV (all terrain vehicle) and dumped it into the raised beds, which we'll probably plant tomorrow. I'll probably also learn how to actually drive the ATV as well.
Just a few hours ago I shot a gun for the first time. Actually, it was the first time I've ever even held a gun, or been that close to one. I was so nervous I seriously thought I was going to cry... I still think guns are damn scary. But it got much easier with a little practice. I was using a Ruger 10/22. Once I got better with my aim, I managed to kill a water bottle!
I'm really happy to be here. This is my first contact with electricity in three days, and it hasn't been difficult to live without at all. Our water comes directly from the nearby spring, so I washed my hair in cold water last night. But not having regular shower access is a small price to pay to be living in paradise.
I don't know, guys... I may never come home! :P
For some reason, Flickr isn't working right now, so I may not be posting pictures of all this until tomorrow. Bummer!
Beth went back to the house in San Francisco today, so I have the house to myself. I lay out in the sun for a while in the morning reading Radical Democracy. I haven't read much of it yet, but so far it's been addressing the actual definition of democracy. It's really interesting to read about how different groups define it; I never really realized how often I've heard the word "democracy" used to describe a vague economic structure or some self-designated middle/upper class interest group.
Later, Shandin taught me to use a circular saw, a jigsaw, a sawsall, and a chopsaw. I was freaked out at first (I mean, fast-moving blades right next to my fingers) but after enough practice I got fairly comfortable. Then we loaded lots of dirt into a trailer attached to the ATV (all terrain vehicle) and dumped it into the raised beds, which we'll probably plant tomorrow. I'll probably also learn how to actually drive the ATV as well.
Just a few hours ago I shot a gun for the first time. Actually, it was the first time I've ever even held a gun, or been that close to one. I was so nervous I seriously thought I was going to cry... I still think guns are damn scary. But it got much easier with a little practice. I was using a Ruger 10/22. Once I got better with my aim, I managed to kill a water bottle!
I'm really happy to be here. This is my first contact with electricity in three days, and it hasn't been difficult to live without at all. Our water comes directly from the nearby spring, so I washed my hair in cold water last night. But not having regular shower access is a small price to pay to be living in paradise.
I don't know, guys... I may never come home! :P
For some reason, Flickr isn't working right now, so I may not be posting pictures of all this until tomorrow. Bummer!
June 12
Beth and I did more weeding today. We're getting ready to plant some of the olive trees. The weeding is in general easy, except for the spiky thistles; they can get pretty gigantic. It's already satisfying getting the huge ones out, but I made it even more fun by pretending they were major corporations. BP, Monsanto, and Disney got it good.
A little while later, Beth's son Shandin took me to the rodeo. Seriously. They still have those. I have literally never seen so many cowboy hats in one place at once. I even made a joke about whether one can participate without a hat... and it turns out you can actually lose points if you don't have one.
I saw some calf roping, some bullriding, and the women's three-barrel racing. I just have to ask myself. Who was the first guy to say to his friend, "Hey buddy, see that giant dangerous animal with horns? Bet I can stay on it longer than you without dying."
It was very, very American.
Shandin and I had a great conversation on the way home, ranging through trans issues, religion, media, democracy, and how best to avoid rattlesnakes. Back at the ranch, Beth and I weeded some more and talked about her artist friend Gorman, one of those lucky ones whose art is popular during his lifetime.
Beth has two horses, Baron and Carmelita. Carmelita is a beautiful blonde horse who used to be a wild mustang; she still doesn't really like people. Baron is a caramel/white paint stallion. He's a lot friendlier, and we are hoping that he will eventually get comfortable enough with me to let me ride him. Shandin thinks this is a terrible idea and will only end in injury.
But even if he never lets me ride him, spending time with Baron has really given me some perspective. I honestly feel that if I can get this horse to like me, I'll never worry about any human's approval again. It may sound cheesy, but it is obvious to me that this horse has a good soul and deserves all of my respect. I can't say that about all of the people I meet, or that I am always correct if I believe it initially. So I really, really hope that I can earn Baron's love.
We also caught five mice this evening in the traps. Beth's been getting really frustrated with the little buggers, because they've gotten into a lot of food that other visitors to the ranch didn't store properly. Thankfully, she doesn't make me deal with the dead ones. They're so cute and it's so sad to see them with their little broken necks! ... But I want to have food.
A little while later, Beth's son Shandin took me to the rodeo. Seriously. They still have those. I have literally never seen so many cowboy hats in one place at once. I even made a joke about whether one can participate without a hat... and it turns out you can actually lose points if you don't have one.
I saw some calf roping, some bullriding, and the women's three-barrel racing. I just have to ask myself. Who was the first guy to say to his friend, "Hey buddy, see that giant dangerous animal with horns? Bet I can stay on it longer than you without dying."
It was very, very American.
Shandin and I had a great conversation on the way home, ranging through trans issues, religion, media, democracy, and how best to avoid rattlesnakes. Back at the ranch, Beth and I weeded some more and talked about her artist friend Gorman, one of those lucky ones whose art is popular during his lifetime.
Beth has two horses, Baron and Carmelita. Carmelita is a beautiful blonde horse who used to be a wild mustang; she still doesn't really like people. Baron is a caramel/white paint stallion. He's a lot friendlier, and we are hoping that he will eventually get comfortable enough with me to let me ride him. Shandin thinks this is a terrible idea and will only end in injury.
But even if he never lets me ride him, spending time with Baron has really given me some perspective. I honestly feel that if I can get this horse to like me, I'll never worry about any human's approval again. It may sound cheesy, but it is obvious to me that this horse has a good soul and deserves all of my respect. I can't say that about all of the people I meet, or that I am always correct if I believe it initially. So I really, really hope that I can earn Baron's love.
We also caught five mice this evening in the traps. Beth's been getting really frustrated with the little buggers, because they've gotten into a lot of food that other visitors to the ranch didn't store properly. Thankfully, she doesn't make me deal with the dead ones. They're so cute and it's so sad to see them with their little broken necks! ... But I want to have food.
Got Constitutional Rights?
Sarah Lawrence friends, this is for you guys in particular.
SWAT Breaks/Enters in Search of Student Loan Debtor
Okay, so, I think there is more to this particular story that is being said. There are probably some details involving the particular school, the amount of elapsed time, repeated defaulting, I have no idea.
What really scares me is the bigger picture. Remember the part of the Constitution that makes search without a warrant illegal? Where was that when this was happening?
What also blows me away is that I totally trusted the Department of Education, and they're the ones who instigated this.
I'm concerned that those of you reading my blog will think I'm becoming unnecessarily paranoid. But those of you who know me understand that I think carefully about the information I'm receiving and how I choose to interpret it. What I'm saying is, I'm not sure of anything yet.
I am getting anxious, though. Not as much about this particular education issue, but more about the peak oil situation and the need to resist environmental destruction.
I'm not a commanding leader by nature... but I can't keep assuming that someone else is going to lead us. It's scary to do something you've never done before, something you may fail at, even if you believe with all your heart that it has to be done.
... So there's my bum-out for the day. Going to the farmer's market later though, so there should be some fun pictures. :)
SWAT Breaks/Enters in Search of Student Loan Debtor
Okay, so, I think there is more to this particular story that is being said. There are probably some details involving the particular school, the amount of elapsed time, repeated defaulting, I have no idea.
What really scares me is the bigger picture. Remember the part of the Constitution that makes search without a warrant illegal? Where was that when this was happening?
What also blows me away is that I totally trusted the Department of Education, and they're the ones who instigated this.
I'm concerned that those of you reading my blog will think I'm becoming unnecessarily paranoid. But those of you who know me understand that I think carefully about the information I'm receiving and how I choose to interpret it. What I'm saying is, I'm not sure of anything yet.
I am getting anxious, though. Not as much about this particular education issue, but more about the peak oil situation and the need to resist environmental destruction.
I'm not a commanding leader by nature... but I can't keep assuming that someone else is going to lead us. It's scary to do something you've never done before, something you may fail at, even if you believe with all your heart that it has to be done.
... So there's my bum-out for the day. Going to the farmer's market later though, so there should be some fun pictures. :)
Still June 7
I lied. More interesting stuff actually did happen.
I watched the beginning of END:CIV, which was incredible even 30 minutes in.
We then had a lengthy and fascinating discussion of concepts under the general umbrella of environmental anarchy, and I collected some great stuff for my newest "Look Up Later" List.
LULL:
David House-- The Biogas Handbook
Max Meyers
Steve Ramban-- Privacy Is Dead, Get Over It
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Cascade System Failure
(During our discussion, my hosts had me take the battery out of my phone to ensure that we would not be FBI tapped. Just thought that was worth mentioning.)
:P
I watched the beginning of END:CIV, which was incredible even 30 minutes in.
We then had a lengthy and fascinating discussion of concepts under the general umbrella of environmental anarchy, and I collected some great stuff for my newest "Look Up Later" List.
LULL:
David House-- The Biogas Handbook
Max Meyers
Steve Ramban-- Privacy Is Dead, Get Over It
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Cascade System Failure
(During our discussion, my hosts had me take the battery out of my phone to ensure that we would not be FBI tapped. Just thought that was worth mentioning.)
:P
I Think This Deserves A Post All Its Own.
This BP Ad.
This is equally as criminal as anti-semitic propaganda in Nazi Germany.
But you should see this too, because it may be funny enough to keep you from blowing your brains out.
This is equally as criminal as anti-semitic propaganda in Nazi Germany.
But you should see this too, because it may be funny enough to keep you from blowing your brains out.
June 7 (Are We There Yet?)
So we're still at the house. And I'm still basically a well-fed scullery maid.
At this point, I'm starting to feel a little let down. I mean, my timeframe for this is limited, and I didn't come up here just to hang out with these people (nice as they are).
Beth seems to be one of those people who is impossible to rush. It might be my age or my city mindset, but the inefficiency of this operation is starting to get to me.
I got somewhat angsty this afternoon, so I took a walk and ended up at a GIANT grassy hill that is apparently part of the local high school. From the top, I had an incredible view of the city and a huge green mountain covered in mist. It was gorgeous, but it made me all the more frustrating that I wasn't yet living on such a mountain.
Beth seems to think that the end of the world is imminent. Not in a "God is coming for us" kind of way, but in a "we need to grow food now because soon there won't be any" kind of way. She has also expressed the belief that we are all constantly under FBI surveillance (and that by using Facebook, I'm just making it easier for them).
But I don't mean to give the impression that they're crazy, because they aren't. They're just a bit more radical than I am at this point. I still feel perfectly comfortable living with them (Dad). If anything it just makes them even more entertaining.
I don't anticipate any major events this evening, so that's all for now.
But I'll be here all night, folks.
(And that means you can call me if you want.)
At this point, I'm starting to feel a little let down. I mean, my timeframe for this is limited, and I didn't come up here just to hang out with these people (nice as they are).
Beth seems to be one of those people who is impossible to rush. It might be my age or my city mindset, but the inefficiency of this operation is starting to get to me.
I got somewhat angsty this afternoon, so I took a walk and ended up at a GIANT grassy hill that is apparently part of the local high school. From the top, I had an incredible view of the city and a huge green mountain covered in mist. It was gorgeous, but it made me all the more frustrating that I wasn't yet living on such a mountain.
Beth seems to think that the end of the world is imminent. Not in a "God is coming for us" kind of way, but in a "we need to grow food now because soon there won't be any" kind of way. She has also expressed the belief that we are all constantly under FBI surveillance (and that by using Facebook, I'm just making it easier for them).
But I don't mean to give the impression that they're crazy, because they aren't. They're just a bit more radical than I am at this point. I still feel perfectly comfortable living with them (Dad). If anything it just makes them even more entertaining.
I don't anticipate any major events this evening, so that's all for now.
But I'll be here all night, folks.
(And that means you can call me if you want.)
Light Your Water On Fire! Love, Fracking
Check your tap water. Can you do this with it?
Thanks to the magic of a natural gas extraction technique known as hydraulic fracturing, you can now ignite your showerhead. Cool trick, right? Now all we have to do is get used to showering with fire.
The gas companies don't really like it when we call it "fracking", because it lends itself so wonderfully to wordplay.
But seriously, this is a huge fracking deal. What the frack are these companies thinking?
When you find the time, you should watch Gasland, written and directed by Josh Fox.
But if you want a quick overview of fracking, this is a pretty catchy way to learn.
Also, take a look at this map. The red spots are natural gas reserves... and the corporations want them. Even if your home is not in the red zone, think about that lovely water table that we are all basically connected to.
Take it personally.
Thanks to the magic of a natural gas extraction technique known as hydraulic fracturing, you can now ignite your showerhead. Cool trick, right? Now all we have to do is get used to showering with fire.
The gas companies don't really like it when we call it "fracking", because it lends itself so wonderfully to wordplay.
But seriously, this is a huge fracking deal. What the frack are these companies thinking?
When you find the time, you should watch Gasland, written and directed by Josh Fox.
But if you want a quick overview of fracking, this is a pretty catchy way to learn.
Also, take a look at this map. The red spots are natural gas reserves... and the corporations want them. Even if your home is not in the red zone, think about that lovely water table that we are all basically connected to.
Take it personally.
June 6
Guess what? Pictures! The link to my flickr is under my photo.
I don't have computer access, so I'm posting this via telekinesis. Please excuse any strange tangents about flowers or Natalie Portman.
Lying. I'm still at the house in Broadmoor. Although it's completely true that flowers and Natalie Portman roam freely about in my thoughts.
We did more gardening this morning, and I installed some neat little cinderblock steps filled with river stones. It was more difficult than it sounds. A little later, Beth gathered together a few boxes of things around the house that she didn't want anymore, and we went to the Mission District of San Francisco. Apparently, when the Salvation Army doesn't want her stuff, she leaves it on a random street corner there and it gets scavenged within hours. Makes perfect sense to me, I dumped extra clothes and boxes outside the library during conference week and they disappeared like magic. We drove around looking at murals and buildings for a while, and I got some interesting pictures. Then we went to Rainbow Grocery.
I could spend a year's worth of college tuition on the stuff in that place.
And, quite frankly, I would probably have to. It is expensive in there. But everything is organic and humanely raised. The cheese aisle was the best part.
What was most interesting about Rainbow Grocery was the serious diversity of the shoppers. It was honestly like nothing I'd ever seen. I saw an older white lady with a pink and green mohawk, several gorgeous displays of dreadlocks, a variety of hipster kids, hispanic mothers, asian grandmothers, a goth, and (I swear to god) an old indian man wearing a dhoti over green denim shorts. And it wasn't just the customers. I talked to two trans employees and one who was albino. An adorably flamboyant worker informed me that, unfortunately, bananas are never from California.
It seems to me that the one thing everyone there must have had in common was enough money to buy products like $9 organic peanut butter cups.
Next photos will be from the ranch.
Also, check this out, because it is funny, impressive, and extremely important.
Where My Bees At?
I don't have computer access, so I'm posting this via telekinesis. Please excuse any strange tangents about flowers or Natalie Portman.
Lying. I'm still at the house in Broadmoor. Although it's completely true that flowers and Natalie Portman roam freely about in my thoughts.
We did more gardening this morning, and I installed some neat little cinderblock steps filled with river stones. It was more difficult than it sounds. A little later, Beth gathered together a few boxes of things around the house that she didn't want anymore, and we went to the Mission District of San Francisco. Apparently, when the Salvation Army doesn't want her stuff, she leaves it on a random street corner there and it gets scavenged within hours. Makes perfect sense to me, I dumped extra clothes and boxes outside the library during conference week and they disappeared like magic. We drove around looking at murals and buildings for a while, and I got some interesting pictures. Then we went to Rainbow Grocery.
I could spend a year's worth of college tuition on the stuff in that place.
And, quite frankly, I would probably have to. It is expensive in there. But everything is organic and humanely raised. The cheese aisle was the best part.
What was most interesting about Rainbow Grocery was the serious diversity of the shoppers. It was honestly like nothing I'd ever seen. I saw an older white lady with a pink and green mohawk, several gorgeous displays of dreadlocks, a variety of hipster kids, hispanic mothers, asian grandmothers, a goth, and (I swear to god) an old indian man wearing a dhoti over green denim shorts. And it wasn't just the customers. I talked to two trans employees and one who was albino. An adorably flamboyant worker informed me that, unfortunately, bananas are never from California.
It seems to me that the one thing everyone there must have had in common was enough money to buy products like $9 organic peanut butter cups.
Next photos will be from the ranch.
Also, check this out, because it is funny, impressive, and extremely important.
Where My Bees At?
Sunday, June 5
So when it comes to small backyards, I am the master of landscape design.
I'm also (obviously) the master of modesty.
But seriously, I'm proud of what I did today. I designed and laid the backyard pathway with a fun pattern of marble chunks, red rock, and river stones. I also weeded, leveled, and then stair-stepped a big section of the backyard slope. Then I designed/laid a platform of stones, from which one can enjoy the spectacular view.
Not gonna lie, it looks really good. My fingernails will probably never be clean again.
Oh, I also used a power drill to take screws out of the stairs. It was a tiny undertaking compared with the backyard, but it did make me feel like Rosie the Riveter, so I put on a bandana to heighten the effect. :)
Hearing Beth's life story is fascinating. She's been in dozens of radical protests-- today she told me about marching to end the war in Vietnam. She said that it wasn't the marchers who ended the war, but the soldiers themselves, by refusing suicide missions (read: fragging) and speaking out when they were home.
Nevertheless, it's amazing to talk to someone who was actually there.
We go up to the ranch tomorrow, so this is my last real-time post for a while. I'll work on uploading some pictures tomorrow morning. I may have to do a flickr account-- I'll link it here on my page.
Talk to you later, penpals!
<3
Saturday, June 4: Day One
First post of my WWOOFing experience. This calls for a crazy celebration... let's score us some kale!
Yesterday, my dad drove me up from the LA area to Broadmoor, right by San Francisco. We arrived at the home of my host, Beth Brenneman. After sending my dad off again, Beth loosed me and my tech-savvy young mind on the computer. I spent my first evening researching the planting and care of olive, mulberry, and a few other kinds of trees, all of which I will be helping to grow.
The ranch itself is about four hours north of here, in Garberville. My hosts are moving up there permanently, so the house is in a serious packing frenzy. Until we get everything cleared, I'm still in civilization, milking my last hours of modern technology.
This morning Beth made blueberry pancakes (organic, of course). Then I was assigned to my most favorite of tasks: a craft project. I pieced, embroidered, and edged a quilt for the showing of the house. But I'm not out standing in the field yet...
BOOM! First farming pun of the month.
Despite the domesticity of the day, I've already been exposed to a lot of pertinent information. My hosts keep bringing up Derrick Jensen, the author of Endgame. When I do get to the ranch, I am hoping that this book will make my internet withdrawal a little easier.
I've also got my hands on three documentaries: Gasland, END:CIV, and 9/11: Let's Get Empirical.
My hosts are pretty serious about their environmental anarchy.
But honestly, they're some of the best-informed people I've ever met. They just returned from a conference on methane converters, which are used to turn human/animal waste into methane gas (and you can heat your house with that). I also learned how to make an "eco-brick". This is a half-gallon milk jug, filled with any other waste plastic you happen to have around. When placed within the walls of a structure, eco-bricks provide an insulation factor (R-value) of 20. Since the average house has an R-value of 12, this is a pretty sweet deal.
Today's "Look Up Later" List:
Brasscheck TV (website)
Dandelion Salad (movie)
Matt Simmons (author)
Dmitry Orlov (author)
Tomorrow: probably more cleaning.
But the day after... send me some good coyote-repellent energy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)