Comments on: Dream Big http://sharonastyk.com/2009/10/15/dream-big/ Finding the keys to the future…and trying not to lose them in the mess. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:26:03 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Ella Wieser http://sharonastyk.com/2009/10/15/dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-29152 Ella Wieser Sat, 23 Oct 2010 22:42:45 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/?p=1318#comment-29152 This is definitely one of the better articles I have come across on this topic. Have you considered the opposite side of the argument of natural health? To be candid, I think a good argument could be made either way, but please let me know if you have found more sites or articles on the Internet that back up what you are discussing. This is definitely one of the better articles I have come across on this topic. Have you considered the opposite side of the argument of natural health? To be candid, I think a good argument could be made either way, but please let me know if you have found more sites or articles on the Internet that back up what you are discussing.

]]> By: Kate-B http://sharonastyk.com/2009/10/15/dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-20280 Kate-B Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:08:30 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/?p=1318#comment-20280 Sharon, I decided that i might as well make the very most of your class and use it to write up a proposal for the community I have been staying at. It would be an excellent educational opportunity for me and no matter how rudimentary my efforts are, they would still be a very welcome contribution to our permaculture homestead. Thanks so much Sharon,

I decided that i might as well make the very most of your class and use it to write up a proposal for the community I have been staying at. It would be an excellent educational opportunity for me and no matter how rudimentary my efforts are, they would still be a very welcome contribution to our permaculture homestead.

Thanks so much

]]> By: Kerrick http://sharonastyk.com/2009/10/15/dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-20279 Kerrick Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:03:40 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/?p=1318#comment-20279 Dreaming big? Okay. The other day I passed a lot on a busy corner that I sometimes walk by. It's been proposed for development since I've lived in this town, for the last 4.5 years. It's an empty lot, relatively flat, given over to weeds that are periodically mowed. I can imagine a food forest growing there, starting with some disease-resistant filberts, a couple of dwarf plums and apples, olives and figs, some of the delicious Chilean guavas I just tried from my neighbor's easement, a fence of caneberries and an arbor of hardy kiwis and table grapes, snap peas, Chinese yams, barrels of potatoes and yacon, asparagus, spinach, tomatoes and salad greens, amaranth and quinoa, beets, onions, garlic, and a patch of corn, beans, and squash. I can imagine a little sheltered outdoor kitchen, a compost loo, rainwater catchment and an outdoor solar-heated shower for rinsing off when you're done working. All the built stuff would have plants growing up every available surface, naturally. And outside the fence, comfortable benches that are actually made for people to sleep on, if they need it, sheltered by more fruiting vines. Throughout the day volunteers come in to work in the garden, and while they're there the gates are open for anyone who needs food to come share the harvest. I'd include poultry, but I'm not sure about that part of the vision; protecting animals requires a whole different level of security. We may not be able to have free range poultry and free range people in the same garden. In real life I think they're putting in some housing with a couple of retail shops on the ground floor. But I can't see it happening soon--there aren't any retail shops that can stay open on that block right now. Dreaming big? Okay.

The other day I passed a lot on a busy corner that I sometimes walk by. It’s been proposed for development since I’ve lived in this town, for the last 4.5 years. It’s an empty lot, relatively flat, given over to weeds that are periodically mowed.

I can imagine a food forest growing there, starting with some disease-resistant filberts, a couple of dwarf plums and apples, olives and figs, some of the delicious Chilean guavas I just tried from my neighbor’s easement, a fence of caneberries and an arbor of hardy kiwis and table grapes, snap peas, Chinese yams, barrels of potatoes and yacon, asparagus, spinach, tomatoes and salad greens, amaranth and quinoa, beets, onions, garlic, and a patch of corn, beans, and squash. I can imagine a little sheltered outdoor kitchen, a compost loo, rainwater catchment and an outdoor solar-heated shower for rinsing off when you’re done working. All the built stuff would have plants growing up every available surface, naturally. And outside the fence, comfortable benches that are actually made for people to sleep on, if they need it, sheltered by more fruiting vines. Throughout the day volunteers come in to work in the garden, and while they’re there the gates are open for anyone who needs food to come share the harvest. I’d include poultry, but I’m not sure about that part of the vision; protecting animals requires a whole different level of security. We may not be able to have free range poultry and free range people in the same garden.

In real life I think they’re putting in some housing with a couple of retail shops on the ground floor. But I can’t see it happening soon–there aren’t any retail shops that can stay open on that block right now.

]]> By: Sharon http://sharonastyk.com/2009/10/15/dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-20278 Sharon Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:23:00 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/?p=1318#comment-20278 Jerry, that's awesome! I'm so glad to hear that. And Debra, no, not at all - there's plenty of time since we're just getting started. Send me an email at jewishfarmer@gmail.com. Sharon Jerry, that’s awesome! I’m so glad to hear that. And Debra, no, not at all – there’s plenty of time since we’re just getting started. Send me an email at jewishfarmer@gmail.com.

Sharon

]]> By: Jerry Lee Miller http://sharonastyk.com/2009/10/15/dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-20277 Jerry Lee Miller Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:03:14 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/?p=1318#comment-20277 Sharon This is a very helpful exercise for me regarding something which just came up on Wed. Several weeks ago I put a notice on a bulletin board at a local store, stating that i was looking for a small plot to garden. Yesterday I received a response. A couple had purchased this odd shaped suburban plot a few years ago at a tax sale. It is 20' by 151' and runs from the street and up between 2 lots with houses. Evidently the developer was thinking about putting a lane there and thought better of it. They had thought about gardening there, but never did anything. So, they want to gift this to me! All I have to do is pay the transfer fee. If my calculations are correct, it's about 1/15 of an acre. It was raining when I went to see it today, so I didn't get out to inspect it. It's partly covered with trees and thicket. I'd like to see what's there. One issue would be water. I'd either have to haul it or make an arrangement with one of the neighbors. I know I could put a small storage unit there if I wanted. Besides the 'What do you see' exercise, what else ought I be doing? Taxes, they say, are $250 annually. Sharon
This is a very helpful exercise for me regarding something which just came up on Wed.
Several weeks ago I put a notice on a bulletin board at a local store, stating that i was looking for a small plot to garden. Yesterday I received a response.
A couple had purchased this odd shaped suburban plot a few years ago at a tax sale. It is 20′ by 151′ and runs from the street and up between 2 lots with houses. Evidently the developer was thinking about putting a lane there and thought better of it.
They had thought about gardening there, but never did anything.
So, they want to gift this to me! All I have to do is pay the transfer fee. If my calculations are correct, it’s about 1/15 of an acre.
It was raining when I went to see it today, so I didn’t get out to inspect it. It’s partly covered with trees and thicket. I’d like to see what’s there.
One issue would be water. I’d either have to haul it or make an arrangement with one of the neighbors.

I know I could put a small storage unit there if I wanted. Besides the ‘What do you see’ exercise, what else ought I be doing? Taxes, they say, are $250 annually.

]]> By: Debra http://sharonastyk.com/2009/10/15/dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-20276 Debra Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:36:55 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/?p=1318#comment-20276 Sharon, Is it too late to join the class? Sharon,

Is it too late to join the class?

]]> By: Safira http://sharonastyk.com/2009/10/15/dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-20275 Safira Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:45:26 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/?p=1318#comment-20275 Darn it, Sharon, you got me all teary-eyed at work! Darn it, Sharon, you got me all teary-eyed at work!

]]> By: Josh B http://sharonastyk.com/2009/10/15/dream-big/comment-page-1/#comment-20274 Josh B Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:15:51 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/?p=1318#comment-20274 That's a beautiful vision and exercise Sharon. I love your writing. Thank you for doing what you do! That’s a beautiful vision and exercise Sharon. I love your writing. Thank you for doing what you do!

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