A little more about me

Let me introduce myself just a bit more. I’m a self taught award winning artist. My main medium is acrylic on wood. I’m also a certified organic gardener. I’ve never used pesticides or petroleum based fertilizers, never saw the need. I have a hard time explaining my connection to growing sustainably. I’m not a purist by any means. I’m frugal and pragmatic. Those of us who grow on a small scale really have no need to use anything but organic. To find out more on my view of the whole sustainability thing please read the following article, http://www.energybulletin.net/node/24634 , I can’t say it any better. You might also want to check out this blog from Patti in Atlanta http://www.foodshedplanet.com/2008/01/introducing-foodshed-planet-victory.html .

As of late the whole Victory Garden thing has been forefront on my mind. I feel like making a bumper sticker, “Dig up the lawn, Grow Your Own Food.” Really, with all the recalls on food these days doesn’t it make sense to grow your own? I understand we don’t all have the space but any little bit will do.

My latest project, I am the queen of projects and obscure information, is starting a community garden/farmers market. Don’t know exactly how I’m going to do it but, where there is a will there is a way. We need community, we need food, and we NEED a sense of control over our lives. What better way than a community/VICTORY garden. I call it taking back our power. We’ve been convinced by the powers that be and the media that we are victims, dependent, unable to take care of ourselves. Power hungry and greedy corporations have managed to convince us we need them. They have made all we need cheep and readily available.

For those of us old enough to remember, do you ever wonder why home economics is no longer taught in schools? How about wood shop, mechanics? The average kid graduating from high school these days doesn’t even know how to change a tire on the car he drives. Most of them don’t even know how to balance a check book. Let alone anything about interest or fine print on a contract. What about budgets? Oh, Oh pancakes from scratch! Hell they can’t even make pancakes from a mix. If they can’t pop it in the toaster or the microwave they are lost.

Food is no longer something to be celebrated, appreciated, it’s to be consumed as quickly as possible so you can keep moving along, being productive. Hell most of the “food” people consume in this country isn’t even food anymore. I won’t even go there right now or this blog will never end.

It’s time to take back our power. Be a little more self reliant. Slow down and forget about the Joneses. Enjoy your life.