Bj Murrey

Hi! I sent you a message :). Thanks for saying hello and your kind words. You sound like a full, well-rounded woman! Always appreciate talking with like minded Christians about nature and Gods grace. :) happy new year!

I'm a christian (seminary graduate too) in Texas, and used to live in Guatemala and looove Latin america, and have been off grid for 11 years now on a little homestead if you want to chat.

Phil Stevens wrote:Biochar, no-till, and deep mulching. My soil is a fine-grain silt loam and although its fertility is decent and I've used lots of compost over the years, the big change happened when I stopped digging, started adding biochar, and got into deep mulch with wood chips. Biochar adds structure and aeration that the unamended soil here is lacking, keeping it better hydrated during dry periods and preventing it from getting waterlogged and going anaerobic when it's wet for long spells. Avoiding disturbance helps preserve that structure as it develops, and this means all amendments go on top now - e.g. mulch.

The partial exceptions I make to the no-dig rule are around harvesting root crops like potatoes and kūmara, but even with these I don't hav.....

Well said! I 100% agree. It sounds like we have similar native  soils. I could do more biochar for sure, but I heat my house with wood so I tend to use it all inside :)

For me in north Texas, its been composting everything I can in place, and supplementing as I can with wood chips and manure. I went from straight sand in an oak forest to a foot deep of dark black soil full of life.over 10 years. Not hard work, and totally worth it. I prefer adding soil on top rather than trying to amend it in ground. Just my experience.

I bet its much colder up north!

I love the perspective. And I definitely resonate with what you wrote. And the chokes out in my garden now, can vouch for me. :)

God bless you friend.

Hey brother, fellow Texan here with friends in Oregon. Going off of "generalized demographics" of both States, I'm presuming you're not liberal (unless from Austin area). If that is the case. Most of Oregon is so far to the left of even Austin, it might be culture shock. However there are many rural southern Oregonians who are more traditional conservative types but are numerical far fewer than anyone left of center politically. Not to be political here, just talking sociology. I'm from north Texas and every one of my liberal and conservative friends all over Washington and Oregon told me that there is no scenario I'd enjoy being there, because even if I mind my own business on my own land in a conservative area, the state is mostly liberal women judges who are big government types that want to legislate every aspect of life of any person in the state, down to even the water that falls on your roof which you're forbidden to capture and drink without permission.

Be aware. Texas is basically an entirely different country. Different laws. Different basic expectations of being left alone in peace, etc.

I wish you well in whatever your pursuits.

Amber Michello wrote:My bff and longest relationship was with a pup who made it 18 years. He also trained up a younger girl. It was fun to watch them passing wisdom and him pushing her to me before he passed. They are the best! They are tiny, but their best and favorite friends were shepherds. Such amazing critters. I just said that if I ever found a man that loved me the way Duke did I would be a lucky girl! The loyalty, dedication, forgiveness, and unconditional nature that they share is everything that seems to make relationships work. That and the communication that they develop to say exactly what they need and respect what we need and find perfect balance helps as well! Looks like you are making great progress out there. Texas seems like an interesting place although I have never seen more than the Dallas airport during layovers. Love their rocking chairs. Is there a winter where you are?

18 wow I knew it was a little dog - is that the one in your other posts? Big dogs dont live nearly as long. That is certain. Its fascinating to me to watch dogs teach each other or discipline each other etc. The pack instinct and order is so cool.

I'm convinced God made dogs for humans. And I am grateful.