M Henderson

Hi there! You might have found someone already, but I’m saying hello anyways. I live in coastal NC currently but seeking a place to move to eventually. Ideally to live with like minded partner. I’m originally from Japan and also 51 years old. My youngest is 15 years old son, also 26 and 21 year old daughters I have. I’ve been trying my best to live truly meaningful life. I think I am quite skillful and knowledgeable in sustainable living connected with nature.
Anyways, I just visited WV last summer. Beautiful place. Which part of WV are you located?
If you are interested, I’d like to hear more. Thanks!

Riona Abhainn wrote:I know what you mean about doing the best with what you have.  I have an apartment with a balcony which is shaded by big trees, so not very much sun.  Some plants like it here (my baby plum tree grown from seed, my blueberries, some wildflowers, mint) but most plants don't.  So after a disappointing summer (we moved here in late June) I'm going to try with some growlights to supplament light and see how we do, I'm just watering my perennials now and my lettuce isn't really growing, so its probably a loss like the other plants I tried for an autumn harvest, but we'll see what happens.  I only harvested one carrot, because its the only one that survived haha.

But I'm still planning and hoping and figuring out how to do it better.  Once the maple trees go dormant for the cold weather, my MIL will come over and clandestinely do some snip snip trimming to maybe open up a bit of canopy for me, but its likely we won't get far because it will only work for branches she can reach from the balcony, but every little bit helps.

I send my compost ingredients to her country house where she has a compost system, we get eggs from her chickens, just little things we can do even though we don't have property or very much resources.  Just keep trying and working on things.

Speaking of our maple trees, once I know whether fallen maple seeds are edible (I know the ones still attached are if you cook them) we'll try and harvest next year, and I'm hoping to figure out how to tap them for syrup, they're big enough to perhaps give us a small amount, fun project to do with my MIL if we can figure it out or find a friend who knows how.  Again we can't risk getting caught on that one either haha because we're rentors.

I feel very relatable!
The place I lived before was almost like in woods… not much sunny area, tree roots everywhere I try to dig, and massive amount of fallen leaves in winter. And now, I complain about too much sun exposure and heat here! Even struggling with finding dead leaves to add to my compost.
I own this property but can’t or don’t really want to add or modify things because I’m planning to sell sooner anyways. I can plant trees or perennials but new owner might not like it and remove anyways… basically I’m living like renting too! Haha.

Stephen B. Thomas wrote:Enjoyed the video quite a bit, Misuzu! Thanks for sharing it. Your enthusiasm and energy is obvious, and fun to watch.

Regarding your fencing: I think that's wise. You have some tempting stuff growing in there, but when it takes that much effort to reach it, it's likely they'll visit your neighbours first, and forget about targeting you.

Thank you!!
I didn’t really expect much people to take time and watch my video. People are so nice here

Yes, the fenced side is actually working I think. No sign of breaking in or anything. But, because the part of sides and front are not enclosed, deers are still coming in to the backyard. And, they always munch on their specific favorites… so obvious.  it’s frustrating, but I’m just laughing at this point, haha.
Looks like this is their favorite stop because my neighbors have nothing planted but lawn!

M. Phelps wrote:nice garden
good idea to leave the grasses taller by the raised beds

i agree with you about the weed whacker string.. ive been thinking about all that plastic lately too

they sell metal blades that i am going to look into

I’m going to have to switch to metal blades one if I still need it probably.

It just makes me so depressed when I think about how much micro plastics have been left in the ground and washed away into the water way…

Thank you for taking your time watching my video!

INFJ here! It totally makes sense that there are a lot of us here.

We can't stand bullshit.
We have to fix the problems.
And, we just can't stop caring!

I learned about being an INFJ a couple years ago and now acknowledging it. I am like this and have no shame or guilt... I'm just letting me to be myself.
That means also it's difficult to find a partner. Yes, I'm aware of that. But, I'm living better than ever because I now have good relationship with myself.
Once you get to this point, you will feel liberating and powerful!

Adam Dylan wrote:Your post really resonated with me. I too have been working tirelessly to cultivate gardens from ground zero, doing everything I can to grow food without harming the environment. Have also had my fair share of both inspiration and discouragement. It's a labor of love, but so rewarding to see the fruits (and veggies!) of my labor. While I don’t think I have the perfect property either, at 40 y.o. I realize I just need to START and do what’s best for my health, nutrition, and living sustainably.

Why not call yourself a permie? I believe actions speak louder than labels anyhow. Best of luck to you on your permaculture journey and keep up the great work!

PS - I also disliked my residential front lawn and am in the process of converting all lawns to food forest, meadows, and gardens. I'll try and post a pic with this year’s progress update; what was once a grass monoculture is now a beautiful chicken pasture and pollination nation!

Hi!
Thank you for the encouragement, Adam!
Your front yard looks beautiful. It seems huge and must have been quite a work to convert it. I also planted lots of seeds of Black Eyed Suzan this spring. Some grew but not much yet. I'm hoping they will grow and spread like yours next spring.
I had a few chickens at my last place where I lived but not here yet. I think about it, but it's going to require some sort of a sturdy structure to protect them since here is very open. Most likely I will not have them here, but just making plans itself is the fun part of permaculture I think

Hello there!

I decided to show up and speak up.
So here is what I do and who I am.
I am currently living in the undesired situation. Stuck in a neighborhood in suburban town I don't like.

But, I'm not just complaining here.
While dreaming and planning about my future, I'm doing my best I can right now... with my 50 years old 5' tall small body with no like-minded friends near me (I make my unwilling teen son to help around sometimes.)
I get discouraged. I lose hope. I hate my lawn. I hate mindless people. And, I get frustrated because of my limited ability... often feeling like, "Fuck it, just go back to Japan and restart with my parents." By the way, I'm not even from the US has no family or relatives I can rely on here.

"Start now wherever you are" is the most useful lesson I learned from permaculture. It's not easy to grow vegetables in my region costal NC. I only could harvest a handful of stuff this summer. I know I've wasted money and time on gardening.
But, that's not all the result I got.
I've gained so much wisdom and life skills. I developed mindset I needed. Permaculture actually saved me from going insane, lol.

I'm fine. Actually feeling good everyday. I'm not just wanting to do permaculture for myself. I helped lots of butterflies and wild creatures in past years. I tried to reduce my ecological footprint as much as I can.

So my question is... can I call myself a permie? Do I belong in here? Will I be able to live the life I want if I keep doing this?

I hope so!!

Thanks for reading

Hi,

I really like that you are sharing very detailed plan.

I currently live in eastern NC and am looking for a place to relocate to the mountain region, exactly the areas you are planning to.
I'm a 50 years old single lady. Native of Japan. Have dark hair but not curvy, haha! But, let me know if you are interested. I am skilled in all the domestic household matters. Quite handy and good care taker. Have good knowledge of plants and gardening.

Wishing you the best!

Hello,

You may not have any spots open at this moment, but I had to ask because your property is like my dream place to relocate!

I currently live in eastern NC looking for a new home around the mountains.
I do gardening, am a plants and nature enthusiast, have raised chickens, love cooking, bake sourdough and been trying fermenting food. I do sewing and all kinds of household tasks with natural methods. I consider myself as a good skilled care taker.

I am a 50 years old, 5' tall petite lady so may not be reliable as a builder but am very energetic to help around outdoor tasks, too.  I'm also working on my permaculture design course right now.

I know it's difficult to find an ideal place to start homesteading... but seeing your beautiful place made me dream and be hopeful
If you have opening in near future, Please let me know!