Bonnie Poole

I've got a GoSun that doesn't have the cook at night capability and I LOVE it!  I mostly cook grains and beans and soups.  I built a lazy-susan turntable to put under the GoSun so I can easily move it to track the sun.  I need to be bold and try to bake a pastry or bread.

I don't get it.  How is aquaponics with all its PVC pipe and equipment and unnatural production with the need for constant inputs and potential for accumulating toxins and bacteia concidered a permaculture technique?  It feels more like industrial farming to me.  Someone explain.

I love tp cook! These are part of my regular repertoire:  vegan Bourani Banjan (Afghan style Eggplant,)  falafel, spanikopita using every green thing that I could find in the garden and substituting the feta cheese with a vegan cheese. nettles lasagna (again using vegan cheese.)  seaweed and mushroom soup with miso,  asian stir fry with peanut sauce, hearty minestrone soup, vegan burritos stuffed with beans, potatoes, grilled peppers and onions. polenta smothered in chunky, quick tomatoe sauce and stewed veggies,

We know so little about the microbiome of our gut and the soil; there's an important connection that is just beginning to come to light.  The science is fairly new and knowledge is growing rapidly.  I vote for good soil over a man made chemical concoction that contains "all the nutrients"  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3536091/

There's a coffe import business near me.  They give away burlap bags by the pallet load.  I use the burlap for many garden projects including paths.  Near Seattle, the rain and wear from walking rot the bags every two years. Since my paths are permanent, I just put another layer of baags on to of the old ones.

Bravo, Paul!  GE, the company that Thomas Edison started, will stop producing light bulbs next year!  I'm hoarding some incandescents ; my prepper brain tells me to go buy more!

Anyone else concerned about the carcinogens created because of incomplete burning when making bone sauce?  This article says the PAH can last for months in the ground and breathing the stuff isn't good either.  I plant a lot of food around my trees. If the trees were in a orchard or field, the bone sauce would be great, close to other edibles, I'm not so sure.  Any ideas?  https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=120&tid=25  

Well, I have to move to Sequim to take care of my elderly parents. I've got 0.27 acres of permaculture yard and house to rent or sell in Renton, WA. I have a PDC from Geoff Lawton and have guilded the mature fruit trees. 7 kinds of berries, perennial veggies, medicinal and culinary herbs, room for at least 12 nesting boxes, fully fenced yard (I walk in food!) House is 960 square feet with a wood stove; 3 bed rooms 1 bath. If interested call 970-433-0847. Thanks, Bonnie Poole

I just stack window screens on my front porch in the sun.   Air flow and mild heat cause food to dry; I also want to keep the bugs out.

So, first screen goes down with no food; second screen is placed at an angle on top of the first and food is placed to dry; place a third screen square on top of the second to keep the bugs out.  Fourth screen is off center from the 3rd and food goes on; 5th screen is square on the 4th to keep bugs out. Off-centering creates space for airflow through the screens.

If I'm drying herbs and don't want the sun to bleach out the color, I'll place a lightweight dark cloth over the final screen.   On a long summer day, dill will dry in 1 day, apple slices take 2-3 days.  I dry all my culinary and medicinal herbs, apples and pears.  I haven't had a problem with ants or bugs getting in.

The whole thing is light-weight, easy to move and store.  I don't use aluminum screens because some food is acid;  I think that the screens are nylon.  I've also experimented with placing a glass window on top of the stack and it does warm up faster.

I test on the "Aspie" scale and learned, as best as I can, to communicate with psych-normal people; communication is a 2 way street. I've I smile, make small talk, look in the eyes, ask pertinent personal questions and respond with empathy. On first meeting, people like me-----problem is, I really don't relate to them internally----I never learn their name----I don't recall the last conversation. To me, what sticks are ideas, principles, patterns, and solutions to problems. Try as I can to attach the people to the abstract, my brain doesn't care! I don't reciprocate gifts or phone calls; I get in trouble when I see person again and I have no idea what went on before. I'm the person in the photo with his back to the others, I'm happy by myself! I work alone just fine--sorry if it makes you uncomfortable. But if you ask for help to fix something and I'll be right beside you; so please don't hesitate to ask.