Sharing Good News

We (rightfully) talk a lot on permies.com about the problems we’re facing. I think that that’s important and I want to see that continue. But, sometimes  I do or see something positive that is a small step in the right direction. It might be as small as planting a bed of bee flowers or as large as helping with a food forest install. I want to create a thread where we can all share these experiences, no matter how big or how small.

My hope is that this will inspire us, give ideas, and uplift us when we’re feeling depressed because of things like climate change, resource depletion, etc. So if you have a productive conversation with someone, plant a tree, have a beehive that survives the winter ok, or just want to be a part of some positive conversation, feel free to post below.



Today I got paid to work with a friend and help install a local organic-ish lavender farmette. I’m excited because it will feed pollinating insects. Sure, it’s a small plot of monoculture but it’s totally a step in the right direction. When talking to the farmer (who is new to the area) I was able to introduce concepts like no-till and planting a small food forest. She’s now keen on the idea, and wants to have no-treat bees. What’s more, she’s in an area of the state that doesn’t have much permaculture (yet), or no treat bees (to my knowledge, anyway). Hopefully if we get that started there it can support the local area in getting more of that going.

What good do you see today?

Great idea James! Let's revive this because I think we need good news about now.

We also have an old Good News thread over here:  https://permies.com/t/2900/Good-News, though I think a fresh start makes sense.

I was just feeling sad that I wasn't able to see my family today for my mom's memorial service because we had to cancel it due to virus concerns.

And then I get this text from my daughter showing me what a handsome hunk my grandbaby is growing into! With one of their chocolate labs in the background.

So...while we're social distancing, technology can be a solution. (See - there's some permaculture to this!) It sure lifted my spirits today!

I mean who doesn't love a sweet, happy baby face! <3 <3 <3

Mary is has two recent knee replacements (very successful) and some spinal arthritis.  She has never had much interest in my container garden (although very supportive) because she never felt safe walking around in it on soft ground, mulch, gopher holes, et cetera.  (The knees are pain free but prone to buckling if she twists one unexpectedly.)  Recently I found these two astonishingly useful raised-bed planters, so I asked her if she'd like an herb and salad greens garden right outside her front door at the edge of the covered carport, where the limited sun (morning only) may allow tender things to grow deeper into our sun-blasted summers.  (I usually only grow the hardiest greens, like kale, in my full-sun garden.)  She said yes, and requested that I plant spinach, leaf lettuce, and the few herbs she likes (chives, cilantro, parsley, couple others).  I threw in a few marigolds and a dwarf tomato, plus seeds for more spinach, salad mix lettuce, a second wave of cilantro, and a few other salad greens and herbs.  This thing is so convenient!  Literally three steps outside our front door, turn right, three steps and you're there.  All on hard flat concrete where her mobility is secure.  

The second photo is a tiny watering hole for critters: a little glazed pottery vessel filled with glass beads and water.  Good for bees and other thirsty flying pollinators, but also suitable for use by frogs, toads, skinks, and garden spiders.

I just ran across this thread and thought I'd share a kindness from a stranger.  A seed saver that i don't know sent me seeds for a variety of asparagus bean that does well up here in the north.  I've tried growing them in the past without good luck so I was super excited when out of the blue he offered these to me.  I love this about my fellow gardeners...what a lovely bunch of people.  I hope they do well because of how much I want to grow these (and dream about crossing them with others and making more varieties adapted to up here), but I also hope to be able to save seeds and pay it forward.  Wonderful thread James!  Thank you.

Today, I found out that a very good friend's bee hives survived that recent snow storm in the Midwest. She was afraid to check. We're both ecstatic.

A small step for me today.  Ready for the summer I have reinstated my washing line.  This was taken down when they put in the 'superfast' broadband 18 months ago.  I've been hanging it in the kitchen since then, but it dries far better outside, weather permitting.
(Hoping the posts hold out!).  

A pleasant surprise in the polytunnel this morning.  One of my Astragalus crassicarpus is flowering.  I have three surviving plants in my 'mediterranean' bed.  Prairie plums here we come!