Artist & Educator heading out of the Dallas metropolis to destinations TBD

Howdy, I was invited to introduce myself here and am finally doing that.  My story includes:

Childhood participant at NSF-sponsored Ecology camp

Went from abject ignorant to informed advocate for Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens)

post-collegiate organic vegetable farm experience

Aspiring earth-home builder

Highly Sensitive Person

Imperfect Christ-follower

Trained photographer, artist (edible and non-edible) and educator (old and young).  Whatever I believe in, I have noticed wanting to tell others about and this includes permaculture.  

Interested in the SKIP training, and am anticipating moving away from big cities and look forward to getting my hands in the dirt again most days of the week.

I used to live in Dallas.

We headed out a long time ago.  

We tried several places in the Hill Country and finally settled in the boondocks of the Hill Country on the edge of West Texas.

Of all the places we have lived this one is our favorite and we have been here since 2013.

We still have a place out in the mountains of West Texas where we go to enjoy the scenery and family.

Hi Anne, it's always good to hear when people are happy where they are.  I am becoming happier where I am, as it happens. Making peace with the people whom i have allowed to irk me back when I didn't know I have a choice.  On the Permie aspect, three people gave me plants from their gardens recently which were offered, not even asked for!  They are all native / adapted and, though there are too many names than I can remember at the moment, I got them in the ground and am looking forward to seeing if they will stick around for a long while, or less-long.

Maximillian sunflower that grows 8-10' and will provide forage for pollinators, and shade for one West-facing window.  Sunchoke, which I became more interested in after watching an Australian Youtuber's video about them.  Funnily enough, the person who gave me the plants advised that asafoetida is necessary to help reduce the accompanying flatulence-- a side effect the Youtuber mentions that I have completely forgotten.  (I love artichokes, and was distracted by an imagined future of getting to grow mock artichokes.)

*Side note: it was also said that the traditional Ayurvedic treatment for colicky babies is a little olive oil and asafoetida, rubbed in the baby's belly button.  Pass it on. (!!!) I mean, seriously! Why has that been hidden from the world that colic is caused by gas pains?!

I have visited to West Texas, briefly stopping for an overnight in a couple of places. On my list for must-see is Big Bend.