Permie dreamer delurks

too long; don't read (TL;DR) version:
Hi, I'm only dreaming now, soil inoculation brought me here, I kept exploring, I tend to wing it, things to learn, things I am learning, things I have learned, I like sewing with thrifted fabric, thanks for all the goodies, so long.

Hi, there-

I'm a full-time RVer with my husband. We do not own land yet. My dreams (yearnings!) of an abundant polyculture are only abstract at this point. For the past several months I have been devouring knowledge. The consumption has slowed down somewhat, but the obsession hasn't. I think soil building and soil inoculation was my gateway topic onto the site. I took the deep dive into Dr Bryant Redhawk's Soil Series and stayed for further exploration. I thought I knew how to communicate (online and in real life), until I delved into all the 'be nice' threads (glad they're there). Since then I've encountered too much knowledge to list - some of it completely new, some of it a deeper level of familiar ideas. Sepp Holzer's (and others') results obliterated previous concepts of what's possible.

My usual method is to gather some beginning knowledge, jump into a project, and learn while doing. This has served me well in other areas of my life, and I expect it to help me when it comes time to apply what I'm learning here.

Some incomplete lists
1. I'd like to learn more about: water movement across/through land, assessing soil composition for earthworks suitability, movement of air across land (both wind & cold), adding texture to sloped land
2. I'm currently exploring (lots of off-topic things): digital privacy & security, switching to Linux (aiming at Fedora w/GNOME desktop environment), becoming less attached to Big Tech companies, how to match real life to my core values, ongoing introspection & personal development, how taking personal responsibility empowers us
3, I have experience in: crochet, sewing, food prep, routine physical activity (GMB Elements and frequent walks), camper living, inventory storage and organization, mechanical-only cleansing/sebum-only conditioning hair care (aka no water/sebum only), no 'poo/low 'poo

I enjoy sewing for myself- I like to thrift fabric (2ndhand sheets, men's shirts, tablecloths, curtains) to sew my own shirts, aprons, and furniture covers with. (For instance, our camper's couch is protected by a construction of cloth shower curtain, sheets, and dust ruffle fabric.) I really enjoy this creative outlet* and have learned so much by just trying. My current learning-by-doing project is drafting bodice and sleeve blocks using my own measurements.
*except for buttonholes. I currently hate sewing buttonholes.

I am pretty low-level on the eco scale. That is just where I'm at right now. I make gains where I can. There's lots of room to grow, and I look forward to more opportunities to do so. Concessions to convention are made in the name of necessity and "making it" right now, but I enjoy watching for where I can apply newly learned concepts, even in my tiny-home frugal life.

My husband and I live our lives by various tenets. One is this: try to always leave a place better than we find it. Permies is pretty great already, and I think I have very little to share in return for all I've consumed. But I will do my best.
Speaking of all that lopsided receiving:
Thank you, Paul Wheaton, for carving out this space for this purpose, and building it into what it has become; thank you for all the knowledge you make accessible to us.
Thank you to every single staff member and behind-the-scenes laborer who supports Paul and maintains this place. It's so much more enjoyable and beneficial b/c of your efforts.
Thanks for the time and effort put into the daily-ish and monthly-ish emails. The freebies are GREAT.
Thank you, Dr Bryant Redhawk for your generous sharing of knowledge and experience in that amazing Soil Series.
Thank you, Joseph Lofthouse, for making the Going to Seed e-Courses available. Another mine of knowledge.
Thank you, R Ranson for your measured input and thought-provoking content. I've been soaking beans recently and thinking of you!
Thank you to all the innovators who have put hundreds of hours into improving technology and are sharing their knowledge.
Thank you to each of the long-time contributors who routinely answer questions and stay engaged over the years. Your consistency has built credibility.

With appreciation and anticipation -
Sara

Hi Sara,

Welcome to Permies!  As you seem to be aware, you have found the best spot on the net.

Welcome Sara.

Sara,
What a great 'hello' post. Welcome to Permies! I'm glad you found us, please stick around!

Sara Hartwin wrote:My usual method is to gather some beginning knowledge, jump into a project, and learn while doing. This has served me well in other areas of my life, and I expect it to help me when it comes time to apply what I'm learning here.

Jump right in!
It sound like you have useful experience and could contribute some good info in the nomadic housing forum for example.
I'll suggest some other starting points for you - but please do ask a new question - I'm sure there are thousands of people living out of RVs in the US and elsewhere that aspire to tread lightly.

Some incomplete lists
1. I'd like to learn more about: water movement across/through land, assessing soil composition for earthworks suitability, movement of air across land (both wind & cold), adding texture to sloped land

Mostly earthworks perhaps?

2. I'm currently exploring (lots of off-topic things): digital privacy & security, switching to Linux (aiming at Fedora w/GNOME desktop environment), becoming less attached to Big Tech companies, how to match real life to my core values, ongoing introspection & personal development, how taking personal responsibility empowers us

I suggest meaningless drivel and personal challenges

3, I have experience in: crochet, sewing, food prep, routine physical activity (GMB Elements and frequent walks), camper living, inventory storage and organization, mechanical-only cleansing/sebum-only conditioning hair care (aka no water/sebum only), no 'poo/low 'poo

Please do share you experiences! I guess you also have tips on water saving which many people would find useful!

I enjoy sewing for myself- I like to thrift fabric (2ndhand sheets, men's shirts, tablecloths, curtains) to sew my own shirts, aprons, and furniture covers with. (For instance, our camper's couch is protected by a construction of cloth shower curtain, sheets, and dust ruffle fabric.) I really enjoy this creative outlet* and have learned so much by just trying. My current learning-by-doing project is drafting bodice and sleeve blocks using my own measurements.
*except for buttonholes. I currently hate sewing buttonholes.

Ooh - lots for the fiber arts category! Everyone hates buttonholes! But I do like buttons....I wonder what the ultimate clothing fastening is...?

I am pretty low-level on the eco scale. That is just where I'm at right now. I make gains where I can. There's lots of room to grow, and I look forward to more opportunities to do so.

We all start from where we are and can only aspire to the next step. Note the Wheaton eco scale is not the only scale, you may score highly on a different perspective.

My husband and I live our lives by various tenets. One is this: try to always leave a place better than we find it.

That comes #2 after the golden rule, (although could be considered a part of it too I guess)

Thank you Sara, for your 'Thank you's. It is nice to be appreciated!

Welcome Sara, seems like you'll fit right in!

Oh, dang - apples! Yippee! What a warm welcome, thank you all.

Nancy Reading wrote:I'll suggest some other starting points for you

This is a big help. I have an idea for a post but wasn't sure where it fit. Meaningless Drivel, of course!
Your perspective is encouraging! I needed the reminder that any amount of life lived in any way is an experience-factory.

Ha ha! I just misread the thread title as "Permie dreamer deluxe" - now that puts a completely different light on things! Sounds a bit like Gert's luxuriant lifestyle perhaps!

I no longer hate sewing buttonholes. I re-read my notes from the last time I sewed them (over 1 year ago), re-read my machine's manual for that task, put together scrap fabric mock-ups layered exactly like my new shirt's cuffs and front placket, and made several trial runs until I got the settings and technique right. Hooray! - consistent buttonholes. Whew!

Well done Sara! - Permaculture in action. Observation and making small changes achieves results.


source

Welcome to the forum!

Folks here like to answer questions.

I am looking forward to reading more.

To mark a milestone for us - we have a garden! The first of my adult life (my parents gave theirs up when I was school-age).
It's conventional and built with lots of inputs, but it is growing, flowering, and fruiting and represents greater independence from grocery store shelves for us. Also I'm enjoying the opportunity to observe how the commercial/conventional plants and seeds behave, and what kind of "pests" are attracted in.

Meanwhile, I am adding LAB-inoculated kitchen scraps to the clay dirt in the back half of the property where we're staying, hoping that next spring I'll have some richness to sow seed into.