Hi Folks,
My name is Mark, I'm 40 years old, out of shape, with a bad back.. basically been a basement dweller and internet lurker for a couple decades now. And I'm working on changing parts of that. But, as I find myself consistently being directed to these forums whenever I try to do research on subjects of interest, I figured I
should probably just join up and introduce myself to the community
I've been interested in
permaculture for a long time.. longer than I've known what the word "permaculture" meant. I'm interested in "old ways" of doing things, from food preparation and preserving, to construction, to daily living. I found I never feel quite so right as when I have my hands on
wood, or soil, or when I'm out in a forest, or just spending time in nature. I don't get to do it that often in my current situation, but well, that's part of what I'm looking to change.
What I'm mainly here at Permies to do is learn things. Tips, techniques, places to expand my research.. Because for the first time in a long time, I actually have a goal. I'm going to buy a plot of
land, either here in central Illinois, or up on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (or maybe both, depending on timeframes), and build myself a house on it. Not "have a house built".. but "build it myself". Natural materials if at all possible,
underground, everything hand crafted as well as I can. It may take me a few years. Or several years. But the idea is to eventually have a demonstrator for an
intentional community as well as a place where I can live mostly off the grid, as environmentally friendly as possibly, and in as much connection to the earth and the woods as I can.
Tall order, I know, but it's not impossible. And it's something I think is worth doing, which in itself isn't a thing I've encountered all that often in my life thus far. So, in that light, I'm looking to get to know all of you, and to learn from your experiences, and hopefully, along the way, wind up having a few things to contribute and share as a means of giving back.
Regards,
Mark Goodale
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