Michael Stein-Ross

[Hat tip to Cory Doctorow's blog Pluralistic.net Pluralistic.net.]

From the landing page: "Here lies a nearly-complete archive of Whole Earth publications, a series of journals and magazines descended from the Whole Earth Catalog, published by Stewart Brand and the POINT Foundation between 1970 and 2002. They are made available here for scholarship, education, and research purposes."

https://wholeearth.info/

What's your favorite permaculture connection in this enormous heap?

I've only just scratched the surface, but mine is this 1966 book Geology Illustrated https://wholeearth.info/p/whole-earth-catalog-30th-anniversary-winter-1998?format=pages&index=10

My woodlot is my therapist

I'm a school teacher by day but I also have a side hustle as a Nature and Forest Therapy Guide. In our guide association we say that the forest is the therapist and the guide opens the door.

I love that so many people on this forum have ready access to the healing qualities of nature. As a guide, I'm working to help city dwellers remember and reconnect in reciprocal relationship with the forest. When people have been disconnected for so long, it sometimes doesn't take much to see powerful transformations. Ideally, this type of work wouldn't be necessary, but from what I've heard from participants, it really is.

Thanks for such a great topic!

Thanks for this thread! You all may be interested in these two websites:

Buy Me Once -- https://buymeonce.com/

Buy It Once Blog -- https://www.buy-it-once.com/wp/

I have found these helpful when I'm looking for products that will last a lifetime.

paul wheaton wrote:I added to the first post:

Level 0 Poisons dandelions

Level 2 pulls up dandelions

Level 4 Allows dandelions, eats some of them and enjoys blowing on dandelion seed heads

Level 6 Exchanges dandelion seeds with others to get a really great tasting dandelion

Level 8 After eating the greens, roasts dandelion roots, makes tea, and has a tea party with neighbors to discuss the wonders of taproots.

paul wheaton wrote:

soil wrote:
how about impressing everyone WHILE saving the global situation

Well, yes, there are some writers that have the ability to appeal to a massive scale. 

I think that if the article is about being green, then it won't be read by the level zero folks. 

This is similar to when my PDC instructor Larry Santoyo told us to never use the word Permaculture outside of class. You have to meet people where they are at and speak their language if you want them to consider your ideas.

Here is the answer I received from the owners of the online courses. Hope this clears up any questions. They were very quick with their response as well so anyone who has more questions should just shoot them an email.

Hey Michael,

First question: With a streaming purchase do we have unlimited access to streaming for all time? Because I know I will want to come back to the videos again.

Yes you have access to the streaming videos for all time.

Second question: Can we work out a download option for the same price as the thumb-drive? I don't understand why you would offer an option to mail a thumb drive and not one for downloads since the thumb drive option takes longer and uses up more natural resources.

Sorry we can do the streaming or the thumb-drive only. We don't have a download back end set up for that volume (file size) of video files.

I think you would be happy with the streaming. Lots of our users come back over and over to re-watch the same videos. It's lifetime access.

Please let us know if you have further questions.

All the best,

Chris and Samantha
http://organiclifeguru.com

Rose Pinder wrote:...but the streaming video makes it very difficult. I'm on a slow connection and I pay for data amounts (i.e. I have to pay each time I watch). I've done online courses where the content is downloadable, which makes them much more accessible and better learning for people who need to watch repeatedly, or jump back and forth...

These are quite intriguing. Is it true then that the course materials are not downloadable for future reference? Then would we be given unlimited access to the streaming that we could then go back to time and again?

It looks like there is a slightly more expensive option for a thumb drive to be shipped to me by mail but that seems unnecessary since zipping it through the interwebs would faster and has a smaller footprint.

I suppose I'll contact the provider of the course to see if there are other options.

Hi Nicole,

Now you have me interested in the propagation of Oregon grape and salal! I did a quick Google search and it's looking promising and not too difficult. Cuttings seem like less work than growing from seed.

Here's something I found about Oregon grape on www.thegardenhelper.com (but more detailed and technical processes can be found at www.nativeplantnetwork.org):

Growing Requirements for Oregon Grape Plants

Oregon Grapes are hardy in USDA zones 5-9.
These undemanding plants can be grown in almost any light, from full sun to dense shade,
but will grow best in partial shade.
They will tolerate a wide range of soil types, but thrive in humus rich, slightly acidic, evenly moist but well draining garden soil

Propagating Oregon Grapes and Growing them from Seed

Oregon Grape plants can be propagated with cuttings
taken from semi-ripe wood in the fall.
Sucker growths at the base of the plant can be removed
and planted elsewhere in the spring.

Oregon Grape seeds require 3 weeks of cold stratification.
For the best results, the seed should be sown in the garden as soon as it is fully ripened in the fall, for germination during the following spring.
Stored seeds may take up to six months to germinate.
When starting Oregon Grape seeds indoors, place them in moistened planting mix and store them in the refrigerator for 3 weeks prior to sowing.
Maintain a temperature of 50° in the growing medium until germination, which takes about 6 weeks if the seeds are fresh.

Hi Nicole,

Do you have Oregon Grape or salal growing? Something native to your area like that might work well for you and maintain the wild forest look you like. Those berries can be made into some good jams and when nicely ripe don't make a half bad snack.

Good luck!

Hello Thomas and all,

I've been on a few guided edible plants walks in Seattle parks (Lincoln and Discovery) but they were pretty basic. I imagine knowing the patterns in this book would amplify any future walks. Maybe I'd be able to eventually lead my own! I look forward to seeing if my local library can order the new version in color.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

Michael