Mari Vega

Masonry Heater, now with Triple Burn technology will really stir up the eco-tech heads, including the MJ burners, while not excluding others.

Seems like a win!

Photo of pinky Nopal SaladHere's the latest version of brined nopal, made into ensalada de nopalitos, with the colorful addition of beets.  See how pretty the onions turn out.

Note: I'm transitioning away from Google Drive, etc, and the link above is to a pic that the forum didn't like as an img.

Lots of excellent recommendations here!
This is mine: a live recording of Leslie Odom, Jr. singing his song, "Loved" surrounded by a choir.
It's the best-sounding thing to be heard from my phone, for sure.

In response to a request for American-ish foods using edible nopal, the last batch I bought was already de-spined and sliced. I cut the slices into pieces about 1 - 1.5 cm, and brined it in a jar kept in the fridge until I could figure out what I wanted to make with it.  I used an online brining calculator to determine ratios of salt and water to add, such as this one Brine calculator

1. The nopal had been brined at least a week when I figured to put some of it in with free range ground beef, and soaked-then-drained chopped walnuts (to reduce the tannins).  I made patties and cooked them on either side in a skillet, just enough to reach safe temperature.  Then let them cool before freezing between non-stick layers of freezer paper.  Wow, I have been so happy each time I thaw out a patty. For me, the burger patty is more about portioning than a mandate for how I shall eat it, so I've subsequently put it in to tacos, salads, pasta, etc.  Very versatile!

2. Separately, a tortilleria in Chicago called El Milagro (that now uses non-GMO corn because of a tireless letter writing campaign by a woman I know) will make a ginormous bowl of their special Cactus Salad, that is, Ensalada de nopalitos.

It's got, as the base:

chunks of queso fresco

olive or grapeseed or corn oil

picked or live-fermented carrot coins and jalapenos

some shakes of red pepper, to taste

sauteed yellow onion

pinches of: cumin, turmeric, S & P

Chopped fresh cilantro (aka coriander leaves)

To which you could add all kinds of things.

Side note: Store bought, jarred cactus is not delectable.

I'm in an extended dialogue with my state's Management Analyst of (Interstate) Maintenance, and have just referenced the link @Rachel Findley shared in this thread.  I'm hopeful that the studies already done (or that could be done) on the scale of the State Department of Transportation to learn what's the best method to reduce grassfires-- as well as, theoretically, dial down the heat island effect a degree or two-- could also influence and impact what is done in my local City, and add to the cultural shift away from hyper-manicured English garden / golf course aesthetic.

Here's some reprint of our back-n-forth, my most recent request (Public Information Act request).  Below that is their inline responses.  I offer this as, perhaps encouragement to some that our governmental agencies are not trying to pave every square inch of the planet, and also as maybe sample language to write to your own governmental agency.

Here's where I have some concerns about what I'm seeing, anecdotally, along the interstate near my home.  The plants that were still flowering were mowed. I haven't gotten out there with a rule but it looks shorter than 5-7" and is brown and dry-looking.

Please bear with me as I explain.

The lawn area outside of my front door was digitally measured one recent afternoon. Where the grass was cut higher, it was 16' degrees cooler than where it was not healthy.  And the nearby concrete sidewalk was 30' hotter than the healthy grass.

I'd like to offer the following link toward a two-fold reduction in heat island effect that makes 'civilized' areas hotter and hotter as development and populations grow, as well as the risks of wildfires that require emergency responses, etc.  Succulents?  https://debraleebaldwin.com/succulent-landscape/succulents-saved-day-says-wildfire-survivor/

--How are those hired to do the maintenance informed about which plants are undesirable?  Is there a training, or visual reference tools?

Grateful for your courteous and conscientious public service..

---

"Hello Fellow Texan, thanks for your public service.

I'm requesting available reports or other public information as pertains to:
1. Grass fires. Any study that has been done, probably by TXDOT, but also maybe by municipal governments and submitted the State.
2. Studies of grasses to grow, and what is optimal height to mow, to reduce susceptibility to wildfire.

I am interested as a citizen who was very grateful for the long season of wildflowers and is concerned that if we don't alter our landscaping in what grasses we grow and how we maintain them, we will see moee seasons of uncontrollable wildfires here in Texas. If this information is not readily available, I want to begin petitioning various agencies within Texas to reference available information, including National Science Foundation (see attached), that can justify changes statewide to facilities maintenance."

You had some additional questions that we are providing response to:

1.TXDOT protocols on use of chemical herbicides?  TxDOT uses herbicides as targeted spot treatments, primarily to destroy and reduce the spread of noxious weeds and invasive species. Native grasses, beneficial vegetation is not targeted unless there is a safety concern.

2. Is the ideal height of the grasses related to reducing grassfires? TxDOT’s mowing heights and ideal heights for vegetation are primarily related to the preservation of the native grasses and the established roots, mowing too short can damage the root system thus killing the beneficial grasses.

3.bout the height settings of the mowers.  Is it unusual to be able to lift the blade so high?  All of TxDOT’s contracted mowers should be capable of mowing at either 5 or 7 inches. These heights are ideal for different areas but in either case are designed to reduce damage to native grasses and wildflowers, all while keeping overall vegetation short. The need for the to raise the decks (blades) high is generally to avoid contact with unwanted vegetation or soil.

4.  Is it certain makes and models that have been found to allow 5" and 7", please?  The mowing decks, tractors and brands are not specific, they are only required to be adjustable.

...you can remember when you first heard the word, *permaculture* from the excited soul who spoke about being able to grow food in the smallest of forgotten spaces.

In my case, it was 30-some years ago from an acquaintance who spoke about doing something more useful with the parkways (the strip of ground between city sidewalks and the street curb).

Have y'all heard about the work of the man in Burkina Faso, digging half moons with the deeper arc to capture the flow of rainwater and planted with seeds, and trees.  Yacouba Sawadogo, "the man who beat the (Sahara) desert."  

YouTube algorithm was quite right to show me this the other day: "The #1 Problem With Minimalism No One Talks About"

Thinking it might just help you, also, Nancy.

I've heard it some, and probably need to remind myself more-- to not judge my insides by comparing myself to someone else's outsides.

Whoa, Nelly! I'm convinced -- convinced that it's at least worth a try.  I identified a coil of covered copper wire today that was just sitting on the shelf not doing anything--

Thanks for posting, Jeff.

Three-foot tall green onions that look sturdy, wow.

I clicked on this title from today's Tina Topic, glad to hear how others are finding themselves in and getting *through* this struggle.  Of course, it makes sense to have this issue as a permie!  Want to say that at the outset.

I grew up in a city that adopted recycling pickup in the early 90s, I think, which was the perfect solution to help me get rid of most pages of paper accumulated through schooling, while keeping some favorites. That was a big personal W.

For the last 20 years, I have lived where recycling pick-up does not happen and have variously gone through periods of intense compulsion (See: guilt, not gilt AND poverty-mindset) and I-cannot-be-a-psychic-garbageman-forever and I set an ardent intention that whatever item I'm throwing away will be for good.  I also have (and also been given by committed and passionate people) herded up a bunch of stuff that was holding space indefinitely and offered it for free (it helped to add pictures, brief descriptions, and estimates of the resale value) or took it to the dumpster.

I have also had several experiences of helping others sort their things, including (gasp!) when it wasn't asked for (See former mother-in-law's junk drawer AND codependence).  A Swedish death preparation clean-out is a beautiful sentiment, even if, while life keeps going,  we keep bringing in and putting out.

In my spiritual quest, stuff and the vagaries of life maintenance (ugh) have also shown what attachments I have.  You don't have to agree with me about this.  I am believing that humans are evolving, our grasp of technology is evolving, our collective concern for this blue (and green and brown) planet is growing. My focus is on feeling at peace, a place I have glimpsed but not yet been able to attach myself to permanently (heh 😉🙃).

Met a guy living in a slick-looking small schoolie yesterday and want to find out what the winnowing process was and continues to be over his 18 months so far.

__Paper, your mileage may vary and for what it's worth:
Papers to shred can often be brought to clean outs hosted by cities (mine is only 40k and we do) in time for Spring and Fall. Call City Hall to inquire, or give them the idea.

Also, Comerica Bank has locations throughout DFW, TX anyhow, with a wooden box inside and a slot to feed in papers, including mail. No prerequisite. That's a beautiful service to offer.

Goodwill Resale Shops have a way to guide Cloth / Clothing waste for recycling.  I've currently got a bin destined there, separated and marked 'rag waste for recycling.'

Just yesterday encountered an online printing company offering recycled cotton (!) t-shirts (See "eco options," https://www.bonfire.com/catalog/shirts/) That’s a way of closing the loop,

This discussion hasn't even mentioned digital stuff yet!

This world is soul school, to my understanding, and not living in fear seems like a tall mountain to climb; worse if attempted alone.