Susan Quinlan

Americans are very angry because what we thought possible in the past is not reality for most of us. I dont want to be angry, depressed, and tired. I have been very fortunate to have found many of the principals of permaculture  to embrace life with a new set of eyes.
Before the ugly bank collapse I thought my life was tough in my OLD manufactured home on some land. My GOD was I fortunate! People were losing their homes and many were never able to replace them. Comparing my life to others and having a wanting attitude changed when that happened.
It can be hard to look at all the awesome things around us and get creative enough to find a situation that might make us happy. As for me I stay pretty humble and love to watch my trees grow and slowly build my humble piece of permaculture. Today I know I am blessed.
Permaculture principal -START SMALL! and good luck.

And you will NEVER watch your children grow up again, or have the opportunity to experience what you enjoy doing most. Then you could have quality time w husband because you aren't both tired.  I dont regret one hour of not working while my child was younger. I dont think anyone has laid on their death bed and said "Oh, if I had only worked more!"
That said, perhaps you truly enjoy your job, like your independence, and dont want to be a home body. Good questions to be asking and how wonderful to have a choice. Good Luck!

So I got one on Amazon and burned it the first week. Had a water bowl that reflected in the sun. Woops! I had an idea last week. I have one of the heaters that LOOKS like a retro steam heater but is really just some oil in metal/electric. Turned on low I put my seedlings on it. Works great! Was able to put this by the window I am using and keeps everything warmer at night.  Also, if you have a place in your house where it gets very warm-top of refrigerator, or next to a freezer... I have found it to work for the 2-3 days of germination. Permaculture has helped me look at any alternative before purchasing. I am soooo grateful. I no longer want to make the many purchases but feel a sense of accomplishment when I figure out how to use what I have. Having gone on, my amazon purchase worked great while I had it.

You must be so excited! Congratulations. The hardest thing you will now need to do is to curb your enthusiasm. I keep my basic permacuture principals right in front of me to keep myself in check. (Not that that always works.) Go back to the beginning and...... make the plan, start small-zone one. "If you spread out to fast the project will work you and self correct back to small".
I know many home owners who have said being house poor saved them from mistakes they may have made by not living on their place for a year. I realize you have lived there. Now you can live the season w permaculture eyes. Lawton talks about observation like a meditation. Good luck and God bless.

Jonathan, You will need to move back to the Midwest  (possibly south east)area just to find someone with your religious values. I am sorry you were transplanted in such an ill suited local. Are you able to find work you could do with some travel and on line ?  As an older women I have never adjusted to some of the culture changes. I found it to be challenging in both work and in a failed marriage. You are good at what you do and you have your faith. Now you just need to sort out your values.  Is that extra money worth it? Worth it for awhile? Perhaps just while you are making other plans? You are the only person who will ever live your life. Do what YOU want!

Cover cropping is very sustainable. Keeping a living crop on soil for protection is a good thing.

Soil will continue to improve over time. That is what we all want! the different crops have different root systems that form underground and the different crops bring about differing results.

In a recent video i saw a demonstration where they grew different cover crops in a field. The result was ,  The more different seed mixed together -the better the result.

North Dakota farmer went from 2 inch water penetration to 10 inch in 10 years. That is extremely impressive on that windy clay land.  You have a good plan.

Bindweed will take more than a few weeks.  I have some plastic on a section now and imagine it will be dead dirt soon. Has anyone tried using gall mites for killing bindweed? This is used by farmers in field crops and supposedly does not harm other plants (cousin-morning glory excluded)
I really like to ask should we rather than could we due to unintended outcomes. Introducing mites to my property that are tough enough to kill bindweed is a little daunting. Any one have information?
And by the way, that tarp can be inviting to gophers. I lost a few plants that way.

For cutting the PVC sideways. With what? Also, If you have any suggestions about cutting the tops off the blue barrels? Is there a hack saw blade that works? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

1st, you have time to research. Although it may seem like a long wait, you can save yourself in the long run. There are postings for picking out land before purchase.

I dont agree about the architect. Better yet, one who specializes in natural building. There are two homes a few miles from me that are rammed earth. The architect designed and built in the 70's. They are awesome!

Having to redo  or make adjustments to a project like this after starting  would have been a mess. An expensive mess. Forty years later the people living there are happy, cozy, and everything is angled and set right.

Good luck on your journey and keep heart. Taking time with dreams is Sooooo hard.  Reach out to others on this path for support in the meantime. Good Luck!

I have thought that they may some day have a diagnosis for someone like me who has a hard time throwing things away.  It takes a lot of energy sorting, delivering, and storing for purpose. One generation goes through the depression, the next WW II rationing, Now, Gross Consumption overkill. And I was never going to be my mother! I think I can save the world if I just work harder at not filling landfills.
At the end of the day (literally) I often see my neighbor going out to his burn dump where he also buries old treated poles and probably worse. Arizona dont regulate their red necks!
Thank you all out there concerned enough to do your best and report in. It get's real lonely out here.