Ed Simpson

Just my perspective here, not wishing to judge anything about the specific situation you posted on.  That said, college for young people coming out of HS is still (almost) always a GOOD idea.  The 'almost' means, you have to have a good answer to questions like: can I afford it (or, how will I afford it?)? do I have something truly intestesting, with reasonable practical significance, that I want to study?  where do I want to go and is it a good environment at present?

In short, it's not for everybody, but if one has the intellect and approaches it the right way, I think it's wrong for us a society to think that formal education should not include a college degree.  I came from middle class, midwest roots, and I'm now in early semi-retirement in the PNW (Bend, OR) - there is NO way I could have what I have today without my college degrees.  I am talking about some material things, but certainly that's only part of, not the whole story.

I do totally understand that others may disagree.  Thanks, Ed

Hi, newby here, so sorry if this post gets screwed up.

I use hot composting, most clearly mirroring the Berkeley method.  I have been improving over a 5 year period, and make about 5-8 piles per year, each are about 4-5 ft wide and deep.  I have space for 2 piles and use one of those 2 barrel black plastic tumblers to store all my kitchen waste during summer.  My most important learning over the past few years has been is to learn from others and then apply that knowledge to your local situation.  I bought things the first couple of years, now I try to scavenge.

I added a couple of pictures to show the ‘winter pile’, which is ready for use when I need it (completed it last fall and let it age), and the ‘1st spring pile’ which includes every scrap from our household from Oct - April, along with a bunch of coffee grounds and veggie pulp form my juicing and a local shop.  I ‘capped’ the 1st spring pile with my ‘brown mix’ to ensure nothing gets into the food waste prior to it breaking down.  I will heat this pile up sometime in the next month when I get some grass clippings.