FireShadow
Jedi Master
I have been reading the articles and forum thread here at SOTT for several months now. I don't post much as I have a lot of learning to do and do not want to just create noise. But, this article hit close to home for me.
Prior to finding SOTT, I had some awareness of the pathocracy (although I did not have that word for it). I have been aware of the insanity for years - Not only from hearing what they don't say on mainstream news, but I have felt it in terms of "energies" gathering. I had already come to the conclusion that both major parties in America were corrupted. I was certainly aware of the lack of critical thinking going on in general. I had come to feel mostly despair. I had no hope.
After finding SOTT and getting some real information (what a treasure trove!), I have begun to have hope for the first time in a good many years. It may sound strange to some that in learning how deep the rabbit hole goes, I find hope. Some of my friends feel more despair when they look at reality (so they have told me). For me, discovering (and continuing to discover) what is actually going on is liberating. I guess I am the type that finds focus in defining the problem so as to be able to look for solutions.
With the emphasis here on The Work, I have renewed my own Work. I now have focus and something however small that I can actually DO in the face of what seems overwhelming. That Work led me to facing one of my problems. I needed more exercise and fresh air. I needed more discipline. I have struggled with discipline for years with little success. Now, I feel a sense of purpose and discipline is a bit easier (not easy, just easier!). One of my obstacles to exercise is that exercise for its own sake is sooooo boring. I needed an activity that would engage me and get me moving at the same time.
I have wanted to learn gardening for some time and did try one a few years ago with a little success. But my back yard has a lot of chiggers and though I hate them, they love me. In a bit of laziness, I let the chiggers intimidate me into staying out of the yard.
Then, with the rising prices of food and energy, I was looking at ways to save money and continue to have some nutritional food to eat. About 6 weeks ago, I decided on baby steps and began with a few containers of beans and greens. That I could do. I had so much fun, that I began to clean up my front yard (I am embarrassed to admit I had let my yard go) and my flower beds. I planted a few other things. I started a compost pile...
I have very little experience, but several good books - "Gardening for Dummies" by the National Gardening Association and "Lasagna Gardening" by Patricia Lanza are two of my favorites. I especially like the one on Lasagna gardening as it tells how to layer in leaves, grass clippings, compost, etc to create a nutrient rich bed. I also have a friend who has been composting and using some of the lasagna techniques for years that I can consult with. She has even offered me some starter compost!
My first efforts are mostly focused on experimenting and getting my hands in the dirt as I learn. I am not expecting great success in terms of produce yet, but will hopefully learn enough to have a good fall crop. (I live in Texas and am blessed with a long growing season). This project has been therapeutic for me in many ways. Thank you SOTT for being here, I have found hope, motivation, and focus again.
In looking for ways that I can serve, I have had thoughts of sharing my "extra" (if I get some) with friends and neighbors. So, when I read this article, I was excited to see others with similar ideas. I am heartened by the sense of community that they show.
Although it is a sad state of affairs when people need charity in order to eat, perhaps it will galvanize some to wake up. I find that I can discuss this "cost of food" issue with most people without triggering their resistance. I am also working on the issue of helping to wake others up without violating free will and I hope this can be a way to "plant seeds".
Prior to finding SOTT, I had some awareness of the pathocracy (although I did not have that word for it). I have been aware of the insanity for years - Not only from hearing what they don't say on mainstream news, but I have felt it in terms of "energies" gathering. I had already come to the conclusion that both major parties in America were corrupted. I was certainly aware of the lack of critical thinking going on in general. I had come to feel mostly despair. I had no hope.
After finding SOTT and getting some real information (what a treasure trove!), I have begun to have hope for the first time in a good many years. It may sound strange to some that in learning how deep the rabbit hole goes, I find hope. Some of my friends feel more despair when they look at reality (so they have told me). For me, discovering (and continuing to discover) what is actually going on is liberating. I guess I am the type that finds focus in defining the problem so as to be able to look for solutions.
With the emphasis here on The Work, I have renewed my own Work. I now have focus and something however small that I can actually DO in the face of what seems overwhelming. That Work led me to facing one of my problems. I needed more exercise and fresh air. I needed more discipline. I have struggled with discipline for years with little success. Now, I feel a sense of purpose and discipline is a bit easier (not easy, just easier!). One of my obstacles to exercise is that exercise for its own sake is sooooo boring. I needed an activity that would engage me and get me moving at the same time.
I have wanted to learn gardening for some time and did try one a few years ago with a little success. But my back yard has a lot of chiggers and though I hate them, they love me. In a bit of laziness, I let the chiggers intimidate me into staying out of the yard.
Then, with the rising prices of food and energy, I was looking at ways to save money and continue to have some nutritional food to eat. About 6 weeks ago, I decided on baby steps and began with a few containers of beans and greens. That I could do. I had so much fun, that I began to clean up my front yard (I am embarrassed to admit I had let my yard go) and my flower beds. I planted a few other things. I started a compost pile...
I have very little experience, but several good books - "Gardening for Dummies" by the National Gardening Association and "Lasagna Gardening" by Patricia Lanza are two of my favorites. I especially like the one on Lasagna gardening as it tells how to layer in leaves, grass clippings, compost, etc to create a nutrient rich bed. I also have a friend who has been composting and using some of the lasagna techniques for years that I can consult with. She has even offered me some starter compost!
My first efforts are mostly focused on experimenting and getting my hands in the dirt as I learn. I am not expecting great success in terms of produce yet, but will hopefully learn enough to have a good fall crop. (I live in Texas and am blessed with a long growing season). This project has been therapeutic for me in many ways. Thank you SOTT for being here, I have found hope, motivation, and focus again.
In looking for ways that I can serve, I have had thoughts of sharing my "extra" (if I get some) with friends and neighbors. So, when I read this article, I was excited to see others with similar ideas. I am heartened by the sense of community that they show.
Although it is a sad state of affairs when people need charity in order to eat, perhaps it will galvanize some to wake up. I find that I can discuss this "cost of food" issue with most people without triggering their resistance. I am also working on the issue of helping to wake others up without violating free will and I hope this can be a way to "plant seeds".
