Wanda- Beta Puppet

Good day, this is my first attempt at creating Wanda the earthworm, a beta test version.

Sock Puppets

Today I begin work on the sock puppets, Wanda and Wally Earthworm. Wanda and Wally will make their debut in April for earth day at the Campbellton Centennial Library. The permaculture storytellers will be wriggling. This is the first in a series of stories that will take a holistic look at the world we are connected with.

Seeds

The topic for  From The Garden in the Tribune of  Feb 6, 1015  is seeds.


"However, if the seeds selected are of a poor quality, then, despite the other three factors being adequately met, the end produce, the tomato, squash or pea will not provide all the flavour, nutrition and beauty, that is possible. You do get what you pay for, especially when buying garden seeds."

Moving Towards the Simple Life

Eight years ago, my wife and I began the journey towards the simpler life. The first step was to reduce the number of things we had. This was made easier by a move from Ontario to New Brunswick. Movers charge by the pound so we decided this was a good incentive to reduce the poundage.

We are now looking for a tiny home for our retirement years. We live in a small apartment under 800 sq ft, but want a bit of land for growing. This article can help motivate your move towards the simple life.

"a good time to think about where consumer-capitalism is getting us. The sad fact is that, with these values, our society can never be ecologically sustainable or just. Accelerating global problems cannot be solved in a society obsessed with production and consumption, affluent living standards, market forces, the profit motive and economic growth. The only way out is via a huge and radical transition to The Simpler Way

http://overgrowthesystem.com/the-simple-life-manifesto-and-how-it-could-save-us/
.

A Tiny Home

We have 4 acres of undeveloped land in Nova Scotia we purchased some years ago. At the time we are considering moving there within a few years and building or having built a log cabin. However, our life choices lead us in a different direction.

Now a number of years on, we are again looking at that land and considering a tiny home. We will visit the site this July and  assess the possibilities of relocating from Northern New Brunswick to Nova Scotia within three years.

We are also exploring other options for locating our tiny home. We are in an ongoing downsizing mode, the only problem to date is that books keep mysteriously appearing. Stay connected for details on our progress.

An Exercise in Imagination

Picture this, it is mid-summer, you are travelling around Campbellton NB, or were you live, and everywhere you look there are plants growing. Local parks have fruit trees and berry bushes, front and backyards are growing, vegetables, herbs and flowers. 

Even along the sidewalks there are pots filled with herbs. All vacant lots and spaces have been planted with bright, beautiful, bounty. 

There are butterflies floating from plant to plant, bees are buzzing and birds serenading you. the air is filled with a gentle but uplifting fragrance.

Why I Volunteer

Volunteering is a giving, growing, learning, sharing and receiving opportunity.  I also see volunteering as an opportunity to apply and sharpen my permaculture design skills while helping to build a resilient community.

The Restigouche Community Inclusion Network (RCIN) is a provincial (New Brunswick) not-for-profit organization with the mission of improving the quality of life for people living on a low income.

I am a founding member of this organization and its current President. I have one more year in my mandate as President and have begun to tutor my replacement.

The RCIN has built community gardens throughout our region and is developing with the participation of those gardens a cooperative so they can work together for mutual benefit. RCIN has also started school gardens and the schools are incorproating into the lessons plans, lessons from the garden.

This is work that gratifies, satisfies and enlightens me. I work with committed, enthused and knowledgeable people and this energizes me. This is only part of my reasons for volunteering my professionals services.