Well, we accumulated a couple of inches, but for the most part it all melted today. It's supposed to be in the 50s tomorrow, so I expect it to all disappear soon. The 10 day forecast is now taking us out to the last frost date, so I think it's safe to start hardening off my broccoli and brussel sprouts so I can get them out into the garden soon. I may go out and plant some more salad greens now too, since the ones I planted in the greenhouse didn't sprout (not surprising, since I thought I'd through down some very old seeds to see if they came up, and they didn't). I'm reading a book on root cellars right now (a building project for this summer), and I'm revising some of my planting plans to set myself up for vegetable storage.
I used to dream about one day living in a cabin (or rather, a nice hobbit hole built into a lovely secluded hill) off in the woods, totally off the grid and mostly self-reliant. While I still love the idea, I'm coming to realize that much of what I find so enticing about the idea is, of course, returning to the simple life; when you rely on your own work for most of your subsistence, going to the market or shop for things that you can't produce yourself (fabric, wheat berries or flour, books...): and that much of that dream can actually be achieved living in the middle of the city. Getting off the grid is a long ways off, and I don't think I'll ever embrace the composting toilet idea (unless something totally whack happens and infrastructure fails and zombies attack, then at least I have the knowledge on how to do it..), but inch by inch we are becoming more self-reliant. Long term goals for our home are getting it off the electrical grid, supplying much of our water consumption, especially in the garden, with greywater and rainwater; and while I love my gas stove, I also love the idea of using alternative cooking method that are less taxing to our environment. It's a long road, but it's an idea that makes me happy.
Oh, the picture of the day? My leggy babies who are needing desparately to be transplanted!
1 comment:
I often remind myself that even Ma sent Pa off to town a few times a year for fabric and crackers. LOL
The extension office has a very interesting idea about using 24 inch drainage tiles set in the ground to store vegetables instead of a root cellar. I will make a copy of it and get it to you sometime.
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