I'm not innovative, extreme, or political anything really. My efforts are not expected to be noticed by anyone other than family members and friends. My efforts are for simplicity, self-sufficiency, and, most importantly, happiness. Everyday I want and need less and in that I am becoming much happier. Its easier to refocus on my happiness. You cut out and cut back and your path becomes clear. I want to be more "green." I am desperately trying to learn from others who inspire me to do bizarre things for the sake of our carbon footprints. I wish my house was solar or wind powered and maybe someday (soon) it will be. I want alternatives to shopping at mass chains. They are there. I am trying. Step by step, albeit baby steps. Maybe someday I'll get to inspire someone. Simple is better. And, less is certainly more.
Spring is around the corner. I feel it in my bones. I am forcing myself daily to not start digging in the yard yet. I have been planning and re planning my garden strategy for this year. After a catastrophic winter for my flock, I am down to four chickens. It was heartbreaking. I still don't know what happened or if the last four will make it. They seem to be doing well and quite perky. I am trying to be positive and take this as a learning experience. Its also an opportunity for me to try out some new breeds. I am looking forward to having my feathery girls all back and happy this summer. Four is NOT enough. Too sparse for my liking. Less is NOT more when it comes to chickens. They are like potato chips, you can just have one, or just four. I want like 20 but that is legally impossible. I love chickens. I dislike jail or fines or whatever our lovely local government would toss my way. I am venturing into meat birds with the help of a dear fellow urban farmer. I am going to raise 10 broiler chickens in their own little chicken tractor so they will be free range, foraging, happy dinners for me in a few months. I am also going to order two turkeys and raise them as well. They are the Midget Whites which are a heritage breed and are much smaller (approx 12-15 lb hens) than what you'd normally picture as a thanksgiving bird. I think they will blend into my chicken flock better.
An unexpected, yet welcome obstacle has put a stopper on the beekeeping for this year, I believe. So to satisfy my need to expand, turkeys and other meat birds will have to do for now. Hopefully, I will also be sharing my yard with a family who doesn't have much room to grow veggies. I am looking forward to having some knowledgeable gardeners/farmers around me this year. This year I am hoping for enough tomatoes to sustain my family and some to share. Same goes for potatoes, beans, and a few others. I am EXPANDING in more ways than one. This is my year. Lets get this party started.
