coolness of the week

a long time ago, i ran across the path to freedom website when i was looking for information on putting a garden in the back yard of our little urban plot of land. we have about a tenth of an acre, and i was looking for ideas from other people who had grown vegetables and other garden lovliness in a small space. when i came across this site, my first thought was typical east coast cynicism: crazy hippies. but i kept reading because, despite my first reaction, my attention was hooked by the presence of actual facts on the website and well organized links to concice and compelling information about what these people were trying to do. suddenly, i wasn't cynical anymore. i love how california and the people who live there make you stop being cynical. well, not all californians, but the ones i like to hang out with.

turns out, the website people have a plot of land about the same size as ours in a neighborhood similar to ours, and they have made a mission out of turning that into a completely self-sustaining system. it not only provides the food they need, but it produces enough surplus that they have a significant business selling produce to local restaurants. they're honest about the fact that it is incredibly challenging, but they also have had compelling successes. after 5 years, they're still at it.

anyway, i think it's pretty cool. i'm not taking my house and my little plot of land off the grid, but it sure gives me a lot of inspiration when i look around my little back yard and wonder what i could possibly do to make it frutiful.

check it out.