Welcome to The Seed Room! It is in this room that Mary and I fill all incoming seed orders and package them up to send out to you! We carry a large variety of native forb, grass, and sedge species--one of the neat things about being in the Seed Room is that you learn to identify seed based on smell! Sometimes good....somtimes not so good....phew! One of our favorites is Rudbeckia subtomentosa, or Sweet Black-eyed Susan, which has a very sweet, other-worldy aroma. Check us out online at www.ionxchange.com!
Notable Quotable
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Welcome to the Seed Room!
Part of the Cycle
Babies!!! Spring is one of my favorite times of the year, simply because it brings with it the birth of new generations, both in the animal and plant world. This year, however, I didn't have to wait for spring--the miracle of birth has come early (for life and death move in their own time, giving no consideration for weather or readiness).
I remember the first birth I witnessed. It was magical, awe-inspiring, and, well, kinda gross. I began my initiation into 'real life'--for I feel I was very naive (and still am, to be quite honest with you) about the workings of life and death. I did not have the farm life as a child and was very removed from these processes. This isn't to mean we didn't have pets, for Skippy (our very first dog) was an amazing huntress and often came back with a bounty of little critters--the thing with Skippy was that she didn't 'do them in' before she brought them home. Thus, the numerous baby bunnies that ended up on our doorstep were safely returned to their homes (mentally scarred for life, physically ok). It was not until I subjected myself to the whims of mother nature and decided farming was a facet my soul needed to experience that I encountered the beauty of life, and death.
This birth, this entrance into the world, was on one of the coldest nights in February. Mama goats are notorious for kidding on the coldest, snowiest, wettest, most inhospitiable weather. It's like a sweet revenge for the pain and time spent birthing. I think we can learn a lot from our animal companions, and here is why. Watching the Girls kid that season, I noticed they did not shy away from or try to evade the process of birth, for it was inevitable. When the kids started coming, their eyes glazed, ready for the pain, the process, the relief. Their entire being was stoic. It's an amazing process to witness and be part of. Of course, there is the other side to consider also. The grief of losing a kid (for they have a memory and feelings too), of dying in birth. This too I witnessed. And cried. And came to a greater understanding that to be part of the cycle of life, we all must live and die, no matter the length of time we are allowed, no matter how young or old. And came to realize that I was no longer removed from life.
About a month ago, the Saturday before Christmas, to be exact, 7 (or 8 depending on who you talk to--we have a bit of a puppy discrepency) beautiful little puppies were delivered. They have grown steadily, every day it seems they are bigger, more curious, and even happier than the day before. They come running out of their house to give kisses and say a brief hello, for it is too cold out for something so little, and run back in to cuddle with each other. These pups have inspired me to do some further exploration in natural dog care, which I will share as it comes, and hope that you stay tuned in to watch the clan grow! The cycle has just begun, and while I continually remind myself we must take the good with the bad, I am also reminded to make the most of what I've got and enjoy every minute.
Gabi
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Plight of the Doughnut
Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo
Food expenditure for one week: $31.55
Yesterday, my friend Scott sent an e-mail regarding the weekly eating habits of people around the country. Amazed by the differences in diets and the way the cost for groceries decreases the more fresh fruits and vegetables and grains one is eating, I forwarded the e-mail on. I try very hard to maintain a vegetarian diet, or at least as veggy as I can be. Living in North East Iowa, going out to eat can be difficult if one does not allow some wiggle room, and dating a very carnivorous person (who is, mind you, quite adventurous when it comes to eating) I have made exceptions to a strict diet I used to follow. I will give you an example. Yesterday was an incredibly foggy morning, and as I set out for work, my car rendered itself unable to tackle the layers of ice on the driveway. Getting a ride from a very generous friend, we made our way to town, already late for work, he turned to me and asked if I wanted a doughnut for breakfast. Well, I thought. It has been a long time since I've had a doughnut. Sure! Expecting a little round cake one, he came back with two huge 'nuts stuffed to the gills with cream frosting. I am sure they weighed a pound each, at least! Ok, so to make a long story short, later in the day--lunch time to be exact--I busted out the other half of that breakfast beast. You should have seen the look on Verna and Diane's faces! Oh, it was priceless! Ms. Healthnut downing a sugar-filled delicacy. Wish I had a camera!
After seeing these pictures, and learning what other people are living on for a week, I am determined to be more conscious about my diet and the amount that I spend on food. I hope these pictures encourage you to think about your diet a little also--not only what's on your plate, but where it comes from.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Yurts: Not just for Nomads
Within the past year I have become increasingly fascinated by Yurts. Perhaps part romantic ideal, part living a more simple life dream, but for some reason these round structures speak to my very being; inspire simplicity and thought, ask me to take a deep breath.
Yurt (noun): a circular, portable shelter used by Central Asian nomads for over 2,000 years (yurtinfo.org)
The Yurt. What an adaptable structure. Although initially constructed over 2,000 years ago for use in the steppes of Central Asia by nomadic herders, the basics of these dwellings have been borrowed and modified to allow yurt construction in a variety of weather conditions. One of my first questions when I began getting interested was whether or not the yurt could survive an Iowan winter. Although our winters are not what they used to be (so those who have lived here, and their parents before them, say) I was worried they would be unable to withstand the buildup of snow (which, after I got to thinking, would probably melt due to the heat). I was also worried about what moisture and the freeze/thaw would do to the canvas and wooden pieces that are used in the construction. Not to worry. As I gathered more information and conducted more research (which, I must admit, is still minimal in the scheme of things) I have begun to decide that one day I WILL live in a yurt!
Benefits of Yurt Living:
- Round structure promotes a more efficient use of space
- They are very efficient to heat and there are many ways to heat them (wood, corn, LP, electric)
- Require no internal support system
- Promotes a closeness with nature traditional housing sometimes doesn't capture
- Better sleep--so I hear.
I happened to pick up a brochure for the North House Folk School, located in Grand Marais, Wisconsin, a while back, and while flipping through came upon a course entitled, "Nomadic Pursuits: Building Your Own Yurt." For more information on this, and other classes, I encourage you to explore their website--there is garaunteed to be something to spark your creative interests! I am, as of now, undecided about attending this 5-day course, but with curiosity and interest piqued, I shall continue my exploration of this indigenous housing-style and allow myself to continue to dream!
Sites to Explore!
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