permaculture

[Ted Markow <tbag.markow@verizon.net>]

Hi folks,

Thanks to Lawrence for adding me to this list and also to all those who've
responded my my query about sub/urban self-sustainability - I'm really glad
to be here.  Since I appear to be the "newbie" on this list, let me briefly
introduce myself:

Ted Markow, Brunswick, Maine, USA.

I have the following going on:  300 square feet of organic raised bed
gardens, a semi-cooking compost pile (not large enough to cook fast),
flourescents in all but a couple of light sockets, fans (no A/C), low-flow
water nozzles everywhere, extra insulation in the attic, double-glazed low-e
windows, a minimum-water-use Asko washer, an electric drier (guilty as
charged), half of my front yard dug up and used as perennial beds (courtesy
of my wife), a manual reel-type lawn mower, and a few other conserving type
things (except for the drier - I'm working on that one).

I've read some permaculture stuff (no, not Mollison), read the Nearings'
works, taken the "Your Money or Your Life" course (no, I'm not F.I.), and
read a bunch of other "green"/frugality/ecological/etc. books.  I've also
read "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn, which has opened my eyes like no other.  I've
worked for environmental causes and am a registered Green (this may not go in
my favor among some).  At one point my family and I almost became part of a
co-housing group; unfortunately, the project fell through.  Last, but not
least, we also traveled to Taos, NM, to see Mike Reynolds' Earthships - even
toured an Earthship owned by Dennis Weaver.  These homes are some of the most
ecologically benign/sustainable homes I've yet seen, though I'm sure there
are plenty of other designs out there.

So, while I am a newbie here, I've been somewhat around the block in terms of
light living issues.  I'm sure many on this list are light years ahead of me,
and that's why I'm glad to be here - I want to learn as much as I can and put
anything that works to use.

Best,

Ted Markow

PS.  In the name of full disclosure, I have to admit that I have a slight
agenda - I'd like to use what I learn here as part of a book/web site/e-book
I have in mind on...sub/urban sustainability.  I'm in the research-gathering
stage and am feeling a little overwhelmed at the sheer volume of information
there is about this whole subject.  However, I think I can narrow the focus
considerably by stating that my intent is to teach individuals the benefits
and methods of self-sustainability.  Essentially, I'm interested in the
micro, much more than the macro, issues.  I know that a few books have
already been written on this topic, but only what I've seen from library
searches and Amazon.com searches.  I hope I can rely on this list to educate
and advise me on what's out there, and especially on what works and what
doesn't.  Above all, I want this book to be useable to the "average" person,
so I'll have to prove at the outset how the book will benefit them where
perhaps others haven't.

TM


Bob Ewing & Jocelyn Paquette wrote:

> Greetings, I agree. You begin where you are and expand gradually. Small
> steps can make big differences. Robert has outlined a number of things
> that most of us can do, especially if we start small. A focus on food is a
> good start as it can lead to so many other things such as building
> community through community gardens and community supported agriculture
> for example. Grow what you can, buy from local producers for the rest.
>
> Bob
>
> Robert Waldrop wrote:
>
> > I think it is definitely possible to live more sustainably in the
> > city.
>
> _______________________________________________
> permaculture mailing list
> permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/permaculture