Helping install a green wall on a green roof today. This project is going to go down in the books. Very excited to be part of it. (Taken with instagram)
Trying to get into bldg (Taken with instagram)
Today’s agenda: transplanting braising lettuce seedlings (Taken with instagram)
Berklee + Lake Michigan
My first harvest ever!! French breakfast radishes. I adore the lack of uniformity. This is what is supposed to occur in nature - imperfection is perfection!
(Taken with instagram)
“9. It’s all borrowed time. You shouldn’t take anything for granted, not even tomorrow. I offer you the “hit by a bus” rule. Would I regret spending my life this way if I were to get hit by a bus next week or next year? And the important corollary: Does this path lead to a life I will be happy with and proud of in 10 or 20 years if I don’t get hit by a bus.” —
“6. Read obituaries. They are just like biographies, only shorter. They remind us that interesting, successful people rarely lead orderly, linear lives.” — 10 Things Your Commencement Speaker Won’t Tell You, WSJ Essay
Another 100 sq ft bed set up. What should I plant?? (Taken with instagram)
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It has almost been one month since I denounced the corporate world for a life tending to the land. All of my friends have been supportive of this decision, but only a couple truly understand. To be honest it has been an annoyance of mine to pour my heart out regarding my new ambitions in life to only receive the tame and unsure response of, “That’s great! Congrats.” It reminds me of that Wonder Years episode when Kevin writes a novella in Winnie’s yearbook, proclaiming his undying devotion to her, and all she writes is,”Have a neat summer!”
Maybe it’s expecting too much from others who have not experienced the same epiphany that life is too short to be anything but happy. Or that success can be defined as achieving happiness, as opposed maximizing money, power, and prestige - which is a fine goal to have, but surely not the only one to aspire to. As the old adage says, different strokes for different folks. I have never understood anything more. I used to be on the other side, but I guess people change and as my mom says, “It’s fate!” I am on a deviant path now and it has been nothing short of amazing.
Aside from my daily farming activities, which I will blog more on later this week, I have taken on a part-time position as a food tour guide in Chicago’s Chinatown. And it is honestly the most out-of-this-world uber-fantastic job I have ever had - second only to working at Eleven Madison Park the summer between my junior and senior year in college. All the other tour guides are also people involved in fine-tuning a “craft”, whether it is being a chef, writer, photographer, etc.
It has been incredible to meet such a diverse group of people. Never in my life have I met a more passionate and confident bunch, pursuing careers so different from what would traditionally be defined as ‘prestigious’. They live in a world defined by their own ambitions without regard for what anyone else says and I truly admire that. It has been an inspiration, and also liberating, to converse with like-minded peeps.
And so, in honor of my admiration, I present you with my blossoming transplanted red bokchoy. It is starting to resemble a full-sized bokchoy and the colors are gorgeous. Now let’s hope the Chicago weather snaps out of it and jumps back to 70+. My plants need more HEAT, ya heard?!
Oh, and my french breakfast radishes are almost primed for plucking. They’re growing out of the ground!
Finally, we can’t leave out my cash cow! The lettuce seedlings are starting to grow into full heads. OWW OWWWW!
Cajun Brunch in Andersonville. Starting off my Saturday with some Jasmine Pearl tea and Gumbo! All locally sourced. When can we move here? (Taken with instagram)
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Just finished a new cable knit scarf! Perfect for the recent dip in temps :) (Taken with instagram)
Source: urbanfoodproduction @ tumblr
“The greatest change we need to make is from consumption to production, even if on a small scale and in our own gardens. If only 10% of us do this, there is enough for everyone. Hence the futility of revolutionaries who have no gardens, who depend on the very system they attack, and who produce words and bullets, not food and shelter.” — Bill Mollison (via appletonpermaculture)