Am still trying to find my way into this new medium - ‘blogging’. Have checked out the reactions/feedback. Nine to date. Thanks to those who have responded. I am really keen to establish a dialogue. I need to know what readers want and even don’t want, as that stimulates the ‘conversation.’
My ‘mentor’ at The Westmorland Gazette, Andrew Thomas, suggests trying some shorter entries too - "Explaining what you’ve been doing on a specific day, rather like a diary" Am keen to do this when the lead in to the blog has settled down and we’ve sorted out the ‘heavy’ stuff!
I have tried to outline some of the daily routines of your green blogger. Indeed I have outlined some of the seasonal activities that go on at Sprint Mill, but find it hard to let go of wrapping it all up in a good framework of philosophical inquisitiveness.
I feel more inspired at the thought of stimulating an active dialogue with readers in relation to ‘greening the planet’ or better still ‘saving the planet’ than just listing daily chores and practices. The latter are important, being the bi-product of the philosophy, but they are not an answer on their own.
The got a reaction from Sharron Shawto my last blog entry, in which I described feeling somewhat ‘blue’ and outfaced by the demands of our 15 acre ‘haven’ (Sharron’s word). She quite rightly gently ticked me off for being ‘down in the dumps’ and indicated surprise to hear of such a mood from someone living in such a privileged situation. She said "Some of us live in homes without gardens, and would adore the opportunity to garden and work towards self sufficiency" and she asked me to "feel very, very inspired." She then said that she had to "go out to work" with I think a hint of resentment and envy.
I acknowledge that I/we do feel hugely privileged to have the opportunity of ‘living the life’, when others, like Sharron, are denied space in which to do their self-sufficiency thing. But her thoughtful reprimand is actually dear to my heart and one that I’ve addressed recently as a director of an organisation called WWOOF. (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.), where volunteers book in to help out on holdings in return for board and lodge.
There are about 300 such farms in the UK. Romola and myself are WWOOF hosts and like to feel that our privileged situation is a PLACE TO BE SHARED and not hogged to ourselves!
Sprint Mill is a sort of resource for people who are seeking experience on organic farms and smallholdings. We have a new ‘wooofer’ coming for the month of June. To date we’ve had nearly 100 wwoofers over the last seven years. They have all had a ‘taste’ of life at Sprint Mill. Most (!) are appreciative of what they glean during their visit.
Many part with words of appreciation, but often add a somewhat despairing after-thought like "Where are we going to find a little haven like yours?" This brings me back neatly to Sharron’s point when she talks about a house without a garden, which should be an oxymoron! I am very concerned about the growing queue of people who seek space to live their life in meaningful ways yet who are denied the opportunity. Big thoughts on this, which I will outline via blog 5.
I also promise to include some thought on a recent trip we had to an island in Scotland, which threw up some more green stuff!
Meanwhile my list of chores remains untouched. Twelve items with none crossed off.
They include: Transplant brassicas/Put net over same to deter wood pigeons/cook last of beetroot stored in sand from last year/weed around biomass willow to let new shoots get away / sew more lettuce seeds.
Oh, and blog 5 to include comment on the comments, and by the way the hair on my head is genuine. (I enjoy and can take cheeky feedback!) I must ask Sue, our neighbour, to cut it and put the hair sweepings on the ground near to a newly planted tree windbreak. Keeps the deer at bay!