tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32184847.post3888935945365134485..comments2023-05-06T15:24:09.033+00:00Comments on Smallholding in Cornwall (was Somerset): Val Graingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07208039108902726094noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32184847.post-31674380850437516702008-09-02T09:31:00.000+00:002008-09-02T09:31:00.000+00:00Good post, Val. Much my own thoughts. Like most ...Good post, Val. Much my own thoughts. Like most things in life, I take bits and pieces from here and there - one of those here and theres is permaculture. One of my friends, a trained and "qulaified" teacher of permaculture design commented that my garden wasn't a permaculture garden as it had too many plants and flowers in it of the non-edible kind. Gardening should feed the soul as well as the body....I don't think you could really label my garden or lifestyle at all, it is full of bits of organics, biodynamics, permaculture, closed loops, open loops (:)), composting, recycling, good lifing - all sorts. The only label it needs is "mine", same with my life.MrsLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05813732948803001084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32184847.post-24303456725349336922008-09-01T13:24:00.000+00:002008-09-01T13:24:00.000+00:00Hi Val,I've just returned from my Permaculture cou...Hi Val,<BR/><BR/>I've just returned from my Permaculture course and I know exactly what you mean!!!<BR/><BR/>I don't think people who have already been doing "Permaculture" things for years should worry unduly about cult status or "labels". Fashions come and go and whatever you choose to call it, living simply and well and sharing your crops and your know-how will always be the right thing to do. <BR/><BR/>I think anything that helps people learn more about a better way of living has to be a good thing. :-)<BR/><BR/>Irene xxxLa Ferme de Sourrouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17623373457081495056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32184847.post-80972720637309678572008-08-24T06:43:00.000+00:002008-08-24T06:43:00.000+00:00I am so sorry to read about your dds friend :o( xO...I am so sorry to read about your dds friend :o( x<BR/><BR/>On the subject of permaculture,well hurrah,reading your post was very refreshing for me,I have often felt *not quite proper missis* as I have never read a book on it,been to a course nor build a herb spiral..pulls slightly exasperated face. The very word sets my teeth on edge(Attachment Parenting is another grrrrrr)<BR/><BR/>I cannot stand *phrases* & *labels* ,for some who do like te labels,if you DONT then it means you are not really into it....sigh...<BR/><BR/>ah ok then,I'll just keep doing what I am doing then,I have always found getting orn with things far preferable to endless talking about it anyhow.<BR/><BR/>I think I am an edge sort :o) I must admit when I saw the festival pictures I thought eeek rather you than me! I went to a tiny one during the day once & go so many scowls because I to some *looked normal* (crazy! I am not normal I am me!)that I never tried such a thing before.<BR/><BR/>Sitting in a yurt doesnt make one more spiritual or in tune with nature,if its in your heart you can sit behind a desk or behind a cooker & have deep stirrings & insights :O)<BR/><BR/>GTM x x x x xGreentwinsmummyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02188409963517296708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32184847.post-5008955367941093212008-08-22T14:10:00.000+00:002008-08-22T14:10:00.000+00:00Sorry to hear abou your daughters friend. Such an...Sorry to hear abou your daughters friend. Such an act is doubly sad as it speaks of despar.<BR/><BR/>A very thought provoking post. I like your definition of yourself as an 'edge'. I have similarly struggled all my life not to take on labels because there are few things that I feel I agree to without reservation and can generally see some value in the opposing direction. It leads for an uncomfortable life though as it also means you are not totally accepted anywhere. It is the price to pay for being an individual.<BR/><BR/>However the things you describe as 'religious trappings' I recognise very well from the non violent directaction movement of the early eighties. A lot of them were popularised in the 'Monster Manual' (nickname for the Resource Manual for a Living Revolution) published by the Movement for a New Society. They were resource tools with specific aims, like getting to know people fast, engendering trust etc. All very useful within groups that had just formed and needed to be able to reliy absolutely on each member in a very short time (in order to break the law). Like alot of useful tools they entered the mainstream and can be very valuable. However also like things that are no longer there for their original purpose they can lose meaning and seem to be used for their own sake. They are pointless where they make people uncomfortable. Conversely though for people who are used to them they are very comforting. There obviously needs to be some rethinking and some honest dialogue.<BR/><BR/>Things can change and are generally better changed from the inside.maylinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09276625266772508238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32184847.post-59458750315670783792008-08-21T20:28:00.000+00:002008-08-21T20:28:00.000+00:00Val, If you go and have a quick poke at me blog, t...Val, If you go and have a quick poke at me blog, there's something there for you...<BR/><BR/><BR/>hen<BR/>xxxhenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14862469963939581449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32184847.post-36071961081330184422008-08-19T00:28:00.000+00:002008-08-19T00:28:00.000+00:00Val I know exactly what you mean about being an "e...Val I know exactly what you mean about being an "edge"<BR/><BR/>I have had a similar background to you..so much so it is quite spooky!<BR/><BR/>Just stick to your beliefs and know you are right....its all about what you feel., after all !<BR/><BR/>;-))<BR/><BR/>Sorry to hear about your young friend tho' such a sad waste of a good life unlived...:-((Compostwomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09028585447065282738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32184847.post-1683552777924340002008-08-18T23:16:00.000+00:002008-08-18T23:16:00.000+00:00Exactly Hen! I knew what you meant! Permaculture h...Exactly Hen! I knew what you meant! Permaculture has got to appeal to all with no exceptions!Val Graingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07208039108902726094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32184847.post-45030572051438407002008-08-18T20:37:00.000+00:002008-08-18T20:37:00.000+00:00hee hee! just wanted to make sure that noone thoug...hee hee! just wanted to make sure that noone thought I reckoned Permaculture was a religion! It's just that in my experience there are many that act like it were!!<BR/><BR/>:0)<BR/><BR/>hen<BR/>xhenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14862469963939581449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32184847.post-35860613038026205292008-08-17T21:34:00.000+00:002008-08-17T21:34:00.000+00:00Thanks Guys! At least I know I'm not totally bonke...Thanks Guys! At least I know I'm not totally bonkers!<BR/>I have seen the greening the desert video.......brilliant! I have also seen Robert Kouriks book.........and since I have been designing and maintaining an edible landscape for a long time myself and agree with a lot of what he has to say as proved by trial and error would reccommend it too!Val Graingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07208039108902726094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32184847.post-4076623562503302672008-08-17T17:16:00.000+00:002008-08-17T17:16:00.000+00:00Hi Val!What a super post. I really like robust, i...Hi Val!<BR/>What a super post. I really like robust, intelligent and fair debate and your blog is a perfect example. I'm not at all religious and I hate evangelism, of any kind. I reckon that, if one believes in something, then one should adhere to that thing, quietly following its principles, learning and adapting them (yes, rules are definitely there to be broken) so that, one day, someone walking past might be impressed and actually ask what you're up to. That's a lot different from the sort of uncomfortable evangelism you're talking about. Permaculture is actually quite a large entity and the people you're describing are only a subset, thankfully, so don't give up just yet (it sounds as if you don't plan to).<BR/>Permaculture is a <B>design system</B>, not a <B>religion</B>, so it's a practical thing rather than a spiritual thing. It's about looking closely at how ecosystems work and using them as a model in the design of everything from a vegetable plot to a house. The "founders", Bill Mollison and David Holmgren would be the first to admit that many of its elements are not new at all (thinking of your dad and our elderly French neighbours) but perhaps it does make some new connections between old savoire faire (know how).<BR/>To lift your spirits and get you back on track, buy <I>Designing and Maintaining Your Edible Lanscape Naturally</I> by Robert Kourik who is both experienced and practical and not a bit religious or evangelical when it comes to permaculture, in fact he rarely mentions the "P" word at all. Once you've placed your book order, have a look at Geoff Lawton's great video on <I>Greening the (Jordanian) Desert</I> ... that's what Permaculture is really all about!Stuart and Gabriellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07886622731103783384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32184847.post-55523346231326646462008-08-16T19:30:00.000+00:002008-08-16T19:30:00.000+00:00I am so sorry to hear about your daughters friend ...I am so sorry to hear about your daughters friend Val. <BR/><BR/>It seems I've gone through the same process as you about Permaculture. Good on you for not letting it drag you down! There's nothing wrong with the principles of PC but as with most religions, it's the humans that process those principles that are the problem.<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>hen<BR/>xxxhenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14862469963939581449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32184847.post-4413712245330682812008-08-15T17:12:00.000+00:002008-08-15T17:12:00.000+00:00A brilliant post, I understand about being in two ...A brilliant post, I understand about being in two camps at once. However sorry to read about a life lost. sometimes life gets on top of you ..but to read that someone took such a drastic decision awful..<BR/><BR/>Take care Best wishes from Blu Brittany France xBluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12519994628335802996noreply@blogger.com