Shane Edwards

I almost wish I would have chosen a larger amount of time to "spend outdoors" as a challenge, because I try to spend time outside whenever possible. I think I just clicked O.K on the minimum, not realizing it could be adjusted. Today was full of outdoor time. Traveled up to our property and I decided to dig up a few volunteer saplings in the forest that were super crowded in. I Brought them home ,and put them in planters for now. Once they have have acclimated well, I will probably take a few back up to more vacant patches on the property, or I may find them a different, suitable home. While I was digging them up, i was in pretty good proximity to a stretch of  an ephemeral creek near the property line, that about ten years ago had carelessly had a pile of soil bulldozed into it by the adjoining property owner, resulting in blockage in the creek. About a year ago, I finally got tired of looking at the damage it was slowly causing, and decided to do a little work to divert the creek back to its natural course. It was so great to see it today, healthy and happy after a good period of rain, flowing freely and naturally.

 Even if it wasn't a huge stretch for me too cut out meat/animal products entirely or not eat processed foods for a few meals a day,  it still feels good. Even better when supplemented with fresh fruit and veggies out of the garden. The only thing better than growing your own food, is eating your own food! With the lack of processed foods, I kind of miss tofu / tempeh / Other processed meat alternatives,( hint, not a big meat eater, challenge aside) but, I could have prepared a little better and whipped up a weeks worth of seitan. Or better yet, I could try to make my own tofu or tempeh. If I do, I had better start with store bought soy beans, because my garden grown soybeans got ravaged by some legume loving pest this year. So did my lentils for that matter. My first attempt at both of those two crops, did not go so hot. Jerky little critters. Oh well, there is always next year, to learn from my gardening mishaps and try a little harder. I have so far attained my goal of no repeat failures in the garden. And even minus the legumes, the garden was insanely bountiful this year. Garden veggies with tonights dinner: rainbow swiss chard, leeks, onions, tomatoes, and carrots.