A Primitive Bow Workshop

...lief to spend a Saturday carving primitive bows in a workshop led by local self-reliance expert Christopher Nyerges. Kelly and I have been into archery for many years, off and on, but we’ve never tried to make our own bow. Root Simple pal John Zapf carves a bow to match that stylish hat A bow seems like a simple device until you try to make one that will work repeatedly without breaking. A bow is actually a very complicated tool, something that sh...

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Initial Thoughts on the Age of Limits 2013 Conference

...ve always preached that change starts at home. It actually starts with the self. All we can really control is our own actions and choices, and if we’re lucky, we can talk some of our immediate family into joining us. You readers know what I’m saying. You’re walking your talk. You’re learning new things, working with your hands and your hearts, connecting with community and nature and doing your best to live lightly on the land. You know that to ad...

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Ladies of Manure 2013 Calendar

...“Nope. Not even if civilization is burning down around my ears.” “Note to self: Never visit these people at home.” “They want me to keep poop around the house. Poop. Around my house.” “Hmm, I’m sensing some sort of potty-training trauma here. Definitely an unhealthy anal obsession.” “Funny, they don’t look like hippies.” It’s an hard nut to crack, the poop nut. This environmental non-profit called The Fertile Earth Foundation is going about in a...

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Did Kelly follow her 2012 resolutions?

...n’t happen. If I had a dollar for every daily schedule I’ve composed for myself I wouldn’t have to worry about work at all. I sing the sad ballad of the freelancer. -Accomplish my “yucky list” this month: switching banks, upgrading my RAM, getting a new passport, and making appointments for a physical, a dental exam and an eye exam. (In terms of engaging with the medical establishment, I prefer to behave as if though the zombie apocalypse has alre...

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My Favorite Lettuce Mix

...and aggressive, fennel seedlings you can see amongst the lettuce (memo to self: cut down fennel before it goes to seed this year!). And, at the risk of repeating myself, I pretty much grow Franchi seeds exclusively. It’s a family run Italian company that dates back to 1783. This year I grew their “Misticanza All Lettuce” mesclun mix. It’s astonishingly beautiful and flavorful. Best damn salads I’ve ever had. Last year I grew their Misticanza da i...

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