Chain-o-Lakes

Porch with a ViewOur B.M. (Ben Milam)Gettin' a little mud on the tiresMe and Bertha Spence is sassy, I mean, Spence and Sassy

It took some arm-twisting...
The sun's in my eyes, really, I'm not scared...

Come on, it is Spring Break!
Isn't nature wonderful?
Aren't man-made structures that alter the course of nature wonderful?

Our roaring fire, triggered, literally by the flick of a light-switch

Those cypress knees

The porch came with it's own safety net
Our ride to breakfast
Spence, wanting some shmore....
Steve the racoon

Keep BEElieving

Please post a comment if you hear any news on the widespread bee disappearance across the US. This topic is fascinating and worrisome. One theory I've heard first-hand is the increasing use of genetically altered seed which produce a pollen on which the bees cannot survive. As the bees are disappearing, not dying, it leads one to believe they are seeking an alternative food source elsewhere. Not good news for our food industry, or our eco-system in general.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6400179.stm

Get out and plant some pollen producing plants in your own yard (sunflowers, lavendar, honeysuckle, rosemary etc). Use seeds or cuttings from friends, neighbors, garden clubs - try to avoid buying packaged seeds. We need to start using a source that is safe and reliable.

Great Mommy, Ruth

It was so good to see Ruth after what must be a year and a half, at least.... Cash Money was as cute as ever....
Devin was as sweet as can be,
and then it got nasty... : )

Not so many birdies this time....

Waterborne Education Center - Trinity River Trip No. 2Here we are, scarfing down a quick lunchMike wading-upMs. Kathy, ready for actionMs. Kathy, in action! One of Waterborne's re-planting projects doing very well indeedy
Crikey mate, we estimate that one's a whopper!
Ranger Ruth explaining the lock system
Purple Martin's majesty
Demo: Closing the gates
closer....
...closed
Trial and error showed how not to build a jetty; eventually this one caused much erosion
Branches and debris moved naturally downstream by water and wind

Rain-water collection system on the right side provides usable water where no utilities exist

You say tomaytoe, I say tomartoe

just peeping through

week one

Friends of Mandell Park

My latest Urban Harvest (tiny) community garden discovery lies in the very heart of the new Mandell Park design. The Friends of Mandell Park is holding a plant sale on March 24, to raise funds to implement the construction of the park. Unfortunately it clashes with the Buffalo Bayou Regatta, which is where you'll find me that morning. Sorry, FMP....

Eco-weekend-o

Permaculture class transferred to the great outdoors with a trip to the Blackwood Institute This beautifully designed home and teaching center is made of straw bale
I never did find out what the significance of these stones is, anyone know?
The tool shed (with rainwater collection)
Brick oven
Guests enjoying a wonderful vegan lunch
Parsley, an apparent companion plant of citrus
It smelled absolutely wonderful in here....

The Make-out house, I mean, the Tree-house
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck...?
Oh la la, an outdoor shower!
Now that's what I call rainwater harvesting!
Row crops, but as in all good permaculture design, the rows do not consist of uniform crops

The Labyrinth
The Sweat LodgeDouble-vision in the Sweat LodgeThe ol' chicken coup The perfect end to a perfect day, shove over Eco....