A simple initiative we can all do.....

I am going to float an idea that has been rattling around on my "laundry list" of things to do.... in the hope that one or more of you will run with it.

With what is going on "out there", it is obvious that we need to slow our frantic lifestyles and get back to a more local level.

Hence MEET THE STREET.

Initially getting itself established by doing fun things (eg street parties, combined garage sales, drumming groups etc) and then evolving into more serious stuff like bartering, looking out for each other, working bees, community security, food etc etc.

Before you know it, one street becomes another street - and then another..... and pretty soon voila!! A caring, sharing community. ♥

And all it takes is for us to really get to know our neighbours. :)))

Easy to make a start............. will you??? 

:)

UNDER-USED RESOURCES

I was just reading of the economic woes in grass-roots England, where local Councils are feeling the tightening to the point where they are closing facilities we have taken for granted - such as the local Library.

Seems that donations and volunteers are just keeping some infrastructure afloat - but time is not on their side.
Too much is changing, and often all at once.

The thing is - there ARE solutions. We just need to think differently/creatively.
We have many things that are quite UNDER-utilised.
Take local schools, for example. They are only used approximately 1/3 of the time. The other 16 hours per day they do little more than pose a security cost.

Why not make them into a "profitable" centre? They have halls to hire, computer classes to hire, acres of roof space to generate solar elec and therefore excess to feed to others, woodworking/metalworking shops, art rooms with kilns etc, cinema screens, swimming pools .....getting the idea??
And for heavens sake - why aren't they already on the road to food self-sufficiency using some of the land? Selling the excess to the community??
What about saving the water they collect?
Everything that we do for ourselves means less money we have to find....

That's just schools - now extend that to all the assets and amenities that local government control.

Do it different - and do it better!! Do it for you and your neighbours.
Now how about stop reading and putting it into gear?? :)))

So many options, so much good can come of it, and have some fun on the way.....

LETS EAT !!!!!

This is probably a subject near and dear to many people's hearts - food!!

Normally we associate growing our own food with lots of space - if not acreage, then at least a decent backyard.

Fortunately there are new ways of doing things coming out all the time.

One such evolution is the Rain Gutter method of cultivation.

No dig, inexpensive, very little infrastructure, bountiful harvests and..... the best news yet..... it's portable!!!

Finally, a system that is also suitable for people who rent, rather than own !!

All too often renters put in a traditional vege garden, and then lose the benefits when they move.

Well, with the Rain Gutter system, you just pick it up, put it in a trailer or truck - and have it ready elsewhere!! Brilliant.

You can see it here   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyOIRVjatdg

As you can see from the images, you can plonk it on the ground, attach it to a wall or fence, or even make it a freestanding unit. So many options !

Now there's little excuses left for not having fresh, wholesome food near your kitchen :))

I hope that this gets your creative juices going !! Have fun !!