It's been another year since I updated this blog, and I promise I have good excuses for it again. More than busy-ness (though there's plenty of that to go around too) I also tend to write more when I feel certain about things, and I think the last two years I have spent a lot more time learning about complication and the importance of humility and uncertainty. There are a few things that I'm certain about though, so maybe I'll write about those. I am also really certain about what has kept me busy the last year. So here it is:
- Being farm manager at Catherine Ferguson Academy. I got to take care of some goats and chickens and do a little gardening. Unfortunately it wasn't as great an experience as I originally thought. The living conditions for the animals were not ideal and I spent more time working with a local vet than I would have liked. Layers of bureaucracy at this charter school made it difficult to make the changes needed and my lack of clear job description or contract were also frustrating. I eventually left to take a much better job (see below). And unfortunately this happened about a week after I quit: http://www.freep.com/article/20130604/NEWS01/306040062/catherine-ferguson-animals-killed
- Picking up recycling by bicycle: http://www.detroitgreencycle.com/Home.html Some of the hardest physical work I've ever done, but totally satisfying. I worked January through May picking up recycling at people's houses with a giant bike trailer behind me, in all sorts of weather and with all sorts of technical difficulties. The company is owned by a friend of mine, and having a pile of bins taller than me on a bike trailer behind me made me feel like a bad ass. Will be picking back up a couple days a week starting in November.
- Making Christmas wreaths. Will be doing again this summer and selling most at Detroit Farm and Garden.
- Still running City Commons (citycommonscsa.com) We're on the last weeks of our second season. Went from 16 shares to 52 shares and pulled it off pretty nicely. Unfortunately I didn't contribute produce this year because of issues with land (a whole other blog post) related to the fact that I moved and...
- Bought a house!
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| Yeah, that's my house. No big deal. |
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- Been working on the house A LOT. You can see before: https://plus.google.com/photos/107166267250337581442/albums/5872792512433902785?authkey=CJHx7u_f4sOFhAE and during: https://plus.google.com/photos/107166267250337581442/albums/5914547204988162273 photos here. It's still not done so there aren't really after photos yet.
- So in May I was really wanting to get a different farming job for the summer and I lucked out because I got a farm manager job at GenesisHOPE! I take care of about an eighth of an acre at Mack and E grand Blvd right outside of Genesis Lutheran Church. It's been a really good experience so far. I've learned that I still don't really like working with youth as a general rule, but I do really like teaching folks about gardening (also taught a compost class this summer for People's Kitchen Detroit and a Seedsaving Class for Keep Growing Detroit). I'm not sure what to do with that knowledge, but I'm sure I'll figure it out. Working for a small non profit and a faith based organization (who knew I would ever have a job where I have the keys to a church!) has also been a good learning experience, I'm sure there's a future blog post in there somewhere too.
- Dating. OKCupid. There are a lot of stories, not all of which are fit to be shared. It's an interesting world out there.
- Dancing, hanging out with friends, biking, all the usuals.
And now you know what I've been up to!
