..how'd I end up here?(OT)...& an a herbal garden question

[Guest guest]

Morning!

....what a great question! I ended up here, for spiritual reasons,

being part of a large extended Native family, centered here.

 

My goal was to raise my youngest as close to traditional ways, as

possible. Now, we're trying to do the same with her little boy.

 

It's a small town <pop 3500> that's been steadily declining since the

aluminum plant closed 1 1/2 years ago.

 

We're 7 mi out of town--and it's secluded and feels like a million

miles away. We've been building for 4 yr now, and just last year I

was able to start the process of 'claiming' forested areas for

gardening beds--and this year we actually have grass growing.

 

Although we've had the spot 'picked' for the garden..for 3 years

now,...looks like it will be next year before it gets put to use!

 

We've got 3 dogs, 3 cats...a cashmere goat that's the bain of my

existance, and a shetland sheep--that's pure joy to my heart. Soon

to arrive are a wild turkey (who hubby swears answers if you

wistle)..his '2 wives', and a horse. I'd like to add a couple more

shetlands (I also spin, knit, weave).

 

Our house started out to be a 950sq' single-wide, 3 bd

mobile....that's expanded to a 6 bd, 3200' tripple-wide, house! We

wish we'd taken 'before' & 'after' shots! Our house really is

comprised of 3 single-wide trailers---but you'd never guess it.

 

Between us, there's 5 grown kids, 8 g'kids...assorted other

relatives, and a few extended family members--seems like there's

always someone here! It's not uncommon to have at least 10 at the

dinner table for special occasions....we HAD to build a bigger house!

 

I can tell you one thing for sure--I've let everyone know to plan on

burryin' me out back, under the trees---cause I'm N-E-V-E-R moving

again!...this, is it! Once hubby joked the 'perfect' place would be

20 acres, with the house smack-in-the-middle (lousey neighbors)and I

told him over my cold dead body!

 

At times it seems it will never all be done--but then there's days

like yesterday, when I was finally able to plot/dig my stream-bed,

and I feel like I own the world!

 

The 1 thing I'm having the most difficulty with, currently--is

determining WHERE to place herbals--as the 'official' garden is still

in the 'planning' phase!

 

Our soil is clay--with a good layer of ponderosa pine/douglas fir

needles....with good ole' oak leaves added for mulch--what would

thrive in this environment? A few friends said roses would LOVE the

acidic soil--anyone agree? I'm up for any suggestions!

 

....everyone--have a great weekend!

 

Melodee (goody)