it’s good to be home
I’ve been away for the last couple of weeks at a Permaculture Design Course. I’m back, and I’m inspired!
When I began thinking about writing I had some trouble deciding whether I wanted to focus on gardening, Permaculture or home economics. The lattermost is directly connected to gardening, a happy connection for me. Somehow, though, Permaculture seemed divorced from homemaking; I just couldn’t see how they fit together, although in my mind they didn’t exactly diverge.
You can imagine my pleasure when we discussed the two prime directives of Permaculture:
- take responsibility for our own existence; and
- we need to get our houses and gardens in order so that they feed and shelter us.
Seems so simple, doesn’t it? When I began exploring homemaking according to Permaculture principles I hit upon the idea of our homes creating surplus. This surplus may manifest as food enough to feed a neighbour or two, thus contributing to overall neighbourhood food security, or perhaps starting seedlings for friends. This may be achieved in a rural community or between you and the person in the next apartment. It may mean enough in the root cellar to face a disaster together, or it may mean making a few dinners for your next door neighbour who just lost their job.
Surplus may mean creating time you can share. Perhaps with a little extra time you start a sewing bee with friends or help an elderly neighbour around the house. When we perceive that there is an abundance (time, food, support) we feel less threatened by circumstances. Suddenly our gardens and canning bees seem part of a larger support structure we can extend to friends, family or a chosen community. When I consider this it seems very much like my private choices and chores at home have far larger implications. This makes me feel powerful and competent, satisfied that I’m doing important work.