My new digs

5 bee hives to start the 2019 season. Lost 2 hives when the yellow jackets invaded. Lost the remaining 3 in January, don't know why. The honey in 2019 was dark with a hint of citrus flavor.

My goal is to keep bees year round and increase my hives to 20 or more. This is the second year of beekeeping and I lost them all during the winter months. I will do better next year!!

This is where the garden will be. The lower section will be for annual crops, and the upper for aquaponics. Both sections will be covered with clear plastic sheeting.

The kitchen widow looks out toward the garden. It is very satisfying to have such a view.

The cabin is a 100 year old cabin, on a 40 acre property.

In my spare time, I clear poison oak and scrub brush, to make trails in the hills behind the house.

There are a few woodpeckers in the woods too.

Sometimes, when I am all alone, I hear them tapping. The sound of "tap tap tap" is a reminder to work hard and be patient. Rewards often come to those who are patient.

I have known the sweet rewards of having patience and I have experienced what happens when there is only work and no patience. I hope I know the difference next time.

For now I must work hard.

A small stuffed animal woodpecker sits on my dresser to remind me of this lesson.

Nice mix of redwoods, oak and apple trees. There is a year round creek that flows through the property too, offering much diversity and solitude.

I plan to live here while I complete my Soil Biology courses. This might take a couple of years.

My goal is to use my water filtration and soil biology experience to start a consulting business.

Help land owners restore their soils and biodiversity with natural systems.

Reducing our dependence on long supply chains and connecting with the ecosystems around us.

I want a lifestyle that allows me to do this work full time, with breaks in the schedule to pursue several wilderness adventures per year. There are still so many places to explore and I plan to play hard for many more years.