Urban Farming

I'm taking another class through the Illinois extension offices. This one is called "University of Illinois Extension Cook County's Master Urban Farmer Training" and it's held at "The Children's Farm" in Palos Park. (This place is magnificent)

I think I landed on something big. My all time dream is to farm. BUT farming is so different now and I am realizing that in order to farm, you do not need a lot of acres. Look at the two plots in the pictures. They each produce quite a lot of food and it's just a back yard. Oh - I am in love with this concept.

I only just finished the second week with 10 more to go but I am so inspired. On my drive to work each day, I see so many empty lots and abandoned parking lots that could be covered in food. I want to grow food everywhere. Wouldn't that be so cool? All the lots could grow a season of food.

Thanks for stopping by and in case anyone is interested (or cares), I am still nicotine free.

Mayne's Tree

Mayne's Tree

Mayne's Tree In Bloom

Close Up

What We Need More of

Mayne's Farm is a a half a mile from my house. He has this incredible tree in the middle of one of his low lying fields. This tree is magnificent.

Tulips Spring

Tulip Sprouts

Starting to Show Color

Blooms to come

Close up

Full Bloom

Rain Drops on Tulips

Tulips are so beautiful and perfect!  See the progression to perfection. Such a site. Thanks for stopping by.

Overgrown Shrub

Narly Shrub

Saw this shrub the other day that had incredible depth. I want to see it again once it's in foliage.

Rainy season is upon us.

Pictures around the County

Chicken Car

Geranium Baby Leaves

Robin in a Tree

I went to work the other day and in the parking lot was this Chicken Car. Really well made and I think it's a hoot! How fun to be driving around in that car.

My Baby Geranium's are looking good. Spring is right around the corner - can't wait to plant.

Spring Robin staring at me from a tree.

Abandoned Graveyard More

Maggie T

Empty

Church Marker - All That's Left

Jacob

Last of Woods

Tulips Sprouting

The first picture is of Maggie T's Gravestone. Her husband must of loved her dearly. He put her exact age on the tombstone. 22 Years, 7 Months and 14 Days. All I can think is that it must of been a blow to his heart to loose her at such a young age. To document the days - Oh my. He had to have been totally unprepared. I can't stop thinking about it. Why would you put the months and days? It really must of been the death of surprise.  Why? 1873. A hard time period indeed but what happened? Child birth? An Accident? I am haunted by Maggie T. Each time I take my walks, I am drawn to this graveyard and her stone. As I stare at it, I'm looking for answers. Can I research and find out? Maybe.

The "Church of Brethren" bench is fairly new. It sits on an empty lot next to the graveyard. My assumption is the good people buried, were part of this congregation.

The stone of Jacob is a lonely marker. It stands tall and all alone in the plot. I have a hard time making out the years and hope to sneak into the graveyard once it warms up to get a closer look. I feel almost as if I am trespassing so I might just use a zoom lens. Maybe I'm not invited.

The abandoned road currently has lot's of trees and a large plot of land with a small forest. Birds and small critters play along happily. This is all coming to an end as each of the trees are being torn down. On one of the larger corners, they have already flattened and poured cement. This is the last of the trees. What will become of the birds? Where will they fly too? Suburban trees? It's becoming less farm land and more buildings so they must head west.

The last picture is of some tulips I planted last year. A friend gave me some potted yellow tulips and I saved the bulbs. Hope they make it. It snowed today and Tulips are not too happy with a frost. We will see.

Thanks for Stopping by.

Work Trip Denver

Denver Airport

I just returned home from a work trip to Denver. The Airport is about 40 minutes away from downtown and out in the middle of nowhere. This is what you see when you come up to it. It's cool and weird too. The white peaks look like fabric up close and inside they are ceilings of white and metal. Strange but unique. The building on the left is the Westin Hotel and it looks like a pair of lips when you drive in. I'm not sure but maybe it's wings?

Denver had beautiful weather the week we were there. High 60's during the day but upon arrival, the wind was intense and the sky was all brown from the dirt blowing all around.

Glad to be home and I'm ready to work in the garden. Well... Not quite yet. The temp is 18 with a high of 30. SOON!