As a young child, I grew up in a family with a large garden. My parents and my father's father grew produce to sell as a side income. I am a firm believer that all children should learn to grow. The only contributing factor I have to permaculture at this time is willingness to learn.

Having the honor to know Hunter Heaivilin, a man of action with an eye for beauty, and who is making changes in the world (as are many others), seed by seed, plant by plant and person by person, has inspired me to be more aggressive in my minimal efforts.

I am in the infant stages of growing indoor starts to place outdoors. Some of my starts are lemon trees from seeds of lemons from Mexico, potato plants from eyes of potatoes I have peeled, avocado trees from the seeds left from ravished avocados, a palm tree from a mini sprig nurtured into 8" now. These plants are in my kitchen window in gorgeous clear glass vases with glass marbles and blue watering bulbs. Because of their import, it seemed fitting. Several blue beaked yucca rostrata plants (which are gorgeous and give an island feel to the landscape,) are now ready to be placed outdoors; kale, spinach and lettuce planted in the flower beds below the shrubs create a beautiful green domain; tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries are to start soon.

However, I need lessons with the permaculture building blocks of water, light, soil types, etc. to know which plants bring out the best in their water-drinking, nutrient-absorbing, sun-blocking neighbors.