Artist enlivens compost bin

New compost bin, artist enhanced Paul and the bin, mates Compare the painted bin with its sister - what it used to look like . . . The compost bin painted by Graham Chalcroft is ‘in the house’. It’s a B E A Uty. Thanks so much, Graham. Paul and I put it in place today, near the corner of Rose and Myrtle.  Now we need to name it. Ideas, anyone? May the artists be with us, Michael  Read More

Jessica’s Xmas story

Jessica Perini edited the second edition of my book, Sustainable House.  During the editing we became good friends.  Jessica’s professionalism was a delight.  Her editing greatly improved the book.  We discovered a mutual interest in food, gardening and nature, and it was partly through that friendship I discovered the Asylum Seekers Centre in Surry Hills and gave them the native stingless bee hive we split at my place – for more info... Read More

Asylum Seekers Gardeners

Asylum Seekers Centre gardeners and friends L to R: Teresa, Robyn, Stefan, Vera, Michael, Jessica, Figgy the bird, Auntie Fran When the newly planted food forest at the Asylum Seekers Centre in Surry Hills was launched in December a photo was taken of the gardeners standing in the garden at the front, including Auntie Fran who suggested indigenous food and medicine plants, Figgy the young Figtree bird who was pushed out of its nest by the bully bird... Read More

Food facts

One of my Xmas gifts was a terrific booklet, The Guide to Ethical Supermarket Shopping, published by Ethical.org….au – thanks Beth. Using it and other sources I’m adding another topic to my blog, Food facts (that’s its ‘Tag’ – to see all my blogs by topic you may search for them by clicking on a ‘Tag”). One of our greatest powers as citizens and individuals is to choose to spend our money so we... Read More

Blue tongue lizard on back deck today!

Blue tongue lizard on back deck today Don’t ask me where it’s come from but today I saw a blue tongue lizard on the back deck. It looks well fed. I don’t think it can get into the chook run, but I’m not sure.  If it did it may eat the eggs, I suppose. I’m amazed. May the lizards be with us, Michael  Read More