How am I feeling?

I didn't have any pictures up yet, so hopefully this will give you something fun to look at.

Packing, packing, packing

I'm going through all my stuff and sorting it into categories. There are the obvious ones: Give Away, Throw Away, and Pack... but then there are so many items that fall into grey areas. Like CDs that I will never listen to again. No bookstore will buy them back because they are crappy CDs I liked when I was in high school, and I just can't feel good about throwing them away when I think about all the junk sitting in landfills that will never break down... we are such materialistic people.

If it could all just accidentally burn up and be gone I would be so relieved. Seriously, though, those CDs. Giving them to Good Will is an option, but I know that's the easy way out for greedy consumers like me. I can just dump all my half-used junk somewhere and never have to think about it again, assuming that not only will some deprived person be delighted to find it at a reasonable price and take it home and treasure it, but the proceeds will go to benefit more deprived people. Wow, I am such a good person for getting rid of my stuff!

I wish I could go back and rethink things, even small purchases, and be more deliberate about what I choose to have and carry with me and look after. Sometimes I wish that I lived in a time when plastic didn't exist and lives were fueled on muscle and grain and sunshine rather than petroleum. What's ironic is that I'm about to live in a pace that's fueled by muscle and grain and a LOT of sunshine... we'll see how that goes for me. I may have to eat my words.

What I find simultaneously interesting and depressing as I go through my stuff is that I have to come to terms with so many "I'll never..."s. Like this nearly finished scarf I found. I guess I'll never be into knitting. No one at Good Will is going to want to wear this lopsided crazy thing, so what do I do with it? I guess I'll never make another stained-glass window. I have a box full of nice glass, in lovely colors, that CANNOT go into a recycle bin (that would be evil!)... Catherine suggested I put it on Craigslist, and I like that idea.

I've also dug up a lot of old photos and notes and letters, which I'm glad I saved. Even if the only time I look at them and reminisce is when I'm transitioning and putting them into new boxes.

Anyway, if you are reading this you can pat yourself on the back for being a truly supportive friend. I'm not even gone yet, so I don't really have anything valid to tell you, but I still feel like I should document this odd phase I'm in. Even if I'm the only one who will go back and read it, someday, when I'm transitioning elsewhere.

I'll miss you soon if I don't already,
Janna

Thanks For All The Seeds!!!

Hey everyone, and welcome to the new blog! I'm still working out the kinks and toying with the HTML, so bear with me while I get it together.



Thanks for ordering seeds! I should have plenty at this point, but I'll take a look at the orders as they come in and remove things from the wish list. I am SO excited about growing and cooking with my own food as well as starting a community garden with the kids I'll be working with! Right now the only thing I know how to make with the veggies on the list is fresh salsa. Does anyone have a good soup recipe they can share that uses acorn or butternut squash? Without a fridge I will have no access to butter or other fresh dairy products, but I will have powdered milk, oils, dried herbs and spices and hopefully fresh herbs as well.

Soon I'll be posting some informational links about Mauritania, so check back in at some point.