A little patch of European Countriside

I spent an hour watering this morning. This is a lovely summer ritual. As I water I take stock of all the jobs I need to do. Maintaining this little patch of land is a full time job. I shall have to get help. Two of my favorite students are doing yard work this summer so I shall have to get them to come and help me.
We went to see Food Inc last night.
http://www.foodincmovie.com/
This is an amazing and terrifying film. How can we have got ourselves to the point where our food supply is controlled by people who have no care for the earth. They care more for their money and status than for the condition of the earth on which they, like the rest of us, depend for existance. What good is money if the water is polluted and the land is poisoned. It saddens me that it is cheaper for people to feed their families with the empty calories of fast food and supermarket staples, than to feed them carrots and broccoli and pears. I am fortunate that I have enough money that I am not forced to make these choices and can buy farm fresh eggs and fresh produce at the farmers market. I also grow my own vegetables and herbs. I would love to keep chickens, but can't work out where to put them.
My garden is like a little patch of Europe. It is wild and chaotic. I encourage volunteers in my garden. If a plant wants to live in my world I will do my best to nurture it. Sometimes it will be in an inappropriate place and I will be forced to either move it or uproot it. This is particularly true of the multitude of Walnut trees that the squirrels seem to want to grow here.
I love the fact that the current economy is making people plant vegetable gardens. Maybe there is hope for the world. Wal-Mart is starting to stock Organic produce because they see people voting with their check books. We should all top buying stuff that supports the giant food industrial complex and start taking responsibility for what we put into our bodies. I wish those less fortunate than myself could do likewise. Everyone should see the movie. Two magazines are also to be recommended. Ode and Yes!. WE need to educate ourselves in the care of the earth as well as our own bodies.
Plant a garden. Give the surpless to a foodbank. Teach children how to grow things. Take control.