reading and misc.

Did some reading up on how glycerin is made, because someone I was talking with online had read how it was petroleum-based, but questions the info now. Glycerin is a by-product of soap or biofuel making, and comes from animal or plant fats/oils. I expect like most manufactured things that petroleum in involved in producing it, although it isn't an actual part of the material. Some processes use bleach, for making the glycerin clearer for soap -- although you can get soap glycerin that isn't super clear, so that isn't a necessary part of the process. Will probably need to do more reading on it, to put together something coherent.

Talked with fitzw about soapmaking, what lye is made of, etc. Maybe some reading on that too. John Seymour's book on self-sufficiency has some stuff on that.

Also reading an article on permaculture, but I had to take a break because my brain was getting full. Excellent article though! http://permaculturetokyo.blogspot.com/2007/02/healthy-life-from-healthy-soil.html

I'm working 2-6pm today, so I should put in a wash this morning, especially if I want my jeans to be dry by tomorrow :D Then some reading/practicing of AODA things, some Tai Chi and a little Chi Gong.

fitzw made soda bread last night, which we will be trying out as sandwich bread for lunch today!

Deindustrialized Society

Excellent Article by John Michael Greer:
http://www.oilcrisis.com/whatToDo/DeindustrialAge.htm

Readers may or may not believe all that he's writing about here; your choice, of course!

Regardless of what one believes will happen to technology and society in the coming decades, I find the concept of a community that can live more lightly on the land a strongly appealing one, and one to which I definitely aspire.

I'm working on collecting all sorts of knowledge - herbs for cooking, dyeing, medical and hygiene use, woods crafting skills (firestarting, etc.), soapmaking and making its component materials, alternative power and building techniques, and more.

I'll be learning more about the area I live in -- climate, soil types, geology, weather patterns, etc. this year.

And of course improving my skills in weaving and gardening, and doing more hiking and biking! I'm even going to try to practice archery more than previously. And recent activities are starting to inspire me to get back to painting and other arts.

Of course, I don't expect I'll become a master of much of the information I gather, but I've always thought it would be nice to have resources that my friends could look over as well, should they be inspired to try something new :)

Gotta go to work!