Gaviotas, Columbia

I had to learn alot about Gaviotas for my Philosophy class, and I thought I'd share it with you.

Gaviotas is a model of sustainable living that was started more than 30 years ago in the Savanna in Columbia.
It was started with one mans vision, and they have created quite a few great inventions, and it still moves forward today.

I want to move there... who's with me?

http://www.friendsofgaviotas.org/Home.html
http://www.mariposagroup.org/gaviotas.htm
http://money.cnn.com/2007/09/26/technology/village_saving_planet.biz2/index.htm

Ride with me ... through the Everglades

I went to South Florida for the weekend. My sister was visiting my parents, and I made a surprise visit.

WARNING: The video is loud, it's an airboat

____

In the second video we are doing a 360, and a wave is coming up over the boat on the right hand side, I turn to keep the camera somewhat dry (thus you don't see it) - but you do hear me scream as I get soaked with swamp water.

Gotta see Gators in the Everglades.

Disclaimer: Nice hair? I had been driving in a convertible for an hour, and then got soaked with swamp water before this!!

Some Southern Florida Vegetation. I love Bird of Paradise.

Anyone know what this is?

Ollie Ollie Oxen Free

We've had Ollie 5 weeks now.
It's not perfect by any means ... but we are trying. He's a really sweet dog, he just has so much baggage that he is sometimes consumed with fear. :-(

It's sad.

(Can you guess where the chickens are?)

I knew that I didn't have alot of time to fix serious behavior problems. I'm trying. I have to give him another week or so.

Vermicomposting my dog doo

When I tell people about this method, they usually think that I am crazy. However I composted my dog doo with this method in Snohomish, and it works really well.

Several years ago I purchased this over-rated worm composter designed just for this.

To initially set up the composter, you place cardboard in the bottom to keep the worms from falling through.

Then you add Red Worms (they are best for this purpose) This is 250 worms.

Then you cover them with wet paper

Then you add the poopie (I don't think you'll need that picture)

The first generation of worms are not happy with their options of food, however the second generation knows no different - and within a couple of months it will digest 2 dogs worth of poop as fast as your dogs can make it. Probably could do 4 dogs with more worms.

You have to water them once in awhile - but they do all the work, and supply you with worm castings (fertilizer) in exchange.

It works for cats too!