Taking advantage of my ability to summer in the northern region of the lower peninsula of Michigan, I am thuroughly enjoying a summer in the woods!

Change has come to Honey Moon Farm, and they are looking to pack up and move as well. The garden is abundant and not being ignored or underappreciated. The chickens are happy and healthy, as well as the worms, cats and bees. As the farmhand of Honey Moon Farm, I decided to journey north and tend the plants that I brought here for friends and family to learn with. I am indeed tending to the aproximate 80 or so plants I placed in these northern soils (harvesting and drying many of them now), but am seeing so much more of the big picture staying here as well.

On a journey to reconnect with the woods and waters I ran through and splashed in as a child, I discovered much about myself and nature along the way. I hear her breeze loud as it strikes my face. I look up and around and see I am completely surrounded by green, lush leaves on trees! I hear the smallest insect crawling on the soil, the soft rippling water behind me.  I feel as peaceful as my surroundings. Flowing in the breeze, I am here, now, and I am free to enjoy and appreciate all I have around me.

Coming from a bustling suburb of Detroit, it is terribly refreshing to be here! I do not hear sirens. I do not have street lights filling my tent at night with unwanted light. I do not have a neighbor peeking in on me, instead, I have animals, plants and water. Being here has allowed me to re-appreciate this beautiful area I once called home. I understand now that to preserve such areas we must rethink how we develop as a society. We must evolve our idea of "city" living to include sustainability and nature appreciation. We must bring nature back into our cities, even if it is one plant or garden at a time.

I understand that many cities nation wide have become rapidly progressive in urban gardening and permaculture movements. I am thankful for all the individuals that are already fighting for the Earth to be restored, appreciated and understood. I am thankful for the individuals who see the importance of sharing information and coming together as a people to protect our lives, our families and adapt to the inevitable change that we are faced with. We are our only hope, and there is strength in numbers.

I previously had plans to travel abroad to study permaculture practices and enjoy more nature, but life has shown me that I should indeed start at home, in Detroit. As much as I would love a stint in a new and exotic location, I will gladly return to familiar city streets this fall to jump on board with organizations that will allow me to learn and work with them in attemp to save a great city. Northern Michigan suffers when our major cities suffer. We are all connected. If too many more people leave, we will have no one to fight the fight. We are losing jobs, lessening incomes, depleating retirements and insurances. We are a consumer nation, and our consumerism is the very habit that is killing this planet. We all have to make changes in thinking about the way we live, what we need to live, and how we can all work together to achieve a healthy and sustainable city, state, nation.  

Nature has motivated me. She welcomed me like an old friend, took me into her home and has been very hospitable. I must return the favor. Instead of running to the woods when I am sick of the city smog and sounds of sirens, I will work to bring woods back to the city!