Forever Berries

In this fleeting life, I make choices to use my tiny power to challenge colonial and unsustainable institutions and move closer to peaceful, loving community. To stay brave and get out of oppression, I start with a few seconds of self-care. Look at the sky, take five deep breaths. Arrange flowers.

Jars of chicken broth in the kitchen. The background shows a window and snow. The jars are ready for freezing

Made chicken bone broth after the feast, perfect for a hot drink to stay healthy

An improvised thimble made from two bottle caps held together on a thumb with an elastic

Homemade thimble made from bottle caps. It worked well while sewing leather mittens #diy #leather #mittens

Smiling friends with baby standing in front of a maple tree. One man wears a red T-shirt that has 'stop global warming' printed on it

This Sat, Sept 20, come join Emerge Guelph and others at the climate justice rally starting at 10AM at the gazebo in Royal City Park (across the street from the Boathouse)

#DrawTheLine #climatechange #bethelight #guelph

Barn with white man smiling awkwardly and tightening a vice holding a piece of rebar curved into a spiral

Today I learned you can twist rebar into spirals to reinforce concrete piers using bolts, a wagon wheel, steel pipe and a vice (part of the artist's studio building project). Also cutting rebar is more thrilling than fireworks

#diy #construction #gay #farmer #concrete

Speak up for a renewable bio-based economy, so our children have livelihoods that increase human health and ecosystem diversity. With friends and family, speak up for fair labour laws, so that everyone has the chance to contribute to their communities
#democraticecosocialism #greensky #guncle

Campfire at dusk with trees in background and bowl of zucchini soup in foreground

Please donate to relieve humanitarian crisis in Gaza and beyond - e.g. Canadian Red Cross / Palestinian Red Crescent Movement. Genocide, mass displacement, weaponized hunger - these must be called out. Peace takes work. Collective action is needed to uphold international law against war crimes

Cut my first hay with a scythe yesterday - cleaned the rust off with sandpaper, and sharpened with stone held in a jig I made myself. Proud to accomplish a goal I set years ago. Maybe the fireflies will stay now

#traditionalskills #howto #scythe #sharpening #hay #gayfarmer #organic #Guelph #Ontario

A dear queer friend chose the species for this wildflower meadow, and he's moving to Nova Scotia this summer. The solar panels were installed by the stalwart farmer who started a 40 year berry farm treasure and passed away two weeks ago. And this photo is taken by my handsome life partner, who stopped to admire this view while he spends his mid-June days harvesting strawberries and planting grain.

At the other farm, thinking of the beautiful impressions left when the people we love are no longer here
#climate #greensky #guelph #ontario #seedsofdiversity #gay #farmer #solarpunk #solar #wildflowers

Farmer happy after a good day of work in a spring garden designed for seniors at a community volunteer day

"I tried to be sweet, I tried to be kind, but I feel much better when I'm out of my mind" ~Cruella/Florence

#foodsovereignty #climate #greensky #guelph #ontario #seedsofdiversity #gay #farmer

Learning basket making in a community hall

Sharing these skills of weaving and tanning and preserving, we learn a little more how to take care of ourselves in mutual respect, without using others. We can say the hard things when our needs aren't being met, and ask for help. Take the steps to heal and love our communities back to life

I see the thoughtful reflection and heart you put into this work. It's very intriguing and sticks with me!

Website with images of artists at the upcoming Guelph Lecture On Being, May 2, 2025

Coming up on May 2, getting my ticket! Always inspired and challenged (in a good way) by the ecological and decolonial music and perspectives at this event festival.artseverywhere.ca

#justtransition #communitypower #ndtr #indigenous #art #guelph #guelpharts

Empty paper pots ready for soil and seed, with repotted aloe plants and seedling trays

Paper pots are fun to make! Washing plastic seedling trays is boring plus they're not biodegradable, so I thought I'd try switching to paper pots. Last year I just put the paper in the ground when I planted, so easy. The roots stay intact XD

#greensky #seedlings #gaygardener #bethelight

Couch springs and cushion covers leaning on a dumpster beside a barn

Salvaging a couch for material. Will make a comfy cot for the tiny house. It's blissful to be outside in the sun, honouring the wood and metal in my hands, welcoming the end of late stage capitalism

#climate #greensky #queercreativity #kali

Hahaha Protonmail is calling your name my friend...

Iskigamizige-giizis - Ojibwe for 'sap boiling moon'. Listening to the coyote chorus yip and howl

#foodsovereignty #countrylife #queersinnature #reconciliaction #allourrelations #maplenation #indigenousselfdetermination

So excited to see everyone at Seedy Saturday, March 22, 10-3pm at the mall downtown (Old Quebec St.) :D
#foodforest #foodsovereignty #climate #greensky #guelphseedlibrary #ontarionativeplants #seedsofdiversity

Keep your heart open and brave to pursue justice, big and small. Tree planting time is only one month away! Kudos to #torontomet for Ojibwe-inspired murals encouraging time in nature as part of reconciliation and active living.

#foodforest #foodsovereignty #climate #greensky

Footprints leading toward sunset and trees in a snowy landscape

We're grateful for more snow on the farm this year. Deep snow holds nitrogen until closer to spring, when nutrients can be used to help plants grow. Snow insulates the soil and tree roots. Watch out for rabbits nibbling higher branches than usual!

#foodforest #foodsovereignty #climate #greensky

Bushel basket of apples inside a window beside a snowy yard and barn

Cultural and ecological diversity is essential for resilience. We tend eight different kinds of apple trees here, each blooming and ripening at different times to adapt to climate change. Like trees, each person has unique gifts that blossom in time.

#foodforest #foodsovereignty #climate #greensky

Chestnuts in a glass bowl for soaking

Inspired today by the bravery of US EPA scientists fighting back. Tonight, roasting chestnuts with friends. Prep: Slice the shell, soak, roast in cast iron pan (rub soap on outside bottom of pan to make it easier to clean off the soot later).

#foodforest #foodsovereignty #climate #greensky

Tractor plowing lane with snow and barn in background

Soil tests came in: Soil organic matter increased from 3.0% (2018) to 4.9% (2024). Cation exchange capacity increased from 8.5 to 16 meq/100g. This is on a former vegetable field planted in tall fescue and clover, with rotational grazing from 2018-2024. Not huge carbon storage but positive steps.

River rapids in a snowy forest

I will speak up for the beauty of the river that runs through my heart. I will defend the woods that shelter me and give me strength.