Normally I don’t do New Years resolutions. This year my resolution is . . . lots of resolutions. Here’s the list. I expect you to hold me to it:

• get HAM technician’s license
• learn Morse code
• attend CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) classes
• build cob oven in the backyard
• organize messy office so it doesn’t look like an episode of Hoarders
• organize supplies in garage into labeled boxes
• turn the garage into the ultimate man cave
• fix bad knees
• return to the fencing strip
• increase running distance
• organize bug-out box
• backpack more often
• camp on Santa Rosa island again
• plan out garden ahead of time instead of playing catch-up at the last minute
• return to biodynamic practices in the garden
• learn how to sharpen knives and tools
• improve writin’ skills
• start a podcast
• shoot some how-to videos
• create an iPhone or iPad app
• check email only twice a day
• clean up the graphic design on the blog and organize information better
• take more time to cook
• keep the kitchen spotless
• ferment vegetables more often
• celebrate the wonderful awesomeness that is Mrs. Homegrown each and every day

And that’s just January. It’s going to be a great year for everyone in the urban homestead movement! What are your resolutions?

2012—year of the goat?

The poll results are in and a solid majority thinks that things will get worse in 2012. The results, with 617 votes:

• 187 30% things will get better
• 309 50% things will get worse
• 121 19% things will stay the same

I had intended to editorialize about how I see 2012 going. But I can’t say it better than this anonymous comment:

I could not answer the poll. My first thought was that things will get worse. I was thinking from a world wide view, economic, food wise, etc. But I thought again and decided that really those things don’t matter. I expect things around my house to get better. My love for my wife will grow and I hope hers for me. We may spend more for less, have shortages of this or that. But those are not a good measure of better or worse in my life. So my answer is that I purpose to have a better year no matter how the rest of the world does.

I’d also encourage all to read the wise blog post of Archdruid John Michael Greer, “Hope in a Cold Season.”