I never used to read science fiction. But technology and sustainability hold my attention and I read good futuristic books on these topics. “Ghost Fleet” a technothriller on the next world war portends problems with technology and is well researched with extensive footnotes. Now I have completed my interactive Python programming course with Rice University via Coursera, I have begun my next read, the Water Knife about a water starved west beset with dust clouds and violence. Both are excellent reads.
Which brings me to water sustainability. I store about 6k gallons rainwater and I restrict my growing activities to get by on rain and harvested rainwater. This would not be possible in California (we make our annual visit to San Francisco in a few weeks) where Summer rainfall is minimal. But here in north Georgia it is possible, with some luck. My stored water is sufficient for about 3 weeks and then I need rain. And so far the rains have arrived timely. I hand water with a 3/4″ hose – takes time but for me is the most efficient method. My water is gravity fed and though it goes thro a gauze filter before entering the tanks it grows algae and would not work with drip feed unless I installed filters and increased the water pressure, which I am not prepared to do. When water runs low I have to choose where to best use it and so some will thrive while others have to endure. And it is enjoyable to see what is growing, how the pests are doing, and admire the butterflies.
But things go wrong with the collection system and I have to watch that everything is connected and blockages removed. An endcap I had fitted to a gutter installed on a shed kept coming loose. So, effective but not attractive, I used a couple screws to hold it in place.
At my tractor building a 4″ corrugated pipe formed a u-bend, then filled with water, and broke loose. Now with screws and straps I have secured it again and tried to prevent another u-bend forming.
Previously I used my heavy portable drill for inserting screws. Now I use a real handy portable screwdriver which fits in my pocket and is easy to use.
Tomatoes are a plenty and now the unusual okra plant is beginning to produce. It has a striking flower.
The flower transforms into future pods.
Which then grow into regular okra which we eat off the plant, when small, or grill with squash.
And, finally some more butterflies.
