Asparagus and the village

I am proud to say that my children have not eaten a single vegetable in this house,(excepting asparagus) that I have not grown since March when last years veggies ran out.

They LOVE asparagus. Love love it. They'll eat it roasted, steamed, grilled, stir fried. They love it best when David makes it. I usually make mine the same as his, but apparently, and I quote "Daddy does it better!" *hmph*

I have gotten away with a lot of gardening in the last 4 years. Nearly all of it breaking the rules of the all powerful trailer park lease. But an asparagus bed.....that'd be too much. Not to mention I just do not have the space anymore. Every patch of earth I have rented is utilized. At least the places that are more hidden from the road. I just keep telling myself that soon, soon we will have found the property we will actually live on. I plan to put in asparagus before I lay the foundation. Depending on the season of course. And a raspberry bramble, and rhubarb! Currently I have a deal with the 2 neighbors with raspberries. I harvest their crop, they receive a jar of two of whatever I turn it into. I love some of these neighbors. But most I could leave behind and never think of again. I really do not wish to be isolated on the homestead. Most homesteaders do. But I disagree. I homestead. A real one. It's not something that can really truly be accomplished in isolation. At least not for me. To me, what makes a life a life is the people in it. I would love to take these guys with me and start a little village, with a huge garden and communal meals. Working next to your friends. Working to grow food and hole it away for the winter. I love what I have here. 2 neighbors with fruits for the taking, one with a disability and usually only grabbing a handful to eat or to freeze. The other works 70 hours a week and does not have the time or knowledge to really make full use of her harvest. In a small way, I do have the village here. But in an urban setting. Which I cannot consider either safe or sustainable. If it were just me and David sure, but three little kids....

As it is, I am looking for a property that is somewhat secluded. Not because I dislike people. But because I fear the unknown. I fear who these people may be. In a SHTF situation, I would prefer to be isolated then to be surrounded by people I don't know or can't trust. So isolation it is, by default. Unless I can rise above this fear of mine.

One more year. Then life can really start.