Beekeeping in the ‘burbs

I'd seen an ad for a meeting about beekeeping in the Homewood Star, a paper and online publication for news and entertainment in Homewood, our little community. The talk would be held at the new Sims Ecoscape site, a plot of land donated to the city of Homewood for ecological efforts by Catherine Sims for the use as a community park and outdoor classroom. It was a very chilly day, but the sun was shining and the information was interesting enough to almost not notice how cold it... Continue reading

The Chicken Lady

I'd heard rumors of a woman living in unincorporated Jefferson County near Cahaba Heights who operates a chicken coop rental business. I've always enjoyed various types of pets, and as a novice urban farmer I decided to learn about the service; fresh eggs and ready-made fertilizer seem like a fabulous way for a pet to earn her keep! I got in touch with Melissa Allphin, also known as The Chicken Lady, and asked if I could see her setup. She was happy to show her wares and the fine ladies she... Continue reading

Desk work can be a pain in the neck. Literally!

If you sit at a desk hunched over a computer all day as I do, you have likely experienced what most do from time to time. The neck aches, the shoulders try to sneak into the ears, and the upper middle back cries out for relief. There are a few simple things anyone can do to help alleviate this discomfort. First and foremost, get up and move around. Sitting in one position for extended periods without moving is a recipe for disaster. Our spines are cleansed and nourished through movement... Continue reading

Healthy dandelion salad – who knew?

I have never understood America's aversion to the humble dandelion. Named for the lion-tooth shape of the leaves, this jubilant weed seems a happy addition to any yard. Is it because everyone can have them? Seriously, what is up? The lion's teeth As a child, I loved to blow away the little parachute seeds after the flowers had gone to seed. But if that childhood joy weren't enough, I recently learned these guys are loaded with good things! The sunny little "weed" is chock full of... Continue reading