I started this blog with the goal that it become a resource for other people involved in similar pursuits, so that they could learn from our mistakes and follow our progress as our humble project evolves. Unfortunately, reality has gotten in the way in the form of working multiple jobs and the lure of various summer-induced venial pursuits. So roughly two weeks have passed since my first faltering baby post, and lots has happened in the interim. These are some highlights.

With the help of some hearty and dedicated friends we have:

-Assembled, filled and planted six 4’ x 10’ boxes. Kelly and I planted three boxes, while our friends Art and Chelsea, Katie and Marcie planted one each.

-Diverted our neighbor’s drain spout into our rain barrel. Since the property we’re growing on has been abandoned for about 15 years, its city water service has long since been shut off.

-Planted a raspberry patch populated with canes generously donated by the folks from Honky Tonk restaurant and bar. Willie Jr., the 13-year-old rapscallion son of owners Beth and Willie Wagner, has been an invaluable source of labor, ideas and prurient humor (in both English and Spanish — what a whiz!)

-Hauled off a half-ton of debris and rubble from the lot.

-Hauled in about a half-ton of salvaged limestone pavers from a machine shop on  Cermak Ave. and used it to build a comely, winding staircase into the lot.

-Built an in-ground hobo fire pit out of donated bricks and a rusted out steel drum.

The plan is to update this site every day or two, but for now, this summary and the pictures that follow will have to suffice.