Here we are, the beginning of February, two classes into the course, and I’m just writing the first of 2011's updates. We’re usually on number 2 or 3 by now.

I really must be slowing down. Not only is the update late, I’ve got enough stuff left over from classes 1 and 2 to fill at least another two classes!

I know where a chunk of time went on the first class. If each person took only two minutes to deliver an introductory bio, it will take the better part of an hour to cover 24 introductions. My outline allows only half an hour for all the bios plus an overview of what we might hope to cover in the nine sessions. Does anyone have any clever ideas for getting a group of strangers to know something about each other without taking a lot of time

The tools class faired a little better. I did cover the basic kit - a cheap spade and shovel, a good border fork, and the best secateurs that extravagance will allow - but the two most universal tools - feet and hands - barely got a mention.

One of the things I forgot to mention anywhere was that we ask each attendee for a written course appraisal to be handed in at the final class. Like the tests, the appraisals are anonymous; no names or means of identification. The reviews should include: How the classes might be better organized. What there can be less of, and what should be expanded? We have found in the past that the most useful responses come from people who make a few notes after each class and then put it all together with a summation at the end of the course.

I called in to the Knights Table last week to see if there was anything in particular that they wanted us to grow for the kitchen. They asked for all the potatoes and onions we can produce, for anything that will make soup, plus cabbages. We’re ok with the root crops, pumpkins, squash and the like, but I’ve never had much success with cruciferous vegetables. Does anyone have any expertise? ‘Seed Savers Exchange’ (www.seedsavers.org) sent me a promo 2011 catalogue, and they have an intriguing collection of bush beans. Perhaps a few beds of beans might be in order. They’re not labour intensive, they’ll provide fresh snap beans for volunteers, and what’s left can dry on the plant for soup beans.

Further to the topic of ‘Say what you actually mean’, misusing the word ‘natural’, and the proposition that a nuclear power station is just as natural as an ants nest: I didn’t mention that heat-producing, self-sustaining, nuclear reactions were occurring long before there were any humans to have a hand in them. Contained in the uranium-ore deposits in Gabon, tropical West Africa, are what are called the Oklo Fossil Reactors. At these 16 known sites, conditions were just right for nuclear chain reactions to occur and to be heat generators over a period of at least several hundred thousands of years. Nuclear fission is perfectly ‘natural’, all that humans have done is put it in a box and set it to work. The point? Don’t confuse ‘man-made’ with ‘unnatural’. (if you must be politically correct - ‘of human agency’ but man-made is still easier to say!)

Just so no one shows up prematurely, the next class is not this coming Saturday, it’s 12th February.

Late breaking internet news ‘Top Stories’: Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam, Wiarton Willie, and Puxatawney Phil in Philadelphia, have all predicted an early spring. Can’t come soon enough.

Final thought. This is the first use of the updated 2011 mailing list. Please acknowledge receipt so we know that you’re on the list and that we got the address correct.