Dear Mephibosheth:

> In the event that you haven't subscribed, Linda Runyon has a
> free email newsletter that has helpful articles.
> http://www.ofthefield.com/

I subscribed and got my first email. Full of good information.

> By God's grace I was up and going today. There was so much new rich
> information, I almost had an overload and just had to stop. Gardening information?

> I keep mounding up pine needles on the stem (this makes it
> turn into a root). I did not know this before, but potatoes are high in
> Vitamin C--that's why they like acidic things like pine needles. One
> potato can deliver 48% of the daily recommended Vitamin C, which is a lot.

I just made a note to buy some organic potatoes to do the same thing. This is very helpful information. When I have a cold, taking lots of vitamin C from the store helps a lot. How much more in its natural, hearty state.

> How does the job market look for you? Are you applying for a specific
> type of position?

In terms of where to work, I feel like a child asking his Father, what should I do? Personally, I don't want it to be somewhere where they play the world's music or sell products that are harmful (e.g. McDonald's). It would be very good if I could work in a way that I perform services or make things with my hands to help people.

I am not applying for anything specific. I just went from place to place asking if they are hiring.

In prayer, it seems that God may have a place for me with/helping the poor people. If it's the Lord's will, it would be an honor and a privilege if the Lord let me somehow work for or with the people who live meal to meal. Maybe I could get a little land one day and teach the knowledge that I am learning to people who would listen and be glad to know-- poor people who need it for their survival and families.

I realized yesterday-- this learning about survival and breaking dependence from the world is not just helpful for us Christians one day when we cannot buy or sell, or just people in 3rd world countries. These things could powerfully help truly poor people and the truly homeless right now. You mentioned before that you would like a little land to help whoever the Lord brought along. Wonderful.

> Some people eat what they can find, and that is enough. Early

> Americans had a much more varied diet than ours. Whatever you could catch

> or gather in the bucket went to the table. There is always something to

> collect.

Collecting things struck a chord with me. Growing up, I had a natural delight in collecting things. I would collect acorns and nuts from the back yard just because satisfied something inside of me. I didn't know what to do with them then. I think this is a natural human desire that people today have little use for because everything is provided for them by someone else.

> Have you tasted either of your finds yet?

Yes! I've tasted everything that I positively identified. The sow thistle was so bitter that I would want to boil it even if it did not have oxalic acid. The same with the acorns, but they have a very palatable texture. The weeds taste so fresh. I really feel better eating at least a few fresh foods than relying totally on something that came in a bag or box.

> I've never heard of cleaver, but looked it up after reading your email. As I > understand it, 90% of weeds are edible, which is really an exciting > prospect.

Yes!

> Time to retire. I have not forgotten your writings about uninterrupted,
> unlighted sleep.

Can you tell a difference when you sleep early hours uninterrupted with light?

Vigilant Watchman