In addition to my attempt at building up the wildfood wiki, I also want to be able to identify the plants in my own backyard, edible or otherwise. I've got a couple of plants that have come up this year that have a very strong smell -- some kind of herb smell, but I have no clue what it is.

Any ideas?

I've received positive and encouraging responses to my "grow your own" post in both the comments and in my inbox, so I decided to throw up a wiki on my site dedicated to local (relative to wherever you are, I suppose) edible wild foods.

Here's the link: wildfood wiki

Feel free to post your own thoughts, links to good resources, tips, cooking ideas, whatever.

Hey folks -

Does anybody know of an online database for local edible plants? I'm really interested in learning what kinds of plants you can pick and eat as you walk around the northwest. I know that dandelions are fully edible, as well as clovers... but what else? I'd like to see a project put together that showcases edible plants in our area, whether they can be eaten raw or require preparation.

And while we're at it, perhaps a companion database of edible bugs -- grasshoppers, worms, etc. Going green is one thing, but really becoming intimate with the earth and understanding what it provides for us is an important step as well. When school-age children can identify over 2,000 brand names, but can't identify more than 10 plants in their own backyard, that's a sad statement about society.

Anybody interested in a knowledge sharing database? Maybe a wild-food wiki? I'd be glad to host a wiki on my own site if people are interested in participating and sharing.

I just saw this ad on craigslist.

Here's the text from the ad:

This is the genuine item! A well appointed 'American Diner Style' restaurant in the heart of the State Capital with lots of pedestrian traffic. This restaurant serves food in generous portions: from hefty burgers to Philly Cheese Steaks. And everything in between!

All the furniture on the premises is new. Yet the look is that of an authentic 1950’s ‘diner’, This place is loaded with good feelings and lots of yesteryear charm. Yet the kitchen areas are modern and spotlessly clean!

After 3 years of operation, gross annual sales have reached $500,000 and are still climbing. 'Take Out' and 'Delivery of hot food lunches'(to the thousands of state government employees in the City) now comprise an increasing portion of sales.

This is the only restaurant of its type in the downtown area which is fully dedicated to what American hamburger ‘joints’ used to look and feel like, even down to the rotating vinyl counter stools.

Offered for sale at $175,000. Seller possibly willing to carry a note for a serious party with a down payment of $ 50K.

For additional details, call (360) 532-6800.

Crazy. I hope whoever buys it keeps making those cheesesteak sandwiches. And man, that cheesecake...

I realize that there are sites like etsy and ebay for people to showcase their creative work, but I think it'd be neat for people here to show off their creative talent, whether it be drawings, paintings, knittings, or whatever. The local creative scene is really interesting to me.

Here's my latest work: a clockwork bird

See more images.

I had the privilege of being able to help the folks at Camp Quixote move from the United Methodist Church to the First Christian Church on Franklin and 7th. Between loading up fence panels, helping a resident pack up and haul her possessions to the new location, building up the new fence, and bringing dinner and supplies to the residents, I can't think of a better way to finish off 2007.

I thought about bringing a camera to take pictures of the move, but I rushed out in the morning without it. I saw a couple of people there who took some pictures, and hopefully they post.

It's weird to think that just a few months ago, I didn't even know that the camp existed. For years, I'd been so insulated from the poor and the down-trodden in my own backyard, but after praying and searching out opportunities to become a real member of my own community, I stumbled upon information about the camp, both here on olyblog and from a friend who started up a video documentary on the camp. And now I've come to know some folks in the camp who have already accepted me as family...

My wife and I plan to become regular contributors to the camp, both with materials and with our time, as best we're able.