Hello, everyone! My name is Lyssa (pronounced "Lisa") and I live in Sacramento, California. For this year, I've been fortunate to be able to work from home since I am on the administration end of a non-profit that deals with food insecurity, emergency services, and immigration.

After reading your posts, I admit I am a little, or maybe more than a little, envious of those of you that live on farms or large properties. I have been renting a tiny house on a foundation in a backyard for the last six years. I share the small yard with three other families and I'm very limited on what I can do with the outdoor space.

I had planned on moving to the high desert this year, but COVID came along and changed my plans (at least until next year). The desert is one of the few areas left in California where you can buy land at an affordable price. My friends think I'm crazy to want to move to a hotter, dryer, desolate region, but the desert is calling me! It has a unique beauty, unlike anywhere else I've lived. My desire to live there is what drew me to permaculture. I can do my own "greening the desert" project like Geoff Lawton. On a smaller scale, of course.

My 65th birthday is coming up. Yikes. Many would think it's a bit late in life to pull up roots, move to a great unknown, learn a totally new skill, and take on an ambitious lifestyle. But when you stop learning, you stop living. I'm looking forward to learning all I can and sharing the passion of permaculture with all of you! Take care and stay safe!

Lyssa