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I've lived in a green 'affordable housing for seniors' apartment since it was built in 2007, and I love it. There are many nice features. Our building is part of a mixed-use development with market-rate apartments and condos on the property too, joined by a natural area meandering through it. The designer daylighted a creek tributary on this former grayfield site, and it's planted with drought-resistant native species. My apartment is 652 sq. ft. and it's so well designed that it's very spacious and bright. Energy star appliances, green roof for stormwater and insulation, continuous ventilation in the building, low VOC paints, sealants and carpet (no nasty new-home fumes), good windows etc. My electric bill dropped in the winter by $100 a month. Having lived here now, I can offer some suggestions for green apartment buildings, and I'm surprised that these things weren't built into the concept of green living. We only have garbage disposal for food scraps---this is the first time in the last 35 years that I haven't been able to have a compost, and it's been a hard adjustment! And, we have no bike storage, no covered racks, no place on the building to lock your bike under cover---as a result, I never ride my bike, and that's sad.  We really enjoy our little balconies, 5' x 10'; I for one grow food and flowers and herbs on it; many of the residents are expert gardeners. And although we have a green roof, we're not allowed to go up there. We wish we had a garden area somewhere onsite, and really wish we could grow some food on that roof! I know it's planted with hardy succulents in lightweight mix and understand some of the challenges of growing on roofs, but maybe a small area of the roof could be adapted. Not just food for ourselves, but to grow for the poor too. Many residents are retired with time on their hands, and would enjoy this form on service that builds health and community.

posted 3 years, 11 months ago
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Thanks, you can go to http://grow-organic-food.blogspot.com for more info. Shade will work for wild edibles like miners' lettuce, violets or pansies, for example. Once summer comes, try the cool weather lovers like lettuce, spinach, maybe even peas (is there sun to reach for?). Nothing will grow as big and vigorous as if it were in 6-8 hours of sun--maybe you can even direct a couple mirrors, it's worth a try. If dead branches are blocking light, you can gain a lot by removing them.

posted 4 years, 1 month ago
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My husband of 33 years passed on at home 5 years ago after 20 years of kidney failure and luckily never had to go into the hospital as were his wishes. Our small family of 3 assisted his transition with hospice. We were able to take care of him ourselves for the most part once we had the right pain meds which did take a while to get. It was a very spiritual experience that only confirmed his lifelong knowledge that life does not end with the death of our bodies, and our family worked as one 'midwifing' team to assure him that we would be 'ok' and he could move on, he was so devoted to us. Last year, my mom of 91 years passed on at home as she wished with 2 of us sisters there with hospice. Here, it was more complicated; we had problems getting her admitted into hospice, and that didn't make sense, given her condition and old age. We had no nurses when she was discharged, and my sister had no former hospice experience at home. It was very difficult until we got the admission from hospice; I was confident we could give our mother the best care, but my sis was afraid, exhausted and doubtful and that made it difficult. We were able to assist our mother at home to have her wish, "a happy death" and I know she was pleased. Death is so much like birth, and we are better human beings for experiencing both, and need to regain that power in our lives for ourselves and each other. It's not perfect, we don't have enough nurses, and that's why it's important that we recognize that we have the power to do this, provide loving care and pain management for dying. Too many are dying alone and in pain.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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