i’m feeling obligated to post, even though nothing new is happening.
nothing new around here means, of course:
police cars cruising by…slowly… the funniest was when they came by as we were filming for channel 20. (don’t know what that is nationally- sorry!) oops!
odd quotes from odd people in city hall. did we really elect these folks, or are they perchance pod-people who have taken over the shells of the formerly living?
50 million (i’m all over it, feythful!) calls about interviews with every group from save-the-snails to gardening- for- advanced -super- trained- high- powered- know- everything-master- gardeners (cuz i clearly fit into that category now! hahaha) to hack- the- planet -and- inherit- the- earth, to hide- in -a- bunker- and- prepare- for- the- end- of- civilization- to warm- fuzzy- huggy shows that want to wish me “woman power” and end their emails with “namaste”.
oh gosh- i don’t mind emails that end with” namaste”- okay ?!?!?!?!?!?!
someone told me today that if i write too many question marks and too many exclamation marks that people will think i am dumb. or something to that effect. (if you are reading this, i know you were trying to help! but i’m trying to be funny, okay?!?!?!?!?!?!) between my erroneous punctuation and my lack of capital letters and my complete failure to spell check many posts for typing errors (at least that’s what i WANT you to believe!), i’m dyin’ over here! i never knew it would be so hard to have a blog! and these are people who like me!!!!!!!!!
can’t even imagine what the “other side” will do with this…
“yes, your honor- she actually puts like 10 exclamation points after some of her sentences!!!!!!!!!! how could we NOT convict her of a garden violation??????????”
“mrs. bass- is it true that you actually exaggerate (use hyperbole, aaron!) in some of your posts??????????” “uh, yes your honor. but i only did it like 50 million times…”
“OL- how could you possibly sleep at night, knowing that your client may go free after her various gardening and punctuation offenses?”
“yes, she does have vegetables, but she also FAILS TO CAPITALIZE!!!!!! fellow citizens, your outrage should be directed against mrs. bass- a clear threat to all high school english students everywhere!!! stop the madness and throw her in jail right now! for the sake of all that is holy- incarcerate her for 93 days!!! “
anyway, you get the picture.
alexis wiley was out again today (fox news). i haven’t seen the show yet (i have to wait until it streams on the computer, or uploads, or megabytes, or something computer-y), but i heard good things. alexis is cool. she could be a new bff. she could be total inner circle with an accused criminal… whoa- let’s not let that rumor get out…
i think their legal analyst did his interview in our garden. is that unfair bias? maybe the smell of the tomatoes intoxicated him onto our side 
we also went to the library, made a target trip (cuz seriously, who could go a week without a target run?), went to another library, got bread sticks from the local pizza shop for lunch (another healthy lunch brought to you by the mother who organic gardens for her family’s health- hahaha), made 4 different suppers, did 2 loads of laundry, 3 loads of dishes, still haven’t picked up stuff from an undisclosed store that i was supposed to go visit a week ago, returned less than 50 million phone calls, checked the comments on the blog- i still read every one, although i can’t comment on each one any more (i’m SO honestly sorry, by the way. i wish i could, but it just got to be too much with everything else that’s going on- like grocery shopping, putting kids to bed, having a life, etc.), and talked to my lawyer slightly more often than i spoke to my husband. hunh.
oh, and we are going to be talking to people at the colbert report. i have never seen the show, although i have seen pics of him, and he looks like our friend angus. i watched a few clips on his website, and he seems to only say one or two lines about any given topic, but we are going to call them back anyway. heck- you only live once, right? and i hear he has a super-pac with lots of money, so maybe he’ll pay for all of our neighbors to get raised garden beds too!
anyhow, that’s all for now. i’m off to get a neck rub from my saintly daughter. maybe after i’ve seen the quotes and misquotes of the day, i’ll be inspired to post again.
oh, and i have to go water the garden before everything dies. oops.
by the way, in case you are keeping score, it’s
migraine: many
julie: none
i feel like the city of oak park…
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:20:53
You go girl!! What is up with Oak Park and no veggie gardens. How stupid. Why don’t they go after hardened criminals instead. They sure do know how to prioritize in these days of lack of funds. Do people get to grow fruit trees in their front yard in Oak Park? Heck in Denver, you can have chickens and goats.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:48:08
well buy me a home in denver, honey- cuz we just might get run outta town
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:27:39
Yes — come to Denver! It’s pretty great here.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:21:11
I second the move th denver, but I live here, so I am biased. However , I USED to live in California, a nanny state if there ever was one….
Denver embraces, supports and encourages gardening, just remember the topless lady in Boulder in her thong- I mentioned her on the fb page a few days ago. Her neighbor complained, she went to court ( no owrd on if she ‘dressed up’ for that) and prevailed.
Lots of support and good thoughts, you have them on the run now.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:22:00
I hope that they leave you alone, and worry about what the heck to do about all the other problems that they are faced with. What a waste of precious little resources, over a vegetable garden. What the hell is the big deal, It dosent look like marijuan, so what the hell ?????? The problem is, that they are so backed up full of shit because they dont eat vegetables, they cant think straight !!!! Grow on girl !!! Good Luck
)
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:23:06
plant veggies and live in a healthy enviroment or…abuse and don’t claim your child missing….REALLY! the jail time seems a bit high? I understand “permits and town policies but this is just crap! It’s not like it’s a swimming pool in the front yard or a cell phone tower …it’s a freaking garden which…the community could have benefited from…..unbelievable
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:24:32
Thank you for what you are doing. I feel like I know you from all of your very real blog posts. Keep your chin up! Hugs and prayers are going your way!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:26:10
Julie – definitely talk to Colbert’s people! Well worth it! I try to watch him every night (he comes on at 11p).
Well-wisher # 12,436
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:46:04
smile #5 million.
-julie
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:23:08
Yes yes yes! Talk with the Colbert people, humorous spin on the news, topics & tidbits but it will certainly get your story out to a larger group of people!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heck, he might even want to have you for a full interview!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope the headaches give you a break soon.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:29:01
I e-mailed a lady who knows someone at the Colbert Report, so I’m taking the credit for hooking that one up for ya!
Haha, just kidding! It probably wasn’t my e-mail at all, don’t I wish. Cannot wait to see it! Good job all all the dishes and laundry. I haven’t done any laundry for a few DAYS! I love caps btw, love love love them!!!! and explanation points too!!!!! 
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:19:32
oh man, april- i don’t know whether to be excited about colbert or scared off! so if you hooked it up, you better have my back, girlfriend!
sorry i haven’t reached you yet by phone; i’m hoping to try again tomorrow!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:29:37
You Go Girl! Between senseless City Codes and Power Wielding HOAs, private property rights have all but disappeared. If the City decrees “hard time” you can bet there will be a lot of folks stepping up to bat for you.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 08:53:42
Karen said: “Between senseless City Codes and Power Wielding HOAs, private property rights have all but disappeared.”
More threats to your private property rights are the policies of imminent domain, property taxes, and seizure laws. Gov’t agencies have come up with all these excuses to be able to tell you what to do with it or outright take it from you without due process. You work all your life for the privilege of controlling a small piece of land, but you can’t truly *own* it.
The essence of most conflicts in this world revolves around clashes with one persons right to do X with his/her personal property vs. another persons right to do Y with his/her personal property vs. the contracts we have unwittingly entered into in order to be able to live in a community in the first place.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:29:52
Bravo brave woman! What a smart idea! Everyone should have veggies growing instead of grass! Sounds like the code is whatever is common. The more neighbors do the same, the better for your case. Besides, we all need to be more self-sufficient to feed ourselves. What if tornadoes or earthquakes or floods stopped grocery freight from arriving in town? You could feed your family. Complaining people would be out of luck. You are right on track for our times! Bless you and your family!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:29:59
You know, your front yard looks awful with those hideous boxes. If you put something on the front lawn, it should be attracttive. Paint the boxes nicely and condsider watering the lawn! These belong in the back. Clearly.
I side with the city on this one because it makes the block look messy. Lioke people who put up chain link fences. Really inconsiderate of your neighbors aesthetic sensitivities.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:45:16
you are so true. i am an inconsiderate boor. oh, except that I CHECKED WITH MY NIEGHBORS and THEY LIKE THE GARDEN. and THEY LIKE THE “HIDEOUS BOXES”. oops, was i shouting? so sorry…
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:06:29
What if they were flowers in there? Would that be okay? Many vegetable plants produce flowers so you can say it is a flower garden that grows big seed pods that we like to eat.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:14:03
What if they were flowers in there would you still say it was hideous? Would that be okay to have flowers in the front? Many vegetable plants produce flowers so you can say it is a flower garden that grows big seed pods that we like to eat.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:33:43
Wow, ALL CAPS TERRY. What is it with the “you people who own property” nonsense? And really, I don’t think anybody would actually bat an eyelash if you cemented over you lawn and painted it green, because it’s abundantly obvious that you’re a complete whack job. DID YOU GET THAT WHEN I TYPED IT ALL NORMAL-LIKE???? OR DO YOU NEED MORE CAPITAL LETTERS?????????
You have made your point, ALL CAPS TERRY. We all can clearly stand on the issue. Now back off. Leave this woman alone. She has enough going on right now without being harassed by a BULLY. BECAUSE, ALL CAPS TERRY, YOU ARE A BULLY. AND YOU NEED TO STOP BEING A BULLY. You should know that wordpress has this handy dandy little feature that tells the blogger that you’re bullying your IP address, and also your location. Not so anonymous now, are you? Pack it in and leave this woman alone. NOW.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:37:38
You actually think a brand-new wooden box looks messy? Let me guess, there are plastic slipcovers all over your living room furniture and you have white carpet that never shows so much as a spot.
O thou chapeau de derrière. Whatever.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 00:01:57
Now there’s an opinion full of the eye of the beholder. On the contrary, Julie’s connecting with her neighbors, making the community more vital and diverse, teaching neighborhood kids about organic gardening AND feeding her neighbors. All with four lovely raised boxes that a huge number of people around the world think are completely appropriate for a suburban front lawn.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 03:28:40
Are you serious??? Those boxes are how they come at Home Depot, and they advertise the boxes are ready to use. What color would you suggest? And what if the paint flicked off, then what? That’s why you don’t paint when it’s unnecessary, because then you have to repaint.
The point is your opinion is just like the City’s, just your opinion. People are free to live as THEY want to. It’s not hurting you. You don’t have to look at it if it bothers you.
Go look at your beautiful lawn and think how good it will taste when the three-day supply of food in the supermarkets is disrupted by a disaster.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 03:59:04
Yeah Diane, because all those dried-out lawns and endlessly boring coniferous shrubs stretching out in the distance on neighbouring lots are SOOOO compellingly interesting and attractive. Yawn. Since when did a little diversity in landscaping kill anyone? Julie’s planters are neat, well-proportioned and actually growing something USEFUL that, unlike a lawn, does not require endless wastage of water or tons of chemicals to maintain. And as to “paint the boxes nicely”… really? Seriously? I could be wrong but those boxes look like cedar to me. And even if they’re not, paint them? Seriously? Get a grip.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 12:54:24
Are you serious? I bet your a member of the city government trying to ban the garden and you are just trying to get supporters for your heavy handed, freedom squashing ideas.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 14:45:54
“I side with the city on this one because it makes the block look messy. Lioke people who put up chain link fences.”
Ironic, isn’t it, that the city of Oak Park installed those very fences in between backyards…
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:31:05
Walk in beauty
dream of tomatoes and punctuation marks
appearing in the clouds
dream your dreams and treasure the silence
of the morning and the dram time
of the sacred night
be yourself and be really happy
that you know how to do that
in Ohio
I went to high school in Ohio
I was sent to Vietnam from Ohio
I never went back
I am an old Ojibwe American Indian
I live with gardens in 8 directions
on a little island in the Mediterranean Sea
the old Indians said a life like yours
could work
that there is something you can use
it is there inside of you
so we believe in what is inside of you
go ahead
Ojibwe Artist
Pantelleria
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:42:04
holy wow- is this for real? are these things just poetic, or is this really about you? this is sooooooooooooo beautiful- but i will have to look up the meaning of the word’ dram’. seriously, i have the chills. hauntingly beautiful. literally. just wow…
Jul 13, 2011 @ 00:22:19
he meant dream…you should be a little more forgiving considering your celebrated punctuation and spelling anomalies
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:18:42
oh- i wasn’t trying to pick on him- i really thought it was a word i just didn’t know. that doesn happen occassionally…
Jul 13, 2011 @ 08:30:39
re: the Ojibwe poem, I think it is “dream” time…. just left out a word. What a beautiful poem. thank you for posting.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:31:28
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/26/jamie-olivers-food-revolu_n_478824.html
First graders didn’t know their vegetables…maybe you can contact Jamie Oliver he is well known. As you may know your story is in HuffPost and so was his. Hope this helps. Good luck. Krystal
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:31:37
Julie – I LOVE you. Your posts are completely cracking me up — thanks for keeping it so real. Wrote about you today on my own blog: http://theforceexpansive.blogspot.com/2011/07/other-kinds-of-heroes-unassuming.html
Thank you for being you. Not everybody needs to be Rosa Parks. Sometimes we need regular heroes who eat breadsticks for lunch.
XOXOXOXO
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:39:11
ooooooooooooh, ariane- let’s just keep this between us- i would hate for my husband to have to be jealous- first of the veggies, then of the prosecutor, then of you… xoxoxoxoxo back! -julie
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:34:00
LOL who really cares how you write your posts, it’s YOUR BLOG. I’m very glad you are fighting this, what ever happened to living free in a “free country” anyway?
I could understand this issue if you lived in a gated community or a condo “area” (dang what does “condo” mean anyway.. you have condo apartments, and condo houses…)
Though *wink* make sure you don’t have any GMO crops by accident or “big brother” Monsanto will jump you too.
Keep gardening and this homesteader in the Missouri woods is rooting for you! Our prayers are with you.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:34:53
If I were your neighbor, I’d plant some vegetables in my front yard too. Then it would be more common, hence suitable, to have vegetables growing in front yards in your neighborhood.
BTW, your front yard looks neat and well maintained, more so than many front yards I’ve seen.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:24:41
Dave,
I was going to say the exact same thing. Solidarity!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:36:31
I’m so enjoying you and your garden .. Enjoy Cobert
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:40:25
I love your humor and I love that you are following this through. Remember to take time for you, hug your kids and kiss your husband… rest once in a while and enjoy the crazy ride you are on, you will learn and teach much… Garden for Victory!!!!!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:41:11
You are absolutely correct. Stick to your gun’s. Some politician has a hair up his ass, and thinks he’s the greatest. Start a petition to get him out
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:41:19
Dear Mr. Rulkowski,
Please enforce the City code against those who allow their grass, in the front yard, to grow taller than 5”. This is not “common” to our city, as most folks keep it trimmed to 4” or less. I would like to see more warnings and ticketing on this subject. By the way, Thank you for taking Julie Bass to court to stop her from bypassing our local grocery stores for her vegetables—this would not be “common” for Oak Park. If she is allowed to have her way, grocery stores might be put out of business. Also, her front garden might encourage thieves to develop their skills on taking things from front gardens…my flowers could be next.
Yours sincerely,
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:30:56
wow, tom- you’re right! i never thought about the growth of flower theft due to my irresponsible planting… thanks for setting me straight
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:43:22
As a member of a City Council, our charge is to maintain the health and welfare, and has nothing to do with property values or neighbors values.
As a life long Democrat, I have noticed the Urban Democrats like to impose their wants and wishes on as many others as possible.
Sounds to me like a number of good sperited citizens need to run for City Offices.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:39:46
Republicans rural or urban are just as bad. They just try to run your life over different issues. Usually.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:27:33
i don’t think it’s republicans- i think it’s just petty dictators who have let their power go to their heads… but i am loving your comments! – julie
Jul 17, 2011 @ 21:08:54
That’s one of the things that has greatly amused me about this whole story: it’s beyond party politics. Julie, you have the Huffington Post, the Drudge Report, NPR and FOX News _all_ on your side! Do you realize how amazing that is?
I get the feeling you’d trade that all in for having the city planner on your side. Sigh.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:44:32
You have such a great sense of humor, especially considering what you are going through. I got lots of chuckles from this blog post. Thanks!
Keep up the great work.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:46:14
You are a Woman – hear you ROAR !!!! and dishes and laundry are never done. good luck getting kids to bed.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:28:39
ya, right? my roaring never ceases! “go to bed!” “thrown your dirty clothes in the hamper!” “put your dishes in the sink!” seems like some days roaring is about all i do…
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:50:09
Hi again, Julie,
Funny thing happened on the way to running errands. I was listening to BBC Newshour and caught the upcoming story titles. One of them was going to be ‘the link between gardening and politics.’ Of course, I wondered if your story had made BBC. Unfortunately, a resale shop caught my eye and I went in to replenish the ever-shrinking duds of my ever-growing 8-year old. Fortunately, I perused the internet later for BBC links and found the program here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p002vsnk
The story is about 3-1/2 minutes long. You were not mentioned, but, it did set me wondering if the paradigm shift I mentioned at the end of the comments section on your last entry might be playing out – raised consciousness of a topic leads to someone’s interest in pursuing some aspect of said topic. Either that or it’s like when you buy a car and all of a sudden you see your make and model everywhere when you never noticed them prior to your purchase. The most salient connection to your situation is in the last few seconds.
Anyway, if you’re interested. Go to the link I noted above and find the show that is dated: “12/07/2011 (1300 GMT).” When you click on that link a little radio player pops up. The story starts at 49:23, so just slide the fast-forward bar forward and hit the play arrow.
Peace,
Diane
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:26:43
thanks- julie
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:51:06
Hooray for you! The future is TShirts! SoCal supports you!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:23:04
YES! Tshirts!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:26:04
thanks- what’s socal? i just had someone from nocal support me too- what’s up with all the ‘cal’ in the air tonight?
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:48:08
SoCal is southern california and NoCal is northern california
keep up the fight !!!!! and if people don’t like the way you blog then thats what the little red x in the top left corner of your browser is for…
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:09:48
SoCal = Southern California, NoCal likewise = Northern California. They are almost but not quite separate states these days lol
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:11:01
thanks for the clarification- shows what i know!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:25:14
SoCal is Southern California, NoCal is Northern California
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:33:35
NOCAL = Northern California
SOCAL = Southern California
And, by the way, I’m loving your posts. Keep it up. I live in Reno, and I love driving around and seeing how everyone’s “front yard veggie gardens” are doing compared to mine. I think it’s a great use of mother nature’s earth. If you can plant something that you will use, save you money in the grocery stores, and is good for you, I say go for it. I would fight it all the way. Keep it up. Reno supports you and your family!!!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 00:34:13
we actually go by NorCal up here
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:53:48
I like your humor.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:54:29
When I read how the local government can rule our lives in a country considered the # 1 in freedom, I’m wondering if this country is not getting to look like the old USSR….!!! Shame on this kind of laws!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:41:56
I got to be honest here, we’ve always had freedom limited in the USA. It just wasn’t noticed because it happened to people who weren’t “mainstream.” American Indians, African slaves, gay people, women… Now it’s happening to middle-class white folks so suddenly it’s news.
Do not mistake me… I think it sucks no matter who it happens to. I just want to correct the notion that somehow this country was once more free than it is today… ’cause it sure wasn’t, and you better believe it.
Pastor Niemoeller was a wise man. More people should heed his words.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:55:26
A suitable landscape are trees, bushes and flowers? An edible landscape has trees, bushes and flowers. Fruit trees has flowers … all vegetables gardens produce flowers … there is even a tomato bush. I’m not understanding what their problem is.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:56:27
Looks like there is a big budget surplus there—time for some serious layoffs.
If government has nothing better to do cut it back–cut their pensions. Cut their health care. Bring the terror home to them, just like they love to do to us. No doubt the local Police are over-staffed from bloated purported federal anti-terrorist monies. This is how they use it. If this lady resists they will pull out their shields and battle armor and clubs like they did in Ohio to Keith Sadler.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 19:56:52
This really makes Oak Park city heads look really stupid. You think they would encourage a heatlhier life styles. With a garden you have to keep it well groomed and care for. This is a good visual Mrs. Bass is bringing to the community, for young & old. But this is truly proof of mismanagement and a waste of city tax payers dollars again, and down right bullying. I read their laws, stick to your guns and do your homework Julie….If they do put you in jail, false arrest~imprisonment to kidknapping the federal courts take seriously. And I’m sure they really don’t want to pay out for the above.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:00:26
Thumbs up to you! Nocal also supports you!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:24:21
thank you- what’s nocal?
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:04:56
Oh, don’t let the garden die in the middle of all this! That would be just pitiful. I bet you could get a bunch of local supporters to come out and do shifts weeding, watering, etc., for a while.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:24:01
awesome!- if only i could get them to wash my dishes
Jul 13, 2011 @ 07:22:23
dishes are easy, have them scrub the bathrooms and sort the socks and fold the laundry…
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:12:23
Hey I just read the story on ABCnews, and then I wanted to find out more, so a quick google search turned up your blog.
Thanks for fighting city hall. Not everyone would – but the fact that they have unlimited funds to waste, should not mean they win all the time.
I don’t think the argument is very sophisticated here – the law doesn’t prohibit vegetable gardens. I mean, I read it, its clear enough – but I guess there is the law as its written, and the law as its imagined in some government functionaries fantasy world.
And if I were an Oak Park resident, I’d be more inclined to support an ordinance that *required* everyone to plant a vegetable garden, than to ban it.
I know, I know – they aren’t so common anymore, but that’s nothing a law wouldn’t fix
Seriously though – I’ve had a garden in my back yard for a few years – and I planted strawberries in the front. Never would I have imagined someone could care what plants I chose to plant.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 07:29:31
my entire yard is gardened, mostly with flowers… I have a wildlife garden that caters to the birds, bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. I have for years grown vegetables in the front amongst my flowers. I didn’t have an area specifically for vegetables until last year. I still plant vegetables and herbs amongst the flowers though, gives me more space for organic vegetables. My ground cover is strawberries, and the shrubs are fruited… all summer long there is something to eat in the garden. Having organic snacks in the garden for a hard working gardener is a wonderful thing.
I have not heard complaints, only compliments but stories like this scare me that the wrong person on the right day says the right thing and my entire yard is turned under… blood, sweat, tears and just a fondness for what I have created have gone into this garden.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:14:49
Julie, You are truly a hoot with a great wit . Please just start writing, more than this oh so entertaining blog. I would buy an advice book from you about just about anything, kids, doing the wash, being married, you know life. You will prevail and go on to bigger and better things than fighting city hall.
Eva !!!!!!!!!!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:22:48
hahahaha- maybe i will write a private book, just for you, eve. i can even dedicate it to by biggest writing fan- take that, english teachers of america!!!
-julie
Jul 13, 2011 @ 01:22:13
Hi Julie… I am waiting for your first book… can I get an autographed copy? I love your humor and style! Of course, you will probably have to capitalize. Just sayin… LOL
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:15:42
w/o reading any previous posts: has anyone suggested planting sod around the garden boxes. That would make it “similiar” to other yards.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:18:13
I just learned about this yesterday, and found your blog today. What an unbelievable fiasco! Keep up the good work, and have fun with the Colbert Report. Since you’ve never seen it, you need to understand that his whole act is tongue-in-cheek conservatism, and it’s a very funny show!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:18:50
I don’t understand this government, they just let a woman that murdered her own 2 yr old and let her walk out free but someone who tries to make theyr garden attractive and grow healthly foods for their family, what is wrong with this world.I wish that their was a way for me to help but my thoughts and prayers will always be with u. keep fighting because you have done nothing wrong or broken no law. It is your house and your yard, u pay taxes, u should be able to put whatever u want in your front yard.Don’t let your guard down, fight till the end, u can do this – good luck
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:21:19
hi tina- i took out your private info, but i got it, so thank you!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:45:18
They let that woman go because the state couldn’t prove she was guilty of murder. I wouldn’t want to live in a country where the state couldn’t prove you guilty of murder but convicted and executed you anyway.
Oh wait… they’re trying that with the West Memphis Three.
It needs to be corrected in all three directions: (1) No laws restricting behavior that doesn’t harm anyone; (2) No convicting people when you can’t prove them guilty and (3) No letting people go when you *can* prove them guilty. Could be they would have had evidence in the Anthony case had someone not screwed it up? I don’t know, I didn’t follow it that closely.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 00:31:40
The jury found Casey innocent. The government tried their darndest to convict her.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:20:19
I don’t understand this government, they just let a woman that murdered her own 2 yr old and let her walk out free but someone who tries to make theyr garden attractive and grow healthly foods for their family, what is wrong with this world.I wish that their was a way for me to help but my thoughts and prayers will always be with u. keep fighting because you have done nothing wrong or broken no law. It is your house and your yard, u pay taxes, u should be able to put whatever u want in your front yard., fight till the end, u can do this, good luck
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:20:41
Dearest Julie, I couldnt imagine what you are going though. In our state (OR) veggie gardens are imbraced and supported with the natural resources and green movements. They cannot force you to stop growning veggies in your yard just because people dont like the way it looks. Even if you did it just for the joy of doing it in these hard times any way you can cut down on your costs in a way of life. And everyone knows how much groceries espeically produce cost these day. Keep your chin up and know that you have a growing support group that are praying for you and know that you will come out on top.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:20:44
Your city leaders are just trying to protect your fellow citizens from subversive tomatoes and cucumbers. They have to nip this in the buds before the idea spreads and other people start doing healthy things. Wouldn’t want kids getting interested in gardening, would we now?
Seriously, your town is way behind the times. I live near Cleveland, Ohio, and they encourage people to garden, and it is even legal to keep chickens within the city limits. They are encouraging people even in the inner city to produce enough produce to sell, which gets good, healthy veggies onto neighborhood tables, and puts a little extra cash in the gardeners pocket.
You have my support, and I know a lot of people who will support you when I tell them about what is going on. You are a courageous person and a good American because you are standing up for what is right. I hope that this story spreads like crazy, and the town leaders do the right thing and leave you alone. Thank you for fighting the good fight, Julie!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:36:16
thanks, barb!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 07:32:19
i’d love to have chickens but you need 2 acres to have them.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:21:06
I think it’s great that you are growing vegetables in your yard. Heck, out here in Seattle everyone grows veggies in their city yards – mine are mixed right in with my flowers. It isn’y only fun and great to enjoy fresh veggies all summer, but here it is actually P.C.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:21:21
in your honor, mrs bass, no caps & such!
now, i think after all this blows over (& by all means do the colbert report!!!!!), i think you should think about your own tv show, or youtube channel (if you havent done one already you should!!!), or just do standup! im laughing myself silly here, and my cats are looking at me oddly… one of them just asked if i got into their stash of catnip, imagine the indignity of having to answer that question????!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!??!? (that was for you too:))
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:22:00
i am honored, indeed, kitty!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:21:45
I have raised beds too here in NY but they are in my backyard. I would put them in the front yard if I could- so I could have more veggies but that would mean my husband would have to build more and he’s got a lot on his plate at the moment. I have hooked some window planter boxes on the sides to hold flowers (and add color). Maybe you could do the same and disguise (LOL haha!) your veggies for the street view.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:22:21
Keep up the fight – you are doing nothing wrong.
Pat in Texas
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:23:08
One word you may not know about Julie is “Smartgrowth” A plan every town has if they want to receive funding and it’s found under Parks & Rec on your town’s web page. It’s all about control. Them controlling us, dictating how we live, where we shop. They call it “sustainability” but I call it “Leave my freedom alone” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh yea, Smartgrowth plans are the same in every town that has submitted a plan, and oh yea, it’s GLOBAL if that tells you anything.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:23:19
You should so call back the Colbert Report. He is so hilarious, I love the show. Can’t wait to watch your story on it! Good luck with your fight. We have over 50% of our yard as a garden growing veggies too. You can see our front lawn/garden on my blog at
http://theurbanhomestaed.blogspot.com/p/our-square-foot-garden.html
I wouldn’t move mine either! If we can’t grow veggies in our yard how “free” are we really?
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:25:43
Julie ~
Stand your ground and don’t back down to idiotic morons !!!!!!! . This comes down to the government is trying to control everything and everyone. What happened to being in the land of the free? If this does go to trial….what a waste of taxpayers $$! Does our government elected officials having nothing better to do than harrass someone who chooses to plant their garden in the front yard? Who gives a rats ass. Is it hurting anyone?? This upsets both my husband and I and we support you 100%. This is completly insane…….and this is going to turn out to make those elected officials look like complete JACKASSES !!! Good luck to you……I will defiantly be following this story!!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:26:37
I really want to read and support your blog but the lack of capitalization is driving me crazy. But I support you in your fight 100%!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:34:42
EEEKS! SORRY!!!!!!!! DOES IT FEEL LIKE I’M SHOUTING? CUZ IT DOES TO ME!!!!
Thanks For Your Support! -julie
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:27:35
On a much more serious note, and I REALLY hope you do this… sell tshirts to help support your cause!!! We can all post a link on our fb pages to buy them from you! Maybe take a pic of ourselves in our t’s in front of our own front yard food follies and post ‘em wherever they will do the most good! You could put an album on your fb page with the tshirted peeps that support you! Maybe get some famous folks to particiapte!!! I would so do that! I’d even buy a whole bunch for other people!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:29:08
You keep that garden growing, Let Michelle Obama hear about the city giving you a hard time, she is all about planting a garden.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:32:09
Congrats on standing up for what you believe in, it is a total shame that city hall would waste its time trying to dictate to a home owner that loves the earth and veggies how they should live their life. Perhaps they should take a cue from you and go plant their own garden and get in touch with their inner self that they somehow lost touch with through the magic of illusion.
God bless you and don’t forget to freeze some of the veggies for the victory party later, lol!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:33:16
sorry to disappoint you, mike, but i’m a canning kind of girl…
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:35:18
I am rooting for you (pun intended) and if I can tolerate your poor punctuation and creative spelling, then anyone can!
My mom lives in Northern California, and she is 86 years old. She hadn’t heard of this but I sent her a link (yes, she is 86 and on facebook!) She told me that between the Great Depression and WW2, EVERYONE had vegetable gardens, in the city, front or back, didn’t matter. People knew they needed to take care of themselves, so they did. Your mayor’s career can be heard coming to a screeching halt by people all over the country. I hope he has a back up plan! And I hope he doesn’t have a brain tumor, either!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:40:43
Oh, do the Colbert Report! Watch some shows to get the “feel” of it — it is all tongue-in-cheek as another poster mentioned, but the guy is brilliant and better satire you won’t find.
Enjoy and talk to your doctor about the migraines — with all this attention, they should give you an extra appointment and make sure your meds are what they should be. It’s not great to change meds when so much is going on, but if they can give you new migraine abortive or even a rescue med, it should help you get through all this.
(A fellow migraine sufferer)
Jul 13, 2011 @ 08:31:55
I agree with Dorene – do watch a couple of Colbert’s shows to get a feel for his style of humor. And then, do the show!! Good luck!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:42:50
The real problem is, most likely, the neighbors who reported/complained. And, is it true that you asked before you created the garden if you could? That would be a mistake: it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission (haven’t your kids taught you *anything*?????).
Mom of many
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:52:45
it sure is true that i asked! and it sure is true that they never told me no. liars liars pants on fires… thanks, mom of many!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:46:43
This post made my day! Hilarious!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:50:39
Why don’t you decorate the wooden edges framing the veggies and plant some sunflowers. I think what you are doing is very clever.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:20:46
WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE IN THE CITY, IN THE DESERT ANYTHING THAT YOU GROW IS HELPFULL, I HAVE 40 ACRES OF SAND THERE .
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:53:39
Here is a suggestion you may want to propose to the city council:
1) plant colorful flowers (impatients) around the borders, so that the wooden boxes will be hidden.
2) put green grass everywhere else with stepping stones, and it will look like a beautiful garden.
3) place a pretty white picket fence around the yard, so that dogs won’t “water” your veggies.
4) unfortunately – neighborhood cats may end up using the veggies area for “litter box”
Good luck, and I hope you get to keep your beautiful garden <3
HUGS from California!!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 20:54:02
Hon, don’t ever feel ‘obligated’ to post – we all will still be here in your corner if you take a day off. If the writing feels good, get it out. If it seems like a chore, let it go! It’s YOUR blog, not your readers’…
That said, I’m glad you did tonight…Now, go have a glass of wine for that migrane – it works for me, maybe it will work for you – unless alcohol is one of your triggers, that is…
Keep laughing!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:02:13
Any comments from Michelle Obama? After all, hasn’t she has turned part of the White House lawn into a vegetable garden? I don’t know whether it is located in the front or the back
I wanted to pass along to some pictures from 2008 -there was an installation at the Musée de la civilisation in Québec “Le potager des visionnaires” (the visionaries’ vegetable garden) which was planted on the roof and the entranceways outside the Museum. It was beautifully lit at night with pinks and purples – not “common” at all!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:04:56
“.I’m so enjoying you and your garden .. Enjoy Cobert ”
There is nothing funny here really. maybe this is the way to protest intrusive government. VICTORY GARDENS.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:09:07
I’ve been watching your saga with interest and a bit of horror. What a ridiculous situation for you to be in. I really hope your city gets its head screwed on straight and leaves you alone.
The Colbert Report is great, but you really should make an effort to see a few episodes before you agree to do it. Colbert will make fun of you no matter who you are (though not as much if you aren’t a politician). It’s excruciating to watch interviewees who clearly have no idea what his schtick is.
Also, tomatoes are fruit, not vegetables!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:12:05
Julie, I’m from Oregon and have a blog also. So enjoyable, isn’t it?
Your garden is beautiful and the whole neighborhood should be proud. I hope your situation appears on FoxNews. Call them.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:25:06
Hang in there, Julie! What an absolutely ridiculous law! This gray area needs to be updated to keep up with the times. Isn’t there a movement there to grow your own food? I emailed the City manager and urged him to check out the May/June issue of Fine Gardening magazine. There is a story on a front yard garden. They need to rip up your ticket and re-examine the ordinance and update it. I also urged him to get the City Council to visit your garden. Must not be a gardener in the lot.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:30:44
Someone took their own little plot of land and decided to grow veggies on it! That’s a brilliant idea! Someone should have thought of it before! Oh wait, they did! My ancestors … (Yes, I know. I too use too many exclamation points but at least I use capitalization.)
In this day when money is tight for everyone, and we’re all trying to get back to our “roots” so to speak, there’s not a thing wrong with using whatever little bit of land we have. But I’m with a few others here, there’s a way to make it look aesthetically a little more pleasing to your neighbors. I myself have raised flower beds, but then again they’re made of stucco and brick, not 2 x 4s. But that’s not the point here, is it?
The point, as I see it, is that a government official (or three) have decided they have eminent domain over Julie’s lawn.So what we have now is a bunch of bureaucrats posturing because if they back down they’ll lose face. How about this… if they don’t back down they just might lose the next election! This is a political standoff in which the only clear winner can be Julie! If she loses her court case, a good percentage of the population will be sympathetic with her and the cameras will be rolling as she bulldozes her vegetable beds. If she wins … well then she gets to claim “winner!”
Either way Julie, I’ve put you on my blog and hope more people show some moral support. This is a silly waste of tax payers valuable money.
http://www.odysseyhomestore.com/blog.asp
http://theartfulsage.blogspot.com/
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:30:58
Julie, your garden is beautiful and the whole town should be proud. I hope your situation appears on Fox News. Call them. Let Freedom Ring!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:33:14
What if you plant fruit trees in front yard?
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:47:17
um- more tree root damage to the new sewer line? no thanks…
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:34:18
your raised beds are beautiful. Try planting some marigolds and nastrusiums with the veggies. the bugs hate them and you can claim it is also a flower garden. A few tall flowers on the street sideand it will hide the veggies. lol..In these times more people should be doing this. I am seeing more of it up here in Washington state.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:55:15
Why should she have to hide the vegetables? Are they something to be ashamed of?
Jul 13, 2011 @ 13:20:45
I agree with you. People should be “up front” (pun intended) about planting food everywhere it can be planted, on roofs, in beds on sides, backs, and fronts of houses, and in topsy-turvy planters hanging from poles and eaves–among other places. I love eating fresh food I didn’t have to pay for except with a little exercise and sun-loving that were good for me anyway. My yards are mine. I will do what I want with them, and I will fight in court (since I am a retired lawyer) any city’s attempt to dictate to me. What happened to American individualism and independence? Did it dissolve in the sound of American Idol and Survivor? We have to take a stand against majority-rule intrusion into everyone’s freedom to live as WE want. Don’t hurt me. I won’t hurt you. And mind your own yard, not mine.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:34:56
So not that I have an agenda or anything but how does the city feel about all the people who live in your community and mine and all across our country who live in low incoming housing which is paid for by “us” and do not even get up the ambition to plant anything, maybe they could take the money that they are using to fight you and develop a program to teach other people how to grow vegetables and provide food for those who are probably also using food stamps, I have seen similiar issues in our community and we have a battle with our neighbor because he doesnt like the way we mow our grass, here’s to other people getting their own lives and minding their own business!!!!! P.S. I like the exclamation points (peace, love, and happiness
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:51:54
What is this myth that poor people have no ambition? Excuse me but an employer is not going to pay you more, just because you have ambition, if they’ve decided your job is not worth anything and you are not worth anything either. A person who digs ditches does not get paid as much as the CEO of a porn magazine and it doesn’t matter how much more the ditches are needed and that’s God’s own truth.
I’ve seen low-income housing with vegetable gardens. Poor people DO have the ambition. The question is whether the LANDLORDS will let them do it. Remember that even low-income housing is rental housing. The poor do not own that housing. They have no say over what they are allowed to do out in the yard.
How about a little compassion. Can it be that not enough of the middle class has yet found out how the other 1/3 live in this recession? Please don’t wait til it’s biting you in the posterior to put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 13:27:58
Besides having to get permission to plant anything, poor people have to get the money to buy the seeds and all the other supplies to plant and maintain a yard. Food seeds are supposed to be covered by food stamps, but those can be used only where they are taken, and the seeds sold in food stores are far overpriced. I have also noticed in most states they are taxed, and anything that is taxed is not counted as food. So poor people are in an impossible fix. Besides the cost, there is not having the energy to be able to do gardening work, after two minimum-wage jobs per parent and trying to raise kids besides. You should read Nickel and Dimed In America by Barbara Ehrenreich before you judge poor people, Dana. It’s a miracle so many of them do as well as they do.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:35:54
Not sure, but I think nocal and socal are northern and southern California. You have fans everywhere!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:36:03
Hi Julie-
You are hilarious! This country needs you and your sense of humor.
Check out Google Maps, “street view” for this address in our nation’s capital:
4527 MacArthur Blvd Northwest, Washington, DC 20007
The owner has spilled out over the sidewalk into public space!!!!!!!!*$#@!!!!
OMG, what will you do next???? Solar panels, vertical gardening, recycling rainwater runoff, composting toilets… the possibilities are endless. Maybe you can get your whole block off the grid (in between laundry loads)!!!!!!
On a more serious note, you should run for mayor (maybe you should get Colbert’s new PAC to support your candidacy). http://www.npr.org/2011/06/14/137109384/stephen-colbert-in-good-company-on-broadway
Good luck on the migraines… it could be hereditary.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:37:14
ALL YOU PEOPLE THAT OWN PROPERTY,KNOW THAT IF YOU ALL CAN DO IT ,AND THEN PEOPLE DONT TAKE CARE OF IT THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD, PLUS WITH YOUNGER PEOPLE KNOWING ABOUT IT WILL COME TO VANDALIZE IT, YOU CANT WIN ,SORRY ,THAT WOOD WILL BE BROWN NEXT YEAR SO THEN PEOPLE WILL START COMPLAINING ,THATS WHAT WHITE FLIGHT IS CAUSED BUY,EVEN THOUGH YOUR WHITE.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:45:40
eeeks- are you shouting at me, or do you just like capital letters???
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:52:50
Wood is always brown. Where have you been?
The kind of people who would white-flight out of a neighborhood over front-yard veggie gardens are not the type of people I’d want for neighbors. Good riddance.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 13:32:07
Terry: all caps indicate shouting. What you are shouting is prejudiced nonsense, besides. Those raised beds are sold as finished wood at Home Dept. They may be Trex recycled plastic, or they may be cedar, which ages to a beautiful gray finish people actually work to duplicate with expensive stains! I do agree with you about theft. Julie needs fences. Then we come to more nonsense in City codes, but we deal with that. Better than conforming to old, useless habits.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:39:42
You are absolutely hilarious. Omg. I am telling everyone about your story. I have a shop in our little town and I tell people all day about you. I tell them to google you. That sounds rude.
I am a budding urban homesteader and I blog as well. Yours is an inspiration. I bet you’ll be glad to just get your life back to normal. I know I’ll never forget who Julie Bass is!! You go girl.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:41:29
You go for it! I’ve done this same thing, for YEARS, in my front yard, in Florida. The kids, and their parents, love it. Before the urban garden, which continues into the rear and side yards, these city folks thought vegetables came “from the store.” What a treat to share the REAL place from which our food comes. Seems that many of the adults are just as fascinated. The city should give you a “garden of the month” award, not a summons.
Are they NUTS. What’s next, “you can’t plant flowers because…”
One could also remind them that many of our ornamental plants are edible. So, do all of the people with nasturtium plants (quite edible) get to to spend time in the slammer with you? I’m thinking the city better expand their jail!
Your story reminds me of the recent report of a decorated, retired veteran who proudly displayed a flag, on his modest-sized flag pole, in his very own yard. The neighborhood nazi homeowners association tried to impound him, and his flag. Long story short… he won, they lost BIG. End of story. Fight!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:47:46
This South Dakota Master Gardener (yep, one of those) and an ENGLISH TEACHER (gasp!!!!!!!!!!) applauds your efforts to enlighten your community on healthy eating and going green. Your raised beds look just great to me! Please keep writing your delightful Blog..
Do you have Farmer’s Markets in Oak Park… or are they outlawed too?
We have a Market every Thursday…. and.. give what is not purchased to the local Salvation Army to feed the hungry..
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:44:42
woohoooo for master gardeners who love my english! we are supposed to have a farmers market, but it hasn’t actually happened yet, to the best of my knowledge…
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:50:33
I’ve been reading your story over the past two days. I have to say that your refusal to back down is inspiring, especially because you are right. I can’t believe that the Oak Park officials and residents have such a huge problem with your vegetable garden. Trying to live a healthy lifestyle, save money and set a good example is something to be proud of, not fight against. The city should be bragging that they have residents involved in the orangic vegetable movement(or that is what i’m calling it anyway) and leading healthy lifestyles. There is an article on the Huffington Post that includes a video where an Oak Park official says something like “it’s just not what we want to see in a front yard”. That guy is a total JACKASS. I can’t believe that your vegetable garden, which he probably never sees by they way, is really a big problem for him. He can’t sleep at night so long as you are growing vegetables in the front yard. Give me a break…As for your neighbors down the street who I read complained, same goes. How often do they seriously see the vegetable garden and how is it negatively effecting their lives? ugggggggh
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:56:32
Michigan has a lot of problems. Just one more for the stupid vote. Keep up the great gardening and good luck!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:58:43
Hi Julie. Other than having the opportunity to say Hi to a funny lady, this whole episode shouldn’t be dignified with comment! I can’t help but wonder if your city fathers didn’t bend over too far and get the heads stuck up their ….. I’m 70 years old and I love to garden and I resent that they are trying to dictate what and where you can plant in your own yard. Tell them when they take up your mortgage payments for you they can have a say about where the veggies go!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:41:54
well, yikes, maxine- you go, lady!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:56:59
YOU THINK THAT YOU SHOULD DO WHAT YOU WANT ON YOUR OWN PROPERTY,WELL WHAT DO YOU THINK IF I CEMENT MY FRONT YARD AND PAINTED IT GREEN,AND LIVED NEXT TO YOU.IVE SEEN IT DONE AND THEN CARS START PARKING ON IT.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:24:50
you know what, terry- if you lived next door to me, i would HELP you paint it. cuz that’s just the kind of neighborly neighbor i am!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:03:07
THE TOWN OR CITY IS JUST TRYING TO PROTECT YOU FROM PEOPLE THAT DO ONE THING THEN ANOUTHER DOES SOMETHING ELSE,TILL YOU JUST HAVE K OS.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:54:33
If you want uniform housing, Terry, go join the military. It’s boring. I speak from experience.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:54:56
That is not a pun, by the way.
more of the same (via oakparkhatesveggies) « Mysterycoach's Blog
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:00:33
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:05:14
I’m with you all the way. I would fight this special brand of crap all the way to the grave.
For the law to step in when you’re doing something constructive for your community on your OWN property is asinine. Isn’t there actual crime and problems in Oakpark for the City/police to address? Maybe I’ll move there if it’s so utopian that your situation even blips on the radar.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:17:42
Ill have you know your story made it all the way to NY!!!!! Good for you, they just keep trying to bully everyone. Take your stand! As a New Yorker and Italian (who loves her tomatoes and vegis) would have have some colorful choice words. Keep Blogging!!!!!!!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:36:06
Shame on your town. This country keeps talking about kids being overweight and needing more fruits and vegetables and you’re showing them it can be fun. Would Oak Park be happier if you were growing weeds on your front lawn? Besides, from what you have written the law doesn’t specifically prevent you from planting vegetables in a front lawn. I’d get my neighbors to do the same thing…..everyone planting vegetables in their front lawns….and then have a block party with vegetable dishes only!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:47:58
YES THAT WOULD JUST LOOK GRATE, THATS WHAT A FARM IS
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:56:02
Yes, and farms can exist in cities too. We have them here in Columbus, Ohio. I don’t notice the city falling apart, either.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 13:43:07
So many people have told you you’re shouting, but you keep doing it, that we know you don’t really care about other people, Terry. It as well as what you are saying shows what kind of person would think it is OK to dictate to others from an opinion one has. If you had any real basis for what you are saying–studies showing loss of property value from growing vegs in raised beds in a front yard, for instance–you would not need to shout. In out area near the beach in Santa Monica, Burgess Meredith was cited by the City of Los Angeles years ago for growing corn in his front yard in one of the most upscale areas of the world: Pacific Palisades. He stood his ground and won, and now this is quite common here, all over in all types of neighborhoods, just as, unfortunately in my opinion, lawns still are. As are banana trees, which are decorative as well as useful. To each his or her own.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 13:45:59
So many people have told you you’re shouting, but you keep doing it, that we know you don’t really care about other people, Terry. It as well as what you are saying shows what kind of person would think it is OK to dictate to others from an opinion one has. If you had any real basis for what you are saying–studies showing loss of property value from growing vegs in raised beds in a front yard, for instance–you would not need to shout. In our area near the beach in Santa Monica, actor and food activist Burgess Meredith was cited by the City of Los Angeles years ago for growing corn in his front yard in one of the most upscale areas of the world: Pacific Palisades. He stood his ground (pun intended!) and won, and now growing corn and beans, as well as ground crops, is quite common here, all over, in all types of neighborhoods, just as, unfortunately in my opinion, lawns still are. As are banana trees, which are decorative as well as useful. To each his or her own.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:39:20
I wrote to your city manager Kevin. I hope his in box explodes with letters in support of you. They should be ashamed to waste time, energy and money on harassing you.
Hope you win and have lot’s of community support.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:39:24
You know, the world is getting so nuts when you’re in trouble for planting vegetables! Religious nuts have free speech to harass at funerals….and you get jail time for planting vegetables. The First Lady even wants people to plant vegetables….petition her to speak up for you –it would be refreshing to see someone take a stand like that and support you!!! How on earth can we work through and figure out this kind of insanity over vegetables??!! If you believe this is a battle you’d choose….the stand up for it — you have quite a cheer leading section all over the country!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:40:19
Well,it looks like America home of the free, and the land of liberty has gone out to the toilet on this one. People are aloud to plant flowers, trees, but not food this is a major problem with government, and how it’s run. With the unemployment rate is hitting 9.2% in our own back yard those in the government are nit picking on the most stupid, and unethical problems that need to be fixed. Let her grow the food in piece by october it will be gone and she will have saved some money by not going to the store. Put your time and energy turd what is really important cutting the unemployment, and gas prices.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:41:50
THIS IS A BACK YARD PROJECT,NOT A FRONT YARD JOB, THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE SAME PROJECTS PEOPLE BUILD IN BAD DUMPY NEIGHBORHOODS, ALOT OF THE PEOPLE USE RAILROOD WOOD,THEY PUT THEM IN THE FRONT YARD AFTER THE NEIGHBORHOOD STARTS TO DECAY,CODE INFORCEMENT JUST LETS IT GO.I THINK YOUR LAWYER IS A WASTE OF MONEY,I BET THE CITY GAVE YOU A IDEA OF A FENCE, BUT IT COST MONEY ,YOU HAVE TO THINK OF THE OVERAL NEIGHBERHOOD, I DO LOVE TO GARDEN BUT NOT IN EVERYBODYS FACE.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:16:39
WOW TERRY. YOU SEEM VERY PASSIONATE AND LOUD ABOUT THIS TOPIC.
1- it’s clearly not a back yard project, since it’s in our front yard.
2- we are not in a bad dumpy neighborhood.
3- we did not use railrood wood; we hired a professional woodworker who did a great job!
4- our neighborhood is not decayed.
5- code inforcement clearly did not just let it go.
6- our lawyer is worth a million bucks. but he is helping us for free.
7- the city doesn’t allow us to build a fence, even if it cost money.
8- we did think of the overal neighberhood. our neighbers are happy with the garden.
9- i’m not in anybody’s face- only in my own front yard.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:58:01
YOUR SO WRONG ON THIS I KNOW ITS NOT IN THE FRONT YARD,BUT MOST LIKELY THERE WOULD BE KNOW PROBLEM IN THE BACK YARD IF YOU HAVE ONE,GIVE IT TIME IM SHURE IT WILL GET RIPPED OUT, THE PRICE OF YOUR LAWYER OR WHAT HE HAS TO DO IS GOING TO COST YOU DEARLY,I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST GROWING THINGS, I LOVE TO DO THAT BUT HOW CAN IT NOT BE IN EVERONES FACE SOMEONE HAD TO HAVE CALLED IT IN, ON YOUR STREET,MOST LIKELY, YOU NEED MORE LAND TO GET AWAY WITH THAT,IM SHURE THE BOXES YOUR PLANTS ARE IN WERENT FREE, BUT FROM THE PICTURES YOU CHANGED THE NEIGHBORHOOD ,IT DOES DECAY OVERTIME WHEN PEOPLE START TO START THINKING IT LOOKS BAD WHEN SOMEONE SELLS THERE HOUSE IN TIME GOOD LUCK ,AS FOR RAIL TIES THAT IS WHAT ALOT OF PEOPLE US IN THERE BACK YARDS,AND I CAN SEE ITS WOOD,I LIVED IN PA. FARMS EVERYWERE,
Jul 13, 2011 @ 01:03:15
Terry, you are so wrong. People all over the United States are planting vegetables in their front yards: in planter boxes, interspersed among borders, and as “edible landscaping.” Homeowners who garden care about the neighborhood and help create community that makes an area a good place to live. I suggest you get out more and look around; you’ll be surprised at the variety of beautiful front yards there are, including vegetable gardens.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 01:20:48
Terry- you are certainly entitled to your opinion and Julie is entitled to plant her vegetables in her front yard. It is nice and neat looking, very tasteful and if it offends someone they just need to look away. There is nothing “in your face” about her front yard at all. This isn’t China or Cuba, we do get to make some choices here, the government can’t micromanage everything.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:43:29
You haven’t seen the Colbert Report!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? He has perfected the art of asking a question that makes you think he believes one way, but points out how absurd that way truly is. I don’t know if that explains it correctly… you just have to watch.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:26:40
oh yikes- i guess i really better watch him before i talk to his peeps, huh? :0
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:28:18
Definitely talk to Colbert … his specialty is making government officials look as stupid as they often are.
Yes, he’s satirical, but it may be worth it.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 13:18:36
Satire. The Colbert Report is great satire that plays with the absurdities of our nation, political and moral. Definitely watch a few episodes before going on.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:46:11
You just cracked me up!!!!!!!!!! Glad to see you’re keeping your sense of humor!!!!!!!!!! Hang in there!!!!!!!!!!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:47:00
Hey, just thought I’d let you know I’m a garden renegade too. I’ve had a garden on both sides of my house (inside city limits) for the past 5 years, but apparently my little town (Bremen, GA) is much more understanding than Oak Park is — the only comments I’ve had are positive. And Bremen has the exact same ordinances as Oak Park!
I wrote emails to both the City Planner and the Mayor of Oak Park about my experience with Bremen in growing vegetables. No reply from them, but then I don’t expect one. Just wanted to tell them that other small towns actually allow and encourage gardening.
BTW, I grow sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, watermelons, and field peas. Didn’t grow green beans this year, I sort of over-supplied us with them and we’re still eating ones I put up in ’09!
Stay strong and grow those veggies!! And feel free to check out my gardening blog at http://lorrisgarden.livejournal.com
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:48:02
Beautiful garden! I bet it looks neater than some of your neighbors’ Lawn. This is America and your yard. You go girl!
angelo
Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:54:20
Love reading these comments and following your story. Here is what I commented to a friend earlier when she commented about my little urban farm and how my property might make their head explode or something like that.
“Actually her space is rather stark and I think she’d be better off if it was more filled in and overgrown. But that should be her choice. It just enrages me that our society values aesthetics even if they are unnatural and chemically enhanced over health and functionality. Be it boobs or lawns we are out of step with the natural world.”
1.If you packed it in a little tighter I bet these people wouldn’t be able recognize it as veggies. 2.Soil is for growing food for people over the age of 1. Boobs are for growing food for people under the age of 1. Neither are there purely for decoration. Neither needs chemical additives or enhancements but need to be allowed to do their part in the world.
By the way I think you are doing your part in the world. Here is my comment from the original story I read last week.
Kate B. 1 week ago
Oak Park government is not living in our current reality. People need to be able to feed themselves and should be encouraged to do so. Here are a few ways she is helping herself and the world around her.
1. Doing what she can to feed her family rather than depending on government assistance to include subsidies. (You know much of the food we buy is subsidized via ag subsidies and oil company subsidies right?)
2. Not polluting her property and adjacent areas with herbicides or fertilizers needed to maintain a lush green grass.
3. Since she mentioned that it is organic she is also not killing off pollinators such as honey bees by using pesticides.
3. Not wasting water to maintain plant material that has minimal value such as grass.
4. Reducing her carbon footprint by sourcing her food from her front yard rather than the average 1500 miles. (It doesn’t get any more local than your front yard!)
5. Reducing waste by not buying the equivalent produce at the store thus not wasting produce bags, cellophane, and styrofoam packaging etc.
7. Providing revenue to local businesses through the purchase of mulch and plant material.
8. Teaching her children to fight for things they believe in. (Government is suppposed to be for the people by the people.)
9. Decreasing her stress and improving her health through garden maintenance related exercise. (That is until the city decided to criminalize feeding oneself!)
10.Possibly most importantly she is providing an educational opportunity for young and old alike to learn about food production. There may come a time when those skills are needed given our country’s penchant for war and oil.
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Jul 12, 2011 @ 22:56:00
Just heard about your troubles, screw the city and the neighbors who are trying to cut you down. You are saving water, saving carbon emissions, and helping your family by doing what you are doing. Planting more grass will only increase carbon dioxide and smog by causing you to have to mow, plus vegetable gardens require less water than a lawn, not to mention saving the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by reducing bought produce that was trucked across the country. Urban gardening is the way of the future.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:03:19
Julie,
You keep doing what you want with your garden. The problem is they can’t do it for themself. In these time you have to have something to help with the food bill and you did it. to me it’s better than having a burnt up yard in this heat and it takes less water.
To be honest with you I have 2 acres and I’ve not even cut it this year. The front yard the width of the house I’ve cut but that’s it. I don’t have the time or the money to do it. I’m working at least 60 hrs a week just to get ahead of my bills. I was unemployed for 6 months and in another 3 months I’ll be out of work again.
So you keep fighting CITY HALL you can bet them I’ve done it already.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:07:46
Just heard about your little problem. Sheesh! What is wrong with people?! Your garden looks beautiful, healthy, and wholesome. I, too, have a raised bed garden in my front yard. It happens to be the only place on my property that gets enough sun. Unlike you, I live in the country and don’t have meddling neighbors. That said, my yard (and gardens) are well kept… unlike my non-gardening neighbors who can’t seem to muster up the strength to mow their knee high grass/weeds. I’ll take fresh vegetables over a trashy, weedy yard any day. Give me a break! I wish you the best with your garden. FORGE ONWARD! Happy gardening, my friend!!!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:09:06
Props to you from the west side of the state. You “grow girl”!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:11:17
props back, judy!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:10:15
luv — let me suggest that you figure out exactly who you’re obligated to — and it IS NOT the whole flogging world — narrow that down and fulfill *that* (those) obligation and the rest of us will, honestly, SURVIVE!!! Even if there are a MILLION BILLION !!! Exclamation!!! POints!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT-aEcPgkuA Like the Mary Ellen Carter, rise again
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:14:59
You’re doing a magnificent thing, by having an organic garden for your family! Kudos to you, from one organic gardening mother to another!!!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:28:26
thank you, wendy lee!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:18:07
I have written to all city council to express how I feel. I would love to share the letter w/ Julie to let her know we support her… It is very important to learn how to grow their own food!!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:28:05
please share away! we are all friends here- and this is julie!!!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:19:56
Call ABC’s Good Morning America and tell them your story. Seems to me that when the “bad guy” gets cornered by GMA, or one of the shows on the other networks things happen. As long as you keep up your garden, they should leave you alone. Seems government officials should have more important things to worry about that your garden!!! Gardens are healthy!!!!!!!!!!! I like explanation marks too.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:30:31
this is ridiculous if someone wants to grow fesh veggies in their yard they should be able to its just the government afraid you will get free veggies and they wont make a dime pretty soon they will be trying to find a way to tax our gardens grow up people leave us gardeners alone.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:41:15
Tracy, they tax the water you use, the seeds and garden tools you buy, and the property you grow it on, the government shouldn’t feel you are gypping them out of anything!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:32:44
Here is Oregon you probably would have been visited by SWAT claiming you violate the Patriot Act with vegetables of mass destruction. (I couldn’t resist typing that funny). Seriously, you should suggest making it a crime for public officials to waste taxpayer resources turning dumb stuff into misdermeanors when there must be feloneys to solve.
FYI- if you get anymore television time please feel free to use my posting about the vegetables of mass destruction so you can embarass the local officials who have blown your garden out of proportion.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:24:02
awesome- i just might steal that today when i talk to MSNBC. no joke!! thanks- julie
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:37:03
Support from COLORADO!!!!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:37:58
Hello,
Best of everything to you and your family. In trying to help get code officals to accept small houses made from mud (yes it makes your veggie patch sound quite reasonable) I came across the legal term “equitable estoppage” which means that if a government official tells you something and you act in good faith on that person’s words–if they led you to act in a way that is actionable, and even if they were wrong or not authorized to tell you that– the government in making you change what you are doing must do so in a way that compensates you for your trouble rather than punishing you for your misdeed. The case arose when a family built a treehouse in their front yard after being told by the code guy that there was no rule against it. Five years later the code guy is dead (of natural causes) and the city orders them to tear it down then the city prosecutes them then the city appeals when they lose all the way up to the (I think) Tennesee supreme court who told the city they were completely nuts and responsible for all costs and the treehouse could stay because the city’s demands for fines and teardown weren’t equitable to the situation. In your case the city’s attempts to stretch the word “suitable” to mean, well, anything (its a useless word) and their insistence that you are a villian are not equitable.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:40:56
You have got to be kidding me…. Mrs. Obama is pushing gardening, fresh foods, etc and this lady is being punished. That is crazy what the heck is wrong with the politicans they have to much time on their hand? They want to stop her from this yet they can’t pass a budget to save their lives… bunch of crap
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:47:19
one more example of goverment not having a brain cell one in there head,and they are the guys running things
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:47:26
love your tone. media circus is just a mean (!) towards your end.
keep it real, simple and cheerful, and you’ll not only WIN, but also make them (oak park, of course) really mad, as in angry AND crazy.
namaste? meh. pimientos!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 23:49:23
In 2009 and 2010, MSU, The Ford Foundation, and the Rockefeller foundation ran a substantial series of workshops with an organization called Transforum on MetropolitanAgriculture.org. You should contact Rick Foster at the University and see if they can help support you.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:21:17
i will pass it on to my trusty attorney- thanks for the idea! -julie
Jul 13, 2011 @ 00:01:59
The law says you may have decorative planting in the front yard. Hmmm I have a garden and my potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans and green peppers all have what I consider to be ” Decorative” Flowers blooming at different times. So What the Hell Is The Problem???????
Jul 13, 2011 @ 00:14:53
This an actual quote I found, made me think of you and your “revolution” with the city of Oak Park. I don’t know if you have carrots growing or not, but you’ll get the point. “The day is coming when a single carrot, freshly observed, will set off a revolution.” –Paul Cezanne When my Grandfather passed away, I was given all his gardening books, journals, and notes. These are precious to me because I have a passion for gardening and my grandfather is the one who taught me so much about gardening as a child and a young adult. Now I pass my passion, on to my young children and they love it, as well as all the neighborhood kids. It’s a treat to get to water and weed Ms. Julie’s ( great name by the way!) yard. And to eat fresh raspberries right off the thorny bush. Lettuce picnics occur frequently in our garden. My kids don’t sit inside and watch t.v. they’d rather play “Be Organic”, that’s what my daughter calls it. You, Julie Bass and Family, are an inspiration to many people. People are struggling with rising food costs, health issue’s plague our families, due to eating unhealthy processed foods. So we grow a garden to help lift that burden a little bit. One of my favorite quotes is “Spend an hour in the garden and life has perspective”. Connecting with the earth, is a very healthy and grounding thing to do, in this hectic world we live in. I’m sorry this might not be the case in your lives right now, it’s a shame your being treated this way! Unfortunately, I think we will be seeing a lot more of this happening. So please, please, please keep on standing your ground, for your family and the rest of us out here rooting you on and our right to grow our own food, front yard, side yard, backyard, roof, wherever! ( sorry, no pressure!) In closing I would like to leave you with a poem found in one of my grandfathers books. It sums up gardening well. “Perhaps to dig in the earth is a bond with ancient ancestors whose very lives depended on their relationship with the earth. Perhaps as stewards of our earth, we garden to establish a partnership with Mother Nature. Every seed that we plant is an act of faith: that the seeds will grow, that the sun will shine and the rains will come, that we will be able to reap a harvest and become part of the never-ending cycles of nature.” Laura Martin’s “Grandma’s Garden” 1955
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:19:47
wow- what a beautiful comment. and you are so lucky to have such a strong connection with those who came before you. wow…..- julie
Jul 13, 2011 @ 00:20:29
I put my veggie garden in the front yard for the same reason and now I have a second and am growing potatoes in old tires. IN THE FRONT YARD. The city you are in is crazy. Wasting tax payer money because you want to grow veggies. I live in Bellevue, WA and some parts are pretty fancy. Guess I better watch my back! God luck to you. Your garden looks great! Hope those city reps realize how silly they are.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 00:23:49
By the way I forgot to mention I donate most of my food from my garden to our woman’s shelter. Helping to feed the needy , so I would consider gardening more of a help than a major problem they are blowing up.over. If more people did this it would provide more than enough food for the needy, and our food banks would not suffer so much.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 00:28:04
SO excited that you’re in talks with the Cobert show!! LOVE that show.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 00:33:31
gnaftaly@att.net Would everyone please E-mail the man in charge of the city. Mayor Gerald Naftaly. I’m sure he will appreciate all of our lovely emails blowing up his computer (: Ya think maybe he”ll get the hint??
Jul 13, 2011 @ 00:43:50
I’ve had a vegetable garden in my side yard for the past 3 summers, and it’s easily viewable from the front. I’ve always felt a bit nervous about it, since we have this bizarre belief in this country that vegetables need to be hidden out of site, as if it’s something to be ashamed of. Ultimately I don’t really care though what other people think, but it still bothers me that this is somehow going against the grain. Why?
I’ve thought about where this strange belief comes from. Almost any other plant in the front is OK, but somehow food is verboten? The only thing that makes any sense is this is a form of class discrimination. Farming has deep roots with poverty, (even if this isn’t really the case anymore). People associate growing your own food with hicks, or poverty. It’s OK to tuck it away in the backyard, but if you stick it in peoples noses in the front, then you’re making a public statement about your wealth. It doesn’t really matter that it’s almost exclusively the middle class who grow vegetable gardens, and by and large is a money loser, not a saver. Old ideas die hard.
Anyway, I’m glad to see you’re standing up, and not allowing these old ideas to change what you’re doing. The staid old boring grass lawn is starting to become less and less common. Good riddance.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 00:44:39
Thanks much for being willing to call me back Julie! I was sooooo bummed I missed your call! If I don’t chat with you before the Colbert Report happens – you will do great! You always feel more nervous than you look or sound to others, just keep that in mind. If all else fails imagine the interviewer in his/her underwear. Works like a charm!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 00:50:35
hope you archive all your blog entries and other notes; your transcripts from court. yada yada yada>>> and write a book. if you do, let me know – i’m a graphic artist. i’ll do the layout for you. oh – and i’ll spell check and look at your punctuation (but won’t touch that at all). (i’m a writer. i’ve edited a couple of books).
Jul 13, 2011 @ 00:53:57
Your situation is so ridiculous. Even if you were in violation of city code (which I don’t believe you are) the fact that they are focusing so much time and tax dollars to go after you instead of real criminals is insane.
I want to wish you lots of luck from Kansas and hopefully someone in your city government will see the light and knock some sense into the rest of them. I think your garden looks great!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 01:02:40
Thats bullsh*t!! officals got nothing better to do then mess with people. If they didnt they wouldnt have a job.. i live in a township and have a code guy driving around all the time. if my grass is “6 or higher i get a warning. i bought a pool for my 5 adopted kids all the sudden i have to have a fence around it with a locking gate.. Its a blow up pool??? i cant park on my own lawn? Its getting where you cant do anything with out getting fined or put in jail for trying to have fun. thought this was a free country?? ill probley have the FBI at my house just for saying this.. Its happend before. my house was raided by FBI for expressing my opnions. LAWS??? there for officals who want to get rich…
Jul 13, 2011 @ 01:05:44
REMOVE THE BOXS AND IT MOST LIKLY CAN STAY, THATS PROBLY AS FAR A THE CITY OR TOWN CAN GO.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 01:14:43
Julie- your front yard looks great! I did the same thing in my backyard after my greyhound dug several holes big enough to bury a body in. Then I have a very dry/dead patch on my front lawn so I decided to put one out there. I was inspired by this website: http://www.fritzhaeg.com/garden/initiatives/edibleestates/nyc-suburbs.html
Fritz Haeg is a world renowned landscaped architect and he has a project where they turn front yards into vegetable gardens! He has photographs of the projects from all over the world.
We are being told by everyone from the Obamas to the health professionals to Martha Stewart that we should be working toward sustainable living.
Kudos to you for sticking up for yourself. Oak Park needs to catch up to the 21st century.
Tracie in San Diego
Jul 13, 2011 @ 01:25:34
I am trying to view this from several perspectives. Chances are the Oak Park officials wouldn’t have even had this show up on their radar unless some neighbor(s) called and registered their complaints.
These folks may feel they are doing their jobs by interpreting and enforcing the city codes, attempting to balance the wishes of the population at large.
It is, after all quite unlike how most front yards appear in our city.
I wonder if the boxes were painted around the outside some attractive earth tones exactly like one would see in any other front yard and the blank spots between the boxes had some other plants surrounding them if the neighbors would be satisfied. Vinca vine groundcover with some taller plants situated just in front of each box, (facing the street side), would set the settle the vegetable garden right back into the scene, I would think.
I’ll buy the paint, if you want
Sometimes peace has to be negotiated.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:47:26
Cynthia – Right now the boxes are in attractive earth tones .. tan-colored wood.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 01:53:09
city code states that “all unpaved portions of the site shall be planted with grass or ground cover or shrubbery or other suitable live plant material.”
I am pretty sure this means suitable for the soil, not for their opinion.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:56:07
interesting idea… i will pass that on to my lawyer! thanks- julie
Jul 13, 2011 @ 01:55:34
maybe the “law” officails should focus on REAL criminals !!…how petty, she’s just trying to make it in this poor ecomomy…after all …so much of what she earns goes to the great job of supplying funds to those who really need it…(alright…that was sarcastic…but there’s no sarcasm font, so I had to explain it for the city officials)
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:55:34
i think we should invent that font. i know i could sure use it!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 02:02:44
I wonder what they would say to all of us who use rosemary as a hedge and thyme growing between our rock on our front yard pathway. Or the ornamental cabbages around our mail box. They should be praising you for following the First Lady’s advice and grow your own veggies. She is doing it at the White House. OOPS! I wonder if they will issue a warning ticket to her. Hang tough lady, you are in the right.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:12:02
Jul 13, 2011 @ 02:07:20
Who is to decide what is “decorative?” The photo posted with this article displays a well groomed yard, which equates to “decorative.” Additionally, the purpose is “growing locally” which is what is being promoted today to save on energy costs. In your own grass roots way, you are promoting and participating in sustainable agriculture; and for that you are being charged? Rediculous.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 02:33:15
Hi Julie,
We covered your story in some depth tonight on our weekly Internet Radio Show, “The Road Less Traveled.” The coverage begins about half-way through the hour and includes some research and commentary that you may find helpful. Also, a Canadian caller voiced his support and reported similar problems there. The link to the show archive is included below.
We offer you our moral support in a battle that is indicative of a much larger campaign being waged against everyone, whether they realize it yet or not.
Stand tall and face them without fear, because you are harming no one.
Best Regards,
GaryL
Co-host, “The Road Less Traveled”
Prepper Podcast Radio Network
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:52:44
thank you! i’ll have my husband figure out how i can listen to the show!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 02:34:00
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theprepperpodcast/2011/07/13/the-road-less-traveled-27
Jul 13, 2011 @ 02:46:35
It’s great to see a real American who believes in silly little words such as Freedom and Liberty! Keep up the fight!
PS. I just learned of this on AOL Huffington Post. I’ll be watching, and when–no offense–I’m certain this is for real, I’ll be happy to make a donation to help with your legal fees.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:51:44
no problem, jim. i have many days when i’m not quite certain it’s real either!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 03:31:28
the us gov is a corrupt sick with greed group of puppets controlled by even more corrupt and sick with greed people who dont care about you and me and anyone else but their power and control over everything. They dont want you to display an actuial means of survival for everyone to see and potentially follow ur lead into this new world being born right before our eyes. They want you and me to eat their toxic crap that they say is good for us but is really killing us.
thats the bottom line
i applaud you and your garden
you have the same god given rights as every human being is given the moment they are created and born into this world.
i pray for these anti christ type of criminals against humanity. unfinished humans is what they are
these are the people that get left behind as our souls evolve into higher consciousness
i believe the real fight has yet to begin
but its a fight thats worth fighting
its for our freedom
i love everyone and everything
see u on the other side
Jul 13, 2011 @ 03:46:02
I understand the residential and agricultural land zonings but how is it measured under FARMING vs Residential? If you have a couple flower pots with spices growing on your property out front, are you in violation of your city ordinance? Her little garden looks well kept and will be confined to those boxes. They will add to meals in her home (benefit) and I am sure she’s not trying to start her own flea market selling vegetables. I hope that particular area has ALL the yards that are of disgrace and neglect sited to the owners. Too much time wasted on a good thing then the true things that require attention like community childrens programs/sore eye clean up area/crime unemployment, yada yada yada…
Jul 13, 2011 @ 03:47:24
You know, you got panache & that’s a show of good character(what lucky kids you have). When all this uber retardo BS finally stops sucking oxygen from the atmosphere(*hack*), I hope you get the biggest veggie haul of your life… & if you have any troubles with your lovely green adventure, feel free to bug me for advice.
I hear rumors of nice little care packages headed your way, so deep breath, grab some chocolate(gawd, I would empty the Baci factory if I were you… *just say’n*) & enjoy being right, because you are.
Stay focused, the strength is already there.
<3
Kitsune Nyx
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:49:12
oooooooooooooooh- care packages, really???????
Jul 13, 2011 @ 03:58:36
Good luck to you. You have it nice and neat and there is no reason you shouldn’t be able to have a garden. That’s exactly why I live up north, I can mostly do what I want with my own property. And it feels great.
Rose City, Michigan
Jul 13, 2011 @ 04:27:51
Hi again…
For some reason, Julie, you remind me a bit of Erma Bombeck on a mission.
If you do write a book I will be amongst the first in line to buy it.
I have thourally enjoyed reading your blog tonight (I’ve just spent several hours going through it)…
I’ve even gotten a kick out of TERRY THE HECKLER!!!!…
As I see it, you are making Oakpark famous and it will probably become famous for edible gardens in the front yard…
.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:48:14
thanks so much for reading the blog and for your nice comments. i’ll ask my kids if they mind if i work on writing a book -hahaha. i’ll tell you it’s not looking good for the immediate future
Jul 13, 2011 @ 04:31:20
NAY!!! there aren’t any “school english students everywhere!!! ” over there. After the way they bugger about with “English” they must be highschool American students.
Keep up the good work.
:¬))
Jul 13, 2011 @ 04:41:40
Another one
http://www.gardeningforhealth.com/contents1a/2009/06/vegetables-out-in-front/?doing_wp_cron
or two
http://thecasualgardener.blogspot.com/2010/07/sustainable-vegetable-garden-design-in.html
HELL it’s EVERYWHERE
http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread725973/pg1
Jul 13, 2011 @ 05:25:36
This post made me smile a lot. Thank you.
Did you water the garden?
Jul 13, 2011 @ 05:35:31
Can you paint the boxes earth tones on the outside so that they blend in more, as well as plant some vinca vine in the blank areas around them? Someone must have called the city about it or I doubt it would have even shown up on their radar. I would also put some plants slightly taller than the boxes in front of them, (street side), so that they are blended in a bit better.
I have planted vegetables in my front yard, but the neighbors cannot really see them because they are tucked behind the perennial beds. They are just planted in the ground with compost, no raised boxes.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 05:56:35
I could understand if the garden was overgrown and an eyesore but from what I have seen in the picture it appears to be well maintained. It looks like flower beds and who has the right to say what you plant in your “flower beds”. I think is is a wanderful idea for the childern who live in that area to see things grow and learn where our food comes from. I wish you luck. Keep it watered.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 06:29:39
Michelle Obama grows vegetables on the White House lawn. Why can’t you grow vegetables on yours?
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:45:11
i think she has better zoning officials than i do
Jul 13, 2011 @ 07:09:43
That’s nothing. Roseville spent years fighting a man for painting on the side of the building he lives in. Said he violated a signage law (because he had the word ‘Love’ on it. Years now! Not to mention his legal costs. And while the ‘city’ fought him we all drive by looking to see what he’ll paint next!! It’s a landmark and not offensive. I feel it adds character to the city.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 07:11:40
Good morning Julie.
This is my first time to your blog and I want to say. YES it is a lot of work to write a blog. I have one that I write only a couple of times a month. But I cheat!!!!!!!!!lol I use a camera to do most of the writing for me!!!!!!!!!! I don’t know this format if they allow pictures but I take pictures and I put just a few words about them. Plus I really want to see the tomatoes!!!!!
If you’d like to look at my lay out you’ll find me at http://amyjoramblings.blogspot.com
I hope this helps you.
Amy Jo
I am looking forward to the day there are more vegetables in the front yards than shrubs!!!!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 07:19:44
I’m a “hyphen-”culprit myself, Julie…I just slice and dice a sentence right up. English and French Lit major, love words!
There’s a great saying I’ve been trying to incorporate into my life as I approach 50 and have been a “fixer” most of my life: “It’s none of your business what others say about you.” Don’t sweat negative, misinformed, or otherwise people’s opinions. I invested so much of my early years to anxiety-provoking second-guessing about idiotic bullies’ comments or issues. “I didn’t break it, I can’t fix it.”
The only issue you have in front of you is the “yes or no” policy about your garden. Are you within your rights to plant vegetables inside the raised boxes in your front yard? This daughter of the south, whose grandfather constructed gorgeous hydroponic raised beds in his yard down in Thomasville, Ga in the 30s and 40s of the last century, says, “Yes, you have that right.” He ran a hardware store while raising four sons, with a milk cow in a little barn that my father had to milk as a boy, and was mayor of that small town. Will Watt (my grandfather) would come and shake your hand if he were able. He was a gentleman and a scholar and a nature lover. Keep our heritage in mind while you run this course – no matter our ancestry (mine is Scottish), we all hail from those who’ve worked the land at one time or another. Today’s “land” might consist of a tenth of an acre, but hey, it’s DIRT!!
My concern right now for you is your time on this blog, being a mom, feeling pressure to rise to this challenge. Care for your body and your mind by taking a step back (your new friends here will absolutey understand and support you); hug your lovely children, because this is all about you and your family in the first place.
Don’t feel like you have to go political to care for your own space and rights. Whatever celebrity might call (and I *love* Colbert; if he runs for Prez, he’s got my vote!), you don’t have to necessarily respond.
There is only one Julie Bass. Care for her.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 08:11:27
Just keep doing what you’re doing –and try to stay humble, calm, cool, and collected under the intense spotlight.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 08:18:53
I can’t believe the stupidity of people! Personally, I would rather watch a vegetable/flower/herb garden grow that some flacid petunias in dayglow bark mulch! You are becoming a folk hero by doing something that makes sense in a nutty world! There is a food garden movement blossoming all over the US, especially in suburban settings. It’s a good thing, getting your hands in the earth, nurturing and growing organic food…maybe you need to have a potluck after harvest (if they let you get that far) and let the neighbors taste what they are missing. Best of luck to you. You have my support!!!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 08:20:21
Congratulations Julie. This little Aussie salutes you. There are many vegetable gardens planted here near the railway station that is the ‘entrance’ to the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Most tourists take the train so would walk past these gardens when going to those tourist attractions. The council (local govt.) planted them.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:41:31
thank you, little aussie
your city sounds beautiful…
Jul 13, 2011 @ 08:20:27
Stick tap to you, Julie! (I have hockey player kids and made an assumption that you would get the reference
living in Michigan and all) It is still amazing to me the support that can be brought about by social media sending the story all over the world. I posted the story on FB and had friends who shared it from there as did many others…..and so the spread of the injustice story continues. What a huge plus to raise green awareness and promote healthy eating! I concur with the others who said move to Colorado. I live 30 miles north of Denver and simply cannot fathom this happening here. If it did, half the city of Boulder and many from surrounding communities would have already have staged a protest to support you. We have our faults like everyone else, but I love my community for the support of green living and a healthy lifestyle it provides. Mother Earth News and Prevention Magazines should be all over your story if they aren’t already. Keep up the fight and know that you have support behind you!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 08:31:04
Keep up the good work (blogging)! Folks are noticing.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 08:38:59
I’m old and do not blog, but this??????? OMG!!!!!!!!!!!
There are no words for the kind of stupidity that govenment, large or small, seems capable of.
Good Luck in your quest for the freedom to grow your own veggies.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 08:41:37
Keep what you are doing, Victory gardens are as old as your city! Perhaps hook up with Sustainable Living and Permaculture groups in your area to have more support and data as to why this is good for the environment & the community. Try to involve your neighbours in growing some vegies on their front lawns also just to make a point. Mix in more edible perennial flowers into your raised beds, it will benefit your vegies with unwanted insects and look very good. Let me know if you need a plant list. Don’t quit but I hope you can reduce the stressful situation you are in which is the root cause of migraines. With all my support, Liane Permacultlure designer (Toronto Canada)
Jul 13, 2011 @ 08:46:59
After reading your blog post I browsed your website a bit and noticed you aren’t ranking nearly as well in Google as you could be. I possess a handful of blogs myself and I think you should take a look here: http://dominateseowithwordpress.com You’ll find it’s a very nice tool that can bring you a lot more visitors. Keep up the quality posts
Jul 13, 2011 @ 08:53:01
Love you! you’re great just as you are!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:06:50
Best of luck to you, with the fight and the veggies. We tore up our flower beds last year to use the space as a veggie garden. We don’t get enough sun in our backyard to be able to grow them there. My cucumbers have currently overtaken nearly everything but the tomato plants. We have a neighbor 3 doors down who has 3 raised beds on their front yard, as well. Frankly, never occurred to me that the city may disallow it, and I’d fight like you! The lawn portion of our front yard is primarily weeds since we won’t treat with chemicals so while it is ‘green’ it’s not really grass. I’d prefer to tear it all up to have space for more varieties of veggies! All the best, from a Detroit ex-pat
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:19:36
I have a lot of extra zuchiini. I’m thinking a care package to Oak City Government would be most appropirate. In fact, I think it would be great if everyone reading your blog would send them a spare veggie from their garden.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:39:45
one of my besties suggests grating it and freezing it in small batches. that way you can sneak it into various and sundry recipes throughout the year. and sauteed zucchini with onion and fresh garlic is out-of-this-world yum! maybe we should give veggies to the poor secretaries in the city government who have had to put up with all the mail and phone calls since this all started
i would hate for perfectly good vegeatbles to go to waste…
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:20:13
I think the book idea is a great one!!! I echo comments suggesting you take care of yourself. (Oh, and for the record, I use a few too many exclamation points myself, and definitely overuse parentheses!!!)
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:22:06
I am curious why you chose those big ugly pine boxes? I am also curious what is in your backyard and why you can not move the garden. I have neighbors that grow various edible plants in their yard but they did it in an asthetically pretty way.
Curb appeal of the entire neighborhood does mean a lot to the home values and I think the consideration you have for your neighbors is lacking
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:43:09
we actually were trying for ugly. we don’t feel like there is enough ugliness in the world. in fact, that’s why i started this blog- so people could make ugly comments. for the record, nobody’s curb appeal in my neighborhood is suffering due to my garden.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 15:47:38
I really did not mean to insult you but I guess you only want positive comments. My big question is – do you have a back yard? I seriously feel that you might not win this battle and you will have a criminal record and could be separated from you kids.
Is this that important?
I love the idea of a veggie garden. I grew up with a big one in my parent’s backyard.
I have some neighbors that have a garden in pine boxes but they are in the backyard. I have a friend in my book club that is growing peppers, tomatoes….. in her front yard but she has them in large decorative pots and they blend in with the flowers….
I wish you luck. You are not living next to me so it really does not effect me. I have to say you may be in for a losing battle because the peers you are going to face is the mayor and the people in the community that reported it. If you are getting a trial lawyer you will land your family into bankruptcy.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:06:40
Sort of giggling about “big ugly pine boxes” as I associate those with something I might be buried in one day – being green-minded and all – and that Martha Stewart has similar “big ugly pine boxes” in her own expertly laid-out kitchen garden that of course stretches for something like 3.2 miles. Hers might even be – gasp! – CEDAR. Holy smokes! You Google “raised bed kits” and you’ll be able to spend upwards of hundreds of dollars on “big ugly pine boxes” for your big ugly yard. And big ugly cukes and tom-AH-toes and such that will gleefully take off when given such big ugly surroundings.
My dearest wish would be for a truckload of big ugly pine boxes to arrive on my crabgrass so that I could work off my stress and dig more beds for my bee balm and coneflowers and Queen Anne’s lace and purple loosestrife and rosemary and thyme and oregano and…um…whatever else I’ve got out there.
Curb appeal? I can’t speak for that as we don’t have curbs on my rural route. But even the codgers have complimented my efforts over the last 14 years we’ve been here. Codgers don’t tend to do that. So no curb, but lots of appeal. Just sayin’…one human’s “big ugly” is on the next human’s wish list.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:59:36
Those big ugly pine boxes can be upcycled into coffins
Jul 13, 2011 @ 12:34:29
Doesn’t sound like her neighbors are complaining. Give those “pine boxes” a chance to weather, and they will look wonderful. Sheesh, the lawn is neat, orderly, and weed-free. No cars rusting there. The grass is cut. The plants are flowering and green. The septic lines won’t be clogged with roots. And they are conserving water and gas. Sounds like you need an attitude adjustment. Her lawn is fine.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 13:17:54
Are you kidding? Go away…the boxes are not ugly and i doubt they are ruining the curb appeal. Mind your manners about what’s in another’s backyard. Maybe she prefers to use her backyard for recreation, or maybe she plans to start a garden there as well. Either way, who cares? It’s HER yard. I love the look of her front yard, and I mean that honestly.
The city should spend their time and money making a difference that matters, not badgering her about her veggies.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 16:31:22
Thegardenrenegade has the complete and well-settled RIGHT to the unencumbered LAWFUL enjoyment of her property, whether or not it offends some species of elitist sensibilities. Who of the detractors wouldn’t approach her and ask she share some of her bounty when the time comes when food isn’t widely available? That is certainly a consideration to bear in mind. Never happen you say? Ten years ago, the collapse of the auto industry would never happen either.
On another note, perhaps she elected to use pine boxes since more expensive, pressure treated wood leaches arsenic and other toxins into the soil, which is subsequently picked up by the roots of the plants, and you eat it. (http://www.finegardening.com/design/articles/pressure-treated-wood-in-beds.aspx)
Perhaps she was aware of the benefits of cedar pine? ” . . . Cedar wood shavings kill and repel insects as well as repel venomous snakes. The softwood shavings smell nice due to the volatile compounds (aromatic hydrocarbons) that are given off . . . .” (http://www.wondercide.com/content/wood-shavings-cedar/).
And, perhaps she merely wants to enjoy the rightful benefit of pesticide free, non-GMO food for herself and her family, along with to the well-proven health benefits of the same?
In any event, none of this is the business of anyone who resides beyond the boundaries of her property. If someone dislikes the LAWFUL use of her property, then my only recommendation would be for the “offended party” to move. I’m sure there are numerous, gated communities nearby with draconian “Home Owner Association” covenants, by which the residents sign away many of their natural and LAWFUL rights in order to preserve “curb appeal” (for whatever benefit that may provide as things continue to collapse).
Life is too short, and there are far “bigger fish to fry” than to be concerned with materialistically transient “stuff” that has no bearing on anyone outside of Thegardenrenegade’s family.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:37:20
Looking forward to hearing more about this story. I hope that all goes well and tomato plants are found to be suitable front yard foliage!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 09:59:25
i never capitalize either unless it’s a formal paper. even names…forced humility?!?!?!?!?
keep on truckin’ lady!
paul
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:05:28
I’m almost your neighbor, living in Royal Oak. Personally, I like your garden and wish more people were planting veggies rather than grass. I also think what the city is doing is stupid and that they’re getting to the point that whatever they do next is going to make them look dumb. I can sorta see how the mayor would think this is a political stunt to make him look bad, but that’s because that’s where his head is at (he’s thinking about re-election) not because that’s what’s really going on. Also I don’t know how the city can get out of this without looking bad. Issue an apology? Hold a press conference and thank you for causing the speaker to examine their beliefs about what makes a good yard and discover that it was prejudice that made them turn against veggies and now that he has seen the light, the city eager to support everyone who wants a veggie garden on their lawn?
Anyway, no response to me needed. I completely get that you’re being flooded by email, phone calls, heck maybe even snail mail.
Keep up the good work and (since I can’t resist), Namaste.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:15:57
since now i can’t resist either, namaste back!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:14:58
i happen to love ugly…. but what creeps me out is having to scroll down like a million posts to have my say (everyone is entitled to my opinion after all)
Julie, and I say this firmly tongue in cheek, as an australian watching the whole “land of the free” ” we have the right to arm bears” thingy…. we actually have more rights than you guys……. just saying
i receive a notice from my council if my grass is too long due to it being a fire hazard (same if i dont clear my property of ovegrown trees etc) but that happens at start of November (start of fire season, and I live in heavily forested area….read fire trap like Black Saturday). I mow my lawn, have a green waste run (free tip at local council and they turn it into mulch which I can buy back at $10 a trailer load)
Australians are a lot more advanced with permaculture…. now if I were in your neighbourhood, they would be complaining about how unkempt my garden was (I dont believe in planter boxes…. it all gets mashed in together)
But the JOY of picking your own fruit/veggies is amazing. Not one single cherry tomato, strawberry, raspberry actually made it into the house. They all got eaten straight off the plant by me, my kids, and the neighbours. I have the local publican drop by to grab fresh herbs for her meals…… and I am investigating quinoa…. a lovely flowering plant that just happens to provide seed pods that are a complete protein (more protein per hectare than beef)…… yup….plan is that eventually there will be no plant in my garden that does not give back.
What you have done is pretty much small scale compared to what you could have done. Town hall sounds pretty ignorant to me. BTW…… i sent email to whitehouse and to mayor on your behalf….. i just liked the idea of over 10,000 emails in their inbox about this. lol
keep it real, keep it green….
oh and Namaste!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:20:19
kEEP uP tHE gREAT wORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i cAN aLWAYS hELP wITH eDITING?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:26:31
hmmmmmmmmm- i’m not optimistic after reading your comment- giggle giggle…
Jul 13, 2011 @ 11:26:12
Just trying to help you laugh.
I know it is hard with the man breathing down you neck…
I just read the post about the “ugly pine boxes”. Perhaps you should paint the house pink, the boxes purple, and throw in some pumpkin plants for those big dots of orange accents…lol
Maybe you could take a survey and see if the neighbors prefer oak, cherry, mahogany, ceder, or even bamboo…
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:31:20
I read a comment on the net about a lady being convicted for planting a vegetable garden in front of her house/home.frankly speaking, i being from India am unaware of Laws in your side of the world,though we are over populated already,still i extend an invitation to come and live in free India & grow your vegetables in the front or back or wherever you own a place,because the way world population is running towards the cities,or getting over organised in the modern society,there wouldn’t be enough enthusiast left to do farming, leave alone vegetable farming or organic farming.very soon the world shall have to tune/immune itself to consuming insecticidal & pestilential poison with the recommendations of all the governments of the world. In the near Future,people shall tell stories to their deformed & pygmy children about the civilization which was growing vegetables & other crops with their own hands………….how very backward they were!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 11:22:59
What does Oak Park mean ” unsuitable”? Suitable means…Suited to: If the garden was not suited to thefront yard it would not grow…Desirable: The family & most others desire it to stay…Worthy: The veggie are worthy of feeding people &, most likely many squirrels & birds too. Shame on Oak Park for harassing this poor lady. Cities need to learn when to but out!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 11:53:10
If I was your neighbour, or lived in your town I would plant a tomato or two in my yard to show my support (and have a little fun). I think your local garden center should give out (or discount) “front yard” veggie plants designed to confuse and irritate the people at city hall! What would they do if the majority of the town had a veggie plant in their front yard? Would that redefine what is ‘suitable’?
Wishing you all the best with this one!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 12:18:52
Stephen is the BEST !!! He tells it like it is and THIS is just what he wants to poke fun at government about . God I’d love to hear HIS take on this
!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? BEST OF LUCK J.
He is Hendel Lawn Managment and we love them <3
Deb Hendel aka Nami’s Mommy. He and Bubbles mow our lovely acreage ( against Afton regs.) in Afton Mn. He’s on facebook for a laugh. But I bet you DO NOT have time for that yet
Jul 13, 2011 @ 13:02:34
Colbert Report! DO IT! Love that show!!!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 13:43:25
Check out this Portland, Oregon neighborhood:
http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/the-front-lawn-farm/Content?oid=1572199
I think the city planner here is missing out on a golden opportunity, maybe even get himself some good press by endorsing this lawn gardening. There’s an opportunity to build community, to educate kids about REAL food, give kids a opportunity to connect with their planet and away from video games. *sigh*
Please Mr. City Planner, don’t wield your authority with ignorance!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 15:26:48
Phew. Finally got to the bottom.
Just wanted to say keep up the great blog, and to let you know that you MUST go on The Colbert Report, if offered. Brilliant show. You won’t regret it.
Peace and namaste and stuff.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 16:02:51
I teach Criminal Justice and related courses at several local colleges here in Florida and I think this is a terrible law and HUGE waste of taxpayer time, money, and resources.
I will be sharing your story with my class this evening.
I wish you the best of luck!
Cozz
Jul 13, 2011 @ 18:37:43
cool, cozz- let me know what they think!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 16:05:16
…and now the crazies come out to play…
Jul 13, 2011 @ 16:06:12
I have never posted on anyone’s blog before but I am shocked at what I’ve read here. I am a native of Fenton, Michigan but now an implant to So. Cal (here for over 40 years now), I was surprised that any city anywhere would be opposed to plants in your front yard regardless of what they produced, they should be happy that you’ve taken the time to do something with your yard. My brother posted this on his FB page and I had to check it out – I’ve read every post on this page as it is here today – Keep up the good work – Keep up the fight. I wish I had enough of a green thumb that something would grow for me; I have tried and maybe it’s just too hot here in San Bernardino CA. or maybe it’s just me. If you would provide the names of your city officials and/or their e-mail address, I’m sure your readers would flood their inboxes in support of you. God Bless you and your family – you’re doing the right thing.
Jul 13, 2011 @ 19:27:17
you are flipping GREAT!!!!!!!!! Love it. Just be who you are and continue. Celebrity is very hard but your doing a great job!! Don’t think about critiques… Just keep going!!!!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 21:42:23
well flipping thank you!!!!! always up for a compliment
Jul 13, 2011 @ 22:45:15
I wrote to that email address that was given earlier. I got a response that said the prosecutor is dropping the charges. Hope that is true.
Jul 14, 2011 @ 09:48:00
I don’t think you’re “dumb” by any means, but the lack of capitalization and sometimes odd punctuation does make your posts harder to read. I really noticed it when I was able to follow that unpleasant person’s editorial letter much easier than your rebuttal to it, despite the fact that the actual words and points in your rebuttal ultimately made more sense.
You’re obviously a literate and well-spoken person. Is it really that hard to grammar and spell-check, as a consideration to your readers? It only takes a minute, and capital letters take only barely more effort to make than lower-case ones (and I see you’re willing to make the effort when capitalizing whole words for emphasis, so it’s obviously not a physical limitation at work, here). I tend to drop blogs where the writer won’t make that minimal effort. I really like what you have to say, but not enough to consistently give myself eyestrain trying to figure out where one thought stops and the next one begins.
Jul 14, 2011 @ 19:36:04
Personally I’m not here for grammar or punctuation….and I would never drop it for a misspelled word!….Now, if I were reading a blog about punctuation I probably would find it….boring.
Jul 14, 2011 @ 12:56:52
I heard about your story from one of those interviews, on As It Happens in Canada. All I can say is stand firm. Any judge worthy of his robes should realize that the ordinance/regulation is too vague, and out of date with the times.
Jul 14, 2011 @ 15:15:41
Here’s wishing you a migraine-free life with less stress. One way to start would be for the buffoons to back off and have the humility to admit they overreacted. No one wants to look bad, but they have only themselves to blame.
And where is an Oak Park City Councilor when you need one, to offer his or her opinion on this matter? Afraid of not being re-elected by the large anti-front-yard-garden constituency?
I always wondered just who thought this was such a big deal in the first place and complained. But then I saw the Fox clip that showed just the rather fat ankles of an old woman who was against the front-yard garden. Maybe she requested anonymity due to being afraid of death threats…
Many moons ago, in the early ’70s, I did a report on John Stuart Mill for a history class. So I already knew this term, which I believe you are a victim of (or, for grammar sticklers, “of which you are a victim.”):
“Tyranny of the majority.”
A quick Wiki-glance will show that is what you are up against. It is also a rare time I am in agreement with Ayn Rand.
This issue, while simple, seems to be causing us all to learn so much! If only the Oak Park government would do the same…
Jul 15, 2011 @ 00:32:34
Precisely why the Founders despised “Democracy.” It’s nothing but mob rule, where the majority suppresses, robs, and exploits the minority.
Jul 17, 2011 @ 01:48:32
Have as many neighbors as you can get to put in a 4×4 garden box in their front yard. Then by the cities own standards, your garden would be suitable because it would be common. If they argue that yours are bigger, then protest all of the neighbors that have trees bigger than yours… as a matter of fact the 1 neighbor that has the biggest tree would not be suitable… rediculous but I believe it just might work to salve your rediculous problem…
Mandy