We recently completed a set of delivery crates for our local Farmers Market Drop Off. The service allows residents of Vero Beach, Palm Bay, Orchid Island, Sebastian, Hutchinson Island, and Fort Pierce to order farm, gourmet, and artisan products online during the week and have them delivered to their doorsteps (or available for pick up at Vero Beach Oceanside Farmers Market) Saturday.

The crates are 11” x 13” x 20” and are made of 100% repurposed pallet wood, hand-nailed together and strengthened with glue. Each is hand-stamped with the Farmers Market Drop Off logo on the sides; and with Vero Beach, FL, USA; and My Natural Playce / The Steinwalds inside. Each stamp is designed, built, hard-carved, and placed by our son, Auguste, who designs, builds and hand-carves all the stamps we use.

The first week they used them, they received this positive customer feedback: “The wooden crates are beautiful!….They’re a great step forward in dealing with the plastics problem and I admire your commitment to change.”

By Walter Steinwald. (Originally written Oct 2019.)

If I were a screen, I would struggle for your soul, much like seraphim in strife. I would thirst for that inner-core of self, that abstract piece of your consciousness, the little voice in your head when things “feel” wrong. My aim would be to tease it out from your possession with trinkets of thoughts and minute pleasures, dangling shreds of “what if's” and “need to knows” about like tangible thought bubbles invincible and ubiquitous. I would cradle your mind. Even in your sleep I could purr near your side or upon your chest showing my unswerving constancy. No matter where you went or who you were with I could be there…recording, remembering for you, so you wouldn’t need to try so hard to be there; you could always go back later.

Yes, I think God had it right when He asked for your soul instead of your body. What can a body do for us? Not much, really. The screen needs devotion, an unswerving dedication; it feeds from human mesmerism. And here we have the greatest attraction with the subtlest complexities ever to be know in the world: your own self. Comfort, curiosity, self-glorification, would make for a modest though sharp vanguard. By building a mirrored sphere around you, my hands would be free, my goal completed no matter what else should go on. We are all so wonderful.

Some people have questions and fears related to using “treated lumber” for raised vegetable garden beds. We direct people to the following research studies and information sources to address their questions and concerns.

Penn State Extension: Environmental Soil Issue - "Garden Use of Treated Lumber." (download pdf)

​Human Ecological Risk Assessment (journal): "Human Health Risk Evaluation of ACQ-Treated Wood." (download pdf)
  
Walter Reeves - The Georgia Gardener (blog post)- "Treated Wood - Safety of ACQ"

This week we finished four outdoor benches for New Horizons of the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee, a non-profit providing mental health and substance abuse services for adults and children in Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties. These benches are for their Inpatient Crisis Units, to provide respite spaces for individuals to sit outdoors, feel the warmth of sunshine, breathe fresh air, reflect on their wellness goals, and socialize with others on the same journey to health.