Turning Your Husband into a Fruit Tree?

Revenge takes different forms, but have you heard of such a thing?  Even a witch would not do that.  

However, turning one’s house into something productive is not only imaginable, but, also, something which is already being done.  

“Productive” as in making money—and not by passively watching house prices go up.  

Here is an example of making money from your house, www.greenroofsandiego.com:  

What are green roofs?

Roofs that are either partially or completely covered with plants are considered green roofs. While green roof technology is somewhat new in the United States, European countries, in particular Germany, have been designing green roofs for decades. Each particular green roof varies, however, every green roof contains the following basic components: waterproofing membrane, root barrier, drainage and water retention layer, growing medium, plants. 

Which other parts of your house could become productive?  

·        attic, because of the hot air;

·        backyard, as fruit trees and edible plants can be cultivated and the edible parts consumed or sold;

·        front yard, although some neighbors would object;

·        garage, for your own micro-business (many people do this already, as when they do mechanical work or vend Amway products from the garage);

·        den, where an exercise bicycle, directly or indirectly, could generate electricity to be sold to Edison;

·        den, where a computer could receive video from neighborhood surveillance cameras and enable you to earn a reward if a vandal or thief were caught.  

And why do all this?  To supplement income.  To become self-reliant, more so when a disaster strike and there be no outside help for days.  To do one’s share in the incipient battle against global warming.  

If you answer the multiple-choice questions below and e-mail to lessonanswers@mymontebello.com with “Lesson answers” in the subject field, you will be credited toward a “certificate of recognition in community affairs” to be awarded in 2007 by a local nonprofit organization.  

1.  What does Green Roof San Diego do?

(a) Paint roofs green to beautify a neighborhood.

(b) Create roofs which can support plants.  

2.   Why might we make our houses more productive?

(a) To increase our income. 

(b) To have supplies to tide us over during the first few days of a disaster.

(c) To increase vegetation in an attempt to slow, stop, and reverse global warming.