69 Comments

I'm so proud to be included in this fine company! And my new son-in-law, for whom the book was a wedding gift, is loving it! He's especially interested in the Ethiopian recipes since they moved from eclectic Oakland, with great Ethiopian, to white-bread Pleasant Hills. But I'm already missing the book so I'm going to borrow it back while they go on their honeymoon to New Zealand. Thank you for such a jam-packed treasure!

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Gavin...due to the demanding circumstances here...I've yet to sit down with your online book.However,I sure look forward to doing so a.s.a.p.Thanks again for all your good work!

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Sorry for any confusion,possibly due to too much toxic smoke still in my brain.I'm aware of postage increases Gavin...but the amount dazzled me.I don't get out of the cave much.Let's go with the ''softcover'' order regardless.This is a very special book,after all.

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Well you are not the only one, I often find myself being dazzled when I go to ship things internationally now a days.

Thank you my friend, I will send you an email shortly with more info on the book.

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Great! Gavin,I used to love sending seed over seas.Not as pleasurable anymore...but,must stay in touch with the world seedmasters.And,shipping time is just as crazy.Sent seed overseas the same day as seed in the US.Ha,the to-Europe seed made it 3 days earlier.Go figure...

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Gavin...excuse the delay in response.I've been busy inside railroad safety investigation.Ha,the ''time frame.'' You are doing just fine.My books have been ready to roll for 28 years(...and,some are still ''in process.'') Meanwhile,you definitely ''carry-the-torch.'' P.S.Do you accept credit cards or checks? I want a signed copy as soon as you print- out.Faith-in-a-Seed!

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Hey Rob, no worries I have been quite busy my self recently. How is the railroad safety investigation going? Any word on soil / water samples in your community?

Thank you for the kind and encouraging words about my book's timeframe :) I look forward to reading your books too! ;)

I will do my best to hold the torch high and light the path for the youngsters that feel the pull of Mother Earth wanting to guide them towards a more abundant, peaceful and healthful future.

Yes both credit or debit cards should work for pre-ordering the book on my website.

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oOOPs...must have hit a wrong key somehow.Just ordered the softcover...and thought a $30 mailing fee was somehow pricey.Appears the site confused me for a Canadian(..no offense to Canada.) Hopefully,we can correct that...

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Hey Rob

I thought you wanted to pre-order a physical book ("hard copy")? Softcover is the only physical book format I will have available at this point. Did you think I meant hard cover when I said "hard copy"? Or?

Shipping costs have gone up a lot in the last couple years. 30$ CAD (21.65 USD) is enough to cover shipping most of the time but sometimes I end up paying for part for that myself. I agree that it is a lot of money but i just cannot afford to be paying for part of other people's shipping all the time so the flat rate I have it set at makes it so that I only end up paying out of my pocket some of the time.

I am able to refund your order if you would prefer, just let me know.

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Great! Getting into good trouble here with the RR investigations and safety advocacy work.Spoke with Sen.Brown yesterday...and,am proud of his work in co-sponsoring the Safety Legislation.The air and water readings have been in the safe zone although we have many community doubts there.The soil testing starts this week with a minimum of 277 samplings.I've registered for that...but,we'll see if I'm selected after priority testing.Very excited about the book.Again...Many Congrats!

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Thank you for the update my friend. I admire your tenacity and efforts to get answers.

Keep up the great work!

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Congratulations! ^_^

Please know that I think you're terrific, and I very much like your writing and info... I am going through some VERY crazy things right now, so wanted to say that I'll be out of touch for a time, but-- not that I'm some kind of Big Support-- I'll be off dealing with it for a while. Best of luck, and hopefully I'll be back on board soon. xo

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Thank you ! I really appreciate the kind comment :)

I will send good thoughts and good vibes your way in the hopes the crazy things you are going through are resolved beneficially with minimal adversity and pain involved.

I am grateful for your presence and your candid comments.

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Cheers. I really hope your book zooms, because your posts are wonderful. You deserve success!

I'd buy a copy but I'm still in poverty for at least another month... Maybe then I will, because it's on my list. xo xo ^_^

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OH!!! This is so beautiful, Gavin, and the chapters you've posted are so deep and meaningful. The connections between everything are something you elucidate so clearly, you little mycelium network, you. The first accolade puts it so perfectly, and I'm honored to be among all the other excellent and perceptive readers. I didn't know Tessa was in your readership, but that makes perfect sense!

I'm eager for the print version and happy to report that plans are being made for the newlywed daughter and her husband to take over my house in a year or two, with the garaj mahal upgraded for me and other improvements. So we won't have to fight over who gets custody of your lovely book and seeds as their wedding present! We can develop the garden here together. Yay!

On another note, now that you have more time, I'm still hoping for your Tonic Masculinity essay. Some of the usurpers of my phrase have become known as 'the Tonic 7' in a recent interview, and I'm wanting to reclaim its original meaning of a society that puts children at the center, surrounded by women, surrounded by men. You and Charles Eisenstein embody this, which doesn't require one's own children but creating the world we want for all of them.

Congrats on this great accomplishment! It really does change everything to claim your identity as an author, something you've been for a long time of gestation but have now given birth!

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Thank you Tereza! I feel grateful to be given the honor of being compared to a mycelium network :)

I do not know if Tessa reads my Substack essays but she was kind enough to be willing to read my book (despite her busy schedule fighting robots, exposing robot like and mechanistic systems and writing her well referenced, poetic and thought provoking essays). I have always had a great admiration for her honesty, intelligence, courage and humor so her positive feedback on my book means a lot to me.

That is beautiful regarding your daughter, her husband and your garaj mahal ! Fighting over custody for my book, hehe that made me laugh out loud and brought a big smile to my face, thanks for that!

I am still trying to figure out software compatibility issues to get the book off to the presses and I will be heading back to long hours at my day job soon (once the snow melts in the next few days) so I do not know how much time I will have available for writing new essays from scratch, but I will continue to think about your suggestion for an essay on masculinity. I do think it is an important issue (given all the strange gender blurring propaganda being pushed on kids and the various psychological warfare divide and conquer operations being pushed forward that are intended to pit woman against man, and one skin color against another etc) but I am still not sure if I wanna open that can of worms on my Substack at this point (given there is so much work that I still feel moved to do in helping empower people to grow their own food and make their own medicine). I do really appreciate your kind words regarding myself and Charles, I`ll meditate on it and keep it in mind as something to write about in the future.

Thank you for the thoughtful and heartfelt comment, it does feel good to share what Mother Earth and the Creator of all things cultivated in my heart and mind with the world though my book and I feel grateful that many were guided to help support me and make it possible for me to be able to make becoming an author as part of who I am in this life.

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Gavin!! I am SO HAPPY for you! Congratulations!! I know that your heart and soul will be felt in the pages of your book, both in words and pictures. I don't use an e-reader, but I anxiously await the printed version where I can happily underline, make exclamation points, and take notes in the borders. I already know it will be one of my favorite plant books. The trees are bowing down to you, and Queen Yarrow says "thank you!" 🌿xo

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Thank you my friend :)

Yes I did put everything I had into writing this book (though since it took so long to put into a digital format, I did end up learning a lot since I began and ran into the dilemma of "oh but man I wish I could update this or add in that" and running out of space). I`ll save the stuff I could not fit into this one for the next book ;)

I totally understand the eBook thing, I prefer physical my self as well. I just wanted to have the expedited option available before printing and for those that live in places that will not let me ship books or seeds.

I am so grateful for your generous support and genuine supportive presence, I will be gathering some select seeds to send you in the coming week. Would you have some friends that would appreciate some extra packages of Tulsi seeds ? (I just got done sorting through some dried flower heads from my late fall harvest and I have lots right now).

I found that beautiful description of the trees and Queen Yarrow to be very moving and I will strive to honor and give back them for all the gifts they share with humanity on the path ahead.

Please let me know if you have any trouble downloading/opening the eBook I sent you a link for via email.

With sincere gratitude and big smiles,

-Gavin

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Hi Gavin! Yes, I was able to open it. It's good to have it, but I'm waiting for the physical copy to really delve in. :)

I know I have friends who would LOVE some Tulsi seeds! I'm going to find a special place to plant mine this spring. I'm guessing they must like full sun??

So happy to support you, Gavin. You share your knowledge and spirit so generously with all of us here on Substack. 🌿

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Thank you my friend I am grateful for your friendship and support.

Yes Tulsi likes full sun though "temperate Tulsi" can take part shade.

I look forward to hearing what you think of the book once you have a chance to dig in.

Much love from the north

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Alright Gavin...MANY CONGRATULATIONS! I have some idea what it required..and,what went into it.Passion Creates...and,in-it's-own-time.Look forward to the HC....my older eyes spend too much time online,as is.Can you give the HC price...for I'm definitely saving-up? Looking around here at your work and the comments...it's heart-warming seeing another evolution on the spiral beyond that of my Earth-loving & tending Hippie Generation.Keep-on-trucking,and always...''FAITH-IN-A-SEED!''

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Thanks Rob, that means a lot :)

I did put a lot of love into writing it and I also learned a lot from rookie mistakes regarding what software to use and what realistic timeframes for writing a book (without any paid staff) takes. So next time I think the process should be a lot smoother.

The hardcopies are available to pre-order for 60$ CAD (43.51 USD) plus shipping right now. Hopefully if I do a larger bulk printing run in the future I will be able to bring the cost down.

Thanks my friend, I am honored you feel I am carrying the torch from the generation of humble, courageous, loving, open minded and peaceful human beings that some refer to as "hippies" :)

I will do just that, thanks for the comment my friend.

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I am very happy for you Gavin and I admire your hard work! Can’t wait to hold your baby in my hands!

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Thank you! I really appreciate the thoughtful comment :)

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I bought a copy and downloaded something that doesn't open. Just FYI. There does seem to be a problem. I haven't emailed yet.

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I will look at the problem tomorrow morning and try to remedy it. Sorry about the inconvenience.

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No problem, I just wanted to let you know. Looks very good 👍

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Hi Jennifer

Were you able to download and view the PDF file from the emailed link okay?

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The file I downloaded was openable on my laptop but was just a white page that said "Sign In".

I didn't see an email from your name or the reciprocity email.

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Ok I sent a second email with the link to where you can download the eBook now.

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I will resend another email shortly as well to see if that makes it easier.

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Please check your spam/junk folder in your email to find the email I sent with the link as people have told me that my stuff is being flagged/blacklisted.

Please ignore the file that is downloadable directly from my book website, it does not function.

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I don't see anything from Gavin Mounsey in my Junk and only Substack related emails in my main area.

What should I search for in my email as an address?

*I was kind of sick this month and am getting my energy back now.

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Ok, Thanks for letting me know.

That is weird. When I use that Google Drive file sharing link I sent you in the email (for the file named "RFR2023.pdf") it shows up on my end by saying "Couldn't Preview File - This file is too large to preview" but then right below that message there is an option to download. I tested it out a few times on different computers and when I download the "RFR2023.pdf" file I am able to open it with any PDF viewing software.

So you were able to download the "RFR2023.pdf" file, but when you try to view it on your computer it asks you to sign in to something?

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I was really busy yesterday and haven't seen it yet. Just got to my email.

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I appreciate you giving the heads up and the kind words about my book :)

I still have not figured out how to make the link work on my website.

I sent you an email from my proton mail account with a link to where you can download the PDF file of the Ebook directly. Please let me know if you have any trouble downloading or opening/viewing the file, thank you.

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Hey Gavin.

If I buy your book, it looks interesting, is it going to be DRM protected? I don't think you can apply DRM to a PDF but I'm not sure. No DRM allowed on my equipment. I don't know what that closed source crap software is going to do on my puter and I have no way of knowing. i.e. if it is DRM protected, I can't read it.

If it isn't you sold a copy, and I got to rant about DRM.

Win, win.

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Hi John

Well I have not taken any action to intentionally add any kind of "DRM" stuff to my book but I do not know if the software I used adds something like that by default.

How would I determine whether or not the PDF file is "DRM protected"?

Thank you for your "rant" on DRM and thank you for your interest in my book.

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If you created the book yourself Gavin and distribute it yourself, it's very unlikely that it has DRM.

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That is good to know! As you can see, I am better with plants than I am with computers so thank you for the informative comments. :)

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I actually started an article on the topic because DRM has far reaching consequences that hardly anyone is aware of, but I have so much to do. Also, the first couple sections are hilarious and I don't know if I can keep that up. Mind you I am probably the biggest fan of my own humour. Suits.

I'll give you a precis.

At its core, DRM, Digital Rights Management is copy protection. It incorporates an encryption so that special software is required to consume the media. The software is closed source although it doesn't have to be. An open source version could work just fine with an encryption key. There is no open source DRM that I am aware of. So right off the bat you have a closed source program that could be doing anything, and it does do some nefarious things openly. The most eggregious crime it is has been caught doing is removing your media. So you don't really own it. I believe it was Amazon that removed copies of George Orwell's 1984 from user's Kindles. Examples go all the way back to Sony's rootkit, possibly the first widespread example. Sony CD's installed a rootkit on computers unbeknownst to the user. It went undiscovered until it became an attack vector for hackers. All computers that had run a Sony CD were vulnerable to hacking because it was insecure. I believe Sony got screwed pretty good for that one. But the software itself could be doing anything and these days, It's is highly probable that it is spying on you, but then everything does.

So you have a piece of software on your computer that belongs to the publisher of the media and you don't know what it can do. When you use Netflix the DRM is a browser extension. With a Kindle it is built in...

Now I don't know about you, but I'm having a lot of revelations lately with hindsight. This is a new world we're living in. Consider who owns the record companies, the publishing companies, every source of entertainment. Those people have programs running on your computer that you do not control that does things that you do not want them to do and most people don't even know that they are there.

I'm not playing, and I'm serious about that.

I use Linux. If you use Windows it doesn't really matter because they own that too. Apple, now there is a company you can't trust.

I suppose you could test your book by downloading a free, preferrably open source, PDF viewer and see if it can read your book. Acrobat might have PDF preinstalled, ethically it should ask your permission to use DRM, perhaps it does, people just agree to everything. Browsers on Linux do that. Were I to connect to Netflix the browser would ask me if I wanted to install a DRM extension to enable me consume woke Netflix crap.

If Khazars want to hack into my computer they're going to have to do it the hard way. I'm not giving them the keys.

Sorry if I was blunt in my original message.

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I appreciate you providing that in depth historical background on what DRM is and it's broader implications. It sounds like the whole thing is just as corrupt and degenerative as the GMO "terminator technology" (which genetically contaminates and cripples the DNA of plants to produce sterile seeds at harvest).

I was never asked permission to use any DRM and the PDF file seems to work fine with the free PDF viewers, so looks like I am in the clear :)

No need to apologize, I appreciate candidness.

If you do purchase the eBook I will have to send you a link to where you can download it via email as I still cannot figure out how to link the PDF file to the check out on my website.

Thanks again for your interest in my book and for the fascinating info on DRM.

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Stuff that isn't corrupt is a much shorter list.

I see you are printing a hardcopies, how long?

A PDF now is worth more than a hardcopy after the Apocalypse hits. I am very interested in your book. Sold, but I don't see what I should do.

I'm better with computers than I am with people.

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On an interesting side note, have you ever looked into the etymology of the word "Apocalypse"?

There are some very interesting and illuminating truths worth exploring with regards to the original root of that word.

I feel it's more ancient meaning does indeed speak to what is happening in the world around us now. Mind you, not in the way most people think of the word, but in the sense that many things are being 'uncovered' and 'revealed' (to those that are paying attention and not hypnotized by the corporate/government propaganda that is).

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I will do that. I have much of Revelation memorised, it's almost incumbent on me.

Back in the day before Reddit was woke I played there. Someone said this to me:

"If there are still feminists after the Apocalypse, the Apocalypse wasn't good enough."

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Indeed, well said.

I do not have an exact date on when the hard copies will arrive on my door step. I am tryna figure out software compatibility issues with the printing company currently but it looks like we found a work around so once that is finalized I believe the time between them starting to print them to getting them to me in bulk is 2-3 months. I will post updates on here as the process moves along.

You make a valid and important point regarding the value of a PDF now vs waiting for a hardcopy later.

Would having an option to simultaneously pre-order a hard copy while also instantly getting access to the PDF of the eBook for downloading now be helpful ?

That last line of your comment is hilarious and make me laugh out loud :) thanks for that!

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I was hoping you would say that. Yes that would be lovely. I have a really nice laser printer here and I know how to make books. It's a lot of work.

Tell me what to do re: paying you.

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Oh yeah, Larry sent me.

Blame him.

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Congratulations Gavin. A cross post was just sent to Solution Seeking Substack (please see the quote below). Thanks for all you do.

"

Gavin Mounsey has gifted Solution Seeking with several inspirational, relevant, meaningful and beautiful comments. I thank him for that. I want to thank all who offer comments in Solution Seeking as well. Gavin's book is finished. It contains relevant and useful information Please take a look. Thank you.

"

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Thanks Larry! :)

I really appreciate the kind words and the shout out on your newsletter.

May 2023 serve to be a year where all the empowering and uplifting solutions you have gathered begin to offer increasingly tangible results in your life and community.

Thanks for all you do my friend.

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You're welcome Gavin. And thank you. We have a lot of work ahead of us to manifest the better world we know is possible. Onward!!

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Such exciting news! Don't worry about the time. Well written books take a long time to bring together and this book is 430 pages of very important information. I am just grateful that i have ordered both the ebook and the printed copy. I will now have access whether i am on a device or sitting in my cozy chair. Thank you for all the time, effort and heart that you put into this book. This is wonderful news!

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I really appreciate your kind, heartfelt and generous comment.

I am very excited to order and read your book some day, I know it will change this world for the better.

Thank you for being in my life and truly seeing me, I Love You

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Please announce when your book will be available in print... I don't do e-books.

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Will do Anthony, I am just working on getting the ball rolling with sending it off the presses now.

I respect your position as I think focusing on having hard copies of books is a very wise choice for several reasons. "Digital book burning" could become a thing pretty easily if our corrupt governments keep moving down the thinly veiled totalitarian path they are currently on and also the 'digital age' could be brought to an end very swiftly via one of several possible, and perhaps inevitable man-made or natural events https://gavinmounsey.substack.com/p/preparing-for-the-100-year-storms).

I share the ebook option to expedite getting the practical info out to people interested in taking action to increase their food sovereignty and emergency preparedness now (before the book is physically printed) and also so those that cannot afford a hardcopy (and/or those in areas I cannot ship to) can be able to have access to the info to help themselves.

That being said, I definitely advocate for getting hard copies of books over depending solely on digital when ever possible.

Thank you for your interest in my book.

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I'm looking forward to the hard copy... please keep us informed.

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Did you ever manage to get a physical copy? I still have a bout 50 copies left if you want one.

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