To find out who owns it, go to the local registry of deeds, landoffice, whatever. There will be a record of the owner of record because someone is paying taxes on the place, and you can get the address. My thoughts--don't offer them a percentage of cash sales--that leads to bookkeeping and oversight and doesn't allow for expenses that, especially in the first season, will do bad things to profit. A portion of the crop can also get complicated, since it might involve transportation, or if it's a lot, the person may not want to get involved in selling his portion. Find out from your local agricultural agent, whatever that agency may be called, what the going rates are for agricultural land or for undeveloped lots within the municipal limits. Offer the clean-up as partial payment for the first year's rent. Sometimes landowners will settle for payment of taxes. The water will be different--I don't know how deposits and access are set up in your area, but I would keep it separate from the rent. Utilities included when it comes to farming can get really complicated. Water use may get curtailed, or the landlord may set the rent much higher just be sure he covers the cost of water. If you can, make it so you only pay for the water you use, not an estimated figure. Ray

I was able to increase the shade about two hours each day and make other environmental improvements as suggested by bearstate above. New sickly leaves continued to emerge. Three tiny pink flowers produced white fruit that looks like small cultured pearls. How does one start to search for the identity of a an unknown woody perennial with sickly round leaves about the size and shape of a fingerprint and tiny pink flowers and white fruit that looks like small cultured pearls?

I truly believe that there are some of us who are so dependent on our female hormones, that life becomes pretty bad for us, during this adjustment period. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia shortly before I began having irregular periods, at around age 46. I developed sleep problems, IBS, migraines, severe joint and muscle pains and overwhelming fatigue. I thought it was all my fibromyalgia.....but I've talked to alot of women who seem to develop these symptoms, as they enter perimenopause. I saw tons of doctors and had tons of tests, and they were all normal. Over the past 10 years, I've learned to deal with most of the problems. The fatigue has definitely gotten better, but I still have the IBS and sleep problems. I'm sorry I don't have any good advice for you, except to be sure its nothing else going on, and then read up on fibromyalgia and what things you might do to feel better. I know menopause isn't a disease........but for some of us, it sure feels like one. I learned how to budget my energy so that I could get a few things done in the morning, when I had the most energy. I definitely had to re-assess alot of things, and stop expecting myself to be able to do what I used to. Fortunately, I had a very understanding family. I tried Wellbutrin for awhile, but it made me too nervous. Drugs like Welbutrin, Provigil might help you with your severe fatigue. But then coming off of drugs like that can be a challenge in itself. About all you can do right now is try to custom-make a plan for yourself, including diet, exercise, and alot of rest. Good luck to you.

Miac, You project sounds very interesting to me, and though I would be wary, I would hear you out if you approached me. But then I have been thinking of doing something similar for some time so I have thought about the issues you raise! I am a little pressed for time today, so I'll have to come back and add more comments but here are a few things to start with: Have you studied house styles (and local variants) enough to be able to identify them pretty accurately from the outside? Do you know how to winkle out the reported age of the structure from local property assessment records? Do you know how to do deed chains in county or town land records so you could trace the history of a particular building back? Do you know where there are old maps or photographs that might show earlier views of old buildings? These are all things that you might find useful in approaching homeowners and asking for permission to take pictures of the exteriors. Pictures of the interiors are a whole 'nuther matter, and I wouldn't hold out much hope there. The interior pictures would not only open people up to possible theft/burglary issues, but to be honest, many people have made upgrades that haven't been reported to tax officials and wouldn't want to reveal that! Plus it's an invasion of privacy, that I, for one, would veto on that grounds alone. There is one other slightly sticky issue (well two, really). Despite their apparent lack of interest, your local historical mavens may get their feathers ruffled if someone else independently begins a project on their "turf". I would try again to redefine your project, but work with them, not separately. The other potential sticking point is this: Your project which begins as a labor of love, a benign community benefit and your personal avocational interest will be misinterpreted by some people to mean that you are doing something that could be the prelude to taking away some property rights by imposing historic district regulation, etc. So they will be inherently hostile to it right off the bat, having heard urban legends about historical districts standards that regulate the number of plys in one's toilet paper. If I were you I would try to making some kind of patch with existing local historical folks; I would stick strictly to exteriors; I would try to have some additional data to offer homeowners when I first approached them (photocopies of old maps, deeds, etc.); and I would start very modestly, and not in a tight geographic area that might be seen as a historical district, instead I would start with particular class (age, style or feature of buildings), perhaps keyed to some well known local subject. If you go ahead, I would also do some advance publicity so at least some people might have heard or read about it in advance of you arriving on their doorstep; I would make up a one-page flyer of information about what you are doing to hand out when you visit, to leave behind if no one is home and to post around town on bulletin boards. I would make sure your town clerk or town hall knows what you're planning, as people may call there. I would also go to the trouble of contacting your local police and giving them a heads-up including when (days, time) you'll be driving around, what your vehicle looks like, etc. These days people may call 911 and report a suspicious car or person, and the cops will be happier if they can say they know who you are! And if you possibly arrange to do so, don't start with any well-known controversial issue, as that will connect you with people who are rabidly pro or anti some project and you may have to spend extra time untangling yourself later. By the way, what you are doing is called an historical building survey and is a familiar and well-documented activity in preservation circles. In New York, where I live, there are even official looking forms (in carbonless triplicate!) that can be used to collect and record the info. You may find useful things and help if you can contact your State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO, "ship-o"). You might also find some additional info in that series of preservation briefs that I am always sending people to. I may be wrong, but I think there is one on doing an historical building survey. What state are you in? I wish you very good luck with your project, and stamina! Molly~