There's a succulent that grows like pudgy grass, they use it a lot for landscaping in Querétaro, México. It gets crushed if you step on it, though. But it would be great for dry areas so illogically bent on having green lawns.

On the corner of my street in a small town in Mexico, two toddlers will peek out of a wheelbarrow (covered with tarp when it's rainy) while their parents work on the opposite corner. I guess you just have to make do.

Damn! now I want a Tee with the nutrition facts...

I also enjoy reading about these sort of experiments, like "no impact man" and such. While I don't intend to try anything that exteme, I usually learn a little something from them. Things like living off the grid, urban homesteading...it's in the same vein of trying to become less dependent. It takes some loons to make you think of different ways.

That's a very touching story. In general the internet can become a substitute college nowadays, and neatorama is a great introduction.