Reading posts like this makes me want to find a nice big piece of infertile land and rehabilitate it. Maybe the side of a mountain. I'd grow things. Mostly things that can be eaten. I wouldn't use chemicals, so the birds, animals and insects would get a share (until their natural predators come along).
For now, I have a plant pot with two different kinds of chillies. I love looking at them every day.
I love spicy food so I would like to have a chili garden. My wife use to grow jalepenos.
Also your mentioned living in the mountains. Mountains exude power and grace. It would be amazing to wake up to everyday.