Although I am away this week, there is always time for the Tao te Ching. This week I am reading chapter 16. This chapter tells me to Be at One. At one with the source At one with all beings At one with life At one with death I’m trying to quiet my mind to get there, and I have to say, as always, that being outside in the natural world is the only way I can accomplish this. We…
thoughtful thursday: caring for land and people
March 28, 2019When we set about creating a new garden, what are the first considerations we have? For me, it usually goes like this: how is this going to look (landscaping) and/or function (vegetable garden)? One of the takeaways from a book I am reading right now, “Creating Sanctuary” by Jessi Bloom, is the idea of ethical guidelines when it comes to the garden or other outdoor spaces we are developing. She relates it to the guidelines found in the permaculture approach.…
i’m digging! the first true leaves
March 22, 2019thoughtful thursday: land spirits
March 21, 2019I just began reading Creating Sanctuary by Jessi Bloom. According to Ms. Bloom, in order to begin creating our own sanctuary, we must start by “listening to the spirit already present in your own space.” She provides some steps to make it easy to do this. I love this and I’m going to give it a try here at my own place. Do you believe that places have a spirit? Maybe it is more that spaces evoke a specific feeling in…
i’m digging! this beautiful hawk that came to visit
February 8, 2019This week I am digging what looks to be a red-shouldered hawk that perched on a tree branch just outside my window. Well…not “just” outside, more like 20-30 feet away. I did have just enough time to grab my zoom lens and snap a couple of photos through the window before she flew off. Looks like she is clutching some type of rodent. I noticed that each of her legs has a band. Some searching turned up this website regarding…
thoughtful thursday: the winter sky
February 7, 2019Isn’t winter the best for stargazing? The air seems clearer and the stars sharper and brighter. One of the best things about the winter sky are the great views of the constellation Orion the Hunter. This is one of the best known and loved of the constellations. Orion is one of the few constellations that I already knew before meeting the man, who is much more versed in astronomy than I was, or still am. I’ve learned a great deal…
ten lessons from the garden this year
December 10, 2018We’re getting closer and closer to the new year and while we still have a few weeks left in 2018, I started thinking back on the things I learned from my garden this year – or was at least reminded of. Isn’t real life always the very best teacher?? Can you relate to any of these? Timing can often be everything – especially when it comes to veggie plants. Mother Nature wins, every time. And definitely when it comes to…
how to: fall garlic planting
October 29, 2018It’s time to get the garlic in the ground for next year’s harvest. Come along with me and I will show you how I do it. It starts with having a high quality supply of garlic bulbs to plant. I order mine online from a reputable seed company, such as Baker Creek or Johnny’s Selected Seeds. You can often grow garlic using bulbs purchased at the grocery store; however, be aware that sometimes these bulbs have been treated to prevent…
first frost – yup, it’s here!
October 22, 2018Has your first frost happened yet? Ours did, just this past week. For the first time in recent years, I was – at least I think I was – prepared. Houseplants moved back inside, check. Any tender plants staying outside were covered, check. Any lingering veggies harvested, check. I moved several houseplants inside a short while ago. Here is the Majesty Palm that I just got this year. It has been gracing our side porch all summer and now it…
scarecrows are happiest in the fall!
October 15, 2018If you’ve followed along recently, you may have read that mums are out for me this year- if not, you can read it here, but everything else is definitely in! Especially happy scarecrows… No particular reason, just turned out that way. I am also trying a tablescape this year and finding it to be more difficult than it looks in all the pretty Pinterest photos. I kept adding and removing, adding and removing. The different fall themed decor pieces seemed…
