Plant Whatever Brings You Joy

Last winter, strangely, there appeared many dark bluish purple berries on a very large shrub rather lost in a foresty section of the garden, that I must confess, I had not fully researched to identify. The berries were very enticing that particular morning as they were encased in the ever so slightest of moisture, appearing to be glazed. They were enchanting and I ran for my camera to capture them. So glad I did.

I wondered about these berries, then, for a few days. Quite honestly I wanted to eat them, but I didn’t know what they were, so knew that was definitely not an option. And I simply did not take the time to snap off a branch and take them to a local nursery in hopes of someone telling me what they might be. In part this was due to suspecting they were planted many decades ago by a woman, I learned not long after moving into this home nearly four years ago, who had served as president of the local gardening club. (To her I owe much of my mature garden.) So I suppose I suspected this particular plant might be something not so easily recognized in the modern world, particularly as I could not recall ever seeing it before. Part of my reluctance was also fueled by not having seen a single bird eating those lovely berries in those early days of their emergence, so assumed they must be decorative, lessening my interest. You can imagine my surprise when I went out into the garden one morning shortly after and found not a single berry on the shrub. So someone liked them. I’m guessing robins who infrequently, but regularly swoop through like clockwork when there is something yummy on their radar. And then they disappear for months. So fascinating. And that’s how that went down.

Now here it is early summer and the shrub is fully in gorgeous flower and finally is fully within my own curiosity sites. How could it not?

Yesterday I took the initiative to snap off that branch at last, wrap it in a wet paper towel and rush it off to John, everyone’s favorite nurseryman, and asked his opinion. He scratched his head and muttered something in Latin and fortunately I caught the first part: myrtle. Google helped with the rest, and Myrtle communis is what I have to be thankful for. Lucky me. Intrigued and now fully engaged I set to work to learn all I could about true myrtle.

First, I can, indeed, eat them, though apparently jam would be a higher option. Interestingly I can dry the berries and use them as a substitute for pepper, which I might explore, as I do not use black pepper in my kitchen ever, though I do use cayenne. (The body likes it better.) The leaves, I learned, have sometimes been used as a substitute for bay. Good to know, though a bay laurel is just outside the front door. But duly noted.

True myrtle is repeatedly referred to as a very old plant. It’s been with civilization for a very long time and is many times referred to in the Bible. It is most commonly associated with the Mediterranean region. In Greek mythology true myrtle is ascribed to have been sacred to Aphrodite, and, indeed, as Venus emerges from the sea, she is said to have hidden herself among the myrtle trees. In Rome Virgil states, “the poplar is most dear to Alcides, the vine to Bacchus, the myrtle to lovely Venus.” This was extended to the practice of women carrying myrtle in their bridal bouquets or of weaving wreathes of myrtle, worn in their wedding rituals. Frequent readers will not be surprised at all that this bit of information completely captured my imagination and I resolved immediately to make a wreath this morning, which I did, and enlisted the support of my very beautiful daughter to share the lovely result with all of you.

Indeed, it was Antonia who noticed immediately how beautifully fragrant the myrtle was when I gathered some yesterday morning and coupled with some pink hydrangea for a breakfast bouquet. It has a deeply spicey perfume emanating that is very rich and attractive. I do hope you will find some in your environs to enjoy. I also would encourage you to grow it, particularly for those of you who are water conscious as it proves to be not a fussy plant, and needing very little water, undoubtedly contributing to its longevity and easy survival. The one in my garden has been given free reign for a long time so it has become very large, indeed. Here you see just how much it has expanded over time. Conner wanted to be included in the frame. Enjoy.

Love and many gardening blessings,
Kathryn xoxo

Posted on June 27th, 2009 by Kathryn
Filed under: Plants | 12 Comments »

Quiet tears of joy ran down my face this morning in happy little rivulets as I opened my email from Nazir Sabir. We all have been patiently waiting for this moment for months! Prayers were uttered frequently that it would at last be so: the nearly 100 scarves we all so lovingly knitted and crocheted last winter for The Scarf Initiative would arrive into the hands of the children of Askole village in the far northeast region of Pakistan, high, high, high in the mountains at the end of the Karakoram Highway, last stop before K2, second tallest mountain in the world! No small feat!! And, dearest readers, they have at last safely arrived! We did it!! Those tears flowed for a good half hour as I poured over the many photos sent to me. Below is the accompanying letter from Nazir Sabir, whose nephew made the treacherous drive from Skardu, where the scarves had been stored over winter, awaiting the time when the Karakoram Highway would no longer be closed first due to ice and snow and later because of dangerous mudslides. At last the risk was lessened sufficiently to make the trek! And so they did! Here is a photo of part of their trek, the river that runs along the Karakoram Highway.

Is it not precious to see the girls in the photo above, holding purple mittens (from Ross!) and the red scarves from Texas? Perhaps in these photos you will spot one you made. I do recognize a few! So exciting!

As earlier informed we are pleased to update you that scarves have been distributed among the children of Askole and Korfe villages. Please find enclosed herewith the photographs for your kind information as desired and I hope they serve the purpose. As you can see most of the “girls” still remain shy to camera despite all the tourism flowing in/out of Askole! But few cute girls were caught while receiving the scarves…

I was quite surprised, but delighted, to learn they had distributed part of the scarves to Askole, as expected, and part in Korfe village, which had, in fact, been my original intent and vision but that goal had not met with support through the venues I originally explored. Readers of Three Cups of Tea will recall that Korfe village was the village into which Greg Mortensen stumbled where his life was saved by the villagers, and where he later returned to build the first of many schools for girls in Pakistan.

Opening my U-Haul box in Korfe village!

I wrote back to Nazir Sabir to clarify which photos had been taken in Askole, which in Korfe. Here’s what he said:

Dear Kathryn Hall,
Thanks for your kind acknowledgement. It is indeed very touching that you are moved with the photographs and surely your readers, too. The school with blue doors is in Askole and the other one is Korfe. You have rightly said the older man is a teacher and other notables of the village were present during the distribution as such an occasion is unusual and turned out quite an event as you can see from the pictures. We would be most pleased to view the link once up and read the comments of your readers. We really appreciate your kind words and it is a privilege for us to be a part of this noble task. We wish you the best in your endeavors.
Thanks and best regards,
Nazir Sabir

The boys in Korfe with their village teacher

If you look very carefully there are two girls toward the back on the right. These girls are part of the other half of the group, the female half. I find it fascinating. Here are more of the girls and women. They all seem very interested, and perhaps a bit in awe.

From this angle you can see the men and boys to the left (and the skylight on left that we saw in previous photo), right? I’m not sure if we are in a classroom or some kind of community room, but clearly they have been asked to gather together for the special delivery of the scarves.

Now, I’m going to shift back to Askole village and you will notice a slight energy change. It is very charming, as Nazir Sabir has said, that the girls are very shy. Notice the one with a scarf covering her head above. (I know exactly who made that navy scarf–a loving woman from India who contributed many scarves to this project!) OK, I will share with you many more.

Ready for distribution
These ten men were very organized and dedicated to the distribution of the scarves, bless their hearts. I love the colors we sent juxtaposed to everything else in the environment!

Girls lined up to receive their scarves!

That is a purple scarf with a pair of purple mittens on top. Did you make that scarf??

Julie’s scarf arrives!

I’m pretty darn sure that scarf was crocheted by my cousin Julie in Ohio! Oh, how fun to see!

I know for a fact that striped scarf came from Utah. Do you recognize one of yours?

A happy grateful woman receives her new scarf. So endearing. And that man has his hand on a scarf that I know came from North Carolina. I’m sure. Can you let yourself imagine the miracle of what we have all accomplished? In the midst of one of the most troubled spots on the planet Earth, dear darling beloved readers, we have made a way for goodness. And it was received and blessed by the very goodhearted Nazir Sabir whose family and associates made our dream a reality in spite of the treachery involved. And make no mistake about that. Even in the best of times, well, not something you would jump at traversing most likely.

I do want to say that I am happy to report however, that Nazir Sabir has assured me that the brave adventurous mountaineer community continues to sign up for treks in Pakistan. They are an amazing lot, and Nazir Sabir, head of the Alpine Club of Pakistan is at the forefront. I feel such a connection with Pakistan that if I were a very young woman I’d be on my way sometime in my life. Those mountains are one of Earth’s sacred holy treasures.

Now, this photo was among those sent. I’m going to say it’s Askole village, as I have seen photos of Askole in the past.

If you want the full effect, Google Earth Askole. Julie and I did that last winter. Oh, my! You will see what it is we have done combining all of our love and creativity–and the monies you all sent for Federal Express charges and the duty charges levied by the Pakistani government. Oh, yes, dears. And we did it.

Here is the last photo I’m sharing with you, of the girls hiding their (delighted) faces as they sit among each other sharing their new treasure. Be very proud of yourselves. We have planted love on the other side of the Earth in a troubled spot. My very deepest thanks to each of you who helped make this happen. There are so many of you and I will hold you each in my heart forever.

Little girls in Askole village with their new warm scarves

Love and many heartfelt hugs and blessings,
Kathryn xoxoox
June 15th–I have received the following email from Mariassunta, the Italian doctor who runs the small Askole Medical Clinic. She is only there during the warmer months. An Askole man and his wife run the clinic throughout the year. I had been in touch with Mariassunta periodically throughout this journey. Here is what she tells me.

Dear Kathryn,

I am happy for your success. When the people distribute the scarves I was at Askole. They are really beautiful and made with very nice colurs [sic] and the girls showing me them were very happy. This year the lady that was with me at Askole made the girls learn to knit and hopefully they will begin soon to make pulls and scarves by themselves.

My best greetings and thanks for this gift to the girls of those remote villages.
Mariassunta

Posted on June 13th, 2009 by Kathryn
Filed under: People at Life | 42 Comments »

“No wonder honey itself was thought miraculous, because each honey bee is a gram of utter miracle.” –E. Readicker-Henderson

I was so thrilled to hear Timber Press was coming out with a book entitled A Short History of the Honey Bee. Sign me up! Longtime readers will know I adore honey bees, and early in the history of this blog I wrote a testy and passionate post about some current beekeeping practices and the overall well being of bees everywhere. So I was anxious to delve more deeply into a subject about which I care deeply. Lucky me. Lucky us. This book by the poetic E. Readick-Henderson and the talented photographer Ilona far exceeded my wildest expectations. I am, in short, in love with this book!

First, I must ask you, dear Readers, if you love the honey bee. Do you? In your heart of hearts? Or do you harbor some unreasonable fear from childhood not yet reframed? Here she is. (Yes, she.) Please note her little pollen pouch. So cute.

Women everywhere will relate to her. She is born, and sets to work. After three weeks in the hive conducting a very specific set of chores, she is launched into gathering, gathering, gathering. And after only a week to three weeks of this intense activity, her wings and body are so damaged from the wear and tear she simply dies of exhaustion, alone, selflessly not wanting to leave her sister bees to have to rid the hive of her spent body. Seriously. Does compassion ring in your soul?

Bee Facts

*There are an estimated 16,000 to 20,000 species of bees on planet Earth and only around seven of them make honey.

*Bees emerged over 100 million years ago, after dinosaurs and before humans, sychronistically when flowers showed up. Hmmm….

*The first bees were solitary animals. About 80 million years ago some of them began to band together.

*The first honey bees came to America in the early 17th century, when someone managed to get a hive to survive crossing the pond.

*The average honey bee flies up to sixty miles a day and will ultimately contribute one-twelfth of a teaspoon to the hive. (Gasp!)

Readers, I implore you. Buy this book. Then buy it for others. And teach your children every word. Every one. It would not be too dramatic to say that our very lives could depend on our understanding the honey bee, her role in assuring our food supply (I’m not talking about honey), and it would be one of the worst things we have ever done as human beings not to save her (and, OK, the drones). If I could I would write a huge long post trying to convey everything I learned in A Short History of the Honey Bee. Obviously it would be redundant and impossible. Just avail yourselves, please.

Here are some of the endearing images I encountered and will now cherish forever.

I am certain this is a really nice beekeeper as I spoke with the lovely photographer, Ilona, and she assured me the beekeepers they met in writing this book were conscientious and kind. As with so many trends in our gardener lives these days, we are truly returning and reclaiming our agricultural roots, growing and buying locally. So, too, must we consciously and lovingly begin to keep bees. Yes, you. If you are able, please explore. The author E. Readick-Henderson was lucky enough to have a father who one day brought home a hive and his son’s life was changed forever. Just as we are learning to create small vegetable gardens that make the excuse for pesticides moot, as we are able to fairly easily do our own pest control (by hand!), this return to simplicity, to small batches of everything, will ensure the return to the quality of lives we gave up when Industry came stomping through our fields and lives. The bee was no exception and quietly, these tiny generous, magnificent creatures are threatened to become extinct so busy have we been treating them like a commodity. They are one of the many gifts from the Universe (fill in your own word) and the old peoples of this Earth used to know that. Bees were regarded as sacred. Honey was immeasurably treasured. Where did we go so wrong? Love the bees. Love the bees. Love the bees.

Here’s an eye opener. Bees are wild, right? (Did you forget?) Here’s what they do if left to their own devices to build their own accomodations.

Why don’t we know this? Why were we not taught this in schools?

And here is one of the first structures ever built for bees to entice them to live nearer to us, thus alleviating the need to “line” (track) their hives, or stumble unwittingly upon them in forests. Messy.

It’s called a skep. Some “undeveloped” (ha ha ha) countries still make them. Why am I guessing the bees are doing better in more rudimentary environs than in ours? The skep only lasts one season, btw. I want to make one!

Here is a wonderful photo from the book of a swarm! Have you ever seen one? I have not, and I want to learn more about them, as due to mass media hysteria (think Killer Bees) swarms are now highly misunderstood and often badly handled (as in killed). I know. This is a sad post. But I must let you know as so many of you are in a position to do something. You of all people, dear ones.

How beautiful is this search for a new home? Very.

A word about honey best comes from the mouth of E. Readicker-Henderson.

…honey is memory, the landscape’s own memory, as measured as a tree ring, as detailed as the pinfeathers of a just-fledged bird…Once you begin noticing these different tastes, colors, scents, and textures of honey, the landscape becomes more and more alive, personalized in a way previously inaccessible, like a whispered secret.

Oh, yes, dear readers. You will learn about the honey bee from a poet and an artist. What better way?

I leave you with this image of a beekeeper lovingly tending his hives, preparing them for winter. As you contemplate this lovely image, I am asking you to pray from the bottom of your hearts for all honey bees everywhere, to educate yourselves and to play some small or large part in their well being. Thank you.

Love and sweetest blessings,
Kathryn xoxo

Footnote: One of my readers read this post and sent me an article from Martha Stewart Living published last year. I was alerted to something that heretofore I had not realized: that because of the decline in beekeepers generally the (artificial) workload has been placed upon existing bees. This entails artificially rousing them from their dormancy period in order to ship them to (yet another) location to work a particular industry (almonds, etc.). Once finished they are shipped to yet another location for the next crop. Is it any wonder they have no resistance to disease? This practice is inhumane and needs to be banned. Anyone with me?

Posted on May 31st, 2009 by Kathryn
Filed under: Book Notes | 28 Comments »

In a burst of pink my daughter and I began our trek through the rhododendron splendors of the Mendocino Botanical Garden forest yesterday. The magnificently beautiful journey was well beyond either of our expectations. We quickly found ourselves immersed in unspeakable flower power, the spirit of which emanated from all the regions through which we ventured, mouths agape, and cameras clicking. We gave thanks for having gotten ourselves there before the end of the peak season, which is month’s end, especially knowing the heavy recent rains had probably damaged some of the showy petals. We encountered a lovely woman named Christina who had been working in the gardens for ten years. “Yes, we had a lot of rain,” she smiled, “but there are always new blossoms.” Aw, yes, the renewing and refreshing and ongoing cycle of life upon which we were able to count. Lucky us!

Quietly we walked through the beauty, managing just barely to take in all we were beholding. A sheer three or four steps found us before yet another example of the glory of the rhododendron. That someone had actually assembled such a gathering of beauty in this moist forest setting, where they do well, is an incredible blessing. Might we kiss someone’s feet to have created such a place for us to visit! Christina explained that the rhododendrons were divided loosely into three large areas. The initial paths would take us to the hybrid rhodies; the inner more off the beaten track paths would put us among tender species rhodies, gathered from far and obscure places in the world and acclimated to the coasts of Mendocino; and that once we were past the Deer Gate, we would be walking among the large leaf rhododendrons. That was as much detail as I seemed to need for this trip. So, beginning our walk among the hybrids, here are some highlights from what we beheld.

If was fascinating to learn that the rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal.

The name rhododendron comes from the Greek rhodos, “rose” and dendron, “tree”. I think prior to this adventure I more thought of rhododendrons as shrubs rather than trees. Now I will more fully appreciate their place in a moist forest setting.

Moving into the interior we found these. I love the juxtaposition of the dark leaves framing this lovely dual colored rhodie.

And who would not be impressed by the spectacular color of this lovely offering?

Suddenly we arrived at what we realized was the “Deer Gate”. And what a memorable creation it was! I loved it!

What lay beyond this gate I am saving for another day, dear readers. Yes, I am. It was nothing I expected and deserves its own story. I will leave you instead with more wonderful images from our day among the lovely rhododendrons of the coastal botanical gardens that Mendocino so generously provides. I do hope you have enjoyed the journey and that you will take it yourselves one fine May day.

The configuration of the plant above gets me thinking it was created as the home of a gigantic red paper wasp and his companions, who live inside the large red combs. A girl can dream.

I was particularly charmed by this unexpected and unusual orangey rhododendron. I wonder where it began its journey before it found its way here?

Thank you, my dears, for joining me on this journey.

Love and many gardening blessings,
Kathryn xoxo

Posted on May 16th, 2009 by Kathryn
Filed under: Plants | 22 Comments »

Sheila

I must confess that though I’d happily made arrangements to visit local Love Farms, there was a teeny holdout part of me (the flower fiend, no doubt) that was second guessing opting for a tour of a vegetable farm, even though it is organic. As soon as I emerged from the car those last doubts vanished as I was greeted and completely enchanted by Sheila, an enormous ostrich who was nibbling greens at the edge of a very very large strawberry bed. Hi, Sheila! What a wowzer! [Click on Sheila link to learn of her adventure arriving at Love Farms!]

One of the gardeners in the strawberry bed let me know my host, Bibiana Love, would soon be down from the main house, and sure enough, along she came with a warm welcome.

Apparently I’d arrived at a very opportune moment, as the various gardeners were assembling boxes of freshly harvested vegetables to be trucked into town to the small produce market Love Farms runs, where locals who have signed up for a weekly box would be picking up the week’s produce. Each week the box is different, depending on what is in season. I have seen co-op’s do this in the past, but had never heard of a farm that provided this weekly handy service. What a luxury, and how fun to go through your box and see what was freshest this week for your weekly food calendar!

Locavores will be glad to know that Love Farms only serves their own small town of Healdsburg. So the lucky citizens of this town have access to farm fresh organic produce on a weekly basis, always at the height of season, delivered with minimal energy output. Wow. Not only that, within minutes of my time with Bibiana, I was well assured that Love is not simply the last name of the owners of this wonderful farm. It’s in the produce!

Cucumber and melon seedlings

Bibiana walked me around the various sections of the farm, pointing out the many different crops that were planted, all at various stages of growth. The cucumbers and melons above had just recently been planted from seedlings they had grown in their large greenhouse. Further on was this wonderful stretch of garlic. I found that section to be a very peaceful, lovely corner of the farm.

Right about then a dog, clearly part Border Collie bounded up with half a yellow frisbee in her mouth, and headed straight for me. There is always room in my heart for a Border Collie and I welcomed Tiller’s bouncy good company on our walk.

Tiller–isn’t she cute?

One thing that struck me was the numbers of “weeds” or wildflowers that abounded in between the rows. Some I was well familiar with: mustards in yellow and purple; foxtail (yikes). But one caught my attention as particularly pretty and found myself thinking, “Why can’t I have a pretty weed like that in my garden?” Bibiana must have noticed. She pulled one out of the ground and commented on how beautiful the lamb’s quarter is, and explained to me that people ate this plant as a green during the depression. Fascinating.

We talked, then, about what the top priorities were on Love Farms–to grow expansive, healthy, beautiful plants, and to not fret about weeds or bugs, but to put the focus on good practices, good intentions, and good results. We spoke briefly of biodynamic farming and of Rudolf Steiner, whom her husband reads, and about whom I know a bit, having been involved in Waldorf Schools here and in Europe. I knew I could learn much from these farmers.

“…it is possible after all to come to an understanding of the experience of the spiritual world through one’s soul only if one’s process of thinking has reached such a form that it can attain to the reality of being which is in the phenomena of nature.”
–Rudolf Steiner

Spring mix

Everywhere I turned rows of beautiful vegetables stretched out before me. It was uplifting to be there. The energy emanating from these plants is exquisite. What a great food source! And how inspiring to do the same! Where to start? Most likely with preparation of the earth.

One tactic being used by Bibiana to enhance the earth on which she is living her wonderful life is through her mobile chicken coop, about which I had read several years ago when I had chickens and was researching their living options. As the earth becomes saturated with the chicken droppings the entire coop is moved to a new location where they continue to enhance the earth. I love this!

As we wrapped up our walk together I reflected on how smart the folks at Love Farms are, and how creative they are at handling their business. They have a retail nursery at the front of the property, along the roadside, where seedlings from their greenhouses as well as large plants are available.

Siobhan selling plants to a customer

And they have the boxes of veges and loose veges available in town at their produce market, reaching out to downtown customers. Smart!

farm fresh produce (for real!) from Love Farms

luscious, organic strawberries!

I have great respect for Bibiana and Ron Love and Love Farms. They have a fan and a good customer in this blogger, and I hope to learn more from them in the future.

Love and gardening blessings,
Kathryn xoxo

Posted on May 2nd, 2009 by Kathryn
Filed under: Field Trips | 26 Comments »