Well, dear friends, I have taken the step over the threshold into my 8th decade on planet Earth! If I lead you to think I am blithely announcing this, I would be lying. I thought about it. However if the Pope can be known to the world as now 76 I can be known as officially 70, was my reasoning. And, as he enters the next phase of his work and service on behalf of those us and those who live among us, I embrace the mantle of my own humble next steps, continuing to dedicate my life’s work to making a difference. Not to mention that anyone who has read my book carefully will note my birth year is included on copyright page, per US custom. I proudly move into this third act of my life, intending fully to be a healthy role model and lovely krone, though I make no promises about putting aside The Things of Youth, as I still want to learn how to dance hip hop as well as many other numerous endeavors and adventures. So, here we go!

I had been determined in planning this party that there would be live music! I searched high and low for a mariachi band but all leads led to tepid ends and did not materialize. Instead, I was led to a wonderful Cuban singer named Marcos, who came, auditioned, and was secured to serenade us! What a delight!

photo courtesy of Maloah Stillwater

We gathered around two of my garden tables in the soft sunshine of spring. Given that it rained this week I felt especially grateful that the good weather was a blessing on that day, which everyone did enjoy, as you might imagine!

As gardeners, particularly, one always hopes for one’s prettiest blooms to be showing, a bit of a stretch in March, and while the plum tree blossoms had, indeed, come and gone, we were not one wit disappointed. No, we were lavished upon. 🙂

The forsythia opened just days before…

The camellias were in full bloom.

I’d never seen the quince more beautiful!

I’d found these Tiger Eye pansies to fill empty winter pots. So cute.

And I’d found several of these very fun metal sculptures to line and bolster an aging fence along the kitchen garden. Whew!

And so, dear readers, I begin another trip ’round the sun. I know this marks a new phase of bringing forth the messages in my book Plant Whatever Brings You Joy. I have made a decision and commitment to do more radio interviews, more booksignings, more appearances, and to develop a media presentation of the life lessons therein that will enable me to meet more folks in person in far more varied venues. As my lovely, wise daughter, Antonia, points out, “Our true heart’s calling is found outside our comfort zones.” Off we go! I hope to meet you on the road.

Love and spring blessings,
Kathryn xoxoox

Book News: Mark your calendars! In keeping with my announcement I will be appearing at Copperfield’s Books in Healdsburg May 10th at 2:00PM. Synchronistically this is National Public Gardens Day, and the Friday before Mother’s Day. I’m also being interviewed May 5th on “Conscious Discussions” at 10:00AM (PDT) on blogtalkradio. I will remind you as date is closer. More to come!

Posted on March 21st, 2013 by Kathryn
Filed under: People at Life | 15 Comments »

Never underestimate the power of one tiny seed

For anyone needing a prescription for faith and wonder I heartily recommend the following. Go to a nursery and buy a package of lobelia seeds. Any variety will do. Come home and very carefully open the package. (Make sure no breeze is blowing!) Look inside. Pour the seeds out in your hand and contemplate their minute size and then look at the picture on the front of the package. If you are not sufficiently moved, get some dirt, put it in a container, stick some seeds somewhere close to the top layer, place the container in the sun and water gently for ten days. As the delicate green begins to emerge and happy faced tiny purple and blue and white flowers begin to blossom allow yourself to contemplate the fact that the same forces of nature that govern the teeny lobelia seed govern you. Lobelia seeds, not unlike many others, are so small they would at first glance appear to have no value whatsoever! How could anything that tiny turn into anything anyone might be interested in? Yet given the right environ and nurturance the tiny seed grows to a hearty colorful plant that borders gardens and livens planters worldwide.

If you were given the right sustenance, the corresponding water, earth, light and food, what might you become? There really is no difference. Anytime you forget your own value and worth, consider the size of the little lobelia seed and remember that you, yourself, contain a seed within that longs to come to fruition. That is what you are here for. That is your task and your destiny. What might you yield, dearest readers, under the right conditions? Take yourself there!

Love and garden blessings,
Kathryn xoxo
[Yes, dearest readers, the above post is an excerpt from Plant Whatever Brings You Joy, which some of you will recognize. :)]

Book News: I was recently honored to be a guest on Vancouver’s “Conscious Living Radio” which airs each Wednesday evening at 6:00PM (PST). If you missed it, the podcast has now been archived and is available for your listening pleasure. The link is here.

Posted on February 13th, 2013 by Kathryn
Filed under: Excerpts from Plant Whatever Brings You Joy | 20 Comments »