Once the weather hits 60 degrees, I have some sort of primal urge to plant things. I used to not have it, but now that I'm older I do. Maybe somehow I have learned to enjoy the simpler yet magnificent things like watching a plant grow, or eating a tomato sandwich made from a tomato you and the creator grew yourselves.
{Curry Plant}
This years selection of herbs will be: Sage, Thyme, Parsley, Rosemary, Oregano, Basil, and Marjoram.
Vegetables: Tomatoes {mainly heirloom Cherokee Purple, aka the best tomato ever}, Cucumber, Red Bell Pepper.
In the raised Butterfly Garden, only Purple Coneflower, and Lantana.
There's something sacred and ethereal about the whole process.
I was a mixture of crushed and disgusted when I read this and saw the photo. How can we do this to something that is put on this earth for nothing other than make our lives better, whether it be for food or companionship? Better yet, how can we do this to the world, which we are so blessed to live on?
This world is not ours. We have it on loan. The quicker we screw it all up with our trash, literal and figurative, the quicker we won't have it anymore.
When I think about the land, and its creatures. . .my Native American roots really start to show. {Echota Cherokee, if you're interested.}Here is a little Native American wisdom, and I hope it makes you think more about how you treat this one Earth we were lent.
Eagle Chief (Letakos-Lesa) Pawnee
In the beginning of all things, wisdom and knowledge were with the animals, for Tirawa, the One Above, did not speak directly to man. He sent certain animals to tell men that he showed himself through the beast, and that from them, and from the stars and the sun and moon should man learn.. all things tell of Tirawa.
Qwatsinas (Hereditary Chief Edward Moody), Nuxalk Nation
"We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can't speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees."
{From an Elder}
Honor the sacred. Honor the Earth, our Mother. Honor the Elders. Honor all with whom we share the Earth:- Four-leggeds, two-leggeds, winged ones, Swimmers, crawlers, plant and rock people. Walk in balance and beauty
{Ute Prayer}
Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light.
Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer with memory.
Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young.
Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone.
Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground.
Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky.
Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall.
Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life.
Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain.
{Chief Seattle}
Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect.
I could post dozens more, but I think you all get it.Do what you can to help the Earth. Recycle, Reuse to reduce waste. Don't leave trash on the ground as it will affect wildlife. These are the simple things. Plant, cultivate, and respect the ground.
Enjoy some music. . .
Cherokee Prayer Blessing May the Warm Winds of Heaven Blow softly upon your house. May the Great Spirit Bless all who enter there. May your Moccasins Make happy tracks in many snows, and may the Rainbow Always touch your shoulder.
Today was windy. Too chilly to be technically Spring. I walked down the sidewalk, with the rocks that look like states. I had to mentor today. I probably can't/shouldn't use her real name, so from here on out, I'll call her Aurora, because we played with Disney princess stickers, and she chose Aurora to wear on her little blue shirt. She's tiny and blond. I told her she looked like Princess Aurora.
She's doing much better. I've tried everything to get her to open up, when all it took was a sketch pad, and a pack of crayons. I had tried all kinds of structured activity, and even bribery. All I needed to do was give her rough material, and let her make art. Sounds familiar. She now can write her name without a struggle.
As I drove home, I was amazed at all of the flowers are blooming, and that I am coming out of a hellacious, achy, painful winter. I am so glad for that. I will take itchy pollen eyes over hurt any day. I took Joana, and my camera outside when I got home, and got on my hands and knees and started snapping. First, little lavender specks, then bigger violets, then some sunshine yellow Dandelions. Then, as if it just magically appeared, Maw's Dogwood trees. Finally.
The most welcome visitor I've had in a long time.
A person in the industry that I really look up to said the above photo was beautiful. I couldn't believe it.
All in all it's been a good day. . .have some music.
So, this is probably my 75029750th blog I've started, but, as a quarter year resolution, I've decided to blog, at one place, and more often.
"They" say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I thought instead of a lot of blather for my first post I would add images.
This is me.
(Photo by Mandy Owens, friend and fellow photog)
Like my "about me" says. . .I'm about to hit the big three-oh, and stuck in North Alabama, though I'm an aspiring gypsy.
I'm a photographer. Hobbyist anyway. My first love is flowers (hence the screen name). This is some of my stuff.
I also do people, sometimes, when asked.
This is my favorite song.
(Wiser Time, The Black Crowes)
I have children. The kind with fur. (The best kind.)
This is Baby. She's about 14 years old, and was given to me by the aforementioned Mandy Owens. She's the best kitty ever.
And this is Joana Love. My little Heathen. I love her so much, and waited 15 years to get her. She will be three months old in three days. She was born on Christmas Day. She was named after the song "Oh Sweet Nuthin'" by The Velvet Underground
"Say a word for Joana Love
She ain't got nothing at all
With every day she falls in love
And every night she falls"
And honorable mention to gray fat kitty who comes to my house.
I have Fibromyalgia. In a sick way, I'm thankful for it, as it led me to photography
.
(Painting by Frida Kaolo)
I love to cook.
I love to plant herbs.
I'm a liberal. Big time.
That's me pretty much. Just needed a little corner of cyberspace.
