Today Deb and I "crashed" a free gardening workshop with Glen Andersen that was "full." We learned all about pruning grapes and blueberries, plus a lot more...about bees (they need water nearby), cherry trees, etc. The fun part was a tour of Glen's city garden....with 40 fruit trees, many bee hives (not a good place if you don't like bees), and a deck that could be...um...fixed up. He kindly gave us all bits of grape vine to start our own grape plant (yes, I took two, and I have visions of grapes hanging off the arbor in the patio). They are both planted.
Oh, I now know I should remove all buds and fruit from my baby blueberry bushes this year. Gulp.
Glen is super smart about plants, thrifty, generous, funny, and helped remove the yellow jackets from my own garden (I will be forever grateful).
Don't miss getting to know and learn from him.
He works for Metro and does lots of local workshops on gardening....plus has a radio show on KBOO.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Reflection
I definitely think that not having Internet at home and no TV is giving me more time for reflection (and gardening, doing laundry...). I do miss the convenience of constant connectivity at times, but the quiet provided is really, really nice. It slows things down. I like that a lot.
One residual benefit of the past few months is more prayer and contemplation. I never thought I would write these words, but hey, my life is FULL of things I never thought I would do (or have happen to me). The home altar is really that...a place for daily quiet, prayer and contemplation of God in the world. For months I have kept fresh flowers there, plus the daily burning of incense and candles. It continues, and I really love it. I realize that God/the Divine is really a sensory experience...it is scent, sight, taste, touch.....Each part of the space provides a reminder that S/he is with us.
The altar was really inspired by my visits to my abuelita's house, and watching her pray in her guestroom, where a tall dresser was set up as an altar with candles burning at all times, some photographs and rosaries. I remember watching her from a crack in the door, the room dark except for the candles, and her standing there, praying softly. I have recreated much of that very altar - the tall dresser, the candles, photos, rosary. I wonder what she prayed for? I can imagine some of those prayers, but at their deepest, prayer is the most private thing (and then I realize it can also be very public). A conversation in silence between you and God. When I bought the house and put the altar in that nook I wasn't really praying, but I was attracted to the idea of a sacred place in your home and memory of that altar. Now it is more than just a decorative feature.
Mary Taponga(amazing mosaic artist) is now creating a special cross for it, which will incorporate two religious medals that I wore when I was pregnant as protection and cannot bring myself to ever wear again. I was struggling with what to do with them (throwing them out was not an option)...and then I thought that they could be put into a cross (very fitting) for the altar and contemplation. It makes it even more special that Mary is creating this work of art, one more small tribute to a baby not born...but very much remembered.
One residual benefit of the past few months is more prayer and contemplation. I never thought I would write these words, but hey, my life is FULL of things I never thought I would do (or have happen to me). The home altar is really that...a place for daily quiet, prayer and contemplation of God in the world. For months I have kept fresh flowers there, plus the daily burning of incense and candles. It continues, and I really love it. I realize that God/the Divine is really a sensory experience...it is scent, sight, taste, touch.....Each part of the space provides a reminder that S/he is with us.
The altar was really inspired by my visits to my abuelita's house, and watching her pray in her guestroom, where a tall dresser was set up as an altar with candles burning at all times, some photographs and rosaries. I remember watching her from a crack in the door, the room dark except for the candles, and her standing there, praying softly. I have recreated much of that very altar - the tall dresser, the candles, photos, rosary. I wonder what she prayed for? I can imagine some of those prayers, but at their deepest, prayer is the most private thing (and then I realize it can also be very public). A conversation in silence between you and God. When I bought the house and put the altar in that nook I wasn't really praying, but I was attracted to the idea of a sacred place in your home and memory of that altar. Now it is more than just a decorative feature.
Mary Taponga(amazing mosaic artist) is now creating a special cross for it, which will incorporate two religious medals that I wore when I was pregnant as protection and cannot bring myself to ever wear again. I was struggling with what to do with them (throwing them out was not an option)...and then I thought that they could be put into a cross (very fitting) for the altar and contemplation. It makes it even more special that Mary is creating this work of art, one more small tribute to a baby not born...but very much remembered.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
What a weekend
Too much fun. All this sunshine and family is just soaking into my heart and skin in a very good way.
Starting with homemade pizza and art on Friday night, then a walk up Forest Park (verdict on surgery is still out...the foot hurt), Oregon Pho, a trip to Buffalo Garden nursery....that was just Saturday. Today was crafty, Mass, and a lot of gardening. I've got to post pictures so you can see Miss G. plant blueberry bushes, among other garden activities. She is very proficient with a shovel. I let her get very dirty, which she really enjoyed. A lesson learned over the past 3+ months = don't sweat the small stuff. Dirt can be washed away. Separation cannot not.
We just had a blast (with only meltdown...which was not bad, all things considered).
Starting with homemade pizza and art on Friday night, then a walk up Forest Park (verdict on surgery is still out...the foot hurt), Oregon Pho, a trip to Buffalo Garden nursery....that was just Saturday. Today was crafty, Mass, and a lot of gardening. I've got to post pictures so you can see Miss G. plant blueberry bushes, among other garden activities. She is very proficient with a shovel. I let her get very dirty, which she really enjoyed. A lesson learned over the past 3+ months = don't sweat the small stuff. Dirt can be washed away. Separation cannot not.
We just had a blast (with only meltdown...which was not bad, all things considered).
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Update from happy land
Ok, that is a bit of a hokey subject line. But it is true. I have so MUCH to be happy and grateful for.....being with my loved ones. Being alive and healthy. Spring-time.
Things have been such fun around here. Gardening galore. A couple of weeks ago Debbie, Eduardo and I did some lovely spring work in the garden -- compost, weeding, and yanking up some ugly bushes to prepare for blueberries!! Looks great. Bulbs are coming up everywhere. It is going to be glorious. It already is. Drawing class is an adventure in learning and creativity. I did my first watercolor painting in YEARS. A clementine that looks pretty life-like.
Then today Yves and I went to the Garden Show to buy blueberry bushes (choice varieties), some garden art, and a cool bulb (Peruvian daffodil). Today was a fabulous Mamazen Spa day with a couple of girlfriends. Then my honey and I had dinner together.
Morning walks reveal blooming witchhazel and heather.
I love the spring!
Things have been such fun around here. Gardening galore. A couple of weeks ago Debbie, Eduardo and I did some lovely spring work in the garden -- compost, weeding, and yanking up some ugly bushes to prepare for blueberries!! Looks great. Bulbs are coming up everywhere. It is going to be glorious. It already is. Drawing class is an adventure in learning and creativity. I did my first watercolor painting in YEARS. A clementine that looks pretty life-like.
Then today Yves and I went to the Garden Show to buy blueberry bushes (choice varieties), some garden art, and a cool bulb (Peruvian daffodil). Today was a fabulous Mamazen Spa day with a couple of girlfriends. Then my honey and I had dinner together.
Morning walks reveal blooming witchhazel and heather.
I love the spring!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Thai is fun (and delicious)
I had a great time at a Thai cooking class this week and learned 2 fab recipes. One was for green curry, that old delicious standard. The other was a totally unique and yummy dish that you never will see in a restaurant -- an egg salad (no not the stuff with mayo we spread on bread). A savory dish with chiles, cilantro and a host of other ingredients you'd NEVER think of mixing together. It was the most popular dish with us students, and we all got to leave with leftovers. I loved the engaging teacher, Goi, who was fun, very well-prepared and creative. I've had quite a few cooking classes, and this is right up there as one of the best. Her business (spreading Thai culture and happiness) is called Thai is Fun. That says it all, imho.
I am eager to have a party to try out these dishes. The egg dish would be great for a brunch.
I am eager to have a party to try out these dishes. The egg dish would be great for a brunch.
What I'm watching and listening to
This is a visually and aurally stunning movie that is probably the best concert video I've ever seen. Sigur Ros is an Icelandic band that I love, and this was just fantastic to see them performing in live free concerts in their home (that is what Heima means, at home in Icelandic).
A treat for the eyes and ears.
A treat for the eyes and ears.
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