The life of sensation is the life of greed;
it requires more & more.
The life of the spirit requires
less & less.

Annie Willard

Photography by Denise Blasor

THE MAGIC GARDEN

There is something about gardening.

Maybe it's all that raking, hoeing, weeding, cutting, digging,
mulching; all that sowing seeds, watering, harvesting.

There is pure childish pleasure in sitting on the ground and
wrapping one's hands around cool, crumbly, living earth.

 And if being so close in contact with earth seems awfully
familiar then it's probably because as babies we spent
considerable time squatting on the ground while learning
how to stand up and walk for the first time. Gardening
somehow allows us to subconsciously reconnect with
that primal stage in our life.

Watching plants grow gives you an appreciation for life in
all of its manifestations. There is such urgency in nature,
such lust for life. One cannot but note how eager seedlings
push through the ground in their quest for the light. Within
a few days of planting a handful of broad fava beans, stems
had shot up four or five inches high.  They looked so frail
but yet stood erect and decisive like a small battalion of
soldiers.

The pleasures of gardening are manifold. Communing with
nature, breathing fresh air, bringing order to the chaos that
rain and wind can bring to any garden, all that gives one a
feeling of great satisfaction, a calm unlike any other. The
act of gardening is a perfect antidote to stress, and in these
days of economic misery, growing things for your own table
-- think garlic, lettuce, beans, herbs to flavor foods,
tomatoes -- can be a boon to the pocketbook. As with
everything, this will take time and commitment if you are
at all serious about getting results but just think how wonderful
it will be to eat things, grown free of pesticides or chemicals,
with your own hands.

Plus gardening is great fun and a phenomenal exercise.
Now, how many things can you think of that embody so
many benefits in one simple activity that brings you in sync
with the rhythms of life?


                   DON'T HAVE A GARDEN?  No problem!

Photography by  Isabel Batteria

Puerto Rican writer, photographer,
environmentalist, and gardener
Isabel Batteria came up
with this ingenious plan to kick start a
"garden" of plenty. And all it
took was some empty egg shells!

 

Photography by Denise Blasor

Give me books, French wine, fruit,
fine weather & a little music played out of doors
by somebody I do not know.

John Keats

☛  EYE ON PRODUCTS:
           Golden Roasted Flax Seed

Trader Joe's, the privately held chain of specialty grocery
stores based in Monrovia, California, has a presence in
nine states and more than 400 stores. Its marvelous
lineup of food products are a constant source of delight
to shoppers seeking quality & value.

One recent addition: "Golden Roasted Flax Seed."

Flax is rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, helpful in lowering
triglycerides and blood pressure, and in plant lignans,
held to be beneficial for cancer and heart disease prevention
and bone health maintenance.

These flax seeds, packaged in a 15 oz bag, are crunchy
and nutty, ideal to enhance the flavor and health benefits
of any fruit smoothie. Or add to yogurt, soups and
salad dressings to give an additional oomph!

ONE CAN FIND TIME FOR EVERYTHING
IF ONE IS NEVER IN A HURRY.

"The heart of a dog"

By Mikhail Bulgakov

Copyright  © 2014 by Lorraine Blasor All Rights Reserved