Growing Gardens
for Palestine
This is a new blog that will take shape with time...
right now in starting this one out I have the seed of idea
Growing Gardens for Palestine
I am surrounded by gardeners and have been all my
life. It is very much a blessing. I grew up with my mother's
extensive country garden at Welaunee.
My grandparents too had intriguing gardens of very different types.
My maternal grandmother, living in the city, had
a charming enclosed and private space designed
by my grandfather, running alongside the house.
They had a roof over a large portion of it middle,
proving shade and a ceiling fan to help stir the breeze.
My paternal grandfather in the suburbs had a thing about
boxwood, and in addition to a traditional suburban
garden, he planted a maze on the lot next door which
was perfect for a child to meander through. It only came
up to his knees, but a small child crawling really would get lost!
All throughout my childhood I remember various
gardens of friends and family even better than
I remember their homes.
When traveling I like to visit poet's homes and
haunts- and local gardens. I have spent a lifetime
acquiring books about poet's homes, art museums
and many gardens. I like to look at the pictures and
be lifted away into a better place. And now on the
internet when I want to relax I meander out looking
for beauty where ever I might find it. Sometimes
I'll wander through an art museum- and sometimes I
simply look at flowers or birds. Go to the right places
and you can even listen to bird song.
The best gardens are real. But to become real they
start from an idea. My husband is the gardener in
our house. He even makes his own rich earth,
collecting the autumn leaves and composting them
over winter in two large black bins kept near our
vegetable garden. He stirs the brew with a special
stick and adds various natural ingredients depending
on what he thinks it needs.
Every year our garden delights me even more.
He plants many things here, there and every where
that attract birds and butterflies. And he arranges
things so that our children have free space to play.
Our children are now in their teens and their wild
tumbling has now turned to more careful pursuits.
The boys enjoy archery and have a target now over
by the compost bins. I like watching our tall sons
showing their friends how to hold the bow. Their father's
garden is the backdrop and it never fails to make me
feel that life is good, for there are good people who
know how to garden.
My husband's family lives in the Middle East.
His parents are both talented gardeners and all the
space around their home has been cultivated with
an eye for beauty as well as for the table. Their home
is a wonderful place to be, and when we stay we also
get to visit many cousins with lovely warm homes and
welcoming gardens. My impression of the Middle
East is of things that should be treasured and preserved.
Modern homes with beautiful gardens as well as Minarets
everywhere and mosaics and ancient Roman ruins...
too much treasure to name and explain except to say
it is all quite an invigorating mix !
I have noticed that few Americans know much
about the Middle East beyond negative news and
negative stereotypes. The most persistent negative
stereotypes are usually about Palestinians.
This particular blog is not the place though to
explain about the sorrow and the suffering of the
children of historic Palestine.... my point here is
to celebrate the beauty as well as the real history
of Palestine.
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