Input

I write this blog for a couple reasons: first, I like recording things as I begin to understand them; second, writing this sort of creative free-form way creates space for me to do the more tedious formulaic writing I do for a living. Writing the blog is like a mini vacation; when I get back to the more technical stuff, I feel invigorated, and ready to tackle the apollonian aspect of my life with energy and a positive attitude.  My output requires brainwork that reaches outside the office, stepping into the garden for a few tender bits to savor.

At times this garden walk is metaphorical, approached in an unexpected way. For instance, this blog has a stats section where I can see how people get to me.  Up until recently it’s been through Facebook or a straight shot on blogger.  I have friends who blog and will cite certain searches that led people to their blog.  I thought they had some sort of extra analysis tool that I was lacking, but recently, I saw that it shows up clear as day.  My stats showed the search line “a poem about rain softening everything.”  They found my post “Beautiful Reign,” and hung out to see what else I had to say.

I’m grateful, because when I did the search myself, I found this poem by Sara Teasdale here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sara_Teasdale

There Will Come Soft Rains

There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground,
And swallows circling with their shimmering sound;

And frogs in the pool singing at night,
And wild plum trees in tremulous white;

Robins will wear their feathery fire,
Whistling their whims on a low fence-wire;

And not one will know of the war, not one
Will care at last when it is done.

Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree,
If mankind perished utterly;

And Spring herself when she woke at dawn
Would scarcely know that we were gone.

Published shortly after WWI, I find it amazing that her words ring true now with the wars we know today; wars against people and their beliefs and wars against all forms of sustainability.  In Teasdale’s poem, there is peace unaltered by human activity.  Written in 1920, this pre factory farming perception speaks assuredly of nature’s power. 

Further towards our modern ways, E.B. White said that mankind’s approach to nature is to beat it into submission.  “...too ingenious for its own good,” he suggested the human race should appreciate nature rather than try to rule it.

But, I can’t quite go down that road because I need to ask first who he meant?  The human race is a big group of people.  Surely not all of us went the dictatorial route, maybe just the ones with the big guns.  Sadly though, that’s been enough to create devastating change.

However, ingenuity coupled with observation that takes in the whole is a completely different matter.  There have been plenty of groups who figured out how to keep things going without trying to rule nature; abundant crops, pest control (not pest destruction), and stable animal populations have been a part of some human existence for ages. Also, various groups have historically understood that natural influences on production are a way of life, and adjusting to these is part of being human.  There’s a process that leads to product; input is the magic that generates output. 

In my opinion, that’s the difference between sustainable practices and agribusiness.  The former respects input, the latter glorifies output at any cost.  Sustainability is all about process; there’s a road one travels where any glance back is met with a beautiful view of a thriving ecology.  Its opposite leaves a scene that’s been stripped and flattened, confused about how it will manage to regain the severed connections.  But, as Teasdale wrote, nature will find a way.  She might not be able to support the humans anymore in the rebuilding, but she’ll rebuild all the same.

A link you may find of interest is attached below.  I found this when I searched “sustainability practices around the world.”  For those interested in seeing what some humans have knows for quite some time now, take a look!

http://insight.glos.ac.uk/sustainability/unescoculture/Pages/default.aspx

Garden Groove

Sometimes in the car or garden I have these eureka moments, which could be really cool if I actually remembered what they were at least some of the time.  For my blog, I bought myself a pretty nifty voice recorder so that I could document these amazing thoughts as they occur.  Now, if I could just locate it, I’d be set.  Last week while harvesting potatoes, I’m pretty sure I uncovered life’s greatest paradox.  But like a dream, it slipped away before I made it out the garden gate. 

As a kid, I loved car rides because I could somehow be alone with my thoughts with 6 other passengers and a blaring radio.  My family was big on educational field trips to historic places and natural wonders.  I was always disappointed when we arrived because it meant my thinking time had come to an end and I’d have to get out and learn something.

 It’s interesting that the other place where this happens to me is the polar opposite to the loud confining high speed venue where my thoughts can get cosmic.  When I go out to garden, it’s to do maybe one or two specific things that may or may not get done once I get out there.  I get into a flow where I just do what catches my attention, and when I get really into it, whatever my task is teaches me something.

Perhaps because I have a big garden, people often ask if I have my kids do garden chores for me, assuming, I suppose that it’s too much for one person. 

No.  I don’t.

 And besides, “garden chore” is an oxymoron.  Well, I guess I’ll make an exception for Bermuda grass, but even that can be a good thing if you’re in the right frame of mind.

Is this wrong?  Am I denying my children the hours of drudgery that every childhood should earn like a badge? If they want to come out, great, but they know that I’m not out there to chit chat and get all “educational,” unless they ask for it.

At times I will call them out to see something of immediate interest, but the garden’s not about work and it’s not about togetherness.  It’s about reflection and being in flow because that’s just what happens to me.  When people come out and ask me questions, like “When are we eating?” or “Have you seen my shin guards?” I’m sure they can see the gears working as I come back to the here and now.  It’s sad, really, to see how long it takes me to register what’s been said.  Early onset?  No, just a woman doing what she loves and welcoming the drift into a different consciousness that naturally comes with it.

On occasion I’ve had opportunities to garden with others who are really into it.  We ride the same wave of peaceful , quiet concentration and it’s a beautiful thing. When I get to enjoy that, it’s like a new bond has formed, similar to the connection one feels as they realize they’ve met their best friend.  It’s deep and rooted, where understanding and love get things growing.  As I said earlier, it’s not about togetherness, but I guess what I meant in my words above is forced togetherness.  That just can’t happen.  However, real connection happens naturally when you garden with a fellow gardener.  I guess it’s like in sync musicians getting a good groove going, celebrating the unspoken joy of sharing a common language that only registers with a few.

On the Grill

I have a new obsession that I foresee lasting the entire summer and beyond.  That, my friend, is cooking out with wood.  I don’t know if it’s the fire, the fuel, or the flavor.  Probably it’s a combination of all three.  And with my clone child at my side, showing the same enthusiasm, I know I’m not the only one mesmerized by the magic.

My family has only cooked out over campfires.  Part of this is because we never wanted to spend the money on a grill, charcoal can’t be good for you, and the stereotypical griller at my house is from the north where summer is set at a more humane temperature; why grill out in central Virginia where the cook would also feel fried by the end of the session?

So enter the free grill from a friend who moved, a recent reading of a friend’s blog about cooking with wood, several internet searches to find out what’s what, including these: http://www.bbqdan.com/grilling/wood_for_grilling.html and http://woodforcooking.com/wood-cooking-for-beginners/ and seven oak trees that drop enough fuel for the fire.  Why put this on your garden blog, you ask?  Because it’s about harvesting, learning, and delicious food.

First the harvest:  I learned that oak, cherry, and grapevines are great wood for grilling.  Fortunately, I have all those in abundance.  After garden work this weekend, I spent time finding fallen limbs and kindling.  I brought out my son to help, and taught him how to identify the wood.  I also explained to him why certain woods, like pine, should not be used.  Typically for camping we bring our own wood, so foraging has never been a skill he’s needed. 

ha-WAAAA!

And this is where the learning comes in.  Having a sidekick is great because I have an opportunity to utter what I’m learning aloud for the first time.  Plus, he’s figuring things out and teaching me.  We have a two fire system going – the actual grill fire and the side patio fire pit, which it turns out, is giving us better coals.  He realized that the larger pieces work better in the fire pit, saving us time and flare-ups.  Plus, as an official expert marshmallow roaster (according to Sophie from his class), he knows what kind of coals to look for.  As a side benefit, this kid likes to chop wood.  Clean swipes through thick tree limbs feel pretty good to an 11 year old.



And the taste….having had steaks cooked on a gas grill Friday night at a friend’s to wood grilled chicken at home on Saturday night presented a world of difference.  Even the resident vegetarian noticed an improvement in his veggie burger.  Other delicious fare has included sausage, corn in the husks, pineapple, and of course, marshmallows. Near future plans include lamb burgers over grapevine coals, skewered tomatoes with mushroom, doughboys, and grilled potatoes. Cooking that requires so much prep time seems to demand a quality taste menu.



MMMM!!!!



Oh, and one thing I realized while shooting the smoky breeze with my son – grill time also provides ample opportunities for relaxation and camaraderie.  Something about the fire is primal, and brings about a deep appreciation for the food, the process, and the people who take the time to fix it.  As my son learned, “instant gourmet” is an oxymoron.  Slow cooked savory delights are what it’s all about.



Accept no substitutes....