Quotes of the day:
“You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. That’s the only thing you should be trying to control.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love
“Zen masters say you cannot see your reflection in running water, only in still water.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love
Tree Stump With Flowers On It
Here is a photo of what is left of the wonderful old big basswood tree in the back yard. Days after it was cut down I can see the life force still present in the grand old tree. Several suckers have grown at least a foot (it seems) in just a couple of weeks. Now that they are catching the sun’s rays, they’re striving to grow tall.
Today, the tree removal company came and took the last of the storm-damaged trees and branches from the backyard. As I’ve seen how much additional sunlight is available in the backyard with the tree gone, I decided to celebrate the change with an order for new bushes. I became intrigued with permaculture after seeing it in action in Hawaii last winter. After reading a couple of books about it, I decided to add some perennial food plants to the yard.
Stack of Colorful Boxes
I ordered a dwarf cherry tree, two blueberry bushes, two red raspberry bushes, two black raspberry bushes, and two aronia bushes (also known as chokeberry). I just read about aronia berries recently. The bush native to this area and the berries (which are very tart) are amazingly high in antioxidants. Since the bushes grow in semi-shade at the edges of woodlands, they should be very happy in our newly opened up back yard.
Moving Camera While Photographing Colorful Boxes
I’m also looking for a mulberry tree, a native of this area, that provides plentiful berries with little fuss. If I can find a good place for it, I’ll get some asparagus plants and perennial onions and herbs and plant them next spring.
While I have no desire to spend all of my time gardening, I am hopeful that besides providing me with berries and fruit that I love, the birds and wildlife will benefit too. I’m going to look into adding other plants that will attract butterflies soon.
Before the storm knocked down half the tree I wouldn’t have imagined these projects. By staying open to what is, spaces opened for new ideas and new possibilities.
Cultivating new ideas happens naturally when you accept that change is constant.
Lilies and Fire Hydrant (across the street from my daughter’s house)
On the photography front, I haven’t missed a day in my 40-day photography challenge (making at least 25 photos each day inside my house). As the days pass by, it gets more challenging to come up with subjects or ideas that interest me. And I think the challenge of it makes me dig deeper and explore areas that I wouldn’t otherwise explore.
Perfect Summer Evening at Medicine Lake
Just before sunset – Medicine Lake
Sunset at the park
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