Sunday, May 6, 2012

Herb Tea & Poetry!!

This morning's herb harvest from my yard.


Patriotism
By Ellie Schoenfeld

My country is this dirt
that gathers under my fingernails
when I am in the garden.
The quiet bacteria and fungi,
all the little insects and bugs
are my compatriots. They are
idealistic, always working together
for the common good.
I kneel on the earth
and pledge my allegiance
to all the dirt of the world,
to all of that soil which grows
flowers and food
for the just and unjust alike.
The soil does not care
what we think about or who we love.
It knows our true substance,
of what we are really made.
I stand my ground on this ground,
this ground which will
ultimately
recruit us all
to its side.

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I read once that to be a gardener, one must have a cast-iron back with a hinge in it.  Well, I have no such thing, but I do have a small wooden child's chair painted 5 colors that I sit in to cut my herbs, plant stuff or pull weeds.  I wear my hot pink plastic shoes, my word shirt (a long-sleeved, old, men's dress shirt I wrote poems on) and a huge, battered straw hat.  I make quite the dashing figure.  LOL!  Where there's a will, there's a way. 

So, how about that million-watt moon last night?  I saw where it was the brightest full moon this year and won't be that bright (close to earth) again until 2029.  I may not make that one, but I sure enjoyed this one.  It was magically delicious shining through my gauzy curtains and spilling onto the floor.  I slept on the couch by my picture window so I could moonbathe and moongaze.  I was awake because my cats have been going apeshit all week.  I'm guessing it's the moon for them, too.  I have a nice moonglow about me today.  ;-)

We took our 15 year old grandson to see "The Avengers" yesterday.  It was just plain awesome.  We clapped, laughed, screamed and sighed when it was over.  All the things one wants from a movie, right?

Off to wash those herbs and dry them.  (Ben, this batch is for your tea...I'll have it to you in a week or two).

Blessings & Love,

xoxo,
Marion

PS:  I garden organically and have a grasshopper invasion.  Of all things, they're eating up my Peppermint and Spearmint only.  If anyone has any tips on getting rid of them, please clue me in.  (Cussing does not work, I've tried....)

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"My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view."  ~H. Fred Dale

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"Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity." ~Lindley Karstens, noproblemgarden.com

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"Coffee.  Garden.  Coffee.  Does a good morning need anything else?"  ~Betsy CaƱas Garmon

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7 comments:

Fireblossom said...

That's why I gave up gardening. The ground is too far down!

That moon was awesome. laffin @ the cats going apeshit.

Kelly said...

I remember hearing about your "word shirt" long ago...did you ever post a photo of it? Such a great idea!!!

My daughter and her boyfriend went to see the Avengers Friday afternoon and LOVED it! I know my husband would love it, too, so maybe we'll make it to the movies while it's still in the theatres.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, my back is not what it used to be, or my knees but it doesn't stop me. xo

lotta joy said...

It is impossible for me to sleep. The minute I lay down my joints start banging, my back starts twinging and my shoulders feel crushed. So I've learned to keep the bedroom totally dark so I won't have added distractions. But the light coming through the blinds was SO bright, I looked out and saw this glorious moon and realized: "sleep won't come anyway, so let the light in"

It seemed to give me comfort to stare at something that has been, and will be, around much longer than I.

Serena said...

I did see that fabulous moon. It was just ... spectacular. Would love to see a picture of you in your word shirt and hot pink shoes. You are so right -- where there's a will, there's a way. Necessity IS the mother of invention.
xo

Ben Ditty said...

Ooo excited :-D

erin said...

"I stand my ground on this ground,
this ground which will
ultimately
recruit us all
to its side."

marion, i watched a movie the other night, northface, a german movie about two young mountaineers from 1937 germany. there was a scene during which one of the climbers smashes his face into the rock almost casually and dies. that is all. there is a thin wall between here and there. our bodies are stubborn but they will find their way to the earth sooner or later. strange, isn't it))

xo
erin