Quote of the Day
There is a very fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness.”
–Author Unknown
I had to laugh when I read this. I do have people tell me I’m weird because I like to grow some of my own food, keep bees and want to have pet chickens. I have to wonder though, with some of the hobbies people have, am I the weird one?
What do you think, hobby or mental illness?
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The Democratic Front Lawn
“Deeply ingrained within the American phyche is the stereotype I call “The Democratic Front Lawn.” This type of lawn is a perfectly manicured swath of open turf that starts at the street and sweeps back, carpetlike, up to the traditional foundation plantings that skirt the house. It’s democratic because everyone can see it all –There’s no place to hide –yet somehow there is no display of unfettered free expression–everyone conforms to the standard lawn and foundation-planting solution. Thus, many front yards give passersby little information about the people who live there. With the size of the lots shrinking, it may be time to rethink what we do with this important zone of our house. (It’s not unlike the unused space inside many over sized houses – the formal dining room that rarely sees diners or the massive great room that is shunned in favor of a cozier den). Leaving the front yard as a bland useless space is a waste of resources and ingenuity and certainly doesn’t foster a sense of neighborliness.”
–Julie Moir Messervy (Home Outside)
I’m trying to liberate my lawn to make more flowerbeds for beneficial and edible plants. I also don’t use chemicals on my lawn so the dandelions and wild violets thrive (besides, why would you spray out those lovely wild violets pictured above). I’m hoping to eventually create a landscape around my home that is both beautiful and functional with a minimal space for lawn. Check out these photos, how incredible are these undemocratic landscapes!
What do you think, a big beautiful green carpet leading up to your home, a small patch of grass for playing but surrounded by flowers or no lawn? (New Poll)
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Quote of the Day
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you.
-Maori Proverb
Sometimes all I need is a little sun on my face to make me feel better, particularly after a few days of rain (like this whole week so far). Hopefully I’ll see the sun tomorrow!
What help lift you out of a somber mood? coffee? the sun? reading? family?
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Spring Flowers
The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size.
~Gertrude S. Wister
Forsythia hedge at Stan Hywet in Akron, OH (4.17.09)
Yellow tulip in front flowerbed (4.18.09)
Star Magnolia at Stan Hywet in Akron, OH (4.17.09)
Narcissus in front flowerbed (4.18.09)
What’s your favorite spring flower?
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Quote of the Day: Minnie Aumonier
“When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden.”
~ Minnie Aumonier
This is one of the things I love about gardening. It seems like all we hear is bad news, everywhere. Not in the garden, only the sounds of birds and the smell of earth. The plants don’t care what I wear or whether I have the latest & greatest thing, it’s very peaceful when you’re working in the garden.
Is gardening a peaceful activity for you?
