Graceful Simplicity

First Post on Gracfulsimplicity.com

2011-07-21T19:04:00.002-03:00

Check it out! I'll be blogging there from now on.

So please follow me over to http://gracefulsimplicity.com/.

gracefulsimplicity.com is here!

2011-07-15T16:40:00.001-03:00

So I took that proverbial plunge (in icy, cold water, brrrrr--that's Nova Scotia for you!) and bought a domain name--not that I have a clue about this sort of thing. Right now I'm using a wordpress script and will be tinkering around with it for a bit. If you're curious to see what that entails, stop by and have a look at the mess I'm making. Not sure if I will stick with the wordpress script (it's the easiest solution) or try building something myself (i.e. bug my programmer hubby to help me). Maybe by the time I get back from my local travels I'll be all ready to go ahead with the new site (I'll try working on it while my friend is at work).

Rainy Day Meditations

2011-07-12T16:07:00.001-03:00

Sitting by the open window is a swell thing to do

When the rain comes in gushes

And wet leaves dance in the breeze

The song birds come out to play

While the grackles and crows seem to stay away

When you go out tomorrow you'll be amazed

My, how much a garden can grow in but a day!

(One of my one-minute poems: In other words, you write and edit what you can in 1 minute and then you have to leave it!)

I have ~~four~~ six Mullein plants naturally growing in my gardens this year! I love this medicinal plant (I think I say "love" a lot when talking about plants). Click the above link for folklore, uses, and recipes. I should probably go gather some leaves to dry for tea soon. I'll be away for a while so I may miss out on gathering the flowers for making the oil:( Oh well, the evening primroses should be in full swing when I get back.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) in the rain

Blueberries in the rain.

I think I'll be quite busy when I return home. The early blueberries will likely be ready for picking when I get back. Early lettuces will have probably bolted and I have seedlings ready and waiting to replace the lettuce. I don't even want to talk about the weeds. I also have to hug the hubby a lot because we have never been apart for more than ten days before--I'll be away for 21 days. Going to Salt Spring, NS to visit a friend, then visitng another friend in Halifax (I hope to go to one of Eco-yogini's Yoga in the Park events, too), then off to the Valley for a few days before heading out to Moncton, NB with my mother and older sister where we will swing from trees and hike Fundy National Park. I may blog a post or two while away, but I'm also not planning on bringing my laptop, so no promises--you'll just have to wait!

More Wild Flowers of Nova Scotia

2011-07-08T15:44:00.000-03:00

I don't have a favorite flower, but if I had to choose, irises would be contenders. I spotted these, my first wild iris sighting, a few days ago at Card Lake. I was not expecting to find these, so it was a plesant surprise.

I just love the pink Mountain Laurel.

Common Wood Sorrel (it's edible)

We've a Got a Woodchuck

2011-06-29T15:11:00.002-03:00

Why hello there cutie.

Where ya going?

Wait, wait . . . no . . . no . . . NOOOOOOOO!

Woodchuck in the garden.

Notice the broccoli stems bare of leaves! And my young cucumber transplants are also gone. I might try planting cucumbers again, but get prickly transplants, which I'm guessing is a deterrent (the pricklys) because my zucchini and squash has been left alone. These pictures were taken yesterday, but I watched him/her exploring the yard again today. I may have found the woodchuck's borrowing hole, the main hole being in the middle of a large clump of day lilies (the middle was bare), with spyholes nearby--or it could belong to someone else! I'll keep my eye on it.

http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=109

We now provide top-notch woodchuck accommodations! Lots of open field space and tall grasses. Oh, and lots of food. So come on down.

Pleasures of Early of Summer

2011-06-28T08:07:00.000-03:00

Farmer's markets and fresh eggs, greens, asparagus, strawberries, and more.
The smell of laundry hung out to dry.
Hanging out the laundry to dry! (Slow and meditative).
Willing the veggie garden to be fruitful.
Watching the birds, bees, and butterflies.

Eastern tiger swallowtail

Pretty, fragrant flowers, such as these lemon lilies.

Long, sunny days.
Outdoor showers.
Puttering around the lawn observing nature in your bare feet.
Leaving the windows open, especially at night.
Day trips.
Trips to the local nurseries.

Some kind of Fuschia

Eating outside.
Early morning coffee and reading outside.
Eating weeds.
Learning about new plants.
Trying to take a clear picture of hummingbird clearwing moths, so far no luck, but you can read about them here.

Those are just the ones I can think of at the top of my head.

What are some of your early summer pleasures?

Wild Edibles: Creamy Herbed Chickweed Pasta

2011-06-25T15:02:00.001-03:00

These were growing in my veggie garden, which is typical of this weed, growing in disturbed soil as they do. It is a tasty weed, particularly in this dish.

Creamy Chickweed Pasta with Fresh Herbs
Feeds 2! (Note: I didn't measure the ingredients since I was experimenting)

Pasta for two
About 2 handfuls chickweed, chopped in half if needed
3 tbsps chopped parsley
1/3 cup chopped chives
1/4 cup cream cheese
3 tbsps olive oil
splash of milk or cream
Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste

Thoroughly clean chickweed. I submerged it in cold salty water once, followed by another plunge in cold water. Cook pasta according to package directions. Chop herbs and add them to the cream cheese. When there is one minute left of cooking time for your pasta, add the chickweed and boil one minute. Drain. Return pasta to pot. Add rest of the ingredients and mix until cream cheese is melted and spread evenly throughout. Enjoy!

May as well sneak in another picture of my pink water lilies:)

Down in Annapolis Valley: Tangled Gardens

2011-06-24T17:26:00.000-03:00

At first, things did not look so good for our day trip to the fertile Annapolis Valley. On the way we got caught it a downpour,and there was even some lightening.

But by the time we made it to my parent's house and finished a delicious lunch, it was clear and mostly sunny skies, as you can see here in the photos taken in my mother's garden. After dessert at Fox Hill Cheese (we had ice cream), we headed off to Tangled Gardens, an enchanted place for us fae folk (hehe) to roam.

Fae folk parents! P.S. They're not really Fae, just short! But I'm the smallest sprout in the family.

Entrance to the labyrinth.

Issy and I were the only ones who walked the muddy labyrinth. Glad we wore our rubbers.

Lots of paths to follow and get lost on.

And hidden art, large and small.

This lucky follow gets to live here!

Some photos my mother took. See them all on her blog.

I hope he's watching where he's going!

I'd say it was worth the $3 admittance fee!

Second-Hand Style In the Valley and Blooms

2011-06-23T12:14:00.002-03:00

First, look what's been in bloom:

Read my Datura post here.

I think I found out what this wildflower is, which I first posted here.

I believe it is Mountain-laurel (Kalmia latifolia): "This spring flower is also known as Spoonwood and is a flowering plant that belongs to the family Ericaceae. These flowers are native to the eastern United States. The flowers of Mountain – laurel bloom between May and June and are star-shaped and appear in clusters. The flower colors range from red to pink to white. It blooms between May and June. This spring flower is also known as Ivy bush or Calico Bush, Sheep Laurel, Lambkill and Clamoun. All parts of the plant are poisonous. This is the state flower of Connecticut and Pennsylvania." (source)

And now, showing off our second-hand style in my mother's garden. That's me posing with my hubby's daughter (her first appearance on this blog). She's 12, but 3 inches taller than me!

All the commotion caused the swallow to take a peek:

A cool shot from my mother's garden:

My mother planted clematis under her lilacs so that they climb up in its branches and bloom. An idea I will have to steal!

I have more photos to post from our trip to the valley, Nova Scotia (my birth place) over the next few days.

The Paranoid Pruner Part Two: Overgrown Lilacs

2011-06-22T08:39:00.001-03:00

(Read the first Paranoid Pruner post here.)

The best time to prune lilac bushes is after the flowers have died off as the bush sets its buds for next year at this time (but you may not actually see them). Now, bush, is the key descriptive word because my lilacs were starting to look like small leggy trees with most of the fragrant flowers blooming well above my head. In this case, “legs that won’t quit” is not good! Luckily, old lilacs are easy to revive as they give out plenty of suckers to stay alive for centuries. However, for thriving lilacs, occasional pruning is needed.

Before shots (Please note: I'm on year two):

Lilac #1

Lilac #2

The Three-Year Period Method of Reviving an Overgrown Lilac

Lilacs bloom best when there is a balance of old and new shoots. Old shoots larger than 2” in diameter should be removed. Know that new shoots won’t bloom in the first few years, it takes about 3 years—the same length of time one generally needs to revive an old, overgrown lilac—one needs patience when gardening. If your lilac bush is too tall, it is not a good idea to just cut off the top, instead remove the old stem. To cause branching (resulting in a bushier look) prune remaining stems to an outward facing bud. Leave some healthy new shoots, pruning the rest at or near the ground level or where it comes out of the main truck. It is especially important to leave some new shoots if you are also removing a lot of old growth or you won’t have a bush left!

In general, you don’t want to remove more than a third of the stems any given year (some years will require much less). Anywhere between 8 to 12 stems of varying age (1” – 2” in diameter) is a good rule of thumb for a lilac bush to thrive. This allows for proper air circulation and for inner branches to enjoy the sun, too.

As always, remove any dead or diseased stems, twiggy and small suckers, branches that crisscross or rub up against other stems.

With careful pruning, an old lilac bush should have all new stems in three years. I have read conflicting opinions on whether or not to deadhead spent lilac blooms. I have read that old bushes do not need this treatment, but I also read that it keeps the plant from setting seeds and encourages next year’s buds.

I saved all the cut branches to use in the garden as stakes, trellis etc., as needed. ( I just remembered that I have a third lilac bush to prune! It's in a very overgrown section of the garden--yet another project, but I don't want to talk about that one.)

After:

Where did they go? I hope they will get bushier with all this pruning!

In case you're curious, that is our garage in the background (yes, it's big), the outdoor shower, another reclaiming garden project (suppressing Gout weed, thinking of planting sage in its place), and rusted metal things that the hubby likes to decorate the yard with!
Sources:

http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1993/2-10-1993/lilac.html

http://www.gardenersnet.com/lilac/lilac02.htm

http://gardening.about.com/od/pruning/a/Pruning_Lilacs.htm

Photos From France: Mountains, Chic Apartment and Neighbourhood!

2011-06-20T15:10:00.001-03:00

These photos were taken by my dear friend and former roommate, Amy, who now lives in Lyon, France. And, yes, I am definitely planning to visit!

Let's start with the mountains . . .

That's Amy pretending to be a Lemming or something!

Wonder what they're in line for?

Her boyfriend snapped this photo as my friend got scared and couldn't climb further.

La Pointe d'Andes

La Chartreuse

Mount Bianco

My friends' aparment. Notice their view?

Saone River: My friends' neighbourhood!

Recently Read and More Garden Photos

2011-06-18T13:34:00.000-03:00

Here's what I've read recently:

A Year in the Merde
Lunch in Paris
Tender on the Bone
Aphrodite: A Memoir of the Senses
Poser: My Life in Twenty-three Yoga Poses
Labyrinth of desire: Women, passion, and romantic obsession

And currently reading Dance of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Women's Spirituality, A Gardener's Guide to Birds: Featuring Dozens of Ways to Attract Birds to Your Garden, and Edible Plants of Atlantic Canada

Bees are enjoying my high-bush blueberries:

A play of sunlight on my lily pads:

I think this wildflower is Blue Eyed Grass (couldn't get a clear picture):

Desiring Fuchsia ‘Alwin’ which I saw at the farmer's market this morning, but didn't have an extra $20 to spend.

Source

Name These Wildflowers

2011-06-17T21:21:00.001-03:00

Anyone know what these are?

A little plant with white flowers at the edge of the woods next to the wild blueberries. (Update: these are wild lily of the valley, a.k.a. "Canadian Mayflower."

The grounds view:

Pink little lovelys spotted in the ditch along a dirt road:

Now lupines are a wild flower that I can name (I would hope that every Nova Scotian can!) and are in bloom now in lawns,ditches, and along highways. They often cover a large area of space. I have a small patch at the end of my driveway. I love seeing the colorful spikes.

Source

Datura: Not All The Excitment Happens During The Day

2011-06-16T16:37:00.000-03:00

I am eagerly awaiting the fragrant blooms of my Datura plant. I won it this spring so I have yet to experience the flowers. It seemed to be suck in this state, but a closer inspection revealed a state of unfolding. I think the patience will be worth it. I'll take pictures when the event finally happens!

"Datura is a genus of nine species of vespertine flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae." (1) I love that word, vespertine--of the night. In botany, it means the plant opens or blooms in the evening. Evening is also the time of witches, and Datura belongs to that group of "witches weeds" used in love potions and brews. But watch out, not only is it a hallucinogen, it's deadly.(2)

Datura can be used moon gardens, a magical type of garden that I fantasize about . . . but I have a lot of garden fantazies:)

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura#Description

Apanasana: Therapeutic Yoga for Gardeners

2011-06-13T13:26:00.001-03:00

Apanasana is a simple and effective yoga pose. It is one of my favorites. After a day of squatting in the garden, this is my go-to yoga pose to ease my lower back -- it does double duty as relief for constipation, and much more as Leslie Kaminoff humorously points out:

Another pose I find helpful after a day hunched over in the garden is extended puppy pose.

http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2476

Gardens Are Sexy

2011-06-08T16:06:00.000-03:00

There are two plants in my garden that seduce large numbers of bees. I like to stand in the way and listen to the bees buzz all around me. I am not a temptation for the bees, they are too turned on by the flowers to even notice me--but in this case, I guess that's good!

Bee Attractive Plant #1: Solomon's Seal

Bee Attractive Plant #2: Weeping Pea

Moving along, we see what I think is a patch of wild columbine . . . at least I didn't plant them! They seem to be spreading, which suits me just fine--a garden that's a bit wild and self-sustaining leaves time for other things--get your mind out of the gutter, I'm talking about innocent things like working in the veggie garden, cafe sitting, or hiking on the weekend!

(Please correct me if these are something else.)

And just a look at some lush greeness because it's been so long!

Every sexy garden needs a lilac bush, because of the scent. I have three bushes. Smelling lilacs has been a favorite past time of mine for years.

For more information on attracting bees to your gardens see here.

Food, Love, and a Raw Food Pie

2011-06-02T16:34:00.003-03:00

Perhaps I should have clued in when the hubby first told me he doesn’t “get” the combination of food and sex—the combination being gross and dirty. That should have tipped me off that before me stood a man cut off from his body, a man who lives in his head—at least he appreciates good food when he finds the time to eat it.

When I talk of food and sex, I’m not referring to a bowl of strawberries and chocolate brought to bed (although that sounds like a good idea to me), I’m talking about food as a prelude, a stirring of the senses, a preparation for or igniter of passion. One should always be suspicious of Puritans and those who eat plainly. But don’t confuse plain with healthy or simple. A ripe, juicy mango is a perfectly sensual food, more so than greasy fish and chips I’d say—and a mango won’t weigh you down, thereby ruining your appetite for you know what. Although, when it comes to “healthy” diets, I got to say, the macrobiotic diet has to be the unsexiest diet I’ve ever heard of.

Sure, a lot of foods that are considered sexy sound cliché, but that’s probably because they’re “tried and true.” Think about it. Imagine elegantly nibbling the top off a crisp asparagus. Now imagine trying to stuff a Reuben sandwich in your mouth. Which image was more sensual? (I suppose the cliché “different strokes for different folks” could be applied here, too—but you don’t need to invite me to that dinner party).

Of course the sensuality of food goes beyond the mere carnal act of eating. Remember the scene in Amélie, where Amélie Poulain couldn’t resist the temptation to slide her hand wrist deep into the bin of lentils? Pure bliss. We touch food with our hands and tongue—and what could be more intimate than experiencing something than through our hands and tongues? Do you see where I am going with this? Then there is the act of cooking. Elizabeth Bard was wooed by her future French husband with remarkably simple yet gourmet meals produced in his tiny, ill-equipped Paris apartment—something her American mind couldn’t fathom. When I was sixteen my (then) boyfriend invited me over for dinner and fed me Mr. Noodles—he never understood why I always responded with a firm “No.” My hubby wooed me with microwave dinners and spiced things up with fancier resturant dinners.

My friend, who is now living in France, is lucky enough to have a man who knows his way around a kitchen and market stalls. As Isabel Allende writes in her book “Aphrodite: A Memoir of the Senses,”

“We cannot resist men who know how to cook . . . epicures who lovingly choose the freshest and most arousing ingredients, prepare them with art, and offer them as a gift to the senses and the soul, men who uncork a bottle with style, breathe in its aroma, and decant the wine into our goblet to taste, as they describe the juices, color, tenderness, aroma, and texture if the filet mignon in the tone we believe they will later use to refer to our own enchantments . . . While we watch him clean, spice, and cook the shrimp, we imagine that patience and dexterity applied to an erotic massage. If he delicately tastes a piece of fish to test whether it’s done, we tremble, anticipating a similarly knowing nimble on the neck. We suppose that if he can remember how many minutes frog legs can tolerate in the skillet, how much greater reason he will have to remember how many tickles our G spot demands. Of course, that isn’t always true; in real life he may be much more interested in the frogs’ legs than our own.” (pg 43)

Like acts of love, food engages all the senses beyond those most immediately discernable. I admit to lacking any skills in the art of presentation. Food is placed on handed-down plates, that while are perfectly functional, don’t do anything to inspire the senses. Perhaps new dinnerware would cause me to artfully arrange the food with as much love as I use in the cooking of it. As for the dinner table, there is no ritual candle lighting (but in the winter we eat near the woodstove) or centerpiece. The only reason there’s a tablecloth is to hide the ugly tabletop beneath—and even that’s a handed-down Christmas cloth! I’d love a more bohemian setting with a touch of whimsy (always loved the increasingly disheveled tea party scene from Alice and Wonderland). At least natural alfresco scenes and picnics never fail to get my heart pumping—and the scenery is free. I once ate atop this rock which turned my ordinary tuna sandwich into a treasured memory.

All of this was a very long preamble to a recipe that conjures up images of breezy summer beaches. So, to help you sweeten your sweetie (without making your sweetie feel too full and icky to give you proper gratitude), here’s an easy recipe. Imagine you’re enjoying it on a beach in the Florida Keys. If it’s warm enough where you are, serve it in a bikini! Set aside some of that coconut oil for latter. (Let me know if this works. I haven’t tried it, for when I served this dessert the hubby was absent and I don’t own a bikini).

Lime Pie with Chocolate Macaroon Crust (adapted from this recipe)

Lime Filling:
1 ripe avocado
¼ cup lime juice, freshly squeezed
1tsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
½ cup honey (or agave)

Directions:

Place all ingredients in food processor and blend until creamy and smooth. Pour into Chocolate Macaroon pie molds (see below) and refrigerate for at least one hour and/or until ready to serve. Makes one pie or four, 4” tarts

Chocolate Macaroon Crust:

1 cup pecans
1 cup chopped dates
1/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
3 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tbsp honey if needed to hold it together

Directions:

Add all ingredients into food processor and mix until all ingredients are finely processed and starts to stick Press firmly into pie form, or for tarts, divide and press into 4, 4” tart molds – place in fridge while making the filling.

Connect With Your Inner Serpent

2011-05-30T20:45:00.000-03:00

Last night I watched an amazing display of talent: traditional bellydance, classical Indian dance, and tribal fusion bellydance. The show inspired me to get out my Serpentine: Belly Dance with Rachel Brice DVD to try (and try again and again--it's not as easy as it looks). Tribal fusion is quite different from the more traditional/cabaret style I take classes in, and since my teachers seem to have no interest in learning this style themselves, I will have to teach myself (but then it can be my thing!). I hope to learn the second choreography to the song "Whisper Hungarian in My Ear" by The Toids as my solo performance piece (someday). I'm choosing this one instead of the first because it's shorter and, aside from that scary backbend, seems easier. I may have to modify the backbend because once I'm down on the floor, I can't get back up!

I love the snake-like, earthy, and tough exoticsm of tribal fusion . . . and the costumes! My new costume is a nice compromise between girly sequins and tribal. I'm going to wear it with a simple white skirt and I ordered a sheer gold veil (which will go with my royal blue and gold hip belt seen here once I get that costume together).

Yup, it's from ebay: Bestuwant.com

Hummingbird Medicine

2011-05-27T22:00:00.007-03:00

Open your throat to that joyful hum

Let your power glow ruby red

And suck the juicy nectar

Out of this colorful, fragrant world

Forward and backward

Up and down

Traveling safely between the worlds

Playing with life’s obstacles

A warrior’s spirit

Awakening the world to beauty and love

“A hummingbird flew right up to me, inches from my face. Its ruby red throat was so iridescent, like there was a light inside--like it’s throat chakra was on fire!” I giggled at the mere mention of a chakra.

“Oooh, that’s a sign for you,” replied one of my closest friend—a true Anam Cara or Soul Friend.

Of course I’m thinking in the back of mind, “Pft, don’t know if that really counts as a sign when the rhubarb plant I was harvesting is literally inches from the hummingbird feeder.” I live out in the country, if I took every animal, insect, bird, amphibian I see as a sign, I’d be up to my yin yang doing nothing else but interpreting those signs!

However, since I don’t remember ever looking up the meaning of hummingbird wisdom, I dusted off my copy of “Animal Speak” (ok, I’ll be honest, it never gets a chance to collect dust), and read.

Source

Hummingbirds are associated with flowers, lightness, and joy. They can’t survive without flowers, and many flowers could not survive without hummingbirds. They teach us the healing power of plants, to enjoy the beauty they give. They instinctively know where to find them (they have a good memory) and will travel great distances. They can fly forward, backward, up and down, hover and make quick starts and stops, but they cannot walk. They are playful and have no fear (they will even chase an eagle or crow). They bathe often and play in water—or take showers in the rain. They take pride in their homes, taking great care to build and design their nest. They go into a sort of hibernation on cold nights to sleep called torpor, suggesting the need for deep sleep and rest. They are independent creatures, and males and females live separate lives. And perhaps, most importantly, a hummingbird will die if caged.

The hubby often describes me as a hummingbird, buzzing around, happy as can be. And I like my sweets!

So let that little buddle of energy into your life and enjoy life with a renewed sense of wonder, openness to its beauty, and suck back that juicy nectar of life. We too can be light as a feather.

How do you enjoy the sweetness of life?

(I can think of two ways: grow a hummingbird garden and learn how to hand feed one!)

Name this wildflower: Rhodora

2011-05-25T16:16:00.002-03:00

Update: I believe what I have are Rhodoras! They are highly toxic.

Rhodora ! if the sages ask thee why

This charm is wasted on the earth and sky

Tell them, dear, that if eyes were made for seeing,

Then Beauty is its own excuse for being.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wild Edibles: Fried Dandelion Heads for Dessert? (Gluten and Dairy-Free)

2011-05-24T10:00:00.003-03:00

Yes, it can be done! Inspired by Feather Spirit’s recipe.

Handful dandelion heads

1 egg

1/2 cup brown rice flour

1/2 cup almond milk

Pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg

Cooking oil

Gather your dandelion heads (mid-day is best when the flowers are open). Rinse in running water (or if really buggy, soak in water for a few minutes). Make sure all stem is removed from the heads. Dry on towel. While drying, heat your oil over medium heat and mix your batter. Combine the egg, almond milk, rice flour, and spices in a bowl and whisk well. Drop flower heads in the batter. Once the oil is ready, drop each flower head face down in the oil. Brown each side. Drizzle with maple syrup or honey.

Surprisingly tasty! I’m going to try a savory version next time.

The Moneyless Man

2011-05-23T14:53:00.003-03:00

It’s funny how both the abundance and the lack of money can cause feelings of guilt (among many other complex feelings). Personally, I waver between feelings of guilt, scarcity, and nonchalance. Our relationship with money, personally and as a society, is an interesting area of reflection.

I’ve never been one to strive for money. Sure, as a teen, I wanted the things that would allow me to fit in (I didn’t), but now stuff doesn’t interest so much. What motivates me are experiences: travel, a good meal, learning a new skill, a moving story. But experiences still cost money and accumulating experiences can be just as much about boosting one’s ego and status as owning a fancy car, which is why I found the experiment in “The Moneyless Man” so intriguing.

Mark Boyle took it many steps further beyond simplifying and spending less. He couldn’t even spend money on the things that truly mattered to him and brought him joy (a “rule” in many simple living books). No, this is a way of life where if you want to enjoy the simple pleasure of flowers, you have to go outside and find them. I read this book over a month ago and I still think of it often—wondering how can I incorporate what he learned in my life.

As long as we’re part of the “system,” we need money. Money to repair roofs (taking place this very moment), stay connected (phone, Internet), pay insurance and bills, etc. Where I’m saving for a trip to France this fall to visit friends, I am not eager to end my “addiction to civilization” anytime soon, but after spending more than usual over the past few weeks (it happens) my frugal self is reasserting herself and I'm wondering why I'm not willing to give it up. In a society where it’s so easy to spend, spend, spend, it’s important to stop and reflect on where your money goes. Did I really need recycled plastic razors (because do I really need to shave my legs and why do I do it?) Is it truly benefiting your needs? Do your spending habits reflect your values, and I mean really? How much of your spending is compulsory? Did you really need what you bought? How often do you find yourself drawn into stores for no reason? If you want to understand the collective values of a society, look at their economy. The individual may never condone the direct harm done to other people or the environment, but to maintain our current “way of life” we are indirectly causing great harm. And your organic cotton blue jeans count.

Even when it comes to “necessities,” we are spending and accumulating more than truly necessary. Indeed, compared to what’s consumed elsewhere, our kitchens can look like tiny grocery stores! I find an overstocked fridge just as stress-inducing as a near empty one and I still have to avoid the temptation to stop at the grocery store to “pick up a few things” for a certain recipe when I actually have plenty of food already at home in the kitchen (and even outside).

What Mark gave up in convenience, he gained in practical skills and community—and yes, sometimes that meant communal dumpster-diving adventures. What started out as an experiment ended up as a completely new way of living with the world (Mark has been living moneyless for over two years now). The only necessity in a moneyless world is a willing, supportive community—without community it is far too easy to fall back on modern conveniences. At least that is the main message I gathered from the book, and it’s probably the main thing stopping or preventing most of us from doing it.

Whether or not you agree with the philosophy of freeconomic living or believe “green” capitalism and technology will completely change the playing field as we know it, “The Moneyless Man” should be on your must-read list. Get it from the library (although in my case that still required driving to pick it up).

Doubt, and Yet I Continue to Practice (Yoga)

2011-05-20T12:25:00.001-03:00

Over a year I ago I stopped writing this blog for a few different reasons. For one, I didn’t know what Yoga was anymore, so, like the guy in Enlighten Up, I was left more puzzled (and bemused) the harder I searched for a tangible answer. There was a lot of heated discussion about “true” Yoga going on at this time in the wider yoga blogging community in which I found myself lost—how could I participate when I didn’t even know which ground I stood on? Before all this I had toyed with the idea of taking Yoga teacher training and received mostly positive reinforcement, a few others responded more negatively without addressing my questions directly by bemoaning the current state of Yoga and the rate in which yoga teachers are being created. NOT ONE asked me why I wanted to take the training. In the confusion of mixed messages, heated debates, and the complex history of the practice, I could no longer hear my own voice—I wouldn’t have been able to answer the question as to why I wanted to be a yoga teacher anyway. I had a lot of doubt. I am not alone.

So I simply dropped out. Stop blogging there, stopped commenting, stopped going to classes (couldn’t afford to go anyway), and studying. I still practiced at home, alone, and read other spiritual books, but focused more on everyday life. Being of contemplative nature, Yoga (or something like it) managed to infuse my daily living and saw me through layoffs, relationship struggles, and more.

Things are returning to “normal,” and while I’ll always have moments (lots of them) of doubt regarding my practice and why I’ve returned to it over and over again these last 14 years, I think I might be ready for the next part of my “path”—not sure in what way that will take shape, but community needs to be part of it. It's perfectly acceptable to not have all the answers firmly planted in my mind.

This post was prompted by my recent return to my yoga teacher for a few remaining classes before she moves out of the province and the film, Enlighten Up.

Gardening Notes: May 18, 2011

2011-05-18T20:00:00.001-03:00

Harvesting: rhubarb and chives

Coming along: parsley, lavender, spearmint

Enjoying: Lots of daffodils, a few hyacinths

Put out the hummingbird feeder this afternoon, within minutes, we had a visitor!

Dropped off a new kid at the pool . . . i.e. Nymphaea 'Marliacea Carnea' waterliy (white) in the pond. Can’t wait to see those blooms mixed in with our pink ones! I hope it will spread well and help control the algae.

Due to all the rain and cool weather, I was late sowing my early seeds. This year I also added lime as we have acidic soil so it will be fun to see if there is big difference.

Vegetable seeds planted: sugar snap vine snap peas, Betterwave Early Wonder beets, baby leaf lettuce (Renee’s Garden Heirloom Cutting Mix), Rocket Arugula, Greek Oregano transplant.

Still to sow: Nasturtiums (from saved seeds), Morning Glories (cos they’re so cute), cilantro, sweet basil, Renee’s Garden Cut and Come Again Baby Mesclun Lettuces, Tendergreen Beans, Brittlewax Beans (yellow), and Sweetness III carrots.

To buy: vermiculite for carrots (I have heavy soil), compost for new beds (and more lime), compost for dressing 17 blueberry bushes. Transplants: tomato, kale, cucumber, and zucchini. Oh, I forgot all about thyme . . . wonder if my seeds from last year are still good . . .

To do: set up watering system for veggie garden, and set up outdoor shower!

Desiring, but not this year: cherry blossoms, bright pink Rhododendrons, and Magnolias (my yoga teacher has a beautiful one). I’m definitely attracted to pink and white flowering trees and shrubs and pastel slightly wild (untidy!) gardens.

Should we be vegan?

2011-05-17T09:32:00.001-03:00

Last night, during a quiet evening of reading, the hubby was sitting at his computer in the other room and asked, "Should we be vegan?" Stunned silence. I cautiously respond, "Why . . . what are you reading?" "Well, just that it's healthier." So I said we could start working towards that goal and see how it goes, but I don't want to waste any non-vegan foods already in the kitchen.

Geez, this would have been so much easier if he had wanted to try this when I actually was vegan! But living with a meat and potatoes, eggs and bacon, stinky cheese man who proclaims a la Homer Simpson that "you can't win friends with salad," just became to hard for me. I don't even remember how to be vegan anymore (at least I still have the cookbooks). We shall see how serious he is. I doubt he actually wants to be %100 vegan--he'll likely still order a meat dish now and then.

It must be all the green smoothies I've been feeding him.