My mother had a green thumb too.I think I must have inherited it from her. Daddy grew great vegetables, but my mother’s thing was flowers. All kinds of them. And she also had some gorgeous rose bushes. One of her most beloved perennials was holly hock. She planted red ones in front of the shed in her later years (for her that was in her late 40s, she died of cancer at 53). Daddy was desperate for a sign after she died. When he went out one clear starry night, he looked up and begged, “Martha, give me a sign.” And right away there was a shooting star. But he wasn’t convinced, though Nanny (his mother) and I were. She died in August. That year the yellow roses she planted all along the fence next to the driveway bloomed ferociously until deep frost. Then the next year, Daddy was mowing the lawn and noticed a hollyhock coming up. Far from the ones she had planted. It grew tall, and the blooms were big and gorgeous and white! I remember saying to my father: Daddy, Mommy planted that for you. You know that, right? And he nodded.
The Haudenosaunee follow the Seven Generations Principle in decision making, which is to see how any decision will affect a family or group seven generations from now. To consider that we are our seventh generation (or could be) makes this principle even more profound. It is at once a selfless act and a selfish one. I think it is in seeing both as true is where awe lives.
Exquisite questions - "What prayer do you want me to plant with you for your next life? How will I recognize you when you return? What gardening can we do together when you are on the other side of the veil?" Always beautiful to read your writings, Perdita.
I will ask these questions to my Mamma Mia and Pop. She has the green thumb and has always had an exquisite backyard. With the loss of half of the 230+ year old Elm tree limbs and the 75 year old Pecan tree limbs from last May's storm, there is a lot more sunshine since those emerald canopies are gone. I'm supporting her in creating some magical. Planting trees whose shade we will never sit under in this incarnation but will return in the next expression.
I finally found a house. I am used to having sun in my yard. This house has 3 huge oaks, a live oak, a red oak, and a burr oak. The yard is small and mostly in shade. Only a small area, maybe 8x10, has enough sunshine to plant a garden. The rest, I will have to think about. I plant native, and will do some research on what will work. The former owners didn't do a lot, but that's okay. Gardening is a creative activity, and I love creating.
My mother had a green thumb too.I think I must have inherited it from her. Daddy grew great vegetables, but my mother’s thing was flowers. All kinds of them. And she also had some gorgeous rose bushes. One of her most beloved perennials was holly hock. She planted red ones in front of the shed in her later years (for her that was in her late 40s, she died of cancer at 53). Daddy was desperate for a sign after she died. When he went out one clear starry night, he looked up and begged, “Martha, give me a sign.” And right away there was a shooting star. But he wasn’t convinced, though Nanny (his mother) and I were. She died in August. That year the yellow roses she planted all along the fence next to the driveway bloomed ferociously until deep frost. Then the next year, Daddy was mowing the lawn and noticed a hollyhock coming up. Far from the ones she had planted. It grew tall, and the blooms were big and gorgeous and white! I remember saying to my father: Daddy, Mommy planted that for you. You know that, right? And he nodded.
The Haudenosaunee follow the Seven Generations Principle in decision making, which is to see how any decision will affect a family or group seven generations from now. To consider that we are our seventh generation (or could be) makes this principle even more profound. It is at once a selfless act and a selfish one. I think it is in seeing both as true is where awe lives.
See more about the Seven Generations Principle: https://grandmothersvoice.com/seven-generations-nurturing-a-sustainable-future/
Exquisite questions - "What prayer do you want me to plant with you for your next life? How will I recognize you when you return? What gardening can we do together when you are on the other side of the veil?" Always beautiful to read your writings, Perdita.
I will ask these questions to my Mamma Mia and Pop. She has the green thumb and has always had an exquisite backyard. With the loss of half of the 230+ year old Elm tree limbs and the 75 year old Pecan tree limbs from last May's storm, there is a lot more sunshine since those emerald canopies are gone. I'm supporting her in creating some magical. Planting trees whose shade we will never sit under in this incarnation but will return in the next expression.
Hugs and have a beautiful day. Veronica
Such true words. My son has already told me he will be looking for me in his gardens when my body is no in this skin.
Thank you for sharing this.
I finally found a house. I am used to having sun in my yard. This house has 3 huge oaks, a live oak, a red oak, and a burr oak. The yard is small and mostly in shade. Only a small area, maybe 8x10, has enough sunshine to plant a garden. The rest, I will have to think about. I plant native, and will do some research on what will work. The former owners didn't do a lot, but that's okay. Gardening is a creative activity, and I love creating.