It has been a busy month here at the Center! We have been spending a lot of time working in the garden and the grounds. There is a lot of work to do, but we have the blessings of Summer’s warmth to help keep us motivated.
The garden is coming in much better than we expected. With it being our first year with the new garden we weren’t sure how much we would be getting, and, well, it looks like we are going to do pretty well in the Garden of Giving this year. So far, harvests have not been enough to go to the Food Bank (just a few handfuls of spinach and some radishes).
With the way everything is growing, we’ll have lots of food to take in soon. The summer squash is setting on and the potatoes are growing nicely. Onions, tomatoes, asparagus, shallots, kohlrabi, carrots, beets and more are all coming in. We are looking forward to taking loads of healthy food to the local food banks in the next few weeks.
Dragonflies and hummingbirds are around in numbers. The dragonflies have always been a family favorite, but now even more so. Their symbolism of carrying messages from the other side is not lost on us as we work to create a place of peace and serenity. Sitting down by the pond for a few minutes is sure to invite a visit from one of the many dragonflies in residence.
The hummingbirds are all over the place (one of the advantages of being by fresh water). In just a few minutes of sitting on the deck, it is easy to see there are four distinct types of hummingbirds that come to the feeders. Hummingbirds remind us to take enjoyment from life. Their ability to hover is a reminder to us to take time to live in the moment before the moment passes away.
Our bear is back! Last year she “helped” us prune the pear tree by climbing on up and well, breaking off most of the branches. The tree has survived and is growing strong; it even bloomed this spring. And, the bear is back! On our walk this afternoon we saw fresh bear sign. We have seen a beautiful cinnamon black bear in the area for several weeks and are pretty sure he’s the one that tore apart the stump. The wildlife here is amazing…we’ve also seen 3 new fawns with their white dot patterns.
Remember, whether you be a city dweller or live in the woods – the natural environment around you is just as real as the iron and steel constructs of man. Our natural state is…unplugged.
