A Single Grain Of Sand

Just amazing.

Teenie-Tiny

I've been wanting to create miniature fairy gardens for some time now. A friend of mine told me about Mulberry Creek Herb Farm. She said that they specialized in organic herbs and miniature plants. So, this past weekend my husband and I headed to the farm.

Even though it was the end of their season (they close in August), we still found all types of wonderful plants. We purchased a few and I am now in the process of creating my first tiny fairy garden.

Here are some pictures of the garden I'm working on:



















































Spikemoss, Dwarf Mound (Selaginella brownii)





















Ficus, Willow-leaf (Ficus subulata [salicifolia])















Ficus, Creeping Tiny Oak-Leaf (Ficus pumila 'Quercifolia Minima')

An "Infinite Canvas"

A dynamic speech on comics and the idea of the "infinite canvas" by Scott McCloud (writer of the books Understanding Comics & Making Comics). I always appreciate McCloud's views concerning the comic medium and this speech is just as thought-provoking as his written work.

The Knitting Drought

In case anyone was wondering why I hadn't mentioned any knitting projects recently--I don't knit in the summertime. It's just something I don't do. I don't know exactly why I have such a difficult time knitting in the summer. I mean lots of people are capable of knitting in every single season without repercussions. I knit in autumn. I knit in winter. But as soon as spring comes along the needles start gathering dust. Maybe it's because I want to be outside, playing in the dirt. Or because wool and hot weather just don't work together for me. I can't really give a reason, I just know I don't do it.

I have, however, recently found myself thinking about knitting projects for Christmas presents. And as I'm thinking about these projects, I start planning a trip or two or four to the local yarn shop. Currently, I'm thinking my first seasonal excursion to my LYS will be late August/early September.

Now, while I don't really knit in the summer, I do have one or two projects lying lazily about that might get worked on intermittently during the summer season.

Here is one of those layabout projects...

































It's a pair of socks. I have one complete sock finished. The other one is barely started on the needles. The yarn is fingering weight Merino Cashmere in Orchid by The Knittery. It was a gift from Sarah.

Will I finish soon? Probably not. But, then again, maybe I will. Here's to the eternal optimism of the sporadic knitter.

Blooms!

Our backyard garden is in full bloom...


















Besides the above flowers, we've got daisies, purple cone flowers, black-eyed susans, easter lilies, roses and even some foxgloves that are still holding out for the season.

Continuing with the flower extravaganza, my mom surprised me with an orchid today.
















I've never taken care of a plant quite as exotic as an orchid. I'm looking forward to giving it a try!

Hope you're enjoying the blooms of the season as well!

One Of Those Childhood Dreams

Do you remember the Biosphere II project? One of my childhood dreams was to live in Biosphere II. I remember thinking that it was really unfair that kids couldn't take part in the experiment. I wanted to live in outer space too or maybe under the ocean! So, why couldn't I live in Biosphere II? :o)

Here's a speech Jane Poynter, one of the lucky inhabitants of Biosphere II, gave recently. At it's heart her talk is about the absolute connectedness and impact we have on each other and the biosphere we call Earth.

What I've Learned From Nature: The Importance of Balance & Adversity

For a long time I was always scared of being swallowed up by bad experiences. I thought if I stood perfectly still and did not affect life, then the hurtful parts of life would not affect me. I wouldn't have to experience pain or hurt anymore. Of course, the side effect of this is that you keep yourself from experiencing the beauty of life too. And the bad moments? Well, they happen anyway.

I've been gardening more and more in the last few years and one thing I've learned is that adversity is necessary for strength. When you start seedlings inside, before the growing season begins, it's always important to have a fan turned on, blowing on the plants. The exposure to circulating air makes them stronger and more resistant, giving them the ability to survive when you put them out in the garden and expose them to the elements.

The same goes for watering plants. You want to water them so they don't die. But too much water means the plant roots will stay shallow and close to the surface, creating a weaker plant. Instead, you give them opportunities to search for water themselves. The plants end up digging deep into the earth, anchoring themselves to the ground and gaining the strength they need to survive harsh weather conditions.

Being a part of nature, people react to adversity like plants. When we deal with too many difficulties sometimes our spirits wither and die, but if we never face any struggles, we become too weak to handle any real problem.

I'm learning not to shy away from experiences I want just because I'm afraid of failure and criticism. And I now know when to remove myself from situations that chip away at my spirit and slowly destroy me.

I've realized it's all about balance and breathing in a bit of fresh air.