By The Numbers: 13 Simple Steps to Build Resiliency

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The Meditation Garden - The Seventh Garden

Gardening is an act of love. It is sensual and intimate. Your hands are in the soil and on the plants. The wind, sun, and rain are your partners to nurture the plants into healthy and productive growth. The nutrients that the plants need are taken up from the soil, dropped there by past life. The seeds and fruits are facilitated by insects pollinating the flowers. All of these are acts of reciprocal love displayed by the universe. As gardeners, we take the results of this love and our love to make food and medicine for those that we love and to nurture the part of the planet out our back door. Wee enjoy the beauty that feeds our soul as we feed the spirit of the land. Even so, the garden, like life, presents us with challenges, bumps, and bruises. It is our job to find Truth in both lessons and to love life all the same.

So, as I walk the seventh garden in my mind, I contemplate how I relate to the garden and the environment around me. I invite you to do the same. Find a space where you can experience the natural world or a garden. How do you relate to this space through all of your senses? Do you find pleasure in the feel of the breeze in your hair? When you touch the leaves, how do they feel different? What fruits and vegetables to you love on your tongue? What do you smell? When you interact with those who yo love, how do you show it? What makes you feel loved? What does it feel like when the love of life permeates your entire being? What would you put in your space to help you find the love of life in all its aspects?

Some of the plants that I put in a garden of love are of course roses with their beauty and thorns. Some other plants would be willow, strawberries, elderberries, and chamomile. Some other plants of love include Angelica, basil, cucumber, and sweet Annie. You could add ginger, hops, or apple as well. Most important is to add elements that you love.

For practical aspects of gardening, check out the articles on my Buy Me a Coffee page.

The Truck

He was very young, almost, but not quite a toddler when the family gathered that year at his grandmother’s beautiful split level. The dinner table was ready. The food was almost ready. It was time to put out the place settings. The boy was entertaining himself with the little ride on truck that he had just gotten for Christmas. His mother kept an eye on him as she helped get things ready for dinner. He rode the truck as fast as his little legs could take him across the floor. At the wall, he turned around and quickly went back the other direction. Back and forth, and back again. Past the seven steps to the lower level, around and around the room, carefully avoiding the stairs. He seemed safe, but his mother was watching him carefully. Her eyes barely left him as she worked and he played.

After several times around the room, he slowed down to rest his little legs for a little bit. He slowly scooted the truck to the stairs and looked at the family sitting around the lower level. His mother was about to intervene, when he backed away from the stairs. He knew stairs could hurt. He backed the little truck to the opposite side of the room and sat there for a few minutes, thinking.

Then, without warning, he took off. Scooting the truck as fast as his little legs could take him. “NO!” His mother yelled, but before she could catch him, he was flying off the stairs in a graceful arc. His intent was to land on all four wheels on the lower level. Instead of a successful stunt, the wheels of the truck caught on the steps about half way down and summersaulted. The boy was thrown from the catapulting truck and landed on the floor below with the truck beside him.

Then moments of silence. Panic. As the family members moved to aid the child, his mother raced down the stairs and cried. “Stop. Don’t touch him! Let him move on his own!” Then - The screaming and the boy rolled over. She breathed.

Quickly, she scooped the boy up into her arms and checked him over. Satisfied that the small bump on the forehead was the worst of it, she gently cradled the boy and gently rocked him until the screaming quieted to a whimper and his little body relaxed.

Soon enough, the precocious little boy wiggled out of her lap and ran off to play, just a little more cautious and wiser for the experience.

Two lessons that day. Stairs hurt. And love observes to be certain that more damage is not created in the attempt to help

And for a little bit more

Events

August 6 - Root Beer Float Day

August 9 - Full Moon

August 14 - Navajo Code Talker’s Day

August 20 - National Radio Day - Celebrate and support Public Radio

August 26 - Women’s Equality Day

August 23 - New Moon, Next Newsletter

Mustard

Mustard is a member of the Brassica family that was developed and cultivated at least 5,000 years ago in the Himalayan mountains of India. Of the many species of mustard that exist, 3 are generally grown as garden plants. Black mustard, Brassica negra, is grown for its pungent, medicinal seeds. White mustard, Brassica alba, is also grown for its seeds. Brown mustard, Brassica juncea, is the most common garden mustard. Brown mustard is grown for both its greens and its seeds.

It is the brown mustard that I would recommend for most home gardens. This species is a cool weather plant that is grown for its spring or fall greens. The flowers of this plant can also be harvested in the summer, and the seeds can be harvested for spice and medicine. The young rosette of leaves gives a peppery bite to spring salads and cooked greens dishes.

It can be direct seeded in flats or containers for micro-greens if you are short on space and are looking for a nutritional boost. Baby greens are perfect for container gardens and gardens with limited space. If you have a bit more space, give the plants some time and they will produce a god crop of brown seeds.

Mustard seed is an ancient medicine that is warming and stimulating. This pungent herb was used to treat respiratory issues including colds, congestion, and bronchitis. It was used to relieve joint and muscle pain and inflammation. It is traditionally used to remedy digestive issues. Mustard seed is a diuretic, and induces sweating. This helps the body flush toxins from the body’s systems.

Mustard is one of the very productive herbs that is easy to grow and can give good results in containers, small gardens, and large spaces. This herb of love and faith will reward even beginning gardeners for their patience.

This article is for information only and is not considered to be medical advice. Always consult with your medical provider for medical advice.

If you want to grow mustard, and want to get the complete plant profile, you can find it on The Phoenix’s Nest.

To read about the symbolism of Mustard, check out this article on my website, Manitu Okahas Sudio.

The Swan

The swan is an interesting bird with both spiritual and symbolic significance. Of the 6 species of swans, 2 are native to the United States. The Trumpeter Swan is a white swan with a black bill. The Tundra Swan is a smaller swan with a yellow patch on the bill below the eye. The Mute Swan is native to Eurasia and was introduced into the United States. The Mute Swan has become invasive in some areas. Swans can be raised as a domestic bird, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a practical animal. They are a valuable part of the environment and it is worth protecting the native species and providing habitat for them.

According to some spiritual traditions of North America, the swan is a symbol of harmony, purity, and spirituality. Some believe that the swan is the soul of a shaman voyaging from one plane to another. It is believed that the swan is able to travel to other dimensions and move through the altered states. The swan shows grace and trust in the flow of the universe. Because of this, some believe the swan can see beyond the illusion and see the future.

More than anything else, the swan is a symbol of universal love. It is a love life and a life all that life has to offer.

For more on the symbolism of the swan, check out this article at Manitu Okahas Studio

And I'm Not The Only One

Here are a couple of places to find more information.

The first herbal that I reference when I am doing research is 20,000 Secrets of Tea by Victoria Zak

I would recommend any book published by the Rodale Institute

Introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison

Link to an online format

rodaleinstitute.org

Some one I'm following:

Donna Devadoss has created a beautiful food forest in my area. She is also the author of the children’s book Who Lives in the Apple Tree Guild. I encourage you to check it out.