As produce comes into season, here in the Midwest, heed old, but still relevant postcard by Stella Marrs http://www.stellamarrs.com/ws_catalog/results.php?type=category&cat=7
More Spring at Home
These crocus were planted among the Gro-Low Sumac about 15 yrs ago. I love to watch passerbys bending over them.
The Far Woods
Check out all the creative & green offerings by the Montenegro sisters, Nina & Sonya (native Evanstonians): https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFarWoods
Roberto Burle Marx
I have been following recent posts onMOMA's Instagram: #seeingthroughphotographs. The current focus is Brazilians, most of whom are unfamiliar to me and most of which I like.
This, of course, reminds me of the great Landscape Architect, Roberto Burle Marx. Here is an interesting article on him. I noted that several of the photos were taken by Richard Hartlage, a contemporary landscape designer I admire.
An Unexpected Gift
Today, I happened to walk by (in a neighborhood distant from my home & my office), the first garden I did in 1998. Kneeling in front of these crocus, was a mother, pointing them out to her young child. It was very poignant, symbolic and gratifying. How lucky I am to work with people & the earth.
My Brain Still in Spanish!
Confused March with May. Both start with "Ma." Saw green & leapt to Mother's Day...here is another early bloomer: Pulmonaria mollis.
Green Growth for Mother's Day
Evanston greeted me upon return from Guatemala with sone harbingers of Spring!
Snowdrops
First Scilla
Old & new foliage of Hellebore
Daffodils
Arnold's Promise Witch Hazel. Survivor of Tough Love: I did no supplemental waterng during summer droughts of 2013 & 2014. And our soil is former lakebed: pure sand.
Last Guatemala Plants
The hotel where I stayed at the start of my trip had sand painting & the floor freshly laid with pine needles. The colors were as vibrant as these paintings in the market.
In the room where I stay my last night in a house with students, a painting drew my attention. It's a view of Central Park in Antigua. The buildings are the same, but there are far fewer trees. I like how the painter has paid attention to rendering the shadows.
Last Guatemala Plants
The hotel where I stayed at the start of my trip had sand painting & the floor freshly laid with pine needles. The colors were as vibrant as these paintings in the market.
In the room where I stay my last night in a house with students, a painting drew my attention. It's a view of Central Park in Antigua. The buildings are the same, but there are far fewer trees. I like how the painter has paid attention to rendering the shadows.
Fabulous Fragrance!
Could not identify until I looked up last night: Datura. Gorgeous, but very poisonous!
More Plants!
Who can resist? And it's the dry season!
Passion Flower
Some reforestation
Scallions & a native green
Lantana in the dust
The flower of a tree foreign to me
Plants!
Corn
Impatiens.
Coffee flower (heavenly fragrance!)
Coffee bean.
Coffee fungus.
Community meetings
We are up in the clouds.
Most walk.
Always more women because the men are off working in Mexico. They return when the rain begins, in May, to plant. Harvest is usually in Oct. but past few years of drought have destroyed crops & malnutrition continues to have rampant effects.
She already carries a backpack. In a few years she will probably carry a younger sibling...
Things from Guatemala
Composting Latrines
AFOPADI bananas
Most impressive campesino
With his best compost
Some of his family.
With his wife. Husking corn they bought since the drought demolished their harvest. For the Maya: corn is life.
Some of my friends
Full life in villages with rhythm of sun, shade, wind, moon.
Full moon
Best farm with new water
Practical daily life in town
Garbage by the river.
The energy company is corrupt. Spanish company sold to Italian.
Nice garden!
Soap to wash clothes
The important part of looms. All the women in the villages weave clothes. The mean wear western garb. All the male friends I have seen this year have different, very fashionable haircuts!
My heart in the villages of Ixtahuacan, Guatemala
Great timing. Visits to 3 new communities that AFOPADI works with. Many details to share with SSG friends at home.
As always: little water, lotsa dust, much conflict b/w men and women because of machismo.
AFOPADI integrates all and more into strategy & programs.
New bridge from highway since 12 years.
Mtg in community without much water and thus: fewer trees, more sickness.
The earth is dry rock: scary roads.
Kids love to play & see their photos.
This village is far from the town, but close to river. A community more in solidarity with more water. The mayor attended our reunion. It takes 1 1/2 hrs each way for the few children who walk to school in the Pueblo.
Market Day in El Pueblo
The restaurant in the town has Wifi! Here we visited to find clay pots with holes for plants And fire. We didn't find a small one to burn Copal (Myrrh).
