I consider gardening to be a wonderful form of resting in that quiet, still, meditative state. This is where the reasoning mind is perhaps occupied with detail but the other mind - the one that is expansive, limitless, eternal and free - takes over as it dwells in one of the most natural, soothing, affirming and spiritually grounding activities one can engage in to purify and center the soul.
"The best place to seek God is in a garden. You can dig for Him there."
George Bernard Shaw
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This year hubby made a great discovery, which had actually been in existence for many years but was new to him. He delved full force into a form of gardening that is both beautiful and efficient. He began Square Food Gardening; originated by Mel Bartholomew, who authored a book by the same title. "One can grow more in less space," the book entices gardeners. It's true and this is just one of its many benefits for individual gardeners as well as communities in all parts of the world. I don't feel fully qualified in recommending this type of gardening, since I'm not the one doing it, but based on my observations and comments from my husband, this provided a great solution to gardening in the desert, as it apparently does for gardening in the city, or in places with limited resources.
It seemed to me, the hardest part was building the boxes that use very little soil, compared to traditional gardening methods. My husband, though, didn't think that was actually very hard at all, and he's the one who made them.
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Before I proceed to display, what I consider to be a work of art, co-sculpted by my husband and Mother Nature, I must remind you of where I live.
This is my neighborhood - a dry, rocky, barren earth, beautiful in its own way but providing the gardener with immense challenges. Nevertheless, for many years my husband has persevered in planting and cherishing the fruits of his labor, small though they sometimes were. It seems this only magnified the value of the tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and squash that somehow succeeded in coming to life. It's amazing what Love can do.
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My husband's Eden.
This is hubby's garden today. It's small but we anticipate it will produce much. An added feature of this year's garden is that it is organic. What more can vegetarians ask for? It is truly our mini garden of Eden.
I used to live in Albuquerque years ago on the other side of the Rio Grande off Isleta Blvd. - it was wild in those days and I loved watching the rabbits come out at night. Then I moved over on Tijeras - but it's all changed now I suspect - but it was a nice time in my life. Anyone who plants and watches it grow, knows there is a God. Smiles.
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