Slow lane

 

Shifting to the slow lane is the best thing about Fall gardening. I’m no longer on a schedule generated by Spring and Summer’s pace – prep seeds, soil, and containers.  Now that it’s September, the harvest is mostly done, and the growing season is winding down. So let’s stop and smell the flowers and herbs and eat the bounty. It’s time to open our hearts and shift our vibrations to rest. Enjoy the plants that grew and the ones that are still growing.

 

 

 

 
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Transformation in Autumn

Transformation is the spirit of autumn. Everywhere you look there is change. While Autumn has its own unique colors I’m excited to move on. It’s time to fall back to Eastern Standard Time and vote.

And speaking of falling back, here’s an excerpt from my past blog post on some seasonal rituals that I fall back on during this time of the year:

“Do you have Autumn rituals? I do. It’s about accepting change in mind, body and soul. Nature changes with each new season. So must we. I believe that we all follow seasonal rituals whether conscious or unconscious that were passed down or learned along the way. I wonder what could be in an autumn ‘tool kit’? What do we need to do to open our hearts for this new season? What do you do to indulge your senses with sights, sounds, and scents of Autumn?”

Click here to read about my Autumn season rituals.

Yes, it’s been awhile since my last post. Here are some highlights:

Vegetables and flowers are still growing on my New York City roof. But the big surprises from my urban roof garden were the beans, squash and corn, a nod to my Native ancestors’ ‘Three-Sister Garden’ tradition. It was an experiment to grow corn. Actually, life as an urban gardener is a total experiment and an amazing journey.

Winona LaDuke, noted Native American environmentalist, political activist who keynoted the Community Food Systems Conference in Boston that I attended in 2017, inspired me. She recounted a story about a cousin who grew corn in a wooden crate. I copied what she said he did. It worked!

Mostly though, LaDuke’s message stayed with me. It was a message I heard before: “Listen to our ancestor’s. Prepare for the next seven generations. Protect and care for Mother Earth. Stop this culture of consumption! It’s totally not sustainable!”

 

And speaking about consumption—what are we consuming? A lot of bad news! My remedy is to unplug from social media. Once I’m unplugged, I become more intentional about caring for others and myself. It happened organically.

Gardening is my mindfulness meditation. But I did not know it when I first started. By caring for my garden, I noticed that I felt calm and connected.

My gardening experiences were very transformative for me. As a city girl, to intentionally plant a seed, hand-mix the soil, nurture and witness growth and reap a harvest—all of these gardening stages changed me. Like magic, I felt strong. I began to feel more strength between my mind, body and soul connections. Slowly, I began to reclaim artistic parts of me that I had neglected. Sometimes, I know I am channeling my ancestors.

What are your autumn transformation reflections?

 

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Witness, memory, autumn

purplebouquet

Witness and memory captures that sweet time between summer and winter called autumn. ‘Witness’ and ‘memory’ are also theme words used in an essay about the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture #NMAAHC. Poet Elizabeth Alexander’s piece Can I Get a Witness justified nicely why we need a place to recall our collective memory. Click here to read the full essay.

I was honored to attend the recent museum opening events, September 21-25, 2016 in Washington DC. At every entry point, the museum is filled with our ancestor’s precious objects, lost & found American history, and prideful moments.

#NMAAHC opening day
#NMAAHC opening day

Witnessing the museum was a sacred experience. It brought back nostalgia for the March on Washington. The museum opening was a giant black family reunion. Streets were blocked as busloads of excited folks arrived from Deep South places like Alabama and Tennessee.

For sure, many white and other ethnic cousins were there too! No other museum in the world can boast this kind of gathering of ‘beloved people,’ as Congressman John Lewis called us in his welcoming remarks. This is by far the best place to experience the meaning of multi-generational and multi-cultural. The displays above and below ground moved from slavery to freedom. Expect to witness people of all ages and backgrounds go from tears to joy during the course of a visit. Then, there was soul food. The cafe alone proves why there would be no America without us black folks!

bookmuseum

Autumn was THE perfect time to launch THIS museum. It gave everyone a jolt – that this is a new day, a new season. I invite everyone to go. Wear comfortable shoes. Click here for information.

Besides museum and gallery visits, autumn is a time to re-join swimming class at the YMCA. I’m in the kitchen more these days too. I’m inventing smoothie drinks with my new Vitamix blender. I’m also having fun making noodles out of root veggies with a new kitchen gadget.

Here is an excerpt to some my other autumn reflections, posted last year.

“Do you have Autumn rituals? I do. It’s about accepting change in mind, body and soul. Nature changes with each new season. So must we. I believe that we all follow seasonal rituals whether conscious or unconscious that were passed down or learned along the way. I wonder what could be in an autumn ‘tool kit’? What do we need to do to open our hearts for this new season? What do you do to indulge your senses with sights, sounds, and scents of Autumn?” Click here to read more.

How do you do autumn?