Outrageous Gardens!

Just a note to let folks know, problems with uploading on my website prevented me from adding the information on “The ‘ Secret’ of Outrageous Gardens,” which is now a downloadable handout. I also cannot put up information on a book giveaway for this month so maybe we’ll do two next time!

Since I can’t upload photos or videos at this moment, help me out by envisioning these glitches floating away so you can see the color and vibrancy of all the gardens we’ve worked with this year.  They are a testimony to the effectiveness of this type of garden as well as how small gardens, created where we live, keep us connected, interested, loving tenders of our food source.  Hope to be able to provide photos and more info very soon! Until then, check out the website of my friend, Steve McFadden and learn more about his new book, The Call of The Land, which will be available later this summer and, hopefully, on this website as well. (more…)

…Judy S. of Albuquerque, New Mexico, who won the drawing for Margaret Trost’s book On That Day Everybody Ate. Thank you, Margaret,  for donating this signed copy and shipping it pronto despite the fact that you just returned from a trip to Haiti. And if anyone reading this blog still hasn’t connected with her amazing work through the What If? Foundation, don’t waste another minute.

At the end of each month, I intend to offer a drawing for a book I believe can change our view of the world we live on or support our efforts to become more connected to it.  To be certain you know when the drawing will be, sign up for email updates to this site in the box on the right column.

Next up? What so many have asked for:  the “secret” of these outrageous gardens! (more…)

In honor of my birthday this week (and NO I’m not saying how many birthdays I’ve had!) I’m following the ancient practice of  celebrating by giving away an autographed copy of Margaret Trost’s amazing book, On That  Day Everybody Ate: One Woman’s Story of Hope and Possibility in Haiti.  This book chronicles Trost’s transformation through the waters of grief to her meeting with Fr. Gerard Jean-Juste in Haiti and the creation of their non-profit collaboration, the What If? Foundation which now feeds thousands of meals each week to the hungry children in Port-au-Prince.

This very personal and candid story is rich and vibrant in spite of the desperate situation Trost encounters. And for those not familiar with the politics of the region, you will come away with a much clearer understanding of how history has brutalized this tiny island almost since the first days it was settled by Europeans.

It’s a fascinating read and and you can support the Foundation’s work by purchasing more copies right on this website to share with your family, schools and book clubs.

To enter the drawing, simply send an email to outrageousgardener [at] yahoo.com with “Haiti” in the subject line.

Happy gardeners at 4th Street in Albuquerque, NM!

All emails must be received before midnight June 12th and the winner will be announced on Monday, 6/15.

 So Happy Birthday to all my fellow Geminis, Metal Tigers and Cancer risings. It’s been an amazing run, so far at least. 

Ah, so many gardens still left to grow, and so many gardeners yet to know!

 [Next time: The "Secret" of Outrageous Gardens]