I learned that 99% of the biomass of our planet is plant and tree material. In other words, all the animals (including insects) make up only 1% of the biological material in our world. Maybe we should be protecting this aspect of life! I doubt the biological balance of our planet would function without the 99% who do all the work. (sound familiar?) I have a new appreciation for the plant allies in my garden, and I have been making journal pages honoring the attributes of the green (and brown and red and purple) friends I get to spend time there with every day.
In fact, weeding our garden is my favorite break from work -- my studio is in our walkout basement, so all I have to do is turn my head to see the beauty in our yard. Right now a purple clematis is showering the arch trellis in brilliant purple flowers. Just a glance brightens my outlook.
Here is my little ode to garlic - one of the many vegetables and herbs we enjoy:
“Garlic used as it should be used is the soul, the divine essence, of cookery.
The cook who can employ it successfully will be found to possess the delicacy of perception, the accuracy of judgment, and the dexterity of hand which go to the formation of a great artist."
--Mrs. W. G. Waters,’The Cook's Decameron’
