The first full week of May ( 6th to 11th May) is "International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry. It is celebrated nationwide and in other countries each year during the first full week of May. The goal of ICAW is to work together to raise public awareness on why we all should be composting our organics and using compost to create healthier soil. The program includes poster and video contests in the fall and activities and events held during the week in May. Throughout the week of ICAW, events are held all over the country and the world with community, school, government and business planning different activities to encourage and celebrate composting – all types of composting – from backyard to large–scale composting" Also see: International Compost Awareness Week 2024 | Less Waste
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At home, whilst it’s not manic, there is always something to be done. However, I love pottering about and we have been having (another) small purge of all the “stuff” that has accumulated in the shed and greenhouse, as well as the ‘spare room’. We are guilty of keeping things that we think we might repurpose (that’s a very ‘in’ word, isn’t it?) and then a few months later it ends up in the recycling anyway. A friend is currently establishing a new charity shop in Gloucester and therefore my car is stuffed full of goods that will, hopefully, be of use to someone else as well as garnering funds for a worthwhile cause. It also means we might have room to swing-the-cat in the cottage too?!
However, what CtC deigns to leave the small contingency of blackbirds, finches, robins sparrows, wrens and, of course, Johnny and Mary (the pigeons) fight over. Never a dull moment.
So, as well as talking to the cat, I can also be found conversing with the seedlings and small plants developing in the greenhouse and congratulating the progress of the perennials and herbaceous plants in the beds. It was only five or six weeks ago that everything looked so bare, brown and dank but now it’s fairly brimming with vitality. What a difference…. thank goodness! Oh – by the way - apricity means the warmth of the sun in winter or on a chilly day!
So, I receive a number of subscribed emails or notifications and sometimes they can be a tad irritating as I think it can create additional low-level stress, encouraging more ‘busyness’ and information over-load. However, if you are keen to garner more ideas and inspiration then check out the following: Grow Your Own | Allotment Online Home - Thrive Spring Raffle 2024 | RSPB Spring Raffle 2024 Soil Association / Growing at home (soilassociation.org) April in the Garden | Gardening To Do List | Sarah Raven Organic Seeds - Vital Seeds - We help you grow food - Buy online now / Growing Resources - Vital Seeds Quality flower, fruit, herb & vegetable seeds – Seeds To Suit Grow Your Own - April advice and gardening tips / RHS Gardening Home - National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk) / Top tips & tutorials Archives - National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk) Garden Organic - Discover organic growing (via the Co-Op website) And here is the key advice for April:
Vegetables to grow in April:
Flowers and more to follow - but I must gather myself together for another day at the rockface!
I have not driven for a couple of weeks and of course as soon as I want to venture forth the road by our cottage has been closed off whilst cable of some sort has been laid. Naturally the utilities companies and council and highways agency do not seem to have the wherewithal to communicate with residents about this kind of thing. Subsequently it has been very frustrating for everyone - not knowing which roads are closed off, which diversions to follow.... or even if there are any! Complete joke. ANYWAY, we managed to get out of Winchcombe and with our middle-aged heads on went to our local garden centre - Gotherington Nurseries. I have done some planning and a little bit of research (with the emphasis on little), and have also been mindful of the [terrible] weather and the usual warnings about not being too hasty to plant anything tender outside, and to be careful of seed-sowing optimism. So, today I put some of those ideas into action and we spent a bit of time and more-than-expected money on quick-fixes for some spring-and-summer colour. I also bought more seeds as I do prefer to grow vegetables and herbs from seed. I think things seem to taste better if you can declare loudly "I grew that!". Such a show-off!
For about a week the medics were insistent that the pain in my back was a muscular strain and demonstrated some stretches to practice and advised to take over the counter pills. It was only when my mother threatened to call 999 that I visited the medical centre for the fourth time and convinced someone to take blood tests. Thank goodness … a day later the blood test results breakdown explained the urgency in which the surgery contacted me saying “can you get into us to see the doctor in the next hour or so?”.
The ‘sick note’ from the doctor gives an official diagnosis as “pyelonephritis and as a result hyperglycaemia’ . Basically, it was a pretty bad kidney infection which affected my blood sugar levels- I experienced a few scary ’hypos’ which is when the sugars are very low. Thankfully I haven’t had many of these in the past but some of the symptoms are distressing – especially if you don’t know why – and I had all of the following or a variation on a theme, on several occasions:
Last summer my diabetic nurse had advised that should my BGLs go below 5mmol/L then this was getting serious and to take a high glucose something-or-other. My readings went down to 3.2mmol/L – and it was awful! Apparently, if you have severe low blood sugar levels there is a danger of having a seizure or fit or becoming unconscious. Also, diabetes means that one is at a higher risk of future kidney problems, Deep joy. Anyway, the heavy-duty antibiotics kicked in after a couple of days and obviously worked as things have calmed down significantly over the past week. Thank goodness! As an aside, I am convinced that I have had a low-level kidney infection for months. As some of you are aware, I was off work for a number of weeks prior to Christmas and looking back I was suffering from many of the symptoms – including back pain – from October at least. Unfortunately, no blood tests were taken at that time and the focus was predominantly on anxiety because I was so tired and “not right” and certainly “not myself”. In the future I will insist on more tests! BUT to add insult to injury; on Monday last (26th Feb) I visited the dentist and was subjected to four or five attempts at anaesthetising the lower left jaw and then – when that eventually kicked in - to an hour of tugging and yanking and the triumphant removal of a large molar tooth! AND, I had to pay for the privilege…a snip at £200.00 (!) Still, I figure, that’s it – all the problems are over and done with and the rest of the year will be hale and hearty and healthy! Onwards and Upwards! I'm not a religious person but I do subscribe to the regular updates from a church in Sydney as I have supported a campaign of theirs in the past. Their charitable arm helps many homeless people, amongst others, as well as those with substance dependencies, mental health issues and social problems. I think the Pastor really knocks it on the head sometimes - and he is always interesting and often entertaining - so I thought I would copy his latest missive here, as food for thought: "Perhaps one of the reasons that discontent abounds stems from a Greek-influenced cultural legacy that idolises perfection in everything, and we always come up wanting. This deep-seated comparison is a sure recipe for misery. Growing up, I measured myself against the 120 kids in my small primary school by height, colour and aptitude, and frequently felt lacking. Now, technology allows children to compare themselves with everyone worldwide, intensifying feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. What if we sought other understandings of goodness, similar to those embraced by some ancient near east cultures and still practiced by many to this day, where goodness is found not within objects themselves but in the spaces between them? Imagine if we defined goodness by the quality of connections and relationships in our world between things in our beautiful creation? That’s a narrow, but far more rewarding path, where our well-being is indelibly interwoven with others, our Earth, and our universe. Our community gardening groups that gather each week, celebrate such a connection when they work together in nature. Observing the shared healing journey led by our beloved community gardener, Jon, and witnessing his expertise in action is a sight to behold. When the blue banded bees attract the other native bees and they both pollinate the rooftop plants, we’re offered a vivid glimpse into the tangible interconnected nature of all living things. A disaster is to be literally “disconnected from the stars” which happens in the cut and thrust of modern urban life, and even more so for those sleeping on concrete beds. Yet the simple act of plunging hands into the soil and curling toes into the earth can offer as much healing and grounding as a session with a therapist. I can’t help but wonder if my psychologist would agree. A woman twirled around our community cafe today, reeling from the place that ice had taken her. She danced freely about our group, and we momentarily paused our attempts to solve the world’s problems, to look upon her transfixed, in a moment of affection and understanding. Then one man, who had once walked her path but was now sitting clear eyed whispered, “I love you, my dear sister,” as she sashayed past. In that instant, there was goodness. No thought was given to personal worth. For a fleeting second, the world felt one step closer to healing, and we were all the richer for it. Thank you for being part of our Inner Circle, Jon Rev. Jon Owen CEO & Pastor Wayside Chapel, Potts Point NSW 1335" Wayside Chapel | Love Over Hate = website
I have known Roger and Susan since 1990 (ish) and although Roger has visited the UK a few times, tagging it on to business trips, it has been over 20 years since Susan and I have been in the same room! It was great to catch-up and – within an hour or so – feel that we had only seen each other just a few weeks ago! Isn’t that a fabulous experience to have? We also spent some time with my family – Roger and Susan met most of them years ago and even attended Ali and Ian’s wedding (1999). Naturally Mum gave them the grand tour of the ‘new’ house; Roger and Susan agreed that it is like Hogwarts! I do think it’s amazing that Christopher Columbus is credited with discovering America in 1492 (October) and Cross House was built in the early sixteenth century…. and has been occupied ever since! The layers of history are phenomenal. We also met up with a friend (and ex-colleague) of Roger’s who now lives in Cheltenham – having been based in San Francisco and then Canada (Toronto, I think) so it was quite an international event… over a game of cards and a combination of British Polo Gin (distilled in the Cotswolds), UK beers and local cheeses, cured meats and chutneys. One evening we enjoyed an Indian meal at the local Winchcombe Restaurant – fabulous Indian restaurant - and our farewell lunch was Thai, so we managed to cover most flavours and, in our opinion, this is always a positive indication of a good time had by all!?!
So, I’ve been for walks and tidied the garden and have even identified and signed-up for a yoga class. I have even paid for it ahead as this will ensure that I do turn up! It doesn’t sound much as I have always been a gym-member and taken part in some structured exercise programme (not that you’d know to look at me) but certainly over the past six months It has been difficult to garner the energy and subsequently the enthusiasm. Weird. Or maybe not.
Little steps, as they say
Hedgehogs eat as much as possible during October and November to prepare for hibernation, as they need to weigh between 500-700 grams in order to have the best chance of survival. Once they have reached the appropriate weight, and the average temperature has dropped to around 5°C, hedgehogs will be on the hunt for the perfect hibernation spot. They may hibernate under compost heaps or under garden sheds or decking, and sometimes they will collect leaves and twigs to create the perfect hibernation spot.
Dormice begin to hibernate in tiny woven nests between October and November, and do not emerge until April. Nesting takes place under logs, moss or amongst dead leaves at the base of hedges; dormice will choose a moist place to hibernate so that they don’t become dehydrated (water vapor is lost as they breathe) and so their fat reserves will last longer. During November, bats will hunt for appropriate hibernation spots, known as roosts. They will often choose underground caves, but can also roost in hollow trees, roofs and bat boxes, as long as the roosts are cool and remain at a constant temperature. Bats are particularly well adapted to hibernation. They are able to slow their breathing to only five breaths a minute in order to reserve energy. Other species, such as badgers, do not hibernate but enter a period of lower inactivity which is known as a state of torpor. Badgers will retreat into their setts during cycles of torpor that only last for around 29 hours and survive there without food when the weather is too harsh to venture outside. Other species that go into torpor include squirrels and amphibians. And here is a term I've never come across before - Brumation: a state of winter dormancy entered into by some cold-blooded animals as part of their normal annual rhythm. Yesterday I attended an event organised by the Great Western Air Ambulance charity (GWAAC). It is something that they must have done for a while but it was only via email correspondence over the past month that I first heard of it. As many of you know, the Air Ambulance attended my sister in March 2020 and since then I have raised some small funds for them by either selling seedlings and plants outside the cottage, and by promoting their work or campaigns in some way.
The "Celebration of Life" event was sensitively organised, without wall-papering over the cracks or skirting the issue of death. It was gentle and respectful and empathetic. Below is a scan of the whys and wherefores which were printed on the back of the programme. I think it explains the Sycamore / Forever Flying symbolism very well.
Having said that, I am my own worst enemy and can't switch off, can't sleep and worry too much.
Don't you think it is interesting that what the majority of us would refer to as a 'sicknote' from the doctor is actually called a "Statement of Fitness for Work". I have done a little research and this all changed in April 2010 and it has rather positive intentions, According to the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) in advice to employers: "Under the sick note system, doctors could only advise their patient on whether their health condition meant that they should or should not work. As a result many people who could benefit from support whilst in work, would be advised that they could not work. Their employers would not have had the opportunity to consider how they could help them achieve an earlier return to work. To help more people get the support they need to get back to work the new fit note system will mean that doctors can advise that your employee is either:
Makes sense. So, now you know!
Add, then, the combination of pagan and religious beliefs and interpretations into the mix and, surprise, surprise, even more convolution! So, a tradition developed whereby demonic faces were carved out of vegetables – originally turnips – called jack-o’-lanterns. This practise originated from an Irish myth about Stingy Jack, who tricked the Devil for his own monetary gain. The myth elaborated that when Jack died, God would not allow him into heaven, and the Devil wouldn’t allow him into hell, so Jack was sentenced to roam the earth for eternity. It was believed that the carved demonic faces would frighten away Jack’s wandering soul. Therefore, when Irish immigrants moved America, they began carving jack-o’-lanterns from pumpkins, as these were native to the region.
So, now you know!
So, it has been a fairly low-key couple of days - and much needed. Although I had a fairly sociable Saturday; after doing a boring 'big shop’ at the supermarket I then caught-up with my Mum and nieces, seeing the ‘new’ house and the recent building work (kitchen and wet room), and then visiting a friend. By time I got home I was ready for just ‘pottering’ about – lovely. Our immediate neighbour then invited me round for drinks and nibbles - that was at 6pm and I left at 9pm, after we put the world to rights whilst also imbibing a few Vodka Martinis! Highly tasty but also highly dangerous; thankfully it is only about ten yards from the neighbours' backdoor to our [only] outside door!! I did actually stagger into the house….!
I did feel a bit fuzzy at various stupid-o’clocks throughout the night but drank a lot of water and have been fine (so far) today. The cloud and early mist cleared to be beautiful sunny day and I was able to enjoy more pottering in the garden and even planted a load of [bought] wall-flowers, sown some sweet-pea seeds as well as gathering up fallen leaves and dead-heading or ‘pruning’ some plants. I like to think that I look like I now what I am doing whilst wielding the secateurs! I'll fill you in on the significance of this choice of Calvin and Hobbes cartoon at another time, when I can be bothered (!).
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