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| Punica granatum 'Nana,' dwarf pomegranate at Santa Rosa County Extension Center demo garden |
A few months ago I wrote an article for the
Earthworm, an on-line publication produced by Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners and, as far as I know, available only to Florida Master Gardeners. I am so glad that I was able to write something to help satisfy my hours-of-service requirement as well as my curiosity about pomegranates and their inclusion in some famous literature (Solomon's
Song of Songs, William Shakespeare's
Romeo and Juliet. When gardening and literature intersect for me, life is pretty darn sweet. One of these days I hope to write a book about gardening that inspires the next generation of gardeners.
The latest issue of
The Neighborhood Gardener, an on-line publication produced by UF/IFAS and--as far as I know--available to everyone, contains a lot of interesting information, but something in particular caught my eye. It's an article about the 2012 winners of the "Growing Good Kids Book Award." Aha! Something for me to aim for:
What about you? Do you aspire to inspire?
I think you'd be a good writer whatever genre you choose. Your wit, knowledge of literature, and applying it all to life makes your writing very superb.
ReplyDeleteTina, you are the world's premier blogging coach as well as gardening coach. Thanks for your encouragement.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. I agree what you say about books. I wish I could sometimes just inhabit the good ones that I've read.
ReplyDeleteI hope to inspire my grandkids to love nature, and God. I was so pleased when my grandson (who is normally fearful when out in nature) had a wonderful time at a State Park yesterday. We even saw a rattlesnake. He was scared, (we were in the car), but he was excited to see it as well. He also spotted a red headed woodpecker in a tree, and I was so proud!!! Yeah, baby...make Grandma proud!!!
ReplyDeleteHi W2W ... you certainly could engage many with your passion for the good things of life - wildlife, plants, knowledge of useful plants etc ...
ReplyDeleteRobert's words are good aren't they - just to inhabit some books to experience the seeds within ..
Cheers Hilary
I'll subscribe to Tinas comment....:)
ReplyDeleteMr. S, it would be nice to visit, but I'm not sure I'd want to live in some of them! I think it's more likely that the books inhabit us and remodel our thoughts.
ReplyDeleteJulie, that's an admirable and worthy goal. If our grandson is the only future gardener that I inspire, I'll be perfectly happy with that result.
Ms. Hilary, I think you have hit the nail, so to speak. Passion for something is what drives us on even when the obstacles seem insurmountable.
Well, thanks, TB. It means a lot to me.
WOW! Sounds great! I think you are already an excellent writer! Are you going to write about pomegranates? Please, please write about them. My mother had a large pomegranate tree in her garden in my hometown(past tense: it fell over in the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake). Red blossoms bloomed in spring and in autumn we collected its fruits, using a ladder!! The seeds(?) looked just like rubies and tasted sweet-sour.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sapphire. I'm not sure what the topic will be yet. It sounds like you could write about pomegranates yourself. Some information about the geologic history of Japan and how it's shaped your culture would really be interesting to add to the story. I believe the "seeds" are called arils, and yes, they are a bit on the sour side, which is just how I like them. I like things a little sweet but not too much of it!
ReplyDeleteDear Walk2write,
ReplyDeletewhat a great plan to write that book! And the books for children you show look cute - I am thankful for every child that can put a seed into the soil and see something grow.
My favourite children-garden-books are "The Secret Garden" and "Linnea im Garten des Malers" by Christina Björk and Lena Anderson, will be translated too.
You get to writing that book girl! You will be my hero to inspire the next generation! So many are inside behind computers and the such while missing out on so much in the great outdoors! You can do it...
ReplyDeleteBritta, it's incredible how many poems and stories feature gardens, even if just for a cameo appearance. A good imagination requires a garden just as much as a good garden requires imagination.
ReplyDeleteSkeeter, with you in the cheering section, how can I possibly miss the goal?
Having something published does seem to make one a "real" writer doesn't it - for me too. But honestly I think whatever is published is a beginning, and every time I think of Monet's water lilies, I think how many writers and poets he must have inspired!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your article. We are on a pomegranates lately as they are nice mixed into Greek yogurt with granola. I've never seen one growing before. I bet you will write a fabulous gardening book with interesting literary references too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I was really touched by your comment on my blog. I've learned a lot from seeing the world from you perspective too.
Ciss B, it's not likely that my article will ever be widely read, but that's okay. Gotta start somewhere. I agree with you about Monet. His work is dream-like, and the water lilies make you feel like floating.
ReplyDeleteLately I've noticed a lot of pomegranate this or that in the store, Sarah. I guess it's the antioxidant effect that makes them so popular. The fruit itself is a little strange in that not much of it is worth eating. I'm more fond of berries and citrus, but I might try growing a pom anyway. The dwarf variety is quite lovely in a garden. Oh, you're quite welcome about the comment. I remember that you were one of my first "followers" when I began the blog nearly five years ago. One of the best parts of the whole experience is the encouragement we give and receive. I'm so glad you've kept your blog going these past six years.
Definitely write a book, W2W! I agree with Tina--whether it's a gardening book or some other genre, I'd definitely read it.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to encourage my grandkids to at least enjoy nature, if not gardening itself. Nothing makes me happier than when they get excited about a "find" in my garden, whether it's a flower or a fat caterpillar.
Hi w2w,
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled about what you're going to write. Well my daughter is scheduled to give birth to a baby boy this March, the first grandson for me! I hope your book will be in time for the time I read it to him^_^
I've tried the fruit of pomegranate. It's not something so tasty besides not easy to eat for arils but it contains lots of estrogens which are said to be good for promoting beauty and health, especially female hormone so worth trying.
I hope my students are inspired to love science for all its wonders. I know my art has inspired others. I know our practice of inviting folk over for pizza has inspired others. And may my walk be filled with joy and hope to inspire others to be filled with spirit.
ReplyDeleteAnd this... I love how you connect your love of literature and gardening. Would be a fescinating book
ReplyDeleteRose, I know what you mean about encouraging the grands. You feel such a thrill when they light up at something they've found outdoors, especially the simplest of things. Oh, and thanks. It's good to know that my writing would occupy a place on someone's shelf or Nook or Kindle:)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Cosmos! I know how excited you must be. We have only one grandson (so far), and he is the joy of our lives. I hope that I will have a book available in time for you to read to your grandchild. You know, those ancient authors (Solomon and Shakespeare) must have had some inkling about the pomegranate's potential. They both connected it to romance and femininity.
Wayne, I would never doubt your ability to inspire others. I've been a witness these several years that I've been following your blog. The world needs more thinkers and doers of your calibre. Thank you.