Berry, Reese, & Pitts

The two editorials in the Valdosta Daily Times today by Charlie Reese and Leonard Pitts at first glance did not seem to be about the same topic. I did find a connection and it was due to my recent discovery of the writings of Wendell Berry. The main concept that I was able to connect with these three writers was the knowledge of loss of community. A revolutionary slogan turned into a pr campaign, reported by Pitts, and the inability of the UN to be effective, reported by Reese, are both symptoms of a global corporate entity.
Berry says that national and global communities do not exist. A community only exists at the local level. It is only at that level that anything can be achieved that will actually make a difference.
I am doing my part and it starts with my vegetable garden. The food I gather is produced by me. I started the seeds, nourished the small plants, and finally pulled the dying bean vines out of the ground to go back to the compost to enrich my next round of growing. Gardening is subversive because it really does represent freedom from the whims of the outside world. I will plow up that lawn and I wonder how the city will feel about a few chickens.

VSU

The map showing the plans for the pedestrian-friendly campus are up on the website. It will be an improvement.

pole beans

Today I picked another pound or so of pole beans. That makes about 7 quarts that I will have harvested off of a 25 ft row planted between 3 trees. Tomatoes are another thing. We have yet to harvest one tomato and there are only about 6 on the vines. The zucchini have quit producing but the eggplant are providing us with all we need. They don't pickle very well though. The zucchini pickle quite well.

Allied Media Conference

This is my first post on the first day of the conference. But first, last night, it was an acoustic performance by three guys. Rob Williams from Waitsfiied VT was the mc and opening act for Joe Jencks of Seattle and Casey Neill from Brooklyn and Portland. It was an old fashioned folk fest from the sixties. Casey Neill has a Bob Dylan-like voice with a lot more ironic humor. Joe Jencks brought a tear to my eye with his memories of family. A great time was had by all.
If you are ever in Bowling Green OH go to Easy Street Cafe and order the French Onion Soup.
More as the weekend goes on.

I have arrrived at the Allied Media Conference. I am a bit early so I am exploring the BGSU Campus.

After hearing all the rumors about the demolition of the historic houses on GA. Ave someone has finally brought it to the public’s attention. Michael Pitts’s letter to the editor was published in the VDT today. Pitts is president of the Brookwood North Neighborhood Association. The only information I have found on this demolition project is in the 582 page Master Plan for the University. Demolition projects are listed but some are listed only as building numbers. Go to the VSU website to download this doc. www.Valdosta.edu

Digging in the Dirt

It starts with a few tomato seeds. Before you know it, a load of dirt has been delivered and flowers are planted and mulch is spread and an urban garden begins. Here, in what has been referred to as “Midtown Valdosta,” the gardens of an old house, circa 1906, are being restored and renewed.

The 10-foot camellias and heirloom azaleas are being rescued from the clutches of the Smilax vines. These opportunistic vines seem almost to have a mind of their own as they seek out places to latch onto with their tendrils. They change shape and color in their growth as they creep into every nook and cranny. The early shoots look and taste like asparagus. I believe Euell Gibbons would have devoted a whole chapter to this strange creature. The root of the Sarsaparilla (Smilax officinalis) has many uses and is now being marketed in health food stores.

The birds especially enjoy the fresh-turned earth and the leaf mold. The morning chorus starts before daybreak and is a delight to hear. The five new blueberry bushes, purchased at Harvey’s Supermarket for 6.99, were already filled with ripe blueberries. The birds delight in snipping off the small new growth. Netting will have to be used next year to save a few berries for cereal and muffins.

The small pond has a few goldfish and an excellent population of tadpoles. The frogs serenaded for weeks and the offspring are doing well. A large flowering plant was allowed to grow near the pond and appears to be a native hibiscus with large bright red torpedo-shaped blooms. It is killed by the cold but comes back bigger and better each spring. This is its third year of prolific growth.

The climate is conducive to year-round growth and plans are for cole and lettuce crops for the winter. Perhaps a few potatoes also will be attempted in the old compost piles.

The garden is addictive but at least it is a good addiction.

Thurday, May 26

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