Growing Gardens for Palestine

This is a new blog that will take shape with time... right now in starting this one out I have the seed of idea

Growing Gardens for Palestine

I am surrounded by gardeners and have been all my life. It is very much a blessing. I grew up with my mother's extensive country garden at Welaunee. My grandparents too had intriguing gardens of very different types.

My maternal grandmother, living in the city, had a charming enclosed and private space designed by my grandfather, running alongside the house. They had a roof over a large portion of it middle, proving shade and a ceiling fan to help stir the breeze.

My paternal grandfather in the suburbs had a thing about boxwood, and in addition to a traditional suburban garden, he planted a maze on the lot next door which was perfect for a child to meander through. It only came up to his knees, but a small child crawling really would get lost!

All throughout my childhood I remember various gardens of friends and family even better than I remember their homes.

When traveling I like to visit poet's homes and haunts- and local gardens. I have spent a lifetime acquiring books about poet's homes, art museums and many gardens. I like to look at the pictures and be lifted away into a better place. And now on the internet when I want to relax I meander out looking for beauty where ever I might find it. Sometimes I'll wander through an art museum- and sometimes I simply look at flowers or birds. Go to the right places and you can even listen to bird song.

The best gardens are real. But to become real they start from an idea. My husband is the gardener in our house. He even makes his own rich earth, collecting the autumn leaves and composting them over winter in two large black bins kept near our vegetable garden. He stirs the brew with a special stick and adds various natural ingredients depending on what he thinks it needs.

Every year our garden delights me even more.

He plants many things here, there and every where that attract birds and butterflies. And he arranges things so that our children have free space to play. Our children are now in their teens and their wild tumbling has now turned to more careful pursuits. The boys enjoy archery and have a target now over by the compost bins. I like watching our tall sons showing their friends how to hold the bow. Their father's garden is the backdrop and it never fails to make me feel that life is good, for there are good people who know how to garden.

My husband's family lives in the Middle East. His parents are both talented gardeners and all the space around their home has been cultivated with an eye for beauty as well as for the table. Their home is a wonderful place to be, and when we stay we also get to visit many cousins with lovely warm homes and welcoming gardens. My impression of the Middle East is of things that should be treasured and preserved. Modern homes with beautiful gardens as well as Minarets everywhere and mosaics and ancient Roman ruins... too much treasure to name and explain except to say it is all quite an invigorating mix !

I have noticed that few Americans know much about the Middle East beyond negative news and negative stereotypes. The most persistent negative stereotypes are usually about Palestinians.

This particular blog is not the place though to explain about the sorrow and the suffering of the children of historic Palestine.... my point here is to celebrate the beauty as well as the real history of Palestine.

Yesterday I read a fascinating article in the LA Times on a new garden celebrating Chinese culture. It was amazing! I was stirred to write them a letter in response:

REGARDING: Huntington Library's new garden celebrates Chinese culture
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-gardens17feb17,0,3859702.story

Dear Editor,

I very much enjoyed your story "Huntington Library's new garden celebrates Chinese culture". I was enchanted and delighted by the poetic meander into The Garden of Flowing Fragrance, where..." In flowing calligraphy, the garden is given life with poetic couplets and lyrical names evoking moonlight, verdant mist and jade camellias."

I want to go- I want to be able to wander about and simply be in that charming garden. I want it to become part of me and how I might view the world from this day forth... The story was intriguing and a pleasure to read, but still, already aware of the garden's fascinating beauty I was surprised when the photos (in the slide show) totally took my breath away! (Annie Wells/LA Times was the photographer)

The photographer's talent and eye for composition and color cast a spell on me. Living so far away and knowing I might never be able to actually walk through China- much less come celebrate the new Garden in suburban San Marino, I can not help but hope picture books and poems come out of this new creation- this timely blend of old with new and East and West and everything in between. May many a poet and many a dreamer and many a linguist and many an anyone find inspiration in this new garden. In love or alone it looks like a lovely place to wander.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

And so today I decided to start a new blog in order to plant the seed- the idea of Growing Gardens for Palestine.

Just as many of our most beloved flowers have been brought from afar, adapting gracefully to our climate, many Palestinians now live in American. In gardening Palestinian Americans have brought from their historic homeland what Palestine was- including what we in America tend to call 'Biblical Gardens" both flower and herb.

Most Palestinians are in forced exile, unable to return to their original homes and lands- and gardens.

In honor of Palestine- and a more positive way forward away from all the many very negative stereotypes, I propose "Growing Gardens for Palestine"

Right now it is only an idea. Do with it whatever you want. Grow your own version. Make it an essay or a poem or a blogged post or a picture. Make it a detailed blueprint or a quick sketch. Make it modern or traditional. Make it anything as long as it respects and honors Palestine in some way.

Feel free to come to my blog and leave a link in the comment section, or a message for me about what you think "Growing Gardens for Palestine" can be. Or simply this spring plant your own garden for Palestine where ever you might be. Let your own imagination, talent and hard work help bring forth something worth nurturing.

And for now at least, my plan is simply explore the idea in different ways myself. Posting ideas - I really have no clue what tomorrow might bring!
annie