Planning a garden is one step towards planting it and making it real:

There are two types of gardens world wide: The public garden and the private garden.

There are many themes and different ways to design a garden. In planting the seed of Growing Gardens for Palestine my idea is to encourage both.

On a private level we all have to power to plant and tend at least one thing. In Growing a Garden for Palestine with no money or space one can find a container, such as a mug that says Palestine and simply plant something pretty- or significant. And it can become a gift passed on to a friend.

Starting small one by one such gardens can grow into bigger things.

Many Palestinian Americans have stories of their parents and grandparents' gardens in historic Palestine. A precious heritage has been preserved in the tendency to want to nurture and grow useful herbs, tasty vegetables, succulent fruits and pretty flowers... and shade for on a hot summer's day.

Gardens are where our children play and where we find food and flavorings to bring to the table, as well as to share with family and friends. Gardens are gifts in many ways, both in their being as well as in what they can produce to give away. Gardens connect us to all of human history reaching back into the past, but they also very much connect us to the here and now.

In the Middle East gardens are simply gardens and there is no need to specifically grow a garden for Palestine as there are already many talented gardeners with ties to historic Palestine growing many beautiful gardens. But here in America there really is a need to use our imaginations and our ability to adapt for our climate differs and so do our needs and abilities and interests.

In Growing Gardens for Palestine here in America, my first thoughts were about public gardens, and how to create a public Garden for Palestine where various elements could be involved to express the past, present and future of Palestine in positive ways. A living memorial to a very precious, storied place.

Planning a garden is one step towards planting it and making it real.

I often think of a wonderful effort called "Playgrounds for Palestine". Playgrounds for Palestine was founded after Palestinian human rights activist, Susan Abulhawa, visited her home in Jerusalem after nearly 20 years in exile in August 2001. http://www.playgroundsforpalestine.org/our-playgrounds.php?ID=3 I really admire the way Susan has put her creative and intellectual energy into helping Palestine in positive ways.

In addition to Susan's Playgrounds for Palestine projects she is the author of a riveting novel that was the 2007 Winner of the Fiction & Literature, Historic Fiction category in the National Best Book Awards.. "The Scar of David is a historic fiction set in the lap of one of the 20th century’s most intractable political conflicts. Though the course of this story, a Palestinian boy grows up ..." http://scarofdavid.com/blog/index.php?page_id=5

According to the Playgrounds for Palestine web site biography of Susan "Every year she tries to cultivate a vegetable garden in her backyard, but only tomatoes will cooperate; so, she eats a lot of tomato sandwiches in the spring and summer months." I find that line delightful. It's the classic making lemons out of lemonade with an added twist- However here and now is not the place to ramble off into the culinary history of tomatoes (yet- who only knows where all this might lead!).

Susan and I do not live near each other but we do both live in Pennsylvania- Penn's Woods. Here in the northeast you won't find olive and orange trees- But we can grow some herbs and we can also dream about gardens and play with designs, each in our own way.

And so today the garden I might build if I had unlimited funds and a public place to put it, would be an eclectic mix with an eye to remembering historic Palestine in positive and respectful ways- both the people and the land.. I might not be able to plant an orange tree where we live, but I can have an apple tree.

So far, in my mind's eye, this imagined public garden for Palestine is only an opening into what might be....

The way in leads through what might be called an arch- it's a key shape cut out of rough hewn rock. It has a decorative wrought iron metal door that can be unlocked, opening out to let people in. The door itself is a thing of beauty, I am not sure if patterns or symbols would fit best, so for now I will leave that as a blur.

So far the shape to get into my imagined Garden for Palestine is reminiscent of a classic arched doorway, but it incorporates the shape of the symbol long cherished by so many Palestinian refugees: The key stands up straight and proud, and it becomes a play on positive and negative space, allowing us to become part of the key itself as we walk into the garden....

This key shaped entry is only wide enough for one, or maybe two walking closely together, to walk into our Garden for Palestine. One by one the garden fills...

On opening day hot tea in little glasses would be served off trays, and so would Za'atar along with olive oil and warm fresh baked Arabic bread.
annie

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