Gratitude Lounge Welcome! We are glad you are here. This is an open space where everyone belongs, and everyone is welcome. Please introduce yourself as you feel comfortable and join in sharing your experience of grateful living. To get started you might reflect upon questions such as these: What am I grateful for? What is grateful living inspiring me to do? What are some blessings in my life (including ones in disguise)? How am I being supported right now? What connects me to wonder, awe, or a sense of the sacred? You are welcome to include images and links for videos to illustrate your reflections. Honor our Community Terms & Conditions Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Notify me when someone replies to my comment via e-mail. Mary3 weeks agoMaryI’m responding to Anna’s post and Palm and Mica’s response about Tuesday prayer day and Ursula. Time goes by! I can’t believe it’s been 3 years since we lost Ursula. I remember her husband posting in the Gratitude Lounge to let us know that Ursula had passed. He posted a beautiful picture of Ursula, likely taken before she was ill. She was sitting in a stairwell, smiling radiantly, wearing a long skirt that swirled around her legs. Ursula was a lovely young woman, in her thirties, ...I’m responding to Anna’s post and Palm and Mica’s response about Tuesday prayer day and Ursula. Time goes by! I can’t believe it’s been 3 years since we lost Ursula. I remember her husband posting in the Gratitude Lounge to let us know that Ursula had passed. He posted a beautiful picture of Ursula, likely taken before she was ill. She was sitting in a stairwell, smiling radiantly, wearing a long skirt that swirled around her legs. Ursula was a lovely young woman, in her thirties, I think. She had two teenaged sons. She wanted to live for her famlily and she just wanted to live. She loved to be in nature and went for walks most days. She loved the trees and she loved the sun of her native Austria. Ursula managed to live much longer than her doctors expected. Those of you who didn’t know her, well I think you would have loved her. Remembering our dear and lovely Ursula. ♥️♥️♥️ Read More8 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaThank you, dear Mary, for sharing about Ursula. 🙂 Yes, when you mentioned ‘photo’, the image you described came to me. I didn’t know her well – probably I arrived here near her end – but her presence here in the Lounge was memorable. 1 Reply Mary2 weeks agoMary♥️♥️♥️ 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioYay! Today I was finally successful at catching a deermouse ALIVE. It was in the basement and we (my husband and son were so excited) were able to release it outdoors, where after a minute of disorientation, it went hopping off through the grass to freedom! It was so happy, I forgot to take a photo, but this is what the little guy looked like (from A-Z Animals). I am thankful for wildlife… just not in my house, please! 🐭 3 Reply ch2 weeks agoch👏 How did you do it? 1 Reply Holly in Ohio2 weeks agoHolly in OhioI have a live-trap mouse trap that I purchased on Amazon. The real trick is in remembering to check it daily! 1 Reply Mary2 weeks agoMarySuch a kind thing to do, Holly. And how lovely how your family did this and rejoiced together. Heartwarming. 🥰 1 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaThank you, Holly! I was surprised that your photo had such a background, and now I see why. Its eyes are just like my dear little Brownie's eyes. Its whiskers are longer. Brownie didn't have such a pointy nose, so she didn't need such long whiskers to tell her whether the space she was entering was too narrow for her body to fit through. May your photo serve as an In Memoriam for Brownie, who died around 7am Thurs morn - she was still warm and soft when I found her. She had been having health pr...Thank you, Holly! I was surprised that your photo had such a background, and now I see why. Its eyes are just like my dear little Brownie’s eyes. Its whiskers are longer. Brownie didn’t have such a pointy nose, so she didn’t need such long whiskers to tell her whether the space she was entering was too narrow for her body to fit through. May your photo serve as an In Memoriam for Brownie, who died around 7am Thurs morn – she was still warm and soft when I found her. She had been having health problems, but when I left her Wed eve, she was enjoying a meal of organic curly kale and TJ’s Soycatash. She had developed a jaw problem that prevented her from eating hard piggie food, and I expect she barely ate the soft moistened food, because human food was so much more fun to eat. I’m amazed at all the places where I grieved for her – my eyes, throat, heart, middle of the chest, and belly. ‘Heart ache’ has a new reality for me. But so many of you have grieved so much greater losses! And my adult daughter wants to go with me to look for a cat. Read More2 Reply ch2 weeks agochMica, I am so sorry for you ❤️ 2 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaThank you, dear ch 🙂 2 Reply Mary2 weeks agoMaryMica. I am so sorry to hear this. I think I have been grieving these days, and reading about your losing Brownie has brought me to tears. I feel this for you in my eyes, my jaw, especially my throat, my chest, around my ribs. She was so tiny and sweet, I am sure. We love our animals so dearly, don’t we. I know what you mean about the heart truly aching. Thank you for telling us about Brownie, dear Mica and what this has felt like to you. My heart grieves with yours, my friend. ♥️ Mary 2 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaThank you, Dear Mary! Yes, eyes seem like one of the 'energy centers' in our body, too, don't they? Your words are helping me grieve when I was sort of putting grief behind me. There is a good feeling in that. Actually, Brownie was a '2-pounder' but smaller than the tiniest dogs in our community. Surprisingly, I think the best time I had with her on my lap was just after she died. She wasn't wanting to get off my lap, and I wasn't restless about wanting to move around but not wanting to bother h...Thank you, Dear Mary! Yes, eyes seem like one of the ‘energy centers’ in our body, too, don’t they? Your words are helping me grieve when I was sort of putting grief behind me. There is a good feeling in that. Actually, Brownie was a ‘2-pounder’ but smaller than the tiniest dogs in our community. Surprisingly, I think the best time I had with her on my lap was just after she died. She wasn’t wanting to get off my lap, and I wasn’t restless about wanting to move around but not wanting to bother her. And I’m remembering her dear sister Skippy, too, who was the first of the piggies to make such wonderful eye contact with me. I’m lucky my loss is so small! [2 pounds 🙂 ]. But a former neighbor once said he grieved more over the loss of his dog than the loss of his dad – his dad was busy signing financial papers as he died and, indeed, our neighbor was affluent enough that he didn’t need to work. Read More1 Reply Mary2 weeks agoMarySending love 2 Reply Holly in Ohio2 weeks agoHolly in OhioOh, ((((dear Mica)))) We have some connection I can’t explain. I had been thinking about Brownie this week, with a sense of forboding. I was asked this week about my next craft project. I didn’t say then, because I wanted it to be a surprise. But it has to do with Brownie. I am knitting a little Guinnea Pig. I got eyes for it two days ago… Thursday. 😢 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ 2 Reply Mary2 weeks agoMary♥️♥️♥️ 1 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaWow – Thursday, the day she died – that’s amazing! It does seem as if there are connections that ‘science’ hasn’t yet discovered, doesn’t it?! Tho sad, I am enjoying a table top without a scruffy piggie cage on it, and carpet that is no longer accumulating piggie poo and hay. I rearranged my tables and my eating places to soften the blow of no longer having her eating beside me, much like how I rearranged things for Brownie to distract her from the loss of her sister Skippy 2 yrs ago. 2 Reply Holly in Ohio2 weeks agoHolly in OhioGood idea. I have been giving more attention to my elderly kitty, Fisher, who seems to be in decline but hanging on. He still purrs every day and he came for attention this morning and got on my lap, but he sleeps a lot more and is getting stiffer when he walks and a little wobbly. He's still enjoying life, however, and is presently dreaming in a little cardboard box he's taken as his own. I'm glad Brownie was happy to the last. She is probably nibbling her favorites now in Guinea pig heaven....Good idea. I have been giving more attention to my elderly kitty, Fisher, who seems to be in decline but hanging on. He still purrs every day and he came for attention this morning and got on my lap, but he sleeps a lot more and is getting stiffer when he walks and a little wobbly. He’s still enjoying life, however, and is presently dreaming in a little cardboard box he’s taken as his own. I’m glad Brownie was happy to the last. She is probably nibbling her favorites now in Guinea pig heaven. Rearranging furniture is a good idea once in a while… to shake things up and give a new perspective. It can help us to notice new things. You and I have lost many friends over the years. It just makes our hearts bigger over time. There is always room for more love, even though we never forget our dear friends. Read More1 Reply Rabbit3 weeks agoRabbitOh, I just love this. I haven’t saved anything so big and cute but I keep busy saving any little bug that shows up in the house. One life at a time renewed. 2 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioWe do, too, Rabbit! I learned recently that spiders are a symbol of good luck. I bet it is twice the good luck if we let them go! 1 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaI love spiders! 🕷️ I’m amused that they’re a good luck symbol, because people are so afraid of them. Spiders did, indeed, bring me good luck in my research on their webs, 🕸️ which made the local news long ago. 2 Reply Holly in Ohio2 weeks agoHolly in OhioI learned they are a symbol of good luck at President Garfield's house. The Tiffany company made the wallpaper in the upstair hallway, which was reproduced using a photo of the original. There are spiders worked subtly into the pattern, commissioned by Garfield's widow after his assasination. I don't have a great photo of it, but it is here. You won't be able to see the spiders, though, they are very small. All the wallpapers in the house were gorgeous, and some very William Morris in nature. Th...I learned they are a symbol of good luck at President Garfield’s house. The Tiffany company made the wallpaper in the upstair hallway, which was reproduced using a photo of the original. There are spiders worked subtly into the pattern, commissioned by Garfield’s widow after his assasination. I don’t have a great photo of it, but it is here. You won’t be able to see the spiders, though, they are very small. All the wallpapers in the house were gorgeous, and some very William Morris in nature. The symbol of the spider as good luck goes back at least to ancient Rome, but in 17th century England it was thought to attract money. Spiders crop up as good luck in other traditions, too. Read More 0 Reply Christine3 weeks agoChristineSo sweet, Holly 😍. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioThe deer mice have such big eyes, Christine! 😊 1 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaMore ‘true’ in 1700, when he was alive, than now, when we know about the nutritional aspects of sunshine as light energy: What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable. JOSEPH ADDISON 1 Reply pkr3 weeks agopkrFor Rabbit & All here, from my garden.❤️ 5 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaThank you dear 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioThat is lovely! I bet the bees like it, too! 😊 0 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaThank you, pkr 🙂 1 Reply Rabbit3 weeks agoRabbitSo lovely pkr. Thank you for adding beauty to my day and everyone else’s day too. I just love looking at the dappled light one the flowers and leaves and the shadows on the ground. I have had a new appreciation for shadows lately. There is beauty in them. 4 Reply Rabbit3 weeks agoRabbitWhat will you see to add beauty to your life today? 5 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaWow – thanks Rabbit – I’ve not seen beauty like that today! 🙂 1 Reply Mike S3 weeks agoMike S Psalm 121 Song by a wonderful choir from South Africa. Wishing you all the best this day.💕 1 Reply Rabbit3 weeks agoRabbitThese pictures go along with my reply to Christine on the daily question. 2 Reply ch2 weeks agochThank you, Rabbit. This was a nice surprise for me. I just finished reading “Walden” yesterday and I liked it very much. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioThank you, Rabbit! That is just the kind of place I liked to visit in New England. Thoreau and Emerson were close friends. If you and Christine enjoy reading Thoreau, you will probably also enjoy Emerson, and possibly John Muir, the American naturalist. When you read Thoreau and Emerson, you will see they shared many of the same ideas, things that were probably worked out in their conversations. Emerson had some other amazing writer friends, including the Alcotts and Nathaniel Hawthorne! Thank...Thank you, Rabbit! That is just the kind of place I liked to visit in New England. Thoreau and Emerson were close friends. If you and Christine enjoy reading Thoreau, you will probably also enjoy Emerson, and possibly John Muir, the American naturalist. When you read Thoreau and Emerson, you will see they shared many of the same ideas, things that were probably worked out in their conversations. Emerson had some other amazing writer friends, including the Alcotts and Nathaniel Hawthorne! Thank you so much for showing us the cabin! 🙂 Read More0 Reply Rabbit2 weeks agoRabbitHi Holly, I posted another picture in the related to Thoreau and other author’s of the time. Rabbit (Jan) 0 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaTime for me to go to the question and see your answer – thank you Rabbit 🙂 1 Reply Christine3 weeks agoChristineWonderful, thank you Rabbit 💞 1 Reply Rabbit3 weeks agoRabbitPlease find some joy in you day and share it with someone. 6 Reply lotus blossom3 weeks agolotus blossomlovely and delicate! thanks for sharing, Rabbit. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioBeautiful! Thank you! 🤗 0 Reply pkr3 weeks agopkrHi All, wondering if someone can share how do I post a photo here? I want to share with Rabbit & others flowers from my garden. Thanks for your help. 1 Reply Rabbit3 weeks agoRabbitHi pkr, After you get here, there is a line that says, “Share your reflection.” Under that it says Choose Files. If you click it, it should give you an option to go to your photo library. Click select, click on the photo you want to share, and then click Done. Then click Add Your Voice. It is different on a PC. Reply back if you need those steps. Hope I have the steps right and it works. Looking forward to your photos. Rabbit 1 Reply pkr3 weeks agopkrRabbit, thank you so much for the tutorial! I was able to post a pic, although the agapanthus’ are much more stunning in person. Thx for your help. Have a joy filled day,❤️🌸🌻🌼 1 Reply Annie3 weeks agoAnnieGood morning dear friends! I am so excited and motivated. Last week I started Weight Watches. I love my new lifestyle. I thought I was eating healthy before....(minus all the cookies, and many carbs). I lost 4 lbs in my first week! Four down and 30to go. So many zero points I can eat as much as I want of fruits, veggies, brown rice, eggs, whole wheat pasta and so many other freebies ! With that being said off to the kitchen to make some steel cut oatmeal (another zero point). And my coffee which...Good morning dear friends! I am so excited and motivated. Last week I started Weight Watches. I love my new lifestyle. I thought I was eating healthy before….(minus all the cookies, and many carbs). I lost 4 lbs in my first week! Four down and 30to go. So many zero points I can eat as much as I want of fruits, veggies, brown rice, eggs, whole wheat pasta and so many other freebies ! With that being said off to the kitchen to make some steel cut oatmeal (another zero point). And my coffee which I add brown sugar and creamer. Breakfast only 2points. 18 points per day ! Weigh in Saturday ….60 ounces of water per day is my goal . And it is easier than I thought it would be 🙂 Bye now !!!! Read More7 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioAwesome, Annie! YAY you on the self care! Way to go! I might be following suit, soon. I reached the breaking point one day with this skin rash, and talked to my husband about my needing a diet makeover. I am so happy for you! 🤗 0 Reply Annie3 weeks agoAnnieThanks Holly 🙂 I weighed in today a day early but I am down another 3 lbs!!! Way to go me 🙂 I am totally enjoying this journey 🙂 It is sensible healthy eating. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioThis is so exciting! 😄 0 Reply Annie3 weeks agoAnnieGood morning Holly ! I just had a yummy breakfast :) My friend told me a great low point breakfast. Egg sandwich ...Fiber One English muffin, Velveeta (1 slice) cheese, Jones Canadian bacon 1slice ...3 slices is 1 point but 1 zero ! Total 4 points for breakfast that include my coffee which I use 1 tsp brown sugar ...Coffee Mate sugar free zero point ! I hope and pray I can take 10lbs or more by the end of this month. Yesterday I felt bad cause I didn't exercise. But I'll make up for it today ...Good morning Holly ! I just had a yummy breakfast 🙂 My friend told me a great low point breakfast. Egg sandwich …Fiber One English muffin, Velveeta (1 slice) cheese, Jones Canadian bacon 1slice …3 slices is 1 point but 1 zero ! Total 4 points for breakfast that include my coffee which I use 1 tsp brown sugar …Coffee Mate sugar free zero point ! I hope and pray I can take 10lbs or more by the end of this month. Yesterday I felt bad cause I didn’t exercise. But I’ll make up for it today 🙂 I couldn’t have done this without Jesus…I prayer He would give me the strength to do this …And boy oh boy He did !!! I am so so motivated nothing will stop me. This is a great food plan ! Have a great day ! Read More0 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaThat’s wonderful news, Annie! So much better than my daughter’s Jenny Craig diet, where she buys all her food from them and loses weight but then she gains weight after she stops the diet. So many good foods you can eat 🙂 !! 1 Reply Annie3 weeks agoAnnieHi Mica ! I know what you mean…My daughter did Jenny Craig years ago. It’s not so good doing it that way. Sure it’s easy to pop dinner in the micro ..But WW is a change of lifestyle. Eating differently and not depriving yourself of food. I lost 3 more lbs ! Yay me !!! 1 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaAmazing weight losses, Annie! I invited my daughter to brunch but she invited me to a Jenny Craig brunch at her place instead, which is how I found she was back on the diet. I declined 🙂 but we’ll get together soon – to look for a cat to replace my guinea pig who died! 0 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaTwo Old Men – A Folktale by Leo Tolstoy retold by Br. David Steindl-Rast I stumbled across this, which came up just after a very different youtube movie trailer that I had just watched. Clearly it had your name on it, fellow ‘Grateful Loungers’ 🙂 3 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioWOW. What a lovely story! It is very timely. Earlier this month was “the first post-pandemic haj.” I watched the news coverage on television. They were talking about how they had a lottery for who could visit, and the very young and the very old could not go this time. I was thinking how disappointing is must be for some of the old, who very much wanted to go. 1 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaThank you, Holly – that pic is indeed appropriate for Leo Tolstoy’s story, isn’t it?? ‘Pilgrimage’ is indeed achieved without going to a specific place 🙂 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioIt was such a lovely story that Brother David shared, and a wonderful reminder, that whatever our means, we can have a “pilgimage.” 🙂 1 Reply Rabbit3 weeks agoRabbitA day lily for you. May a flower will brighten your path this day. 6 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaWhat a fancy frilly edge on the petals – thanks, Rabbit! 🙂 1 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaA few days ago I remembered Tuesday as a day of prayer, a holy day, celebrated in this Lounge for a dear friend who died, almost exactly 3 years ago, while she, sick, weak but courageously strong and kind, was still posting here. Today, Tuesday is coming to its natural end in this very hot European summer. I greet you all here, and from my deepest heart I offer a prayer for you, thinking of her and speaking, in my own way, with God. 7 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryReplying to you above on Friday evening. 1 Reply Anna2 weeks agoAnnaI have read it, thank you dear Mary. 0 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmDear Anna, you brought me back in time 3 years ago when I was in a foreign country, feeling lonely and receiving the sad news about Ursula’s passing.. it reminds me that the Lounge was my anchor at that time… thank you, friend, I have so much to be grateful for.. Sending love to you and everyone ❣️ 3 Reply Mary2 weeks agoMaryHi Palm. I remember that day well. For some I couldn’t believe she had actually passed. It is good to hear from you Palm. I miss you. ♥️ 0 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaDear Anna and Palm, thank you for sharing – I was fairly new to the gratefulness site at that time, and I’m grateful to you for reminding me of those days 🙂 4 Reply lotus blossom3 weeks agolotus blossombeautiful, Anna, thank you. 4 Reply Rabbit3 weeks agoRabbitDay lilies are a reminder that there is something to be new grateful for every day. Since I posted my lily garden I thought I would post some close ups for a few days. A reminder to look for what is beautiful today. 8 Reply lotus blossom3 weeks agolotus blossomthank you, Rabbit. what a pleasant reminder. i love your day lilies. 1 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaWonderful! 1 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryI love daylilies. Especially the doubles! Such colors! 2 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioI finally finished knitting these lace kneehigh socks. They are “blocking” now. It always makes me happy to finish a project! And now I get to pick a new project! 🤗 5 Reply lotus blossom3 weeks agolotus blossomimpressive, Holly. i love your knee-highs! do let us know what that next project might be.. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioThank you, Lotus Blossom! 0 Reply Rabbit3 weeks agoRabbitLovely Holly. Someone will be warm and cozy this winter. They look so soft too. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioThank you, Rabbit. 🙂 1 Reply Drew Blanton3 weeks agoDrew BlantonI’m on a boat in this photo. The lake’s called Hartwell. 6 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaThere it is in google – South Carolina Parks – Go, Drew! Enjoy! 🙂 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioDid you photoshop that off? Where did it go? I think I’m losing my mind over here! 😄 0 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioAre you growing a beard, Drew? I looks great! That lake looks lovely! It’s nice to be out on the water in summer. 0 Reply Rabbit3 weeks agoRabbitDay lilies know all about beginning anew. Each day. May you find beautiful flowers in your path today. 9 Reply pkr3 weeks agopkrRabbit, thank you for posting this beautiful photo of day lillies.. ❤️ I will try to post a photo of all the beautiful purple agapanthus, growing in my garden. They are stunning & a favorite of the hummingbirds. Have a day filled with flowers! 🌸🐝🌼 2 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaLily of the Nile! I knew the name ‘agapantus’ was familiar, pkr – fun! 1 Reply Michele3 weeks agoMichelebeautiful:) 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioThank you! You, too, Rabbit! 🙂💐 1 Reply Pilgrim3 weeks agoPilgrimLovely! I miss all my day lilies from my former home. All those colors! 3 Reply Mary2 weeks agoMaryI love day lilies too. The hybrids are so gorgeous. We had the simple yellow gold ones in my home as a child. Unlike the hybrids, they were practically indestructible. I love them all! Good to hear from you Pilgrim! 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioToday I am grateful for rain and somewhat moderate weather. So many places, including places where dear friends are, are experiencing drought or flood. My thoughts are with you. I have been gardening a lot this last week and you would laugh if you saw me... I am pink and blotching with calamine lotion all over. I have both been attacked by midges again, VERY THANKFULLY I am not having as severe a reaction this time, though the bites are in clusters all over, and I have picked up poison ivy so...Today I am grateful for rain and somewhat moderate weather. So many places, including places where dear friends are, are experiencing drought or flood. My thoughts are with you. I have been gardening a lot this last week and you would laugh if you saw me… I am pink and blotching with calamine lotion all over. I have both been attacked by midges again, VERY THANKFULLY I am not having as severe a reaction this time, though the bites are in clusters all over, and I have picked up poison ivy somewhere… perhaps from weeding the neighbor’s yard, LOL.😂 So I am itchy, but it could be much worse! And the gardens are looking much better, which I consider a more than fair trade-off! I planted a fall garden bed of veg… actually two veg beds that are presently getting watered by nature. Some things are just coming up. There is lettuce, arugula, spinach and radishes, but the carrots and peas will take longer. Enjoy! Read More 1 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaYou are in luck dear Holly, the drought here is severe, and my garden is yellow, almost dry everywhere. There is a very severe high pressure area coming from Africa. Anyway, we are waiting for photos of your lettuce and arugula! 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioDear Anna, I have been hearing about your drought. It almost seems Australia has your rain this year. They have terrible flooding this year. I am so sorry for both. Have you heard of the deep mulch method? I've seen people in the Arizona desert and the Jordan desert who are doing deep mulch and are able to garden very well with very little water. They grow some trees, too, and it helps keep the garden cooler so that they can grow flowers and vegetables. The mulch helps regulate the temperatu...Dear Anna, I have been hearing about your drought. It almost seems Australia has your rain this year. They have terrible flooding this year. I am so sorry for both. Have you heard of the deep mulch method? I’ve seen people in the Arizona desert and the Jordan desert who are doing deep mulch and are able to garden very well with very little water. They grow some trees, too, and it helps keep the garden cooler so that they can grow flowers and vegetables. The mulch helps regulate the temperature, too. And in Mexico they make olla pots to hold water and release it slowly into the earth below the surface. Olla pots are just two ordinary clay pots glued together, you seal the hole in the bottom pot and after you bury it in the soil you pour water into the top pot’s hole and it releases the water slowly. I believe any couple thnat could build a great mouse trap can figure out new ways of gardening in our weather-challenged world. ☺🌍 I still hope you get rain, soon! 🌧 Read More 1 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaThank you dear Holly for your suggestions, I will take them into account. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioAnna, are you close to Abruzzo? There is an English couple there renovating an old Italian farm. They are using a deep mulch method and their garden is looking quite good, though it has been dry. The name of the place is Brambletye Farmhouse, and you can look them up on YouTube. They have not been their long, and they are trying to document their progress. Lynn said she is watering once a day. 3 Reply Rabbit3 weeks agoRabbitMaybe you can post a couple pictures of them growing. 🙂 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioI will! 🙂 I know it is hard to get excited about germination uless you’re a gardener, lol… 🌱 Did I post a face only a mother could love? 😂 1 Reply Butterfly3 weeks agoButterflyHa ha, Holly 😂 Your seedlings are beautiful and have reminded me that I must sow some more lettuce seeds. I am growing mixed lettuce called Saladini in trays indoors in front of my full length window. Last month’s sowings are just starting to take shape so I need to to sow again to be eating lettuce in 6-8 weeks time. Sorry to hear you’ve been eaten alive. Is there some insect repellent you could spray yourself with before going gardening? 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioOH! Your lettuce sounds WONDERFUL! I will be setting up a small hydroponics for my lettuce for winter, but this year I think I will grow it outside, too. I have not been successful growing spinach indoors, though some people do, so I planted some outdoors. It's raining cats and dogs here right now! I was dumb. I should have sprayed myself when I was working outside so much. This is a new experience for me. Until 2021 I didn't have a problem with insect bites or with poison ivy. I could pull...OH! Your lettuce sounds WONDERFUL! I will be setting up a small hydroponics for my lettuce for winter, but this year I think I will grow it outside, too. I have not been successful growing spinach indoors, though some people do, so I planted some outdoors. It’s raining cats and dogs here right now! I was dumb. I should have sprayed myself when I was working outside so much. This is a new experience for me. Until 2021 I didn’t have a problem with insect bites or with poison ivy. I could pull poison ivy and not get it. I’m still getting used to this change in my body. It is not an easy thing being a gardener and so vulnerable to bites and things! I want to just jump in like I always used to do! Today was the third or so day after the bites appeared and the itching finally became so intense I couldnt stand it any longer and took a Prednizone. I don’t like doing that, but that’s what was recommended by the clinic. I DO LOOK FUNNY! 😂 I have pink powder from the calamine all over my black shirt and I just can’t be bothered to change my shirt again, there is some in my hair… gosh i’m a fright! 🤣 …at least now i’m comfortable! Read More1 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaMay I offer you all my greetings, from Como lake?
