Gardening is so much easier without a cast on your leg!

I've been playing in the dirt a lot these past weeks, checking in each day to see what's popped it's tender leaves out from beneath the soil.

It's wonderful what simple things can nourish such beautiful plants. Though things seem small now, it is such an amazement with the earth that I have - the process of nurturing a plant form seed all the way until it produces nourishing fruits for you to enjoy! The thrill of picking that fruit after watching and taking care of a plant for so long is a great feeling. You can taste the energy you've put into growing that food. I promise.

It's been great to move around the garden these day's without the cast on my leg. I feel like I've been making leaps and bounds, and my physical self is really healing well. My muscle certainly still has some growing to do, but it will happen, I'm confident for a full recovery, and have been plotting heaps of later day summer cycling adventures!

Back to the dirt. Today I helped some friends in their allotment garden, and tomorrow, I will be working in my own backyard, transplanting more of the tomato seedlings that I likely haven't hardened off well enough (read - gotten the plant used to the harsher outside world) and though many gardeners stress the importance of this step, I always seem to slack a little on this one. I just get excited for my little babies to lay out roots in the earth, rather in those restricting pots.

Now that I am back cycling, I've been able to explore Ottawa a bit more, the bike paths are beauty - covered with deciduous trees, fresh, and full o' bugs that lovingly fly right into your mouth as you speedily sing cycle your way beside the river. Ah, the joy of a bicycle.

Happy summertime strolls, rides, gardens, edibles, and swims to you!

a new city, a broken ankle, missin' my bicycles, and springtime!

The day I moved into my new home in Ottawa, my roommate had her home all ready for me to make it my home too. The first day at work, I was sung to in choir like fashion by my 7 "friend-leagues". It was nice to feel this welcoming attitude from both the home and work front, as I moved to this new city and job all with a broken ankle.

I'm grateful for the folks that have welcomed me with open arms since moving here to Ottawa. Yet, it still hasn't been easy. It's strange for me, normally buzzing with energy, going from work, to volunteering, to social event, to house meeting, to cooking a delicious meal, to go back and forth from work on the same short bus route, not having every night filled with commitments. But even without commitments, I've managed to go to a couple social outings, and have had some wonderful friends and family visit me!

I've been trying to take it slow. Move slowly, relax lots, stretch some, read books, cook simple meals, stopping on benches for breaks while walking. It's different then what I'm used to, but it's definitely what my body is in need of right now.

Might I mention the feeling of solidarity.

Being on crutches has opened my eyes more to life with a disability. Though this disability is temporary and very minor in comparison to others, it has been interesting to see what it feels like to have to call on people for help (all the time), to feel eyes on you all the time, faces frowning with pity, to just feel so slow compared to others that march past you in their rushed way. I can't claim to know what it is like to have a permanent disability, but I can at least claim to know a little bit what it feels like to be set apart as a minority - something I have not often felt before as a privileged, able bodied, white person. And the solidarity I've felt and experienced with folks with canes or in wheelchairs, as we board the lowered bus and sit in the front seats, and they send a knowing smile my way, expressing solidarity. Makes me feel understood, makes them feel understood, even if just a bit.

And now an ode to my bicycles.

Dear poppy. I miss your fast slick ways, your shiny red look, the way we become one when I clip into your pedals. I miss the feeling of power and speed that I have as I ride you across the city... And Bernice. You are just such a hard core beast of a beautiful bicycle. I appreciate all the snowy rides we had this past winter, and I'm sorry for all the oil I just keep throwing on you, but it was better then the sting of salt right? I hope your breaks are okay after this hard winter... I am looking forward to when I can finally explore this new city with you both...feel the wind in my hair (below my helmet of course) the freedom of coming and going when I please when I have you to depend on...I'll show you both the beautiful river paths of Ottawa Poppy and Bernice; soon, real soon!

Spring is finally feeling like it might be here in Ottawa. I'm still planning to garden a bunch this summer, the home that I've moved into has wonderful garden space. I have oodles of tomato plants on my windowsill, some eggplant, some spagetti squash! I've already planted some greens outside (they can withstand cooler temperatures) and just planted out some peas this evening (after an exhilirating paddle on the Rideau river - I went with my roommate, her partner, and another of their friends! I'm so glad I live with people - instant friends!) And, I bought fiddleheads today! A sure sign of new life in spring...

One big thing I've learned from this broken ankle, this move to a new city: although I really don't like to take things slow, and not do very much, it's okay to.

Reflections on change

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end."

The quote that I assigned as the slogan for my blog back in University has many times before and after that come to mind as a descriptive reality for me. Once again, as I launch into a new chapter of my life by moving on from my life and work in Toronto for now, I am reflecting on the wonderful things that I am going to be infused less regularly with in Ottawa; favourite places in my neighbourhood, lovely gatherings and events with my community of people, the farmers market where I recognize friends in the hood, volunteering for a wonderfully fun organization, and gardening another season in my way productive Toronto back yard. Though some of the locations and events I'll be missing, I definitely know that the relationships that I've had the opportunity to nourish over the past 19 months in Toronto will live on well into the future. Those people are too special to ever forget, too easy to make time for, and just plain wonderful. I'll be having some fun hosting in Ottawa, and visiting Toronto this summer, that's for certain.

The new beginning that I'll be moving on to is very exciting as well, I'll be working with a fun, silly, dedicated group of people for an organization I deeply identify with.

It's just unfortunate that I'm a little less excited for this move now that I'm down a functional leg. I'm having to learn what it means to have a small disability. It will be harder then normal to garden, to socialize and to explore a new city without riding my beautiful bicycle around town. But alas. Things could be far worse. I could be incapacitated all together. I keep reminding myself of this. I'm keeping things in perspective - I will heal, and will heal by June if all goes as the doctor has said. In time for major cycling and camping and gardening season! All the same, it will be a challenging move for me...but perhaps I've been given this challenge for a reason, perhaps I'm meant to slow a bit, meant to feel lucky, meant to feel greatful for all the wonderful health I've had so far in my life, greatful for all the wonderful people and things I have in my life.

For the health I've had, the experiences I've had, for the people in my life I love most. I love you, I'm greatful for you, you are special.

Where is the most sustainable place to live: a big city? spread suburbia? farming country?

I often question where the most sustainable life can be lived in Canada. Maybe in the centre of an urban city, what about suburbia, or in the country living off the land? In my opinion, I'd rank suburban life at the bottom of the sustainability potential, as it is usually a life of large homes, spread out utility services, dependency on cars, shopping, dining, and entertainment predominantly happens at big box, big-business multi-national venues. Living in a big city means that there are many people, with many different interests. Because there is groups large enough interested in unique things, that wouldn't likely survive in a suburban environment, stores, shop owners, and community centres cater to these unique niche groups of desires. This means that farmers markets abound, a celebration of local food and community that just wouldn't be as feasible in every suburban neighbourhood as people are more spread out, and so, less people per area would show up to the markets. Living in a city means that almost everywhere (and I can speak here for Toronto only...) you are a walk away from little shops and restaurants that are often locally owned. Further, living in Toronto means that it's often more of a hassle to drive then to take transit, walk or cycle. But of course, there is a whole other group of city dwellers who don't see these things I'm speaking of, and instead live the city life quite differently... And then there's the thought of living in the country, where you can potentially live off the land completely. I've never lived in the country, so am unsure just how sustainable it actually can be, but have always been interested to try it out, farming and living in harmony with the land. So, where can the most sustainable life be led? I don't know. But I do know that there are tons of choices that we can make every day, no matter where we live our lives, that can contribute towards environmental conservation, local economies, political and social justice. You just have to make that choice. Cities are often a place where something happens for everyone in a big way. That means that where there is one person interested in gardening, there will be many (like for instance - Seedy Sunday that I attended today, which so many other folks in Toronto also attended to exchange seeds, to talk about seedlings, garden plans, worm poop, and growing yummy food in community spaces, backyards, or appartment balconies!) But it's also a place where some people seem always to be consuming - food, culture, music, art, sport, material goods. Sometimes in a healthy way, other times, not. And so I wonder...where can the sustainable life be truely lived in practice?

Wintertime warmth - memories from summer - dried

It is a chilly one out there today, and it will likely be chilly again tomorrow. Oh winter. As much as I really try to love this time of year - when things get blanketed in white, when kids dress up in rolly polly snowsuits to go out and play, when baking something in the oven just seems like a must, and tumbling down a hill on a toboggan seems an ageless kidish delight - I still struggle with winter. I miss going outside for a quick walk because it's too hot inside, riding my bike without suiting up in layers. Though there is a homey, cozy feeling that I grow to love in winter, I think my favourite part of winter, is seeing winter melt away to spring. I do love the transition of the seasons. But were not there quite yet!

And so, I drink tea. Warming right to the core, I love breathing in the hot mist of a warm cuppa something refreshing, something soothing, something delicious, something healthful, something healing. Most of all, I love enjoying tea from the garden. Herbs and flowers that seem to be out of control in the height of summertime (oh that creepy mint!) I am so very thankful come January when I am able to enjoy them.

During the spring planting of my backyard garden in Toronto, one of my roommates who shortly after moved out, planted a tea garden! I was excited at this prospect, and loved seeing the chamomile, orange mint, lemon balm, calendula and lavender get planted (oh and the sunflowers, which got amazingly tall and attracted such beautiful bumbly bees!) The tea garden looked beautiful as it grew and grew. Pretty soon, it was time to start harvesting, and hanging the herbs to dry for teas.

On a dry day, preferably not the day after a rainstorm, I'd cut the herb or flower or stem at a reasonable spot at the base of the stem, never taking the whole plant, and tie a small bunch together with some twine. I'd hang it upside down in our sunroom from nails that I tacked into the wall (any dryish spot should work, garages and closed in porches seem to be good). Because I knew where the plants were coming from and what was put on it (i.e. no herbicides, but maybe some unknown raccoon pee? eek!) I've never bothered washing my herbs before hanging to dry. I let the herb dry until it's completely crispy, and then I take it outside and crush it off of it's stem with my hands, and store it in a jar until it's tea time! My most abundantly dried herbs this past summer for tea were mint (which has a tendency to be invasive, so it was great to cut it back on a regular basis), raspberry leaf, and sage. Yum!

It's been fun to have a few herbs to mix together to find a flavour and feeling that suits my mood.

My favourite tea mix thus far from the garden:

-peppermint (calms the stomach and helps with gas and bloating, a source of magnesium, folate, calcium, iron, B2)

-lemon balm (known digestive aid, relaxing and calming, anti-oxidant rich herb)

-stinging nettle (this one I got from one of my farmers at the market, I haven't gone out to harvest this one from places around the city, as it is commonly found. I'm still a little scared of the stinging bit... it's rich in vitamins A, C, iron, potassium, manganese and calcium, and is often used to soothe sore muscles and joints, and urinary tract issues)

-raspberry leaf (rich in vitamins C, A, E, B complex, calcium and phosphorus; known for settling nauseated stomachs, diarrhea, menstrual cramps)

Break up and Mix herbs in equal ratios, pack tightly into a tea ball or other loose leaf tea contraption, and let steep for as long as you can, I always leave my tea ball in as I drink. Play with the ratios for different tastes, health benefits, and moods.

Other things that I dried from my backyard garden this past summer for teas were dandelion root, sage, chamomile, and lavender. I also dried some thyme, rosemary, hot peppers, onion and bean seeds quite successfully. Next summer I want to wander to some places in and around the city with my Newcomb's flower guide and hunt for some burdock (quite common and easily found - you may know the plant as containing pesky burs, it's best harvested in the fall time for it's root that has many health benefits), rose petals, rosehips, cedar tips and stinging nettle for tea purposes. Ohhh wild drinkables (and wild edibles...more to come on that later) how I love thee. Do you dry anything from your neighbourhood or garden for tea?

Tea is wonderful when it's cold outside, and I want to stay warm, to the core, to the soul. There's nothing like a big mug of garden tea, and a blanket to make winter feel a lot warmer, as dreams of summer sunshine come flowing back to me.

Intentions

I can't even count the number of times that I considered, even committed to putting energy into this blog again. But until this moment, I just haven't had quite the determination, I haven't been making the time to write. I used to say that it was because I didn't have anything interesting to write about in comparison to my blogging from Inuvik, Otesha, SE Asia and Greece. But that is so far from the truth.

I moved to Toronto in September 2009, slowly, and sadly. Soon though as I connected, discovered, explored, experienced, I realized that I have had so much to share. For some reason, I thought readers wouldn't care. I've concluded that maybe I don't care if readers don't care. I'm hopeful that you'll read, hopeful that you'll learn something, and hopeful that you enjoy the words, pictures, stories, and information, and inspiration that I will post on this blog. Regardless, this blog will be an outlet, a venue without a set audience where I can freely share what excites me, potentially create action, discussion or inspiration, and have fun while doing it. Dear readers, I hope you absorb what you may read on this blog. I am committing to writing at least twice a month. I will endeavor for four. I'll share with you a new thing I learned or saw, an issue I'm interested in, a recipe that's delicious, an adventure I had, or a gardening experience I had.

Perhaps you'll share in my excitement, but perhaps you won't. Whatever the case I hope that you will read this blog when the time suits, and let me know what you think, comment or email and let me know what you think.

I'm ending with an intention for my day; it was the intention that was set by the fine people at the Move dance gathering last night (described as a meditative, playful, transformative, and ecstatic dance event, created for the sheer love of dance) and I want to live it again today: Feel.

Again, every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.

Wow. what more can I say right now then that word that elicits the emotion of pure awe. Wow. I write this on my plane ride back home to Canada after four long amazing months. Let me first, before embarking on a very necessary rant about my current emotional state, tell you more about the wonderful Greek culture!

Firstly the food. A cuisine so fresh, flavourful and healthy that you sit down at every shared dish meal finding room in your belly you never thought existed! Eating olives tomatoes and cucumbers grown in a garden you walked by in the morning, consuming copious amounts of 'homemade wines' along with figs that were picked by myself or a relatives hands 10 minutes ago. Or eating veleeta greens doused in lemon so fresh it makes your mouth tingle for more of the sour fruit juice. Or a pepino, a melon, so flavourful bought from one of the weekly neighbourhood street markets, its puts a new idea in your head as to what natural sweetness really is!

And Secondly, the people. Alright, I'll give it to you, I had an in, travelling through Greece with my Greek uncle, visiting Theo Yani and Thia Ana's Glefada home and eating zesty cool dolmades. Or staying at "Hotel Canadiana" with friends that make our meals especially for us that fill our glasses full with that pungent homemade brew tinking glasses and chanting "yamas" to celebrate one another's presence. All the while sitting at a Taverna only meters away from the Sea off the coast of Evia, near the darling village of Vasillika, with four old Greek gentleman chanting old Greek songs loud over their card game.

The Landscape, Cyclades islands of volcanic origin barren and surrounded on one side by cliff where white washed villas, tavernas and homes teeter on the confusing cliff edge, forming an astonishing labyrinth of cobblestone walkways so fun to explore by day and even more alive and amazing by night. This island of Santorini is where two of my very favourite wanderers (achem Mom, Auntie Bonnie) and I scaled the cliff side starting far down into the abysmal Caldera waters, and walked 15km from Fira to Oia, this was a feat, we were proud of I tell ya. And oh, lets not forget the Greek Beaches. From the black sand volcanic rock beach on Santorini to the turquoise waters off the coast of the much greener island of Skaithos (North Eastern Greece) the beaches of Greece are quite stunning. And so, as my time in Greece has come to an end, I will remember many things; the food of course, the salty residue after swimming in the sea and counting to 100 in Greek, the welcoming people, the generous uncle, aunt and extended family, the laughs and the way it was a perfect end to my summer.

As I think right now, about heading back to Canada, tears well up in my eyes. My chest aches when you think about my Dad, my friends and family back home that I haven't connected with in just too long. Although I know I could carry on travelling I am looking forward to a small bit of consistency. I have been "instantly" thrown from Otesha, to Southeast Asia with Krista, to Greece with my Aunt, Uncle, cousins and mother. All three experiences have been so dramatically different from one another I learned so much from them all; skills and lessons and knowledge that is not necessarily tangible, but that will be brought forward with me whenever I end up. I have learned some things in bold: live life. play. communicate. be nice. say thank you. And on that note I owe thanks, to the universe for acting greatly in my favour, to my Otesha teammates, who I think about daily and who really changed my world. To my parents for being the absolute best; supporting me in all my crazy plans, and for keeping to big stuff in perspective. To Krista, whom is the best soul mate and travel mate a girl could ever wish for. To my Greek family for treating me, exposing me and welcoming me oh so well. To every person who came into contact with me over the past four months whether it was for four days in Vancouver BC when I house crashed, or for two minutes when I evoked a smile in the Vietnamese Mekong delta upon a long boat paddled between greenery or whether it was the person I just spoke to whose broken English didn't stop me from seeing her excitement in visiting her husband for the first time in Canada. Thank you all, you have taught me lessons no institution could ever teach. And to you, for caring enough to read my wordy blogs, I can't wait for our reunion in Canada!