ThinkLady

Bronze arrow lettuce a winner

Bronze arrow lettuce, heirloom variety, cut-and-come-again, prolific, attractive large oak leaf shaped leaves, some tipped with reddish brown, slow to bolt, delicious flavor. Planted Oct. 1, 2012, and still producing like crazy.

I've lost count of how many salads we've had from just one packet of seeds. We’re eating two-three salads a week from one patch and still have enough to share with friends.

So far, this one’s a winner for at least three seasons – fall, winter, spring. Looking forward to seeing how this variety fares in summer’s hotter temperatures.

Technorati Tags: abundance,food,food secruity,gardening,green living,local food,lettuce,vegetables

Natural resilience

Last summer on a very special road trip with my daughter, we visited Black Canyon in Gunnison National Park, near Montrose, Colorado. It’s a heavenly place where Nature’s handiwork inspires at every turn. We stumbled across this stunning twisted tree on the rim of the canyon and were so inspired by it’s majestic presence. The tree was sculpted by the elements, and we later learned that many of the trees along the rim are more than 700 years old.

The way the tree swirled and adapted to its conditions speaks to the natural resilience found in nature. I believe human beings have the ability to be naturally resilient too. And, I can’t help but think that remembering we’re a part of the natural world and seeing how other species adapt and change, we’re more likely to instinctually do the same.

Technorati Tags: resilience,Earth Day,nature

Who’s minding the climate?

Because Oklahoma is home to one of the world’s most renowned climate change science deniers, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, one might think no one is paying attention to climate change and its impacts on our state. In the process of writing a cover story about climate change in Oklahoma for the Oklahoma Gazette, I discovered that’s not the case. Quite a few people, scientists, organizations and agencies are actively engaged in climate change research, adaptation and mitigation.

The full story is available online here.

 Grateful shout-outs to the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, South Central Climate Science Center and others for sharing vital information and resources.

Very special thanks to Phil Bacharach, editor-in-chief at the Gazette for encouragement and guidance.

Technorati Tags: climate chante,environment,resilience,sustainability,adaptation,Oklahoma,mitigation

Flowers in unexpected places

Going through photos of last year's garden. Who knew elephant garlic had such delicate beautiful flowers?

Happy baby lettuce

I love autumn. In the vernacular of my young friends, autumn is “chill” and “filthy” and “sweet.” In perhaps more familiar words – it’s simply my favorite season – for many reasons – not the least of which it’s really the perfect time for harvesting and gardening.

Take for instance pumpkins. The plethora of these fat sassy globes everywhere makes me happy. With their orange to gold to bluish hues, strange shapes, Buddha-like bodies and boatload of nutrition, they are one of Nature’s more intriguing plants. I’ve made a foodie vow this year to be more appreciative and get experimental with pumpkin.

Not ready to be dismissed, summer crops such as beans, peppers, eggplant, herbs and okra are making a mad dash for the harvest finish line. We’re savoring the last bit of whatever summer produce we get from our garden, and dehydrating abundant squash, eggplant and apples from friends, farms and farmers markets.

And then there are our recently planted cool weather crops -- lettuces, kale, chard, arugula, radishes and green onions – who seem as deliriously happy as I am about the first whisper of autumn chill. As I watch these luscious goodies sprout, I know what’s coming next – garden bowl salads made with freshly picked, tender greens, thinly sliced radishes and tiny green onions, lightly dusted with parmesan or feta, and then sprinkled with sesame shitake dressing ... there is simply nothing better.

Technorati Tags: abundance,food and drink,gardening,local food,locavores,seasons