Hello, October
I wanted to show you what is likely the last bouquet from
our flower gardens, collected yesterday, October 1. Cosmos and zinnias are
always late arrivals in the flower gardens. This works for me. Their bright
colors cheer us up as cold weather approaches. They really are the last breath
of summer in the gardens.
This weekend, we pulled in all the
outdoor potted plants, save for some potted succulents that will winter
outdoors. They always survive winter somehow, peeking through again in spring
and blooming by July. We placed the lemon and papaya trees in the large window
in the living room, and aimed our new, 36-watt, LED, full-spectrum plant light
directly at the papaya tree.
I’ve already braced myself for the demise of our gorgeous
lemon tree, which is now covered with lemons. I haven’t been able to keep a
citrus alive indoors in years. But I have hopes for this amazing papaya tree,
which is nearing six feet tall now. Hard to believe it was a 3-inch-tall
sapling when we got it in late spring. Cross your fingers.
Next weekend, we’ll be razing the flower beds to nearly the
ground, and pruning the Basjoo banana tree before mulching it heavily. The last
garden chore after that will be to harvest our Okinawa sweet potatoes, probably
sometime in November. The potato patch is looking great, so I’m psyched for
some of our homegrown Okinawas this fall.
I did some cleaning up in the garden shed too. Once it
snows, I’m never in there. Come spring, I’d like it to be clean and clear for chores
and seed planting. I also cleaned our large bird feeder, and soon, it will be
filled with food for the beautiful birds that live here. And the squirrels. The
squirrels never forget to get their share. My husband and I enjoy bird feeding
in winter. It’s wonderful to watch songbirds come and go, filling their little
tummies to get them through the hard winter.
I’ve expanded my Ayurvedic practice to eye care now. I
bought a glass eye cup, Ayurvedic eye wash, and herbal Ayurvedic eye drops from
India. Step by step, I’m replacing every aspect of my personal hygiene routine with
ayurvedic treatments designed for my dominant dosha.
I’m getting comfortable with the new feels, fragrances, and
flavors. I’m learning what’s legit Ayurveda and what’s not. I’ve given away
unopened commercial products that I used for years, and am learning more each
day about the scope of Ayurveda. It’s a beautiful, spiritual practice. This
winter is going to be one of learning.
Much love,
Barbie xo
