Day 47 More Lovely Neighbours

Last night Tim and Sandra stopped by the Boulevarden. They live just down the avenue from us on 9th Street. Paul met Tim a few days earlier when Tim was walking by as he was watering the garden; they chatted for a bit about the Boulevarden. Yesterday Tim brought Sandra, his partner, by to see the garden. The four of us talked about the community concept of the garden, and they said they would like to bring over a plant for the garden. A short while later they brought over, and planted, a mint freshly dug up from their garden...I think it was a Black Peppermint...ug I am not sure - I should write these things down, a wonderful strong mint for sure. Tim has a lawn care business in town called Locke Lawn Care, and offered gardening services to the Boulevarden free of charge - they said if we needed anything, like anyone to water while we were away or anything else the Boulevarden might need, to just let them know...is that not soooo nice?

Sandra and Tim moved to Lethbridge from the Kootneys, Sandra lived in New Denver for a while, which is a wonderful village with a population of 500 or so. She mentioned a wonderful driving loop that we are going to drive next time we get out there...which I hope is soon, I am craving a Kootney fix.

We were able to give them 3 small yellow Zucchinis (they are so tender and wonderful when they are small) and some Basil (I say BAYsil, she says BAsil, it sounds much more wonderful the way she says it...). It was great meeting them and chatting for a bit, and they promised to stop by for a visit another day and sit for a while on the patio, which would be lovely.

UPDATE: the mint is indeed a Black Peppermint...confirmed from Sandra

Day 43 Basil buds and mint purrs

The garden is growing really fast...our herb garden is ripe for the picking, so please come by, there is a bit of everything, and as you can see especially basil. A woman and her two sons stopped by on their way home from the market, we talked about the garden. They picked some Basil to take home for supper to have with 'the fancy pasta' they had bought at the market.


















Fury loves the Catmint...she goes out and rolls in it and purrs. When she comes into the house, Harley our other cat, licks her and purrs at her...that might be one of those 'too much information' statements, eh?

Day 42 Boots, Rocks and Cool Neighbors

I found these boots at an estate sale in the Crowsnest Pass, they don't fit me, although I really wish they did...I bought them for the garden, to put plants in (although I am not sure I will have the heart to after all). You can tell the boots had a really good life and were well loved by their owner who resoled them twice. I bought them from his two of his daughters who were selling his stuff at an estate sale...it was sad (although they were lovely). I am happy to be able to have his boots.

Last night as I was weeding the garden in between our place and Richard and Marlene's place, Richard walked by, he is mulling over his next 'garden' move...more rock path he thinks. There is always something going on in a garden. Richard and I chatted a bit and then he said, "you should be really proud of what you have done with the garden, people stop by there all the time...like right now, look". Down at the garden was a young woman walking among the plants looking fairly intently at them. I came down and started to introduce myself and give my 'spiel' when I realized it was Tiera (although we had both forgotten each other's names so reintroduced ourselves unselfconsciously which was nice). You may remember Tiera from previous blog - she is the woman who had her 'Rosemary taken by someone who needed it more than I did'...such a lovely attitude. We chatted a bit about the garden and the growth of the Zucchini. She had never tried Zucchini...but is going to take some for her camping trip this weekend. She is also going to come back for some Rosemary.

When I got back up to the house and to a bit of admittedly lack luster weeding (really just putting in time while Paul brought me out a wine for some deck time), Richard shared that he approached the golf course he is a member of and offered to share his perennials with them. He said he has so many to divide every year anyway so he thought it would be nice to share them. Nice! We have very cool neighbors.

Sunday we went rock collecting...found some beauties.

Day 42 Urban Gardening in Edmonton

I was in Edmonton last week and two doors down from my brother's house was this urban garden. The majority of the plants are potatoes...I know!...that is a lot of potatoes! They also had some onions, herbs and an apple tree. Hollyhocks lined the front. To one side was a compost. As you can see it looked really great, and was really cool to see.

Day 42 ...it has been awhile...But Asphalt Boulevards?

So, I knew it would happen...as soon as I missed a day or two blogging, a week would go by. But I have continued performing and taking pictures...so here is some catch up. I am going to start with Lethbridge's asphalt boulevards...

Last week I received a really nice email from Shannon, who I have yet to meet in person, although I do hope we will meet for tea soon. She commented on the garden, saying she had been told about the boulevarden and the blog from a friend. Shannon wrote, "What a great idea! I have been thinking about doing this for a few years after reading about Blooming Boulevard campaigns in other cities. I even approached the London Road Neighbourhood Association with the idea. While the London Road area is known for its elm-lined streets, my street is unfortunately "tree-less" and, even worse, the boulevards are asphalt. Anyways, you have inspired me and next year I will tear up my asphalt and plant." My first thought was asphalt? (my second was "Blooming Boulevard campaigns...what is that? Here are a couple http://www.metroblooms.org/guide_bloomingboulevards.php and linkshttp://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cue/Blooming_Boulevards.asp - and really if you just punch blooming boulevards into google you will get a tonne)

ANYWAY, so I took a trip down to Shannon's block. Shannon lives down between 6 and 7 Ave on 7th street south. Above and below are pictures of the boulevard. One of her neighbors approached the city about removing the asphalt and was told that, "we would need 2/3 of our neighbours to agree to it and it would cost each of us about $2000 (outrageous!)...no one seems to know why we have asphalt and not grass......"

Me either...hmmm what are we gonna do about it?

Day 30 For Myles...

Welcome to Lethbridge Myles...we have saved a chair for you...

Day 29 Coming Back to the front...hope for humankind?

Alright so I realize that the title is a little dramatic...but let me explain:

I was driving through a new northside suburb (while on one of my rock quests)...and I noticed the darndest thing...the newly constructed houses do not have front garages, rather they have porches and back alleys. WOW...this struck me right away because almost all of the houses built in the last 20 years or so have small front yards, large front garages, and back yards with gardens and decks.

A couple of years ago I lived in a westside suburb and every house on my block had a front garage (mine as well). Everyone would come home drive into their garage and you would not see them again unless they were mowing their front lawn or leaving again in the morning. The most I interacted with the neighbors for the most part was through waves. We did the same thing for the first year. We decided the next summer that we wanted to sit at the front of our house, as we like to watch people as they walk by. So we would set up chairs on our drive way (yes we are the crazy weird neighbors your mother warned you about). Even when we would have company over we tended to sit on the front drive rather than the back yard; in consequence we met neighbors who were walking their dogs, checking their mail (suburbs have those community mailboxes - and the community mailbox was located on our yard), or just out for a walk.

I met a woman who lived a few doors down. She had hurt her back, had an intense operation and had months were she could barely walk to the mailbox. She had a dog she needed to walk and lived alone, so I offered to walk her dog. If I had not been out front I would never have met her. We had a wonderful girl across the street that was painting on rocks and selling them on a table she set up on her front drive way. When we came home she was trying to get the neighbors attention by yelling 'rocks for sale' as people drove by (and into their garages). When she spied us sitting in our drive way, she came over with a collection of rocks for us to chose from, we bought a few dozen, as did our company. We ended up commissioning her to paint us a large rock...which she brought over 30 minutes later.

Anyway...bare (is this the right 'bare'?...should it be bear? no that can't be right...anyway) with me...I do have a point. I think that when neighborhoods are constructed so that we drive straight into our homes without having to see our neighbors, never mind conversing or even knowing who our neighbors are, how can we build or feel concern for our communities? The community is so far removed as a concept in these neighborhoods, even though, ironically, the suburbs were created as a place for families/community building (I don't mean to suggest that suburbs are the only communities with out a sense of 'community'...many people who live various neighborhoods spend their time in the 'back').

I was talking to my friend John the other day he is going to put on a front patio, and I have walked past many homes that are creating new front spaces. Front spaces bring us back to, or at least help create, communities. The intent for this guerrilla gardening project was to transform an unused urban space into a space that provided food and a space for public interaction (primarily the latter). The amazing people I have met through the creation of the Boulevarden project, as well as my daily performances, have heightened my awareness of the importance of 'coming back to the front'.

Day 29 For Annie, Dana and Myles

Some gardening pics for friends who are away....

Below Paul watering at the front...what a cute house.














I believe the sunflower below is a variety called Vincent Van Gogh Mix...that is what I have always called them anyway...














A wonderful wind chime that is uncharacteristically still...we have not had wind the last few days.

Day 29 Hannah's Pool Patio and Garden

My friend Hannah has just bought her first house, and planted her first garden. She planted bushes (Dogwood and Lilac), perennials as well as some annuals, some of which will self seed and come back next year (she planted one of my favorite self seeders, Cosmos). Since she moved in she also added a pool to the back yard...her roommate is hosting a pool party next weekend. Above is the sunshine coming through the fence in her side 'garden'.

Below Hannah and Paul relax in her Pool Patio Garden. Doesn't it look wonderful with the sunshine coming through the green 'fence'....magical - it is a feast of colours.















Below is Matilda, Hannah's wonderful cat...Matilda is trying to get a head rub through the window...too cute!

Day 28 Betty and I Get New Rocks n' Stuff

Today I went (in my VW van Betty...above) to get more mulch and to purchase a large rock. The rock is for the Boulevarden, I wanted a large flat one to use for an information/explanation panel of sorts. It cost $15 bucks, which isn't a lot of money, but seems like a lot of money for a rock...however it should work well. Going to Burno to get the rock and mulch was an impulse decision and so I arrived in high heels (yes I looked like an ass wobbling around the yard looking for a rock). A (smiley young) man loaded the mulch for me, which was really nice, but again I felt like an idiot standing there in heels watching someone else load my van...sigh...oh well. Below is 'the' rock.















I have started the labeling process...labeling all of the plants in the Boulevarden with smaller rocks (that I have collected). Eventually I will a post the full names of the plants, and detail if they are annuals or perennials, drought tolerant, native and so on...yada yada...that will come soon. Below is the labeling in the herb garden.

P.S. I have just realized that I have labeled the Asparagus...Asparagas...ug

Day 28 Lethbridge Community Garden

I went by the Lethbridge Community Garden today...it is wonderful - it is growing like crazy and so pretty : )















If you would like to read some more about the Lethbridge Community Garden you can access information at these links:

http://www.foodtv.ca/BLOG/archive/2007/06/28/guest-blogger-lethbridge-community-garden.aspx
http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/Enjoying+Lethbridge/Picture+Gallery/Community+Garden+Lage+view.htm
http://chef-girl.net/?p=132














The link below is for a community garden in Vancouver...but I found it wonderful, maybe you will too.
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/columnists/story.html?id=423a5ecc-cf3a-4bbf-9e22-2be3c1bacb86

Day 27 Herb Garden, Rock Collecting and Early Evening View

The herb garden is really filling up...and there is lots of basil - so please come by for some. Today after watering/weeding I was sitting on the deck when a couple came up to the herb garden and were looking at the plants; Tiera and Ryan were their names. Tiera lives down the block and said that a neighbor told her about the 'public garden' and in particular the herb garden. Tiera had a potted Rosemary plant at her house, which unfortunately was taken off her step a bit ago. She said with a smile...'well I guess maybe someone needed it more than me'...nice. Tiera told me she has an herb book with a bunch of great recipes, one tip in particular she shared with me was to use Rosemary stems as 'skewers' when making Kabobs...that sounds wonderful. Tiera promised to stop by again.















I decided to make plant labels with rocks...with the Boulevard 'explanation board' on a large rock...so Paul and I went rock hunting today...we looked pretty goofy (we realized as we got to our first field) as we were wearing our urban sandals, carrying grocery bags, and stepping gingerly (I am pretty sure I was whining as well) in the fresh tilled farmers fields (your foot sinks 4 inches or so with every step...yuck) as when they till them over there are lotsa rocks. We have lots of rocks for the individual plant labels...but could not find a large one for the 'explanation board' (not sure if I need to put single quotes around those two words...but anyway you get my drift)...I might have to break down and buy a rock at Burnco.

I planted a few more plants today...we stopped at Dan's Greenhouse and they had veggies and annuals on sale so we bought some Celery (do you think that will really grow?...we'll see...right now it looks like Flat Leaf Parsley...just so you know if you come by for Parsley...hey wait...I just realized I have not planted any Parsley in the garden...oops). I also bought a Gay Feather and Japanese Fern for up by the deck (I have desired a Japanese Fern for a long time...finally I have one and it is just as lovely as I imagined). I then planted some large yellow and orange Marigolds...I know garden snobs would not approve...but I love Marigolds, Hollyhocks, and Petunias...

Below is my view of the Boulevarden this evening as I was having a glass of wine on the deck.

Day 26 Lucky Sevens? Well the chair is still there...

So today is July 7th, 2007...07/07/07 and many people have been telling me it is a lucky day...a significant day...I am not really sure why (although I have enough religion in my youth to know that seven was a biggie in the bible...). So in the interests of good research I looked on Yahoo Answers. The following is what 'they' say is importance of July 7, 2007 to various groups:

There are a number of reasons people believe 07/07/07 to be auspicious, and in particular there will be a huge number of weddings on that day as many people believe the triple 7's bring good luck and fortune. Ever heard the term "luck number 7?". In gambling 3 sevens gives you 21, which is blackjack. Also on older Vegas style poker machines one of the jack pots was three sevens.

On a more spiritual note, there are connections with the number 7 in most of the worlds religions. Catholics have seven virtues, seven deadly sins, and seven sacraments. Hindus recognize the seven chakras of the body. And probably most notably for christians is that on the 7th day that God rested after creating the earth. And the 7th of july is the day of the annual lovers festival in Japan.

Me? I am going with Japan's festival! Mmmmmwwwwaaaaa!

Two 'lucky' things in the Boulevarden is that our second chair has not been 'borrowed' from the garden (the first chair was taken after it had been out there for three weeks or so), and many of the transplants are perk'n up. Paul and I have decided that if someone takes the second chair and leaves a note asking for a table to finish their set we will get them one...who knows though maybe the other one will come back...its a possibility.

Below are the lanterns of the Physalis plant...they are still wonderfully green - soon they will be orange, which is lovely too. Further below that is what they look like if they are left on the plant...I always pick most of them when they are orange...but as you can see they are magical (and very fragile) when they are left to go to seed.

Day 22 Lavender Lemonade in the Boulevarden

Today I made Lavender Lemonade with Lavender that is blooming in the garden. My plan was to offer lemonade to those who passed by. The creation/preparation of the lemonade was wonderful...as I was gathering Lavender Paul went to the market to get 12 lemons. I made a simple syrup and added the Lavender blossoms, as it cooled I juiced the lemons...juicing the lemons was incredibly sensual and satisfying (although trying to figure out how to leave in the pulp but sift out the seeds was more complicated than you might think).

















I set up a table in the garden with the lemonade, some cookies and a sign that read 'Free Lavender Lemonade'...I asked people as they walked by if they would like to try a glass...every one said no...well except for a neighbor, my friend Carol and Paul.

I was not sure if people did not want to try the lemonade because it was lavender lemonade, if they did not want to try something created by a stranger, if they were just not thirsty, if it took them by surprise or it they just thought 'I was weird' - the latter is what my neighbor thought was the problem...(grrreat). After a bit of time, and much rejection, Paul joked (a bit seriously) that people were going to not pass our house anymore, rather crossing to the other side of the street as this side would be too confrontational...(again...grrreat)...

...so although I don't feel like the performance was a failure...it was much different than I thought it would be...

Carol stopped by for a visit, she looked radiant, peaceful and happy. She had enjoyed an incredible weekend in the mountains hosting a Goddess retreat that sounded really interesting - much more than the name might indicate...of course this weekend was a full moon soooooo...

...it was wonderful to see and hug her. When she first came I asked if she would like to share breakfast with us as we (read Paul) were just cooking some...I started the grinder to make coffee and looked up at the clock...I realized it was 4pm...Carol didn't say a word...that is so Carol. We enjoyed a lovely breakfast on the deck and I complained to her about the lack a live music venue (that I like) in Lethbridge.

I saw two people working in their garden at a house down from ours, just across 13th street. The family moved there six months or so ago. I grabbed a Delphinium from the garden to give them and walked down to introduce myself. I met Ann and Chris who were working in the garden (Chris is Ann's son, her husband is Timo and she has two other kids Charissa and Jeremy as well as a cute dog Mickey). She popped over later this evening for a visit to the Boulevarden, she is a great lady.

Peter was walking by and so came up for a brief visit. He is the father of a friend of mine and is a wonderful gentle man...every time I see and visit with him I am reminded of how lovely it is to be in the company of quiet, gentle people (and how loud I can be...even just with the quickness I move...my movements are visually noisy...) I sent home some Lavender Lemonade for him and Katy to share.

Hannah called tonight...she planted her garden today (she just bought a house down the road). She called me to tell me she was enjoying her garden, having a Corona and reading the book I lent her called Cunt (which is a book all women (and men) of all ages should read http://www.ingalagringa.com/cunt/). She invited me to her garden...so I am going to go and check out it out sometime this week.

Later in the evening as we were watering and enjoying a wine on the deck we met Jim and his daughter Jamie who were walking their dog Winston...one of the most well behaved dogs ever...Jim said he would bring his wife Leanne by to the garden. They live on 11st and have just spent the last 2 years renovating their house, he said they will start their yard 'renovation' next year.

Below is Carol...

Day 21 Kelly's Garden

Kelly is working on her garden...she built these raised beds/hauled all the soil and planted everything by herself...

Happy Canada Day...I will be serving Lavender Tea in the Boulevarden tomorrow...stop by.