Winter Notes: These Cross-Quarter Days

February 3: Cross-quarter days  We’ve gotten past about the longest January I think I can remember. The cold, the snow, the dreadful events impossible for any decent person to turn away from. The resultant grief. Offering support to those caught in this vortex of cruelty and violence visited on so many by the government is necessary—and somehow not enough. And yet. Just the other day I noticed that it was still light at 5 pm. Surprise! The dark post-solstice January pause is over; suddenly we’re at the cross-quarter days.  I say days advisedly: we are halfway between the solstice and the spring equinox, but measurement, like everything else I’ve ever heard of, depends on your perspective. Time, day and season depend on where you are, which calendar you use, even which astronomical calculations. St. Brigid's day is February 1,  and Groundhog Day is, of course, February 2, as is Candlemas. These are based on the Gregorian calendar, and are not quite the same as Imbolc,...

It's Time for Your Lawn to Make Peace with the Earth!

That's the title of a short, informal presentation about the polyculture lawn I'll be giving on Sunday. I'll have samples of compost, a compost screen and clover seed with me. Too bad I can't bring along some birds, butterflies and bees! Details are posted on the "Talks" page tabbed above.

Comments

Unknown said…
So glad you're taking your message on the road. Have you received good feedback? How did you start your talk series?

Best of luck,

Thomas
Hi Thomas,

Thanks. The talk went really well.

I began by asking people what they think about when they think of a beautiful lawn. This sparked much good discussion and brought up childhood memories and associations. I then talked about the lawn in history (short), some different ways to think about beauty, and why the ecological lawn is better. Also ecological lawn care.

People seemed pretty enthused.

I started giving talks when I worked for the garden center. Garden clubs are always looking for speakers.

These days I try to do a few talks a year, often gratis. Usually someone I know invites me to speak. The groups are always small, but participants seem to respond well.

I'm thinking of applying to give a presentation at the next Chicago Wilderness Wild Things Conference in 2013, which would be a big step up.