Tag Archives: magical midwinter
Magical Midwinter at the Cottage
24 Nov
Freezing fog surrounds Bealtaine Cottage.
Despite the cold, part of the day has been spent outdoors, tree-planting and dog walking.
Missy decided to remain indoors.
She has gotten rather snuffly again as she struggles with her condition.
She craves the warmth and sleeps a lot, bless her!
Once outside, adjusted to the cold with lots of layers, it’s a pleasant day with that magical midwinter light, as the sun travels low on the horizon.
You can see that the fog has partially lifted, though remains in the valley below, hugging the village of Keadue.
Lots of mixed and informal planting gives the gardens a colour and form all the year round, as you can see from today’s picture.
That’s Pyracantha in the foreground, with Buddleia and Copper Beech, Box and Bamboo, all vying for a space and standing up to the wind from the west!
Part of today was spent in hard graft…cutting back some of the Laurel Arch on the path that leads from the cottage to the polytunnel and soft fruit gardens.
Winter is a busy time, as one attempts to keep on top of the crazy growth here in the west of Ireland.
The top needs to be cut back, but I shall leave that to another day!
However, look what was on the inside…a beautiful birds nest…so I walked quietly away!
My excuse to retreat indoors and make a big pot of tea!
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In Violation!
Over the past few thousand years, humankind has regarded Nature as property. 
This concept is rooted in biblical text and has spawned generations who have regarded themselves as having dominion over the Earth. 
The feudal system was based on dominion and continues today as a land-grab mentality, based on the principles of ownership and extraction. 
Where we are at this point in time is the evolution of that concept, that biblical teaching, where we are now forced to try to manage degradation of the environment rather than prevent it. 
We blow the tops off mountains to extract minerals. 
Hundreds of chemicals are injected into the Earth to extract gas. 
The filth of Tar Sands is hailed as our energy saviour! 
Seed is wrenched from us to be “owned” by corporations like Monsanto. 
Presidents enact laws to protect these creatures of destruction from the very courts that are there to protect you! Nine days ago I started a petition.
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/We_Will_Not_Comply/?cCgoWbb
Nine days ago I drew my line in the sand, deciding to refuse to comply with laws that violate Mother Earth and the abundance she so generously bestows upon us. 
My own line in the sand has been confirmed this morning as the decision to refuse to comply with all laws that violate Mother Earth has been made. 
The days of fence sitting are over. The gloves are off
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