NOTE: Commenter #4 can still get a copy of Orange Mint and Honey!Pearl Cleage's latest book Seen it All and Done the Rest is, of course, wonderful. One of the things I love about her books is there's always at least one character who still believes in peace, love and understanding. The character in this latest is Abbie, who we've seen before in Some Things I Never Thought I'd Do. In this book Abbie lobbies for starting a peace garden:
"We have to find a way to do whatever it takes to reclaim our country. And it doesn't have to be something big. It can be something that seems small. Something that helps you remember the good things. Focus on your neighbors. Focus on the mountains behind your house. Focus on any grandbaby you can find. Focus on music you sing with other people. Focus on growing something. That's why we're making a garden here and that's why we're going to call it the Martin Luther King Peace Garden Number One. Because if we can grow sunflowers on Martin Luther King Drive, maybe we can grow sunflowers in Baghdad, too."
Amen.
I haven't planted sunflowers in a while, but this just might be the year for them again. I'm going to plant for peace this year, what about you? Anybody else up for having a peace garden?
Tell you what, be the first person to leave a comment here that you'll plant something, ANYTHING, for peace this year and I'll send you Pearl's book.
Be the second person to tell me you'll plant for peace and I'll send you a copy of Walk Tall, which has a bright, cheery sunflower on the cover and words of peace inside.
I'll send the third person a copy of Orange Mint and Honey because that has a peace garden (of sorts) in it too.
Peace.
17 comments:
Ooh, "plant for peace"--I love it! Here's what I'll plant--basil and tomatoes and mint and tarragon and sage. And I'll fill the flower beds in front of my house with pink and white and purple and red impatiens.
My 19-year-old son, who never ate vegetables before this first year of college, is deeply engrossed in two gardens he and his best friend have planted at school--one behind the Catholic student center where they hang out, and one beside the house they are going to start living in this summer. They want to make the one behind the house a community garden and invite the neighbors to work it with them. Makes me very proud of that kid! I even posted some pictures of one on my blog the other day. :)
Now, my daughters have been begging me to help them start a garden behind our house. We've been talking about tomatoes, especially, but other things, too. Probably green beans, and maybe something more exotic.
This is just the catalyst I needed and the motivation to make it happen for them. I'm in!
I'm going to excuse myself from winning a copy of the book because I already have two ;), but I had to comment because an artist friend of Scott's is moving and just gave us a slew of perennials and seeds -- including sunflower seeds! We've been planning where everything will be planted and I'm going to designate the spot I chose for the sunflowers as our peace garden. What a great challenge!
I'll plant one. In fact, I'm planting flowers in front of the porch this afternoon. Purple and redish azela's?
(I need to look at the label)
Great post!
Gardening is such a perfect symbol of working for peace.
Is anyone planting daisies? ;)
I'm planting more irises--they take time to really thrive, but when they do...wow.
My new book has an Abbie-like character (my protagonist's mom); she's a throwback hippie and rooftop gardener.
I love it! The more of us who put out that intention the better!
it just so happens Pearl Cleage's book is what I'm currently reading. I need to search for my sunflower plant seeds. I haven't planted anything in over three years now that I think about it. I like planting once and watching them come back year after year.
I love this post, almost as much as I loved your book and I absolutely adore all books by Pearl Cleage, in fact my friends and I are reading your book now, for our books and wine day, the three of us do it every other month, and in June it we are reading Seen it All and Done the Rest, actually I read and reviewed it already but they don't have to know that, I am also a gardener!
Blessings,
angelia
I love the peace garden and could definitely use one today...whew....lol...and also Pearl's book is the BOM for APOOO BookClub. We will begin discussing it next week. If anyone wants to join us, email me at apooo4u@yahoo.com. The more, the merrier.
xoxo
yasmin
www.apooo.org
Promoting Our Voices, Showcasing Our Stories
Hi Carleen, Dera here from Marcus Books. Great post. I will plant herbs; basil, thyme, cilantro, etc. Loved your book and how you incorporated gardening in it.
Angelia, A "books and wine day" that sounds great!! Might just have to put that intention out there along with the peace garden. Imagine how much better the world would be?!
I love Pearl Cleage's books for that same reason. As for gardening, my daughter is determined to start this year. Many years ago when my parents built our house we had a backyard garden - corn, tomatoes, etc. Right now I'm looking forward to caring for a red hibiscus tree:)
Whaaa? I missed a contest? I missed a chance to get one of your signed books? :*( Say it ain't so...
Sorry, this was impromptu. Don't worry Demon Hunter... there'll be more chances to win. And next time I'll give plenty of notice.
My girls and I will be working on our back patio garden in May; they'll love the idea of designating it a peace garden! No room for sunflowers, but we're a creative crew...I'll keep you posted!
I've heard you mention Ms. Cleage more than once before, Carleen...another new author for me to check out. Thanks! K.
Post a Comment