Gardening

When I say eclectic, I really mean eclectic...for example, we have several Muslim families, but no two of them are the same Muslim sect. We also have Buddhists, Jehova Witnesses, Catholics, Protestants, atheists and Hindu families - not to mention all the languages too! The orthodox Muslim men are not allowed to look at women in shorts and tank tops, and even the non-orthodox are clearly uncomfortable with both the dress and the booze. But they try to join in the neighbourhood events, and everyone tries to find unity in diversity, and it IS good to be together. Just not as easy as you would think it could or should be.

As for the food, it's all potluck and BYOD (bring your own drinks) so that everyone can be sure of having something there they can eat. That too worked well for awhile, until there was more that the majority could NOT eat than could eat...not only due to food restrictions and people wanting to try a little bit of everything and there not being enough for the people with restricted diets, but also to spoilage from the heat.

Another reality is that some people are simply too poor to be able to afford to bring enough food to share and so won't come, out of shame of their inability to contribute. If there is another block party this year (and I'm sure there will be), people will probably bring coolers, bring more food and keep the perishables in there. Live and learn!

I come from a Mennonite background. On my Dad's side, everyone is Mennonite except one of my brothers and myself. The cousins are not as strict as my Dad's parents and grandparents were, but I still don't have many Mennonite relatives who wear tank tops or shorts once they become adults.

Very interesting Eagle. Maybe it might be useful one day..just to organize the ladies in the neighbourhood..for a multicultural tea garden luncheon. I realize not all women will attend, but it would be a start somewhere. Then the food might be still diverse, but more "controlled" and less people, therefore less obligation to bring so much food.

You might get more women relaxing abit..particularily those more "traditional".

Were your paternal grandparents, old order Mennonite? Or Conservative Mennonite..at least that's what my good friend with the white net hair cap, calls herself.

I am from the Kitchener-Waterloo area. I grew up as a child and teenager there.

In Scotland we have rights of way..roads that the landowner cant stop you walking on.And also unclaimed patches..using for grazing livestock while travelling.Maybe to market with a cow..So near me there is a bleaching green..where laundry was laid to bleach in the sun and dry.In that plants have beem planted.Its a donated garden really. Hosta bluebells and poppies.many daffodils in springs.I scatter seeds like forget me not and wildflower mix..the council planted trees and a lovely place has evolved.We share plants a lot here.I have many perenials..also yesterday the church had a plant sale where the tables were full of such plants.I love donated plants and remember each giver as I work..
Mountain ash

Dotsie
We ARE neighbors so we CAN swap perennials...except that my garden design partner and I are having our annual "perennial sale" this coming weekend. I don't think you've ever been? We've been potting up stuff for months now. Lots of unusual things. We started having a sale long ago because we used to give stuff away...and then watched our friends kill it. But we've noticed that wehn people pay a little for some plants, they're much more careful. Saturday, her place, 9-noon, rain or shine!

Hi ya'll...thanks for the reminder, Dotsie, that BWS is here...I seem to be so busy that I haven't had time to pop in and read any posts. I feel bad about that. Larry and I are working hard on the garden and the veggie garden is starting to produce...lots of squash and our tomato's are starting to turn juicy red. I've been cleaning my house after neglecting it for 3 months to make my first quilt and I'm itching to start the next one.
I love reading about everyone's gardening stories and hearing about what you all are doing concerning plants. It's such good therapy, isn't it?
The humidity here is starting to get really heavy and that means miserable temps outside.
We have owls...beautiful owls...a mother and her 3 babies are hanging out at the edge of our woods and last evening two were hanging out on our fence post looking for anything that moved. It was such a special moment to observe these magnificent creatures. I'm going to put in a couple of photos I've been able to snap of them...maybe this evening I can get a photo of them out front.
Do any of you have any special creature stories to share? I know this is off the subject of gardening...maybe I need to post their photos elsewhere.
I miss you guys...I truly do but I'm so glad to see that BWS is alive and thriving.

Dee, I think starting up another thread about critters in our neighborhoods or yards would be so fun! I'm also thrilled to see you around once in awhile. I completely understand your absences. I don't have a lot of time to post these days because I'm working ALL shifts until I get settled into one at work.

Not far from me is Portland. Several years back, this city purposely immigrated people from so many countries. I was there shopping the other day and it felt so different. There are loads of Somalis in full dress, Cambodians, Thais, etc. The entire street is all businesses of these people. I felt like I was in a foreign country and not where I grew up. The language barrier is very evident. It's all so strange to me and to be totally honest, I don't know how to feel.

you sound sad, LadyJane...I guess it's true...you can never go back home.