Local Knowledge

This week, I received in the mail from Guernica Editions a copy of Nina Newington’s forthcoming book, Cardinal Divide. Nina has asked me if I would write a review. That is my current homework. This encouraged me to do some background research. I read an interview in open-book.ca Nina Newington on Canada, Uncertainty and her newest book.

I also discovered that there is a Forest Garden Walkabout and Workshop this Saturday, August 1st.

Meanwhile, Heather and I had been trying to meet up with Rick Ketcheson and his wife, Kathy. We had been interested in the properties of biochar. On Thursday, we enjoyed a tour of their amazing garden on St.James Street in Annapolis Royal. Later on our walk to the Elm Tree Cafe at the Historic Gardens, we discussed a wide range of topics from food sustainability, community gardens, two-eyed seeing to the writing of Wendell Berry.

Afterwards, in the afternoon, I stopped at the Lawrencetown library. Jaki informed me that once again we can request books through inter-library loan.
It was obvious that I should request The Well-gardened Mind, in the spirit of both Nina and Rick.

In answer to one of Rick’s questions about bringing about change, my somewhat facetitious answer was ‘fungal networks’. To appreciate our local geography, we must recognize the richness that exists or has been attracted to this part of rural Nova Scotia.

Meanwhile, a footnote from Peter Pula in Axiom News ‘What piano and social procurement have in common’.

Acknowledgements

Rick Ketcheson for the walkabout in Annapolis Royal. Nina Newington for the review request. Heather for her interest in garden improvement. Edwards for his graphics contribution.

References.

Nina Newington, 2020. Cardinal Divide, Guernica Editions. (Forthcoming in September)
Forest Garden Walkabout and Workshop. August 1, 2020.
Raven Wood Biochar
Sue Stuart-Smith, 2020. The Well-gardened Mind: the restorative power of Nature.
Axiom News, July 30th. What piano and social procurement have in common.