Book review #1: Mark Cullen's Sandbox of a different kind

Book Review! What a great idea!
Please do keep me informed.
I am a voracious reader and would happily contirbute a review or two should the interest be here.

Bob

-- I want to believe in a lot of things but, in the meantime I have to deal with the truth

great idea… perhaps we’ll have a “REVIEW” tab like at LumberJocks.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

I love garden books.Sharing the good ones sounds ok to me.I am always wanting to learn new garden tips.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

A great idea. Actually, we should have book reviews as one of the forum headings. ... keep ourselves organized.

-- jroot

Confessions….I bought three!!!!! Ed Lawrence’s Gardening Grief and Glory, The Plant Propagator’s Bible by Miranda Smith
Sjm

-- Sonya J

A book review forum sounds wonderful. I’m always looking for new references.

-- the day you quit learning is the day you quit living.

looking forward to hearing more about this book

-- Stop by and visit my homepage at http://www.craftygardener.ca or my blog at http://craftygardener.blogspot.com/ Thanks, Linda aka Crafty Gardener

Great reading, Sonya. I spend alot of time during the winter reading and looking at gardening books and magazines———and catalogues.
Many years ago I also worked in a long term facility. Before they decided that gardening would be good therapy for the residents. :( Then I worked in a home for adolescents with behavioural problems and introduced a gardening program for the kids. It was good for them———and great for me! :)
As I did, you probably find the program very rewarding for both yourself and the residents, as they get so much enjoyment out of it.

BTW Sonya, welcome to GT! :)

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

I have to share a story… as I said, I used to offer a parent-child drop-in program at a hospital that had long-term care patients.
One day the kids were going to be playing with bubbles so we all went outside into the gardens. (the children/parents/ hospital staff and some of the patients).
One little boy (about 4 years old) held up his bubble maker to an elderly person, sitting in his wheelchair, and said “blow.. you can do it”. The “old man” (I say respectfully) gave a feeble attempt at blowing a little puff of air. The bubble barely moved. The little boy, patiently said, “Just a little harder. I know you can do it. Just blow a little harder.” The gentleman gave it his all and this tiny little bubble came floating off the bubble maker. The little boy cheered “I knew you could do it.” I don’t think I saw a smile on the old man’s face but the man’s daughter, who happened to be visiting that morning, had tears in her eyes.

That was about 10 years ago and I remember it as if it was yesterday – definitely a memory to treasure.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

The innocence of children … a true Gift of God. That story makes my heart smile MsDeb …

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI

Great story, MsDebbieP. I learn more about My Garden Friends every day. :)

-- jroot

good tale MsDebbie

reminds me of time that wasnt quite so pretty, was funny but wasnt pretty.

-- Central northish Ontario

Hi Debbie: Thanks for sharing and yes Iris43, I feel so blessed each time I do programme with the residents and I leave feeling so light hearted. It is definately an experience to cherish. Recentley, I decided to do a fresh apple arrangement which in theory works well from a sensory aspect, and use of fine motor skills in that you attach branches or sprigs from nature (euonymus, English ivy, evergreen sprigs) and place them in and around the apple. Well, my one resident (this group being in the latter stages of dementia) just grabbed the apple and tried to eat it so I just went with it and sliced up an apple and it became an eating fest. Of course, in these cases one has to be certain that there are no diet restrictions or troubles chewing foods. Well, my lady had both but upon speaking to the PSW i merely chopped it up fine so as to avoid choking. The other residents joined in the fun and also made a fall arrangement….I feel my life up to this point has led me here and Hort/therapy is only now being recognized as a profession, and still we have all been doing this since our fingers became entrenched in beautiful dirt!!!!

-- Sonya J

God bless you, SonyaJ, for what you do. One day, you may be helping me.

-- jroot

I thank God every night for long term care workers.My mom is in a long term care facility and we were lucky enough to get her into a smaller one where the care is exceptional.The residents there are usually always smiling and happy and the food is great too.On the occasions when I bring her home here for a few days I really understand how much work is involved to care for her.In my opinion God has sent his special angels to care for these residents.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more