Earth Week

Brantford had a few events to celebrate Earth Week: School ground greening, Gateway to the Green Belt greening, various tree planting, trail and other community clean up, speakers for the "Solar & Wind Power for the Homeowners",etc.

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend any of them. I celebrate the Earth as part of my life. On Earth Day, Bob & I went cycling for recreation and went to the Annual Book Fair (held by the Brantford Symphony Orchestra). We donated books but we bought books as well! That's reusing/recycling!

Check out the book titles I brought home. The second from the top is Herb Gardening.

We also attended the "Green Living Show" in Toronto where there were tons of information about Solar & Wind power. A few hybrids to test drive: Bob took a Smart car for a test drive. I was only able to see less than half of the exhibits because I was too busy sampling all the organic & healthy foods and beverages! Next time, I'll have to bring more cash as I found out that the merchandise you buy here are not only cheaper but also tax free.

When I'm not voulunteering, one can always find me in the garden: weeding, cultivating, dividing, transplanting- nurturing the Earth.

Bicycling season, at last!

The Roaming Riders had planned to start cycling at the beginning of the month. Then, it rained...then, the temperature dropped... and the snow fell... and, heck, we were all getting too old for that kind of abuse. So, our first official day as a group was on Easter Monday when the sun was shining and the temperature was fairly decent; 16 of us attended.

In this picture, Bob is getting the bikes ready by "dusting" it with the air compressor. My bicycle actually rides like brand new (except the chain will need to be replaced soon).

Last Saturday, our group and the Saturday group called Blood, Sweat & Gears went for a 38 km ride with a half way stop at a local Pancake House in Villa Nova: all you can eat pancakes, bottomless coffee or tea plus a glass of apple juice and 3 locally made lean sausages with all the pure maple syrup one wants! The first part of the ride was fairly easy on paved country roads but the ride back was challenging when the wind speed picked up, not mentioning the lethargy one feels after having a heavy meal!

Having followed an exercise plan as suggested in the book Muscle Your Way Through Menopause...and Beyond by Judith Sherman-Wolin, I can really tell the difference in my level of preparedness for this cycling season. I did not have to struggle riding the inclines this time. So, now, I am ready for the cycling season!

Volunteering: the best job

The happiest and friendliest people I run into are volunteers. While I was working, most of my volunteer jobs were church-related; you can not meet any friendlier people. Now, the only volunteer job I have at our church is scheduling coffee hosts after Sunday Worship Service. Of course, in the past I had given my fair share of work with Suppers, Bake Sales & Garage Sales. We won't be having any of those at this church (since we are selling the building). I am sure I will always be involved in this kind of volunteering no matter where I'll be.

Now, I've expanded my horizon to mostly gardening activities. The Brantford Master Gardener group requires that each member including the MGiTs (Master Gardener in Training) put in at least 100 hours of volunteer work per year. We have clinics, maintenance of a public garden or two, public education, garden tours, etc.

Garden Clean up at the Manse 2008

The Brantford Garden Club provides flower shows (within the club and also one for the general public), plant sales, maintenance of a water-wise garden & other fund raising events. Besides volunteering for various activities, I am also one of the board directors this year.

Annual Plant Sale 2008

Then, the RBG has its wide range of volunteering opportunities throughout the year. I intend to try each one of them! Commencing in February, we are potting up bare roots, seedlings and re potting of leftover plants from last year's plant sale. There are several greenhouses in the property where we do all the work. Within these greenhouses, one can work with perennial and/or annual plants. I am now working with the Native Plants group: waiting for the seeds to germinate, transplanting seedlings, digging up dormant plants for potting, etc. This beehive of activities is preparing for the Annual RBG Auxiliary Plant Sale on May 7 & 9. Oh, it is a lot of fun. The passion and enthusiasm is very contagious. The greening of all the plants as I go in every week is euphoric. If I were living in the city (of Hamilton or Burlington), I'd probably be here 5 days/week!

I guess volunteers are happy people because we love what we do so we choose to be wherever we are. As Bob would say, it's the best job I've never had.