Tuesday, September 14, 2010

MYCORRHIZAE


Relationships of all kinds have similar strands of strength. Weaves of individuals or groups within a related community, stabilize and solidify the structure. Safety is found in numbers; groups and teams create historical bonds.

I've had the pleasure to become part of new group of people. Some members migrated from the east coast together or at different times. Some members immigrated from other countries. Some members were previously partnered. Some members now have children. A diagram, like a family tree, helps me remember who is who or who was with whom, or who has transitioned from this world to the next. The diagram contains long strands of information and linkages.

This reminds me of mycorrhizae. Mycorrhizal fungi function through a network of threads. At one end, the threads attach to and enter the root tissue. It is here that the plant and fungus exchange essential materials. Plants receive minerals, nutrients and water while fungi receive essential sugars and compounds to fuel growth. At the other end, fungal threads fan out into the soil and exponentially expand the amount of soil the roots may explore. Compaction, topsoil removal and displacement reduce or eliminate mycorrhizal fungi on most construction sites. Untouched forests have miles and miles of relationship strands.

These two subjects remind me of the movie Avatar. Na'vi people of the planet Pandora, sat cross-legged and touched arms while chanting and moving with one intent, one prayer..... Such a beautiful image of community.

Monday, September 13, 2010

San Francisco/Sausalito/Sonoma


Travel gives the opportunity to look at things from a different perspective.

A highlight of the trip to Sonoma was my return to the garden design "exhibition museum" CornerStone. Conrnerstone in Sonoma is based on the display gardens at the International Garden Festival at Chaumont , France, which I visited in 2004.

Cornerstone showcases the best in cutting-edge international landscape design. It gives designers a venue to use their most creative voices: a chamber within designers sing a wild song. My thanks go to the owners of Cornerstone for giving EARTH ART artists a place to create.

To not sound like a critic, but rather a curious observer.....my eyebrow went up a few times; my head shook back and forth; my hand flipped at the wrist; I was appalled and rolled my eyes; I spoke passionately to my "non-garden design" friends ...who then rolled their eyes. We all laughed...laughing is such good medicine!