Sometimes I feel like I’m the last one to know—whatever. I first noticed this when I would come across a word I’d never seen before. (Not into my school days, but well into a few decades.) I would see the word, look it up to get pronunciation and meaning, and soon be seeing the word everywhere. How is that possible? It must always have been that ever-present. What in the world was I doing, or, probably more accurately, what was I attending to that I completely missed it? Did I just unconsciously slide over the fact that here was a likely essential piece of a sentence that I didn’t recognize, didn’t even see? With time and practice I have grown to appreciate that phenomenon the way I appreciate stumbling or finding myself outside in slippers. Where was I? I didn’t know I wasn’t there. Or, rather, here. Good to know. Great reminder to “up the game.”
Diatomaceous earth. If you’re nodding, thinking “yeah, I know about diatomaceous earth,” please know I am not going to ask why you didn’t tell me. (I know the answer to that.) But I do wish someone had told me because, yowza, it is truly amazing stuff. If you don’t know about it, take a little break here and google it. In-depth study is not required to know this is something that could help us and the planet in a big way.
Two issues at the ZMPC have dogged us from our first days on the property: mice and ants. We even have a saying that there’s nothing more pathetic than a Buddhist with an ant infestation. Enter diatomaceous earth. Not harmful to the planet and if used properly, not even harmful to critters. They don’t like it and leave. Mix it with the essential oils the critters don’t like and they want to be somewhere else. Yes, it can be used to kill, but it doesn’t need to be.
When we took possession of this new practice center it quickly became clear that we have a fly problem. The old owners breezily assured us that “yes, every March and October the flies show up.” What they failed to mention is that they never leave. Window tracks are encrusted with their corpses. Some windows are so caked that the window can’t be opened. Windows that are opened allow in a swarm of flies.
Someone said it’s the result of having cattle on nearby land. A neighbor told me that there used to be a dairy just up the hill from us. Interesting, but where does this leave us? Finally, someone mentioned the possibility of putting a thin, thin layer of diatomaceous earth in the track the window follows. On it! In the meantime, we have likely found the solution to our ant and mice issues at the Monastery. A “better late than never” moment?
Following up on a tip from an organic farmer in the practice, we went to a website from which plants native to the Sequim area can be purchased at an absurdly cheap price. (Trees at a dollar a pop.) These are tiny tree and bush/shrub people to be sure, and many might not make it, but we’re going to do the best we can to make sure each one thrives. We can pick them up in the first week of March (fly season!), and we’re hoping the pandemic will cooperate such that people can be here to join in the fun. Lots of holes to dig and babies to tuck in.
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I came across a sustainably produced calendar that I find to be charming—I’ve long been calendar obsessed, most happy for a new year because it means new organizing tools—and asked keepitsimple.org to order some to be available for others who might enjoy it. Turns out it is created by folks who farm on neighboring Whidbey Island. They’re excited that we’re here and asked if we could be a part of next year’s planner. We got them for right at $20, and if you add $5 or so we’ll happily send you one. We have 20 copies. |
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Those of you reading Braiding Sweetgrass will appreciate the tribute to maple trees on the inside front cover. |
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Another wonderful book has come my way that could be called a companion to Braiding Sweetgrass. It’s the latest from Thich Nhat Hanh called Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. Highly recommended. I’m listening to them alternately and they make a marvelous team. Please be reassured that I’m not going to continue to make book suggestions. I’m the one with no time to read, don’t you know? |
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P.S. When we sent folks the information about Aspiration Bank, we included a note about the “fine print” that indicated a requirement for receiving the $50 was spending $250 in cumulative transactions in the first two months. Perhaps that seems like a lot, but I found that just gas and grocery charges easily reached that threshold. Just an encouragement in case that seemed daunting. Additionally, one phone trip to customer service would have inspired me to pay them the $50 out of sheer gratitude. Lovely people.