sustainable spirituality

The plants are stirring and growth is starting to open up. The earliest things are the buds on the flowering currant. They will soon turn into pink flowers that drip from each stem. Since it is so wet here in Oregon the mosses are moving from a leafy stage into a spor stage. On the ground in the wet land is an interesting plant called colts foot. I guess it resembles a young horse in its infant stage. What do you think? Finally the nine bark is pretty now with its split bark against the twigs.

It is starting to warm up in Portland. The garden has daffodils around the pond. They are starting to poke out through the soil. In addition to bulbs the flowering currant is starting to open its buds. the flowers are pink and white . they are the first things to bloom in the garden.

The Portland rain often causes a beautiful light and reflects things differently . Notice how the dragons shines. The pictures show the head, then wings that are seats, the leg and finally the tail.

Our wild rose is located beneath the rotating solar panel. Notice the rose hips (red ball like structures)

Many plants exist in the wet land portion of the garden. When it rains the water flows out of the pond down a creek bed into a low land area called the wetland. This area has many plants that love water and are drought resistant. The first is an upper area tree, incense cedar. Notice the bright green foliage. The second is a shrub called nine bark. It has a characteristic split bark liken to paper birch. The third shrub/tree is the pacific willow. It started out as a single stick and has spread into a water devouring plant. Finally the red colored shrub is a red barked dogwood. The red bark provides most of the photosynthesis for the plant during the winter.

Not many plants are growing now, but the moss and lichen thrive year round . Originally the pond was lined with clean Camas grey basalt. Over 24 tons were brought into the garden and put in place by students. Today the rocks have colonies of moss and lichen on them giving them a rich color and texture. The sword ferns are healthy and well established . No fiddle heads yet. The blank ground shots are views of the area between the path and the pond. This is the location of many lupine plants. They will be popping up soon

Many plants in the garden look dead or dormant . I like to think of them as sleeping. The first tree is a paper birch. Notice the white bark and how it flakes off the tree. The second tree is an alder. It has small cone like structures. Neither tree has started budding. Most of the plants are native to this area. They survive wet periods and dry periods. Spring comes early in the NW. I look for signs of change in the buds and plants.

Yesterday I went to the water garden in the rain . It was very lively withthe water flowing. In addition there was the return of the robins . One of the quacking birch trees had almost 10 birds hanging out. Spring is coming .

When it rains the water from the roof of several portable classrooms runs into the pond. The new sustainable classroom also provides water to the garden. Recently we had a freak snow fall, followed by a warm front with lots of rain. The pond filled up quickly and the water overflowed forming a little stream and a secondary pond in the wet land. It so cool to see the water flowing.