21 January 2020
Lens:
Mother Nature’s Resilience Inspires Photomontage 2; All Rights Reserved 2020; Sally W. Donatello
Click onto image to enlarge. Let me know your response to this photomontage. Prints are available upon request.
Pens:
On a day forecast for our first measurable snow thoughts of spring and my gardens hover with wonder. Gardening, especially native plants, is a critical act to honor the planet and my love of nature. As a steward of the land for decades, I have sought to exchange swaths of grass for gardens filled with flowers, plants, trees and vegetables.
To return the land to the wild is to fight the climate crisis, and I’ve been at it since the 1970s. The rewards are monumental for one’s emotional and physical well-being, even for those that observe the transformation.
And the winter continues with temps that kept yesterday’s original forecast from snow to inches of rain. Temperature and weather have become part of daily concern and consideration. They have entered our bodies and minds with an invasive force, being a constant topic of conversation.
In the Lens section is another salute to planet Earth. The earth has the ability to revitalize the soil and thus the air we breathe. Carbon monoxide is not our number one enemy: humanity is. But the balance between the carbon monoxide released into the ether by green things and oxygen taken in by human beings is the equilibrium of interdependence needed for us to survive.
The image blends these ideas. Small globes represent the release of carbon monoxide from the soil into the air where we take the oxygen to sustain our bodies. The growth of plant life within the globes is the result of the symbiosis between nature and humanity. It gives me pause, and I wonder why others do not accept this truth of interdependence, what we need to sustain life on Earth.
Consider watching this TED Talk titled “A climate change solution that’s right under our feet” in which “biogeochemist Asmeret Asefaw Berhe dives into the science of soil and shares how we could use its awesome carbon-trapping power to offset climate change.”
There is something in your collage, something between magical and worrying, worthwhile to look at it and to think about.
I live in a beautiful country, unfortunately in the last two decades the soil consumption has increased so much and related problems are becoming more and more evident. This is real bad, short term planning is a dangerous thing.
I have no garden but a terrace and have a few plants in pots, my preferred are the three rosemary. It seems they all survived the winter 🙂
Robert, I truly am touched by your response, which mirrors what I was trying to achieve: awareness, crisis and the majesty of nature. In the USA Arp rosemary is the only variety to make it through our winters. I’ve had it before and they have grown into small trees. I have one now, and its an herb that struts its aromatic qualities. I suspect that’s the variety (Arp) that survived on your terrace. Why not expand the herbs? I have kitchen gardens with perennials such as garlic chives, oregano and thyme that all rejuvenate in spring.
Very creative Sally, I enjoyed your explanation on the image’s intent. Looking forward to the Ted talk
Tina, the TED Talk is quite informative and reenforces the interdependence of nature and human nature.
Climate change is real… it is frightening.
This image is amazing, Sally!
Amy, you’ve brought sunlight into a gray day. Thanks.
Intriguing!
Thank you for your comment and visit.
Great photograph Sally. Also, thanks for the TED talk, I haven’t watched that one yet.
Virginia, hope that the TED Talk inspires.
I agree with every word you say, as always, Sally. I’ve come late to gardening, but spend time every day nurturing the little patch of soil I call home. Water and insect life are my daily worries, and my greater strength joys are preparing meals from food grown in my garden, the scraps from which will be returned to the soil, and recently, raising native tree seedlings.
Su, we’re in the middle of winter here, and still I go out a few times a week and trim this or that. Or rearrange borders of gardens. Mother nature always teaches me new lessons. She is my muse and my spiritual center. Since my compost (in a container that turns) will not cure in winter, I dig scraps directly into the vegetable garden. You’ve discovered how magical nature is and our role to be partners with her. GREAT!!!!!!!!!
It’s a wonderful Pic, Sally. I feel invited to step in and to show, to wonder about all this special beauty.
Heartily, Ulli
Sorry, not to show, to look around…
You do much better with English than my German, which is limited.
Ulli, lovely to read you response to my image. Thanks.