I loved this entire post, but especially what you shared from the artist in Ukraine. These words are so true: "Amid the ugliness of war, the pursuit of beauty is a worthy form of resistance. Amid the profanity of human conflict, reminders of the sacred are needed more than ever." Thank you, Jeff.
Thank you, Jeff, for sharing Ivanka's thoughts with us. I'm pondering the question of why some of us are emboldened in our faith by hardship and some of us falter. Finding and leaning into communities that can offer an arm of support or a glimmer of hope is so crucial to me when sometimes I just want to give into despair. I'm trying to find the face of God wherever I can, and perhaps even be the face of God on my good days.
Beautifully said. I have these questions too, so it's good to hear this. One notable thing about being in Central Europe last week was that it's still visible there, with yellow and blue on display in many places, for example in the middle of Vienna, on a giant banner hanging off a tower of the large cathedral in the city center: STOP WAR with a dove. Proximity has a role, of course, and size of the continent, but I also saw so much neighbor love and communal thinking on my trip that tugged at my heart. What if, what if, what if we in the US thought more with our empathy and less with our need to own and dominate...
I wonder whether it isn't *just* proximity in the case of Central Europe but also other factors, including history and the size of those countries. Because of how big and allegedly powerful the US is, perhaps it hasn't had to relate to other countries in the way that smaller nations might.
When I read your lists of dishes cooked for a Chinese meal, I wonder how you get it all ready at the same-ish time? This is a skill I am working on and would appreciate advice from you and/or others here.
It's a great question, and I still don't do it as well as my mom does. One thing I learned from her: for stir-fry dishes, for instance, she'll cook the ingredients nearly all the way earlier and then set them aside; then, at the last minute, they go back in the wok and you only need to cook them long enough for whatever sauce you're using to thicken. Also, I usually choose a mix of dishes that doesn't require all the same kind of prep. So the soy sauce chicken is done ahead of time and served room temp, and the fish can be in the oven for the last 15 minutes while I'm doing the other things.
I have Ivanka Demchuk's print "Angel of Hope" hanging in my entry way. It reminds me of our Ukrainian brothers and sisters every time I see it. Thanks for sharing news from her.
I so appreciated Ivanka's reflections. And it was a fun surprise to see the Huachuca City Garden feature! I work with the countywide effort that has been supporting their efforts and others in Cochise County through training, capacity building, and support for things like grant-writing. It's been really encouraging over the past 5 years to see that effort launch so many community-level initiatives like HCG. (They're not the only one-- there are a bunch of gardens and grocery partnerships and other exciting development popping up in towns all over that county.)
My understanding is that squash grow only from the female blossoms. So you can harvest the male blossoms and still get squash. But this is only theoretical for me, given that I haven't managed to grow any.
Such encouragement to see a community come together to start and grow a community garden. And I loved hearing about the art that is coming from Ukraine in the midst of the war. What inspiration to create in the turmoil of life.
I loved this entire post, but especially what you shared from the artist in Ukraine. These words are so true: "Amid the ugliness of war, the pursuit of beauty is a worthy form of resistance. Amid the profanity of human conflict, reminders of the sacred are needed more than ever." Thank you, Jeff.
Thank you, Jeff, for sharing Ivanka's thoughts with us. I'm pondering the question of why some of us are emboldened in our faith by hardship and some of us falter. Finding and leaning into communities that can offer an arm of support or a glimmer of hope is so crucial to me when sometimes I just want to give into despair. I'm trying to find the face of God wherever I can, and perhaps even be the face of God on my good days.
Beautifully said. I have these questions too, so it's good to hear this. One notable thing about being in Central Europe last week was that it's still visible there, with yellow and blue on display in many places, for example in the middle of Vienna, on a giant banner hanging off a tower of the large cathedral in the city center: STOP WAR with a dove. Proximity has a role, of course, and size of the continent, but I also saw so much neighbor love and communal thinking on my trip that tugged at my heart. What if, what if, what if we in the US thought more with our empathy and less with our need to own and dominate...
I wonder whether it isn't *just* proximity in the case of Central Europe but also other factors, including history and the size of those countries. Because of how big and allegedly powerful the US is, perhaps it hasn't had to relate to other countries in the way that smaller nations might.
Yes, exactly
When I read your lists of dishes cooked for a Chinese meal, I wonder how you get it all ready at the same-ish time? This is a skill I am working on and would appreciate advice from you and/or others here.
It's a great question, and I still don't do it as well as my mom does. One thing I learned from her: for stir-fry dishes, for instance, she'll cook the ingredients nearly all the way earlier and then set them aside; then, at the last minute, they go back in the wok and you only need to cook them long enough for whatever sauce you're using to thicken. Also, I usually choose a mix of dishes that doesn't require all the same kind of prep. So the soy sauce chicken is done ahead of time and served room temp, and the fish can be in the oven for the last 15 minutes while I'm doing the other things.
I have Ivanka Demchuk's print "Angel of Hope" hanging in my entry way. It reminds me of our Ukrainian brothers and sisters every time I see it. Thanks for sharing news from her.
For the zucchini, you may need to hand pollinate. Partner does this and we get great results. It does require multiple plants.
Peace and all good!
L
You have to get blossoms before pollination even comes into play! That's how bad my zucchini situation has been. I only got blossoms once.
Oh, bother! I guess since we live in northern CA we have a better growing season! Here's to lots of blooms for your garden!
I so appreciated Ivanka's reflections. And it was a fun surprise to see the Huachuca City Garden feature! I work with the countywide effort that has been supporting their efforts and others in Cochise County through training, capacity building, and support for things like grant-writing. It's been really encouraging over the past 5 years to see that effort launch so many community-level initiatives like HCG. (They're not the only one-- there are a bunch of gardens and grocery partnerships and other exciting development popping up in towns all over that county.)
Sincere question - if you remove the zucchini blossoms, don’t you remove the possibility of the sqaush from growing?
My understanding is that squash grow only from the female blossoms. So you can harvest the male blossoms and still get squash. But this is only theoretical for me, given that I haven't managed to grow any.
Cool!
Such encouragement to see a community come together to start and grow a community garden. And I loved hearing about the art that is coming from Ukraine in the midst of the war. What inspiration to create in the turmoil of life.