16 Comments

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.

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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.

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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...

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.)

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Sincere question - if you remove the zucchini blossoms, don’t you remove the possibility of the sqaush from growing?

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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.

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