The Garden Shedde

Every year for Christmas I get money from my parents, who happen to be divorced so I get close to double what most people get. Up until this year, I have either used the money to pay bills or to just blow on whatever I want but I have found that to ring hollow and set out this year to find something a little different. Though you may think me a bit crazy, I ended up giving up the majority of money that was given to me. Though I found many places that were dissevering of the money, two of them captured my heart; Heifer International and Blood Water Mission.

Heifer International does more than just give animals away to families. They train the families to take care of the animals as well as put them under contract to pass along the animals as they can and the knowledge. This not only gives people a way to make a living but a way to thrive and pass on the good luck. Blood Water Mission simple saves lives by providing families and villages much needed biosand water filters that eliminates up to 98% of disease causing bacteria in the water. If you feel moved to give this year to something greater than yourself, check out these two fantastic organizations and give. You will discover what Christmas can be for you.

Nobody who eats bacon really wants to know that we are much more like pigs than we might want to think. If you have ever listened to scientists you would notice how many tests are done on pig’s right before human testing. The reason is because our systems are a lot like there’s. If you have to get a valve replacement or bladder one of your choices are pig’s valves and bladders as they can be assimilated with our systems pretty easily.

If it makes you a little bit uneasy that one of your favorite foods comes from an animal that may also save your life one day, it’s totally understandable. Pigs are more than a food source, but they are a food source and as long as they are treated with grace and dignity it’s okay that they are food. However, we also need to realize that pigs are also really very smart and are self-aware just like monkeys, dolphins and elephants. Maybe if they painted pictures and were in zoos they would get a little bit more respect. Until that time comes, just remember the next time you order a pork chop to honor the pig that gave its life for you.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that you can’t know everything. That is the conclusion I come to every year as I start to clean up and trim back trees, shrubs, vines and plants for the winter because every year I have new questions. I have tried to find answers on the internet but you get a lot of conflicting answers because we all live in such varied areas. What works in Texas doesn’t make since in Tennessee and so on and so forth. That’s why I turn to my friends at Teacup Gardener.

They are always open to design and consultation for gardens and landscape and I have yet to get bad advice. Of course they are local to the Nashville, Tennessee area where I live and have been in business here for over twenty years. This gives them the experience I can trust in and the staying power I need every year I go back to them for advice and help. It is rare to h=work with a company that you can consult with and do the work yourself or work with in any capacity. They realize that some people love to do what they can and when they can’t Teacup Gardener takes it from there. I also love that they are such believers in saving the earth through conservation and care. They just do it right.