hospitality

Friday, February 17, 2012

This week I have been working on a brochure for the business. A nice description of how to buy our produce with some lettuce pictures is all it is but it took way too long and its still not perfect. In searching for brochure pictures it was interesting to look at all the garden related pictures we have. There are some real highs and lows in the garden. Sunshine rays, glowing swiss chard, shiny tomatoes, weeds, hail damage, dead plants, rocks, more weeds... it's all captured but I would rather not show it. Cropping works sometimes but skipping the messy stuff is easier. Here is a good picture of the garden. The rows are somewhat straight  and visible, not obscured by weeds. The plants look like something you would eat on your dinner plate, healthy and full of lively color.

My sister shared a book with me called Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner. There is a thought Lauren shares on hospitality that I appreciated. How we can't bring people into our houses only when they are perfect and shiny. She makes a point that we should forge friendships with people by letting them into our lives, even if perfection is lacking there too. True hospitality makes you vulnerable.

This is in the same garden in a less glamourous more "honest" moment. I might be trying to weed. Hard to say though, sitting like that is not a very efficient weeding position. I remember this day last summer, it felt a little hopeless and very windy. I am going to talk to you about it though even if I have to tell you that I was grumpy because maybe together we can grow.