Haiku September 30, 2012 Kudzu Giraffes

Leafy green giraffes

Kudzu drapes trees, purple blooms

Smell like grape Nehi.

Art Prescription:  Kudzu is an invasive vine that grows over entire patches of trees making shapes for the imagination. A lover of shades of green, I find its heart-shaped leaves attractive, and grape- soda scented flowers must lure many insects. But Kudzu can take over in an unwanted fashion.  We have a local farm here in North Carolina called “Cudzu Farm.” http://www.cud-zu.com/index.htm

The Farm
The Cheek farm has been in Margaret’s family for over 101 years. Her father and her grandfather were both dairy farmers. She is one of four children born in the farm house.

When Margaret and Charlie moved back to the farm 12 years ago, the barn and the fields were overgrown with kudzu. Someone said if they wanted to get rid of the kudzu, they should buy a couple of goats. They bought 2 goats, then someone gave them 3 more and later those goats had babies. Today, they have 9 goats and the kudzu is well under control.

Then their neighbors, all dairy farmers, started asking, “What else are your goats good for?” That’s when Charlie and Margaret started making goats’ milk soap.

Today, after 10 years and many batches of trial and error, they have perfected a unique bar of all natural goat milk soap that not contain any additives, colorants, preservatives, stablizers, or chemicals. It is highly praised for its moisturizing properties.

 

Haiku September 13, 2012 Chinese Brush Painting

Jet black Sumi-ink

Brush strokes capture the essence

Moment on paper.

Art Prescription:  I went to a Chinese Brush Stroke class today at the NC Botanical Garden taught by Alice, her American name. With a gentle demeanor she demonstrates the ancient art of brush painting. She teaches us it’s not about the accuracy of the painting, but the feeling…the Chi, and make sure to leave room in your painting for movement of energy. We worked on herons today. And swallows!