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 June 8, 2012 Balance

Vines grow up, over

Tendrils spiral, wrap around.

New green shoots flourish.

Art Prescription:  I love wandering vines. Most vine-like plants are dependent on another structure in order to grow towards the sun. If planted with intention…grape-vine, clematis- vine, honeysuckle-vine… and there is adequate support to grow and prosper, things work out pretty good. If, however, vines are invasive (kudzu), or poorly planned, then the vine and the support suffer. Invasive plants can smother whole living trees.  So just as in life when planting something new, a little planning goes along way. Everything needs balance!