Podcast 278 - Gaia's Garden Chapter 10

Paul thought people weren't all that interested in his bookreview podcasts. I, for one, hope he continues to do them, as I really enjoy the variety in the 'casts he produces.

I love this review. It reminded me to go pull this book back off the shelf! We bought it and read it from front to back outloud and took notes the year before we found our place - and I've skimmed it since a couple times - UH. DOH!!!

We really need to review it all again. Particularly the all important SLOW DOWN and GET SMART before you try to DO EVERYTHING AT ONCE!
heh heh heh.

I was happy to hear some of the plants I've instinctively already put in are the RIGHT ones - some of this information apparently stuck in the old cranium.

And, I wanted to say. Toby is absolutely right about kids in the woods. I spent my childhood in the woods because our town still had woods all around it. I raised my boys in a rainforest on Hawaii - we had a little grass yard on one end of the house. The rest of the whole place was forest. The kids played on the grass every now and then - but WAAAAAAAY more often - like EVERY DAY they were out in the woods. Up in the guava trees, or the banyans, or picking mangos, bananas or guavas... Rain or shine they just wanted to be out in the forest. In the rain, they built dams and pools for swimming.

They became very different adults than their peers who never spent any time out of doors and lived in suburban landscapes full of cement and 'playgrounds'. blech. They are all very independent thinkers and huge nature and outdoor freaks to this day.

I also want to tell you how much I enjoy your book reviews. They are more than just a rehash of the material which is also useful but with the interjections of your experiences and preferences the material is enriched. I can read material and not completely digest it but with your discussions I can go back and get a fresh perspective. I will admit that I am not likely to go buy Botany In A Day, but I wasn't going to buy it in the first place. Yet, because of your podcast I have a better understanding of the plants in guilds and my garden AND I have recommended that book to others who have expressed an interest in that kind of knowledge adding how impressed I was with the organization of the text material. You might say I infected another mind.

There is so much material out there and it is hard to know where to start. That you are impressed enough to spend this time on a book is a true recommendation. In addition, while I may not find time to sit down with all the books I would wish, I can carry your podcast with me via my phone app. That is a real boon as I "stack functions" in my day.

Thank you for all you do for us beginners. You need to know that your work is greatly appreciated.