I happened upon a beautiful bowl, created for yarn. Although when I held it, I knew it had a greater purpose as well. A handmade, hand turned bowl made in Central India. A bowl offered by Darn Good Yarn that helps women uplift and helps other women with families. The Owner, Nicole Snow, had a mission after leaving the Air Force. Art and helping other women become self-sufficient was her mission. Using recycled fibers to create unique yarns and art was key to creating Darn Good Yarn. A quality product with reasonable pricing that gives back to the community is always a great mission. Nicole continues to fulfill this mission and from this mission, these beautiful yarn bowls have come to life.
These bowls are created in a region where there are no sustainable jobs for those living in poverty. This unique work of art is useful in keeping up with yarn. If you knit or crochet, you know how yarn tends to grow wheels and end up in the oddest places. One can utilize the yarn bowl to hold smaller projects and when it is not in use Nicole suggests placing it on display – it is quite beautiful.
When the bowl came in the mail it also came with a little information about Nicole Snow and Darn Good Yarn. In her letter, Nicole asked that each of us “work together to create positive impacts on this world and strengthen that woven web”. There was also a sheet that could be colored in and shared. The message was clear “Retreat from the Everyday”. When we retreat, it allows us time to pause and consider everything that is evolving around us.
We have communities nearby each of us, no doubt, that could use an opportunity for empowerment. When I look at this bowl, it is not a solid bowl, there is an opening in the side that allows whatever is inside to funnel out, sharing the inner contents. I am using this bowl to hold little notes of how I can give back to my community. Notes of how to give hope to those less fortunate than I. A few of the notes I have written include gifting pots of lettuce to Seniors in my community, providing hope that the seeds which sprout from the soil will provide nourishment – if for only one meal. That one meal might spark a continuing conversation. It will show that I care. Another note reminds me to smile more often, it will show that I am friendly. Yet another note suggests that I knock on the doors of neighbors that I do not know and share my love of gardening (and have a packet of seeds to share). This will help build community, within my community, and dismantle any barriers that might exist. Creatively continuing my engagement with the young people in my community. Simply saying “Hi” and asking them how they are doing can perhaps set the example of letting them know I see them, I care, and I am watching out for their safety. Perhaps reaching out to see if some of the youth want to help me plant a row for the hungry – even if it is them. Imagine the exchange of ideas that could take place.
These are just a few of the suggestion slips in my bowl – trust me, my bowl is running over. Whether you have a beautiful yarn bowl, a small basket or even a special dish, how are you collecting ideas on how to better embrace our community?? How are you building community or reaching out to other communities to help make this diverse world we live in a better place? How can you weave positive energy, trust, and peace back into your community??? What talents can you recycle back into something good, like Nicole? Darn Good Yarn recycles fibers that would otherwise go into a landfill but is reused to create beautiful yarn. I am glad I found this bowl and perhaps I will use it to hold yarn. In the meantime, I have seeds of hope and joy to plant as I come up with more ideas to slip into my bowl.
What’s in your bowl?
by 
Great resources that allow one to grow as a garden communicator. From regional meet ups to newsletter articles that inspire one to travel near and far, cultivating a deeper relationship with the garden. 
On a cold December evening, I had the opportunity to enjoy a long overdue date. A date I had never found time for in past visits, but one I longed to enjoy. I love art that depicts peace and oneness with nature. I think that is how I fell in love with the works of Monet. Yes, there are other great Masters but Claude Monet’s art simply stole my heart many, many years ago. So I stood in 28-degree weather, in the evening and waited for our date to begin.
Here in the Musee d’Orsay, there are many works from Art Masters displayed and viewed by many. Musee d’Orsay is a former railway station, that at one time housed a hotel and a huge reception area. A pausing point for travelers near and far, this building served it’s purpose around the time of the World’s Fair. When times changed, the French Government thought it best to use this building as a museum. In 1986, the Musee d’Orsay was opened. The works of art contained within these walls date from 1848 to 1914. 
One can find the works of Degas, Van Gogh, C’ezanne, Delacroix and of course…Monet. I was pleasantly surprised that since it was after 6:00, my entry fee was only 9 euro. I was simply overjoyed when I saw the great reception hall filled with such beautifully cared for sculptures and paintings….
I saw the works of Rodin…
a little Van Gogh…
and of course the works of Monet…
and more Monet….
It was time for the best part of my date with Monet. I was simply not ready emotionally to see what I had longed to see in person. One lady in her wonderful accent asked if I was okay as my eyes glistened and eventually overflowed with tears of joy. I am sure we were quietly crying together.
My world is ever changed. My date with Claude Monet and his works are forever etched in my mind. Savoring the moments, I slowly walked away ready to dream of revisiting Giverny in a warmer season….perhaps later this year as I continue to discover Paris…
Sharing the significance of places such as the Pantheon, the Odeon Theater and more, Tom did not disappoint as he shared history I was simply not aware of. Tom Reeves research and perspective of The Black History of Jardin du Luxembourg and the area surrounding it, left me yearning for more.
I could not leave the area without dining where some of the great men and women of color had dined in the back room as they shared ideas and felt more than welcomed in this foreign land, The Cafe Tournon. With an American coffee (I called it a large cup of warm, delicious jet fuel) the salad with ham, eggs, pickled vegetables and a dash of dressing, was all I needed to continue my journey. The two hours shared with Tom Reeves and my small group was not just food for my soul, but just enough substance to encourage me to discover more about Paris than the gardens, the fabric, and the fashion – I urge anyone visiting Paris to use 
Last year I was blessed to enjoy Jardin du Luxembourg in its summer glory, I was not aware of whose footsteps I was walking in as well. With 3 plantings a year, courtesy of the French Senate, the grounds are just as beautiful in their winter nakedness and give way to the anticipation of Spring.
