| Title | : | Grace from the Garden: Changing the World One Garden at a Time |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1579546854 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781579546854 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 224 |
| Publication | : | First published May 23, 2003 |
In these pages, we travel the country with Debra Landwehr Engle as she visits 20 gardens and gardeners from California to Maine and Minnesota to Arkansas, showing us that grassroots campaigns actually can and do involve roots--and seeds and garden trowels. That any person with a steadfast resolve and an open patch of dirt can help bridge the gap between multinational refugees. That lush vegetation and running water and cool stones can help spark the fading memories of our elderly. And that our children can learn about where food comes from, labyrinths, wetlands systems, and healing from grief and loss just by digging in the earth with a caring adult hand to guide them.
As the stories in this remarkable collection demonstrate, the simplest act of gardening can produce significant changes in the lives of people we might never even meet. Consider the man who sends seedlings and greenhouses halfway around the world to feed hospital patients, or the immigrant woman who began selling her own flowers as a way to raise money for overseas charities, or the couple who offers their land as a midday retreat for the residents of nearby nursing homes. These acts and others are not heroic--or even unusual--as Ms. Engle tells us. We see ourselves in these uplifting tales from the garden, as they inspire us to transform our own little parts of the world into places of greater peace, repose, play, and healing. For gardeners, community activists, and those who understand the spiritual value of putting a spade in the soil, these stories capture the promise renewed each time we plant a seed and give us fresh ideas for changing the world, one garden at a time.
Grace from the Garden: Changing the World One Garden at a Time Reviews
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Who doesn't love the idea of carefully planting your garden so that it may actually help other people in need? This book is an inspiring read on the how and why of becoming a garden activist and it did get my imagination going..so many grassroots projects and so little time! I found myself constantly thinking about this uplifting book as I weeded and watered my vegetable garden. Could I grow enough food to feed others or help a elderly person continue to harvest like in the "Garden Angel" Program? The author takes us on a tour of twenty activist gardens around the country as we explore the different social activities (both large and small) that we all could be involved in. We even learn that it doesn't take much land to feed others maybe some large clay pots, soil, seeds, a handy watering can and dirty hands. I have been giving my neighbors home-grown vegetables and fruits for years but why stop there? I love the idea of teaching disadvantaged young people how to start their own community gardens. Five stars for the “giving back” ideas and five stars for the loving, compassionate spirit that this book was written in. This is a life changing book.
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Some people might feel the stories told this book seem a bit repetitive, and the writing might not be super wonderful, but in this case, I don't care. Each story is worth being told and heard, and thank goodness Mrs. Engle chose to take the time to do it. What a great reason to write a book:to showcase real-life accounts of compassion and service. I found that it was good to read one or two accounts each day and then let their importance and lessons have a place in my thoughts.
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Was a great read for inspiration. I felt my wheels turning with the development of garden and community
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So sweet and sentimental.
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Always a nice time to open this gem back up again--
"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."
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William Shakespeare -
I felt I needed something beside chick lit to read. It was interesting. I didn't love it, but I did finish it.
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Interesting stories about people gardening and gardens but a little goes a long way for me. Halfway thru I am ready to stop reading it.
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A collection of stories about people and their gardens. All of the gardeners are working to make the world a better place. Nice bedside reading for any gardener.
