Chicken Soup for The SoilWritten by Jean Fritz
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Finally, feed your fungi. Really. Many stores specializing in products for organic gardening and sustainable agriculture sell micorrhizal spores, which is a fungus that helps soil release its nutrients more easily. Micorrhiza needs to be fed in order to reproduce and survive winter. Use a hose-end sprayer, and fill it halfway with gooey, blackstrap molasses. If you can find sulphured kind, so much better. Fill rest of sprayer with flat beer, and spray solution over your garden beds. The sugar in molasses feeds existing fungi and beneficial bacteria in soil, and yeasts and enzymes in beer add more. You’ll literally make your soil come alive, and that will help your garden thrive next year.
Jean Fritz is a farmer and freelance writer. Her farm, KittyVista Organics, is located 30 miles east of Indianapolis, and specializes in growing heirloom, open-pollinated and unusual varieties of flowers and vegetables.
| | Lesson from An Old GuitarWritten by Chuck Hinson
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When you get to be an adult, it’s going to be same thing when you’re ‘out there’ in real world. Nobody can stop you; it’s your choice as to what type of ‘music’ you give them. Now, you see those strings, and how you’re holding them down with your fingertips? Each note is meant to create harmony with each other. That's your goal in life, son … learn to place each thing you do …each step you take … so it’ll be in harmony with mankind. Otherwise, just like with guitar, you’re gonna make such a noise that nobody’ll want to hear you.” I listened intently; this was good stuff! Then he continued, “And, by and by, you’ll learn how to sing with that guitar – maybe even write a few tunes yourself. When you do, remember that a simple tune does better when words are from heart. Make them easy for people to learn … to keep in their mind. And you’re painting a picture with each one. Son, remember to do same thing in your everyday doings, and you’ll make friends and be happier than you ever thought. And that ‘song’ that you sing … one you show everyday in your actions … will be one that’ll go ‘number one’ with your friends and others. Just leave lyrics open to your brother’s and sister’s point of view, and they’ll be humming that song long after you’ve gone. Now … let’s hear you play …”
Chuck Hinson is a publisher and announcer whose fondest memories are of his home in Pineville, North Carolina. Along with (then) Rep. (later Gov.) Jim Martin, he authored a resolution that called for, and later became, National Children's Day. He's produced three popular audiotapes, a newspaper ("The Window Today"), and has a website at http://greatinternetnewspaper.bizhosting.com.
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