Why Is It Important To Belong?

Belong to what you say, a garden club of course!  I could not belong to a garden club for thirty-five years because I worked full time and the garden club met during the day.  I am not working full time now, so I was able to join two groups this year to find out where I really belong.  Both of them are enjoyable for different reasons. 

Monday I went to the more serious group and we were going to have a demonstration of Asian cooking by someone I had known years ago.  She has traveled the world and written four books.  I am not a fan of Asian cooking, and my husband told me I had better eat before going.  Oh, I forgot to tell you, this demo was being held at Bloomingdales near the suburb where I live.  Our meeting was going to be on the third floor before the demo, so I strolled up and this lovely person from Bloomingdales offered to take my coat.  Where am I?  I thought I was at a fancy downtown  restaurant, but I was up there among the rugs and mattresses. 

There were lovely little round gold clothed tables, and we peeked into the covered treats on the buffet.  This didn't look Asian, but it looked delicious.  I was so glad that I had not eaten.  After lunch and a short business type meeting, we were ushered downstairs for our cooking demo. 

We all agreed that this specific meeting had little to do with "gardening," but it certainly had a lot to do with a group of gardeners getting together to enjoy being with each other.  Next month, we will really get down to business!

Aromatherapy

The word aromatherapy has always made me think of potpourri, scented candles and bath oils.  Yesterday, I attended a workshop by the above name from one of my garden groups (I belong to two).  This one is known as the "fun" group and the other "the very serious group."

It was a smaller group today about seventeen people instead of thirty or forty.  We had our coffee, tea, cookies, fruit and Welch's carbonated juice.  Our aromotherapist arrived in a yellow BMW convertible, which I did not realize until I was leaving (whole new slant on aromotherapy).

Really, kidding aside, I learned a great deal about specific plants, their oils, medicinal value, and how to incorporate them into daily life.  I now know that lavendar is the "angel of healing and purfication," basil helps to lift depression, bergamot opens your heart to love and life and clary sage is a powerful euphoric and relaxing aphrodisiac.  Lavendar can be used full strength but many essential oils require mixing with a medium such as olive oil.  Essential oils have been around for thousands of years being the first perfumes and medicines of bygone generations.  This was definitely some serious learning today, but also fun!

We all made soap (I made lavendar soap), some purchased essential plant oils from our workshop leader, and as I was leaving warned her that she wouldn't be driving her car tomorrow (we're expecting 14" of snow).  She said she had snow tires on that yellow summer car, but agreed  she would probably spend the day in the house rubbing in the citrus oils (my conjecture) which are great for the gloomies!!