Laughing stock

Very little research has been conducted in the area of languages the rest of the living beings speak . Be it the plants , animals , insects , birds and marine life,  we humans have not made any effort to listen to them, least to understand them. We have outshouted every living being on this planet and also now in space ! Our disquieting presence had silenced the rest of the stake holders , that have been out numbered and out maneuvered !
The empire strikes back ! in its desperate bid for survival, the  majority stake holders used their tiniest weapon to shut us up ! Yet we sneaked our way around , using all the wicked ingenuity at our disposal , to gnaw on this pie . We increased our stocks , even while we were imprisoned !  While we rejoiced over a report, and trumpeted, one hole had closed over the Antarctica,  a second one had quietly opened up else where ! all our feat , opening and closing , we are the champions !
When the cacophony of the human race went quiet for sometime,  the rest took over  ! Blooms and blossoms , sounds unheard off, made melody , air was breathing , life all over , came to life ! A symphony , hitherto unheard , took center stage !
The human race , has been deaf . Deaf to the rest of creation . They only heard their voices and their man made sounds . The rest could hear man kind . What we spoke , what we did , our actions were all understood by the majority shareholders . They heard when this 'herd ' was asked to lock itself from the 'predator " They rejoiced . They sang . They danced .They produced. They were still listening . With all the stocks that this species had shored up , they became a laughing stock ! All their plundered wealth lay in their strong rooms. Their paper money , their material plunder , all lying unused, moth eaten and worthless , at this moment.
A resilient species , it had to break from this imprisonment , they started making their plans to escape ! plans to plunder again , plans to overcome the rest ! The rest heard their plans ! they wept . They knew that their new found freedom would soon be over , locked back !
When next ? They need to plan .

Heights of gardening - 1

The heights of farming !

By Varkey Thomas

Is it worth growing your own stuff or rather buy them from the local store ? With a paucity for time and the stress that accompanies it, most city dwellers do not look for an option beyond the local store.

But if one were to step back and explore the various possibilities of growing ones own food at home, time and stress can be managed. Heights of farming, would be focusing on balcony and terrace cultivation , a step by step of how, a do-it-yourself vegetable patch can be brought up, is underlined below. Documentation is essential and it is fun and fulfilling , so grab a a pad and start your jottings.

1. Ascertain the orientation of the balcony or the terrace. ( North -South , East West ) here the sun is your best assistant. Observe the movement of the sun over the day.

2. Determine the amount of sunlight your space would receive over an eight hour day.

3. Verify shadow casting from adjoining building , trees etc.

4. Ascertain the strong wind paths . South west brings winds during the monsoon period , the North East monsoon brings in wind gusts during the October -November periods.

5. Observe the flooring material on which the containers are going to rest, are they clay tiles, skreed concrete , granite or any other tile. This is needed to understand the quantum of heat reflected from the surfaces around the planted areas. Clay tiles , being earthy have a thermal effect and will keep the surfaces cooler. White and light colored surfaces will also reflect the incoming solar radiation. However denser materials like granite and tiles will absorb heat and will need longer periods of time for the the heat to dissipate.

6. Parapet wall heights .

7. Drainage of the floors. Since there would be watering through the whole year , water would be needed to drain of the surface , with out messing up the floor. Saucers, trays etc will be outlined as we go along.

8. The height of the floor on which the activity is planned . This information will help in determining the varieties that can be grown , the logistics of moving material, and working spaces needed. The height of your own farm !

9. Commune gardening is the best and most often a very successful venture. Fellowship, fun and food. So check on your friendly or even unfriendly neighbor

for setting up your farm !

10. Rewind to your last or early interaction with soil and plants, delve into childhood experiences, what did you love the most about soil, apart from building mud castles and throwing dirt, was there a growing experience ? If you have any , start with your favorite vegetable or fruit. If you have never interacted with earth. Nothing like a beginning, make a list of your leafy vegetables, palak etc that you would otherwise stop by to buy from the local store.

11. With a tape , measure up the space available for your farm. Ideally use a graph book to be more accurate .

12. Locate the closest watering point/tap.

13. Locate your closest electric point or socket with any artificial light points in the space.

14. Ascertain the presence of birds, cats, squirrels and rodents in and around the area. Is the area out of bounds for your pet ?

If you have documented the above information, you have reached one height in your climb, the next climb will throw light on materials , the how to and where to ! So get set to dirty your hands as we embark on this amazing climb to the heights of farming !

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