Marked up Photos
Read MoreFirst Amendment, downtown Washington, D.C.
I did not add any words to this image, they were there on the side of the building.
The west garden path defines the negative space of the ecological niche it flows through.
Rather than define garden beds and make paths to accomodate, I'm making paths to get to most parts of the area and using the paths to define the beds. In the middle of this one is a red dogwood dominated area with plenty of "weeds" coming up around it. Some of the native plants will turn out to be undesirable in this location, such as poison ivy, black locust and persimmon. Others, such as oak and pine seedlings, will be moved to better homes, if possible. The blocks are western red cedar, untreated so far and just laid on top of some sort of sheet to suppress growth between. Probably a good idea to treat them with boiled linseed oil when the path layout is done and I start digging them in about an inch below ground level so that the path surface remains higher than the soil. I'm going to have to sheet mulch the areas where grass is coming up now. That grass in much to opportunistic to allow in this part of the garden. Mainly because it will be too difficult to mow in here.
I think of Tai Chi Dao as a path defined by the way we walk upon it. Physically, we learn how to move precisely and under complete control while at the same time being totally aware of our environment and our opponents or partners. Mentally, we learn how to put a pause on incoming signals from our environment and other people so that we can decide what to do rather than simply react without thinking. Emotionally, we learn that keeping a cool heart makes walking the way more pleasant, as we also learn when a hot heart may be appropriate. Spiritually, we learn how to be grateful for what we have and humble before that which is beyond understanding. In our dreams, perhaps, we finish learning and we know the truth; but in reality we never stop learning, for it is how we walk the path is more important than where it goes.