Brummet's Conscious Blog

-- Conscious Discussions Talk Radio -- Sunday Gardening today at 10 AM (Pacific): Chris McLaughlin is a passionate Master Gardener, has written several gardening books, teaches kids gardening skills, and actively writes for several online sites. Her work tends to focus on guiding and encouraging gardeners living in suburban or urban spaces to grow food in their own backyards. Join us today for a conversation about Black Gold  - a.k.a. "compost" http://www.blogtalkradio.com/consciousdiscussions/2011/05/22/sunday-gardening   -- Brummets in the Media -- Do you ever wonder what it is like to be a book reviewer? Wouldn't it be nice to understand their world a little so that you can build better relationships with book reviewers?  If so, you'll want to check out our article published today on: http://www.amiblackwelder.blogspot.com - Later today at 6 PM (pacific) I've been invited to be a feature guest on Kiler Davenport's talk show via the Destinie...

-- Quote of the Day -- " There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where non intrudes, by the deep sea and music in its roar; I love not Man the less, but Nature more ."  ~ George Gordon Byron -- Conscious Living Event -- May 8 - 11 Waste - The Social Context 2011 Location: Edmonton, AB - Canada Info: www.ewmce.com -- Conscious  Discussions Radio -- Sheri Ann Richerson is our guest of the day – She is the co-author of a fantastic gardening guide book titled: Complete Idiot’s Guide to Year-Round Gardening and several other books including 101 Organic Gardening Tips , 101 English Gardening Tips and numerous other published books.  Her work with the Plant-A-Row For the Hungry and the National Wildlife Federation , among other organizations, are certainly impressive and inspiring. We’ll learn about all of this today – and most of all we’ll discover some great gardening tips!  Live @ 10 - 11 AM (pacific) ...

-- Brummet's in the Media -- Check out our  appearance on: http://authorsatthevirtualpark.blogspot.com   (scroll down a couple posts to find us) ...An online writer friend of ours: Ami Blackwelder – sent me a note offering her services to our listeners. She says that her 2 blogs are open for author tours and she welcomes author applications for spotlight features. She also has some writing related services that you might want to check out – including book trailers and cover art. So take a look at her two blogs: http://hotgossiphotreviews.blogspot.com http://authorsatthevirtualpark.blogspot.com And then send her an email via her site: http://AmiBlackwelder.com -- Conscious Discussions Radio -- Today's guest : Nathalie Chambers -- Topic : Pollinators Link : http://www.blogtalkradio.com/consciousdiscussions/2011/05/01/pollination--bees-whats-happening-to-them Nathalie works as the Land Conservancy’s Agricultural Programs Assistant , is leading the charge on th...

-- Quote of the Day --    “ ...Plants evolve; colors emerge and fade; fruits ripen and are eaten. Unlike a novel, a garden doesn’t end; it keeps emerging. The garden teaches us lessons about impermanence, about nurturance, about care, about interdependence – plants with other plants, flowers with insects, humans with the soil, the sun, the land, the body with food… ”  ~ From the book: Iona Dreaming, by Clare Marcus – -- Conscious Discussions Talk Radio -- Today's guest:  Dagny McKinley - owner of the Undiscovered Earth Magazine and the Alternative Lawn Care website. She has a rich history including working for the National Park Service and Paramount Pictures, for the Sierra Club, as a dog sledding tour guide… an now – a writer. Obviously we’re going to have a lot to cover with today’s guest. The discussion airs, as always, live @ 10-11 AM (pacific) & will be archived... Access the link here: Nature & Literature You can also access recently air...

 -- Quote of the Day -- " Those who are lifting the world Upward and onward Are those who encourage More than criticize ." ~ Elizabeth Harrison -- Referral Corner -- Check out these recommended resources listed below:   Solar & Wind Energy Blog - a blog that promotes awareness of alternative energy, offering lots of tips and resources... and a free e-book as well: AltSolarAndWind.com Terra Nova Sharing Farm & Richmond Fruit Tree Projects - Now this is an interesting project... food and trees are sold to raise funds for giving produce and fruit trees, and providing space for community gardens for anyone living in poverty. The orchards are used for community events as well, courses are taught in the gardens on sustainable living: RichmondFruitTree.com    -- Positive Eco-News -- I read of an interesting study that was held in the San Diego area, where there is a maximum noncompliance recycling fine of $1000 in place. This fine was initiated not s...

-- Positive Eco-News -- I love celebrating youth initiative programs or group efforts... the youth have such a powerful voice and once they learn to use it, they can then choose to employ it for the rest of their lives. So often younger people feel like they are powerless, like their voice doesn't matter and that they can surely hardly have an impact on this imposing society. But they can, and do... In Japan, for instance, there is this really interesting program called The Shibuya Flower Project that involves youth organizing groups of volunteers that work to grow flowers " in front of the Shibuya train station, on the side of Miyashita Koena Park, and along Sibuya Park Street ". This project started in 2003 with potted flowers, in an effort to create a garden environment in a place where the congested streets are often littered with garbage and cigarette butts. Local shops support the youth by offering incentives, and the youth get to share their experiences through ...

-- Quote of the Day -- Example sheds a genial ray  Which men are apt to borrow,  So first improve yourself today,  And then your friends tomorrow   ~ Anonymous  -- Conscious Discussions Talk Radio -- Our guest today is: Clare Marcus - here today to speak about her love of nature, of the Scottish Island known as Iona in particular, and how her pilgrimage there helped heal her troubled heart. We will be talking about writing memoirs and the healing power of both writing and of nature. She is also the owner of Healing Landscapes , a consulting firm that specializes in the analysis of outdoor space in health care settings.  – She is recognized internationally for her work on the social and psychological implications of urban house and garden design.   Check out the live interview from 10-11 AM Pacific this morning, or access the archived show at your convenience via the  hyper-linked show title: Nature's Healing Power Find Da...

-- Quote of the Day -- Re: helping impoverished or traumatized communities (from war, drought, deforestation, etc). “ We look at what the assets and talents the community has and help them prioritize their needs. …Women’s empowerment is a big part of this and a financial incentive. …Giving people the economic freedom so that they no longer have to sell firewood for a living and they can put some of their energies instead into reforestation… attending meetings and learn [biodynamic gardening], sustainable agriculture, etc. …The poor become agents in their country… they have planted something like 5 million trees to date. …They are taking the leadership in environmental renewal .”   ~ Scott Sabin, of Plant with Purpose Organization Today's quote of the day originated from a Conscious Discussions Talk Radio show interview that aired back on Sept 23 titled: Plant With Purpose Org .  Click on the hyper-linked show title to listen to the interview, or look to the side...

-- Quote of the Day -- “I reside in the lower east side of Manhattan… {the city} has over 400 community gardens. …New York has what is called the Green Thumb program – I really enjoy these community gardens, how these different communities will come together in different ways and create unique gardens. …about 8 of us got together and started cleaning up a lot… What was amazing was that while we were digging it out, people would stop by and say they would like to help out – others would lend a hand by doing… funky cool fence doors… a stage in the back of the garden… or donating lumber. …If you can get in {to the lot} and prove that you are cleaning it up, you can apply for Green Thumb status.” ~ Robert Galinsky, July 8 2010 Today's quote originates from a Conscious Discussions radio show interview with Robert that aired back on July 8th this year re:  Teens & Community Gardens  Click on the show title to access this inspiring interview, or look to the side bars ...

-- Composting 101 -- The information below was produced for a composting workshop that Dave and I have done in the past - this explains what is meant by "greens" and "browns" when discussing layering. Layering materials in a compost will allow it to break down in the most efficient manner.   Greens : Fruit and vegetable scraps Tea bags and coffee grounds including filter paper Grass cuttings Vegetable peelings Old flowers Nettles Spent bedding plants Comfrey leaves Young annual weeds (e.g. chickweed and speedwell), avoid perennial weeds such as dandelions and thistle and weeds with seed heads Pond algae and seaweed Browns: Dry leaves, twigs Hedge trimmings Shredded or torn paper Egg shells and egg boxes Cardboard and newspaper (scrunched up) Straw and hay Bedding from vegetarian pets Wool and feathers Ashes from wood, paper or charcoal Corn cobs & stalks Things to Avoid: No meat scraps  No nappies No dairy p...

 -- Quote of the Day -- " You've done it before And you can do it now. See the positive possibilities; Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration And turn it into positive, effective Unstoppable determination . " ~ Ralph Martson  -- Chatter -- Once again, a little late on getting my blog post up this morning - apologies for that, but I've been busily putting together our Brummet's Muse bi-weekly newsletter, which is due for publication today. Also, it is awesome to hear from so many old friends on FaceBook! I'd like to share my appreciation for that, and for the wonderful communications as of late from our listeners and readers. Dave and I appreciate you all! :)   -- Conscious Events -- September has a lot of events and conscious living, awareness activities planned for the entire month. The month itself is set aside as Preparedness Month,  both Child Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Vegetarian Month ... As such I'm sure y...

-- Quote of the Day -- "To freely bloom - that is my definition of success."   ~ Gerry Spence -- Chatter -- As many of you are already aware, I have two blogs... this one, and another that I maintain weekly over at MySpace - the later is where I post our schedule so that people can see who's coming on the show that week, guest articles or interviews coming up on this blog, places where Dave or I will be participating in events or appearing in the media and so on. There's a link to this MySpace blog of mine, but to make things easier I'll include one below as well: http://blog.myspace.com/canadianauthor  Yesterday, after slaving away mowing our lawn which had grown to momentous sizes after a week of wet weather, I spontaneously invited a neighbor over for a break. It was quite nice really - and is totally out of character for me to do. I usually stick to myself and our close circle of friends, and with neighbors one doesn't always wa...

-- Quote of Day --   " The measure of who we are  is what we do  with what we have !" ~ Vince Lombardi (1913-1970), Football coach -- Conscious Discussions Radio -- Sunday Gardening # 26 airs today at 10 AM (pacific) on Conscious Discussions Talk radio show. Today the focus will be on pollination. Check it out by clicking on the hyper-linked radio show title above - or look to the right side of this blog for links to recently aired episodes. As always, the show will be archived and available for anyone to listen to at their convenience via the links provided. Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, information about their radio shows and free resources and more at: www.brummet.ca