Solstice sowing and paying it FORWARD!!!

14 years ago

This is a long post, sorry, but I have lots to say!

I had my coffee Thanksgiving morning while reading the winter sowing forum (normal day).

There was a post from Ollierose about the solstice sowing. I saw Trudi's new Solstice page and was blown away!

Just beautiful Trudi!

I was overwhelmed with a feeling of nostalgia. Remembering when I found GardenWeb and Winter Sowing in 2003...

OMG... I was a hot mess. Had just been out caring for my sister, who had serious health issues. I came back from Indy and found this amazing place that became a refuge and a sanctuary. I started that Winter Solstice sowing like a lost soul needing an anchor and I found it. Winter sowing truly kept my sanity intact. Then the bomb dropped. My sister called with the news she was terminal...

I sowed and sowed in between trips to Indianapolis to take care of her. My mother in law here in Delaware was also in declining health and I was in a terrible place of being spread so thin. In 2007 we lost my dear husband's and my ma, Betty in January and my sweet sister Dusty in June. I disappeared for a long while from here. And oh my Lord did I winter sow some seeds of remembrance for my lost loved ones...

Whew... what brought me back was this place. People who truly care and want to bring beauty to our world. We rejuvenate each others spirits and share a common bond.

When I read Ollierose's post, I felt a need to offer thanks to winter sowing. I looked further on Trudi's website and read about how the solstice is a time for celebrating the return of the sun. Warm, loving light to germinate those seeds we sow. Life affirming. Necessary stuff.

I didn't hesitate a second, I finally made a donation to WinterSown.Org that was long overdue. I can't say enough of how good that made me feel...

I am not soliciting donations in any way- understand that, please. I just wanted to nudge everyone to reflect on what winter sowing has done for you and you see what your heart tells you to follow up with. Times are tight all over, I realize. You can make a gift of your gratitude by helping your neighbor carry in groceries. You can feed the birds this winter. Light a candle or a fire for someone you lost. Pay it forward in whatever fashion you can manage.

Interesting tidbit- the Latin for Solstice is Sol= sun and Sistere= to stand still. I'm getting "SOUL SISTER" from that, WOO HOO! (Sorry Token, it's Latin bro, I wasn't in charge!)

Trudi, when the sun stands still on solstice, I assure you, I will be nekkid under my clothes! That was so funny! LOL!

Love y'all,

Shore

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Comments (55)

shoregrowin
Original Author
Hey Alberta! I hadn't seen you around much, how is your fibromyalgia? I hope you are doing well! You should post more often, you are missed. :)

Thank you Laura, I sent you one too! Great minds thinkin alike and all... LOL!

Carrie- WOW~~~ !!!! Of course it was the winter sowing!!!!
It cures what ails us, doesn't it seem that way? Glad you are healthy, that is a true miracle. Take care.

Bless us all!

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
I'm very sorry to hear about Norman, Trudi. I hope you and your family find peace in his passing and grow stronger together. How befitting, the red poppies...
Today is my MIL's birthday. She too was unimpressed in the beginning and thought I was nuts, until the overflow of plants from our garden to hers and the bouquets of flowers that I would bring to her. Then she became excited about winter sowing. I still plant "Betty's snapdragons" in her memory. It makes me smile to see their first blooms.

Norman will live on in the project you and your husband have nurtured.
Big hugs to you and yours ((((((Trudi & family))))).

Prayers for comfort your way,

Shore
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Betty, I've had good luck wintersowing lavender seeds into a container on the sunporch (actually, back when it was only a screened-in porch and stayed colder). I surfaced sowed them into a good soil-less growing medium in early winter, misted them, and then covered the clay pot they were in with Saran Wrap until they germinated. They germinated erratically but a lot of them did germinate. They are teeny-tiny when they germinate and it takes them a while to grow to a decent size. Trees4ok, Winter sowing is a simple method of sowing seeds in covered containers (often milk jugs are modified and used) outdoors in the winter time. It provides a way of sowing seeds that is simple, relatively trouble-free (I sometimes have trouble with wild varmints getting into my containers in winter...apparently thinking there might be something there to eat...but I am in a very rural area with lots of wildlife) and doesn't take up space indoors. The seeds will sprout when the conditions are right for them. Although you can use winter sowing with almost any seed in most climates, you have to be careful about the timing of your plantings in a climate like ours where the weather swings erratically from pretty cold to pretty hot in the winter (with hot being relative). You don't want for seeds of annuals to sprout too early and later freeze in a bitter cold spell. Winter sowing is particularly helpful with any varieties of biennial, perennial, vine, shrub, tree, etc. that has very exacting cold stratification needs. Instead of sowing seed into a seedling flat that then has to go into a refrigerator for several weeks to meet a variety's need for moist, cold stratification to induce germination, you just winter-sow it outdoors, and when the specific variety's stratification needs have been met, the seeds will sprout. Because they've been raised out in the actual temperatures, the young seedlings are very cold-hardy,although even wintersown seedlings may freeze in bitterly-cold weather. (Sometimes they don't freeze, sometimes they do.) You can learn in great detail about wintersowing at wintersown.org or at the Winter Sowing forum here at GW, which I've linked below. I generally only use it for seeds of perennial vines, perennials, biennials, shrubs or trees, and occasionally for herbs. I generally sow vegetable seeds inside on a heated light shelf in a spare room so I can have them at the age and size I want by transplanting time. The way I handle annual flower seeds varies. Sometimes I just direct sow them in the ground in fall, winter or spring, and sometimes I start them inside in flats. My zone 7b location stays warm enough in winter that I can broadcast sow seeds of cool-season annuals like poppies and larkspur in January on bare soil and they'll sprout and be in bloom by March or April at the latest. I even sow some wildflower seeds on bare ground in November and they germinate in winter or spring as appropriate for them, so I don't bother wintersowing them in containers either. There's no reason for me to go to the trouble of winter-sowing those and transplanting them into the ground later in a normal winter. In an extra-wet winter, it can pay to wintersow them if the clay soil stays incredibly wet which could cause the seeds or very young seedlings to rot. I rarely wintersow annuals, but that's just because I have other ways to sow them in containers.....on the sunporch, in the greenhouse, etc. For people who have been frustrated by how hard it can be to get some biennial and perennial seeds to sprout indoors under lights, wintersowing is the obvious answer. Often, these types of seeds don't germinate well indoors because they need alternating warm/cold conditions and sometimes alternating light/dark conditions to induce germination. Wintersow seeds outdoors get the varying daylenth, periods of dark and light, and periods of alternating warmth and cold that those types of seeds need. So, why winter sow them in containers instead of indirectly into the ground? Because you can maintain control. Once seeds are in the ground, rain can wash them away, wind can blow them away if they are the type that need to be sown on the soil surface, uncovered, because they need light to germinate, insects and birds can eat the seeds, etc. If they are seeds that have a long stratification period, often they fail to germinate before they're eaten or otherwise carried off. When you have them in containers, they are "safe" from harm. There are a few things I'd never, ever winter-sow, including tomatoes and peppers in our climate. While folks in some climates with a milder summer can do it, you may find that they germinate too late here if wintersown, and then are too small to make good growth and set fruit well before the heat arrives. With peppers, it is even more complicated because they do not tolerate being cold (but above freezing) as well as tomato plants do. Often if pepper plants have prolonged exposure to low-but-above-freezing temperatures, they'll survive and you won't see any outward signs of damage, but they'll be very slow to make good growth, to flower and to set fruit. Hope this explanation helps. I'll come back in a couple of days and post a list of what I've winter-sown. Until I drag out the seed box and containers, I'm never 100% positive what I am going to winter sow. I've linked the FAQ page from the winter sowing forum for you. Dawn Here is a link that might be useful: FAQ Page From Winter Sowing Forum
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shoregrowin
Original Author
That's a great reminder Lisa!
Anyone else have extras to pass on to Trudi's seedy project? :)
I will be sending my overload of seeds after the first of the year. Are there other items you could use? Point us to your wish list!

Kindest regards,

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
OMG! I was reading down the latest posts and saw Dusty314's name- that is my sisters name, well, Dusty! Made me smile to see, thank you Dusty314 and God Bless you as well!

OMG again!!! GGG, haven't talked to you in ages! I posted a shout out to you on another thread a few weeks ago. You were explaining about the tornado. I am very thankful you are ok and no damage to your house and vehicle! I grew up in Indianapolis and had way too many tornado experiences... We rarely have tornado warnings here in Delaware, more danger from Nor'easters and coastal storms. Have had many of those recently and the beaches were devastated.
Be happy with that clean slate of a garden! We're expanding our porch and after the deck is built onto it, I'll have all new areas for planting. Very EXCITED!!! Can ya tell? :)
Great to see you again Girl!!!
Have a blessed weekend all,

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
Carrie, that must have been when you were visiting Token. :)

Congrats on the house Drippy- WOO HOO!!!! Let us know when you're moving in. I'd like to send you a house-warming gift.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
Hey Carrie, we're coming down to NC for Christmas the 22nd (have to be here for Solstice Sowing!)thru the 29th. Atlantic Beach and then 2 nights in Corolla.
If anybody is close enough to meet up, I'm making glow wine!

Drippy, you up for a road trip? ;)

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
Drippy, that is fantastic ! What a wonderful Christmas gift, your daughter coming to visit... Hope you have a magical Christmas!!!

Thank you Aliska! That's what it's all about, winter sowing and the friends here to celebrate the good times with and to get us through the bad ones. This is no doubt the finest community on the web.

Love y'all, have a very Merry Christmas!

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
You are most welcome Trudi. I am so sorry about your Father-in-law... It's a difficult time for you, be sure to take care of yourself too. So easy to get worn out when you are a caregiver. YOU are the inspiration here girl. Think of how many people whose lives you have bettered, WOW! That's got to be some mighty medicine for the soul!
You are rearranging too? We're having about 60 people for a Christmas Party Saturday night and I have no business sitting here while there is so much to do, but I needed a break! Good luck with the excel, it's cool when you figure out how to do stuff on your own. Sure gives a feeling of accomplishment- YOU GO GIRL!

Thank you Tammy, that was really sweet of you. Winter sowing really saved me from freaking out. Whenever I see those first seedlings pop up and I do my happy dancing, I can just hear my MIL and my sister laughing with joy! They both loved gardening too and enjoyed my winter sowing. Hope you have fun! :)

Aww, mssmshell... I'm so glad you found a good friend and have hooked her on winter sowing! I know what you mean, packages in the mail and reading the forums (even though I didn't post much, it was good to be here). You guys kept me going too, thank you and welcome back!

Oh Laura, my heart goes out to you... I sat here and cried when I read your post. I'm so very sorry for the loss of your son and your mother. (((((((LAURA)))))))
Thank you for sharing that, we can all relate to losing our nearest and dearest. It's a common bond we wish we didn't have unfortunately. I hear you on the need to peek in the jugs for sprouts. Getting out into the sunshine and fresh air was so good and seeing green in there... new life. It gave me hope too. That's why I wanted to post the message. I was so damn thankful for winter sowing, Trudi and all the friendly and funny people on this forum. The best there is anywhere, bar none! I could sit in my jammies and cry a river or be here where it was safe and a happy place. It kept me from totally losing myself. So thanks to you too! We've got your back, baby! If you ever need to "talk" just give me a shout, ok? I'm still working it out too, we'll get there. Promise... You take care of yourself and so glad to have met you- silly looks good on you!

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
Hey Alberta! I hadn't seen you around much, how is your fibromyalgia? I hope you are doing well! You should post more often, you are missed. :)

Thank you Laura, I sent you one too! Great minds thinkin alike and all... LOL!

Carrie- WOW~~~ !!!! Of course it was the winter sowing!!!!
It cures what ails us, doesn't it seem that way? Glad you are healthy, that is a true miracle. Take care.

Bless us all!

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
I'm very sorry to hear about Norman, Trudi. I hope you and your family find peace in his passing and grow stronger together. How befitting, the red poppies...
Today is my MIL's birthday. She too was unimpressed in the beginning and thought I was nuts, until the overflow of plants from our garden to hers and the bouquets of flowers that I would bring to her. Then she became excited about winter sowing. I still plant "Betty's snapdragons" in her memory. It makes me smile to see their first blooms.

Norman will live on in the project you and your husband have nurtured.
Big hugs to you and yours ((((((Trudi & family))))).

Prayers for comfort your way,

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
That's a great reminder Lisa!
Anyone else have extras to pass on to Trudi's seedy project? :)
I will be sending my overload of seeds after the first of the year. Are there other items you could use? Point us to your wish list!

Kindest regards,

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
You are most welcome Trudi. I am so sorry about your Father-in-law... It's a difficult time for you, be sure to take care of yourself too. So easy to get worn out when you are a caregiver. YOU are the inspiration here girl. Think of how many people whose lives you have bettered, WOW! That's got to be some mighty medicine for the soul!
You are rearranging too? We're having about 60 people for a Christmas Party Saturday night and I have no business sitting here while there is so much to do, but I needed a break! Good luck with the excel, it's cool when you figure out how to do stuff on your own. Sure gives a feeling of accomplishment- YOU GO GIRL!

Thank you Tammy, that was really sweet of you. Winter sowing really saved me from freaking out. Whenever I see those first seedlings pop up and I do my happy dancing, I can just hear my MIL and my sister laughing with joy! They both loved gardening too and enjoyed my winter sowing. Hope you have fun! :)

Aww, mssmshell... I'm so glad you found a good friend and have hooked her on winter sowing! I know what you mean, packages in the mail and reading the forums (even though I didn't post much, it was good to be here). You guys kept me going too, thank you and welcome back!

Oh Laura, my heart goes out to you... I sat here and cried when I read your post. I'm so very sorry for the loss of your son and your mother. (((((((LAURA)))))))
Thank you for sharing that, we can all relate to losing our nearest and dearest. It's a common bond we wish we didn't have unfortunately. I hear you on the need to peek in the jugs for sprouts. Getting out into the sunshine and fresh air was so good and seeing green in there... new life. It gave me hope too. That's why I wanted to post the message. I was so damn thankful for winter sowing, Trudi and all the friendly and funny people on this forum. The best there is anywhere, bar none! I could sit in my jammies and cry a river or be here where it was safe and a happy place. It kept me from totally losing myself. So thanks to you too! We've got your back, baby! If you ever need to "talk" just give me a shout, ok? I'm still working it out too, we'll get there. Promise... You take care of yourself and so glad to have met you- silly looks good on you!

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
Hey Alberta! I hadn't seen you around much, how is your fibromyalgia? I hope you are doing well! You should post more often, you are missed. :)

Thank you Laura, I sent you one too! Great minds thinkin alike and all... LOL!

Carrie- WOW~~~ !!!! Of course it was the winter sowing!!!!
It cures what ails us, doesn't it seem that way? Glad you are healthy, that is a true miracle. Take care.

Bless us all!

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
I'm very sorry to hear about Norman, Trudi. I hope you and your family find peace in his passing and grow stronger together. How befitting, the red poppies...
Today is my MIL's birthday. She too was unimpressed in the beginning and thought I was nuts, until the overflow of plants from our garden to hers and the bouquets of flowers that I would bring to her. Then she became excited about winter sowing. I still plant "Betty's snapdragons" in her memory. It makes me smile to see their first blooms.

Norman will live on in the project you and your husband have nurtured.
Big hugs to you and yours ((((((Trudi & family))))).

Prayers for comfort your way,

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
That's a great reminder Lisa!
Anyone else have extras to pass on to Trudi's seedy project? :)
I will be sending my overload of seeds after the first of the year. Are there other items you could use? Point us to your wish list!

Kindest regards,

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
OMG! I was reading down the latest posts and saw Dusty314's name- that is my sisters name, well, Dusty! Made me smile to see, thank you Dusty314 and God Bless you as well!

OMG again!!! GGG, haven't talked to you in ages! I posted a shout out to you on another thread a few weeks ago. You were explaining about the tornado. I am very thankful you are ok and no damage to your house and vehicle! I grew up in Indianapolis and had way too many tornado experiences... We rarely have tornado warnings here in Delaware, more danger from Nor'easters and coastal storms. Have had many of those recently and the beaches were devastated.
Be happy with that clean slate of a garden! We're expanding our porch and after the deck is built onto it, I'll have all new areas for planting. Very EXCITED!!! Can ya tell? :)
Great to see you again Girl!!!
Have a blessed weekend all,

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
Carrie, that must have been when you were visiting Token. :)

Congrats on the house Drippy- WOO HOO!!!! Let us know when you're moving in. I'd like to send you a house-warming gift.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
Hey Carrie, we're coming down to NC for Christmas the 22nd (have to be here for Solstice Sowing!)thru the 29th. Atlantic Beach and then 2 nights in Corolla.
If anybody is close enough to meet up, I'm making glow wine!

Drippy, you up for a road trip? ;)

Shore
shoregrowin
Original Author
Drippy, that is fantastic ! What a wonderful Christmas gift, your daughter coming to visit... Hope you have a magical Christmas!!!

Thank you Aliska! That's what it's all about, winter sowing and the friends here to celebrate the good times with and to get us through the bad ones. This is no doubt the finest community on the web.

Love y'all, have a very Merry Christmas!

Shore
trudi_d
14 years ago
This forum is an anchor to so many of our lives.

My FIL is in hospice, he doesn't have much time left. I will follow my husband's family's traditions and for a few days after he passes I will attend to the family and may not be here as much as I would like or need to be.

Winter Sowers are my other family. This forum is a home away from home and for some a welcome and friendly escape from reality but this forum and Winter Sowing are the reality to me. I've lost track--we're approaching our eighth or ninth year for the forum. It's amazing how far we've come from the very beginning. I'm not the timid shy housewife I once was and gosh knows I'm still learning stuff--last week I learned to do multiplication in excel cells, lol. This week I'm figuring out a logical furniture arrangement in the office--I need to accommodate two more pigeon hole cabinets so I can bump up the tomato seed bank from 120 to 180 selections--I have to place them 2 high by 3 wide--I'm too short to do 3 wide by 2 high. Sigh. And then I have to add them to the website list without making the page freakout when the list loads. Hopefully, I will not freakout along the way ;-O

I am deeply grateful for Winter Sowers--the people who still take that Leap of Faith and know that Mother Nature will reward our effort.

Thank you Shore, you've found strength when others would collapse under your burden and loss. You are an inspiration.

Bless you all!

T
tammyinwv
14 years ago
Shore, you really went thru a lot. Going thru so much, and losing so many loved ones in such a short space of time, had to have taken a lot out of you..emotionally and physically. I am so glad you had friends and growing new life to give you strength.
Tammy
missmshell
14 years ago
I havnt posted in about 3 years. I saw this thread and had to share. I found this forum right after I moved from south Florida to Northern New York in 2004. I had no friends, I would read the forum everyday and quickly started trading. Between reading the forum n checking the mail for a package every day I wasnt so lonely. I have a great friend now. This December will mark our 3rd Solstice Celebration. I've gotten her hooked! Thanks for being my friend when I had none!
auntyara
14 years ago
Shore,
Thank you for sharing. You've given me the courage to share too.
On 11/22/08, I lost my 18 yr old son Brian to a drunk driver.
I was so devastated I couldn't even talk, but I could surf the web.
I eventually found the GW and the Winter sowers. 4 months after losing Brian my mother died 3/22/09. If it weren't for my need to peek in those jugs I don't think I would have gotten out of bed.
Some how those tiny little sprouts gave me hope.
If it weren't for the GW I wouldn't have made it this far.
When I needed just to be me, you all were here with open arms. I was able to talk again. I was able to be silly again, I was able to be me again.
Thanks for helping me heal through gardening. I still got a long way to go.But now I have hope.
:)Laura
albertar
14 years ago
Shore and Laura, I want to thank you for your posts. Many of us have been winter sowers for a number of years now, since finding both GW and dear Trudi. I don't post very often anymore, but I do read this forum daily.

I am so sorry for your losses and yes WS has helped many of us through those dark dreary days, especially after family losses. Thank you both again for reminding us that this is a great forum.
Hugs to all,
Alberta
auntyara
14 years ago
Thank you Shore and Alberta,

I didn't mean to freak anyone out I just felt that by sharing and caring we all grow stronger.
I don't think Trudi had any Idea how powerful winter sowing was when she discovered/invented it.
You are the greatest sharer in the garden world. Saving us retches from our own winter depressions and heart aches.If only for a moment at a time. and the joy it brings our souls to see the flowers bloom.
Shore, my soul-ice sister, Silly looks good on you too.
I sent you an e-mail of a more private thank you.
:)Laura
carrie630
14 years ago
Oh, my heart goes out to all of you - we've all had our share of grief; Laura, may God Bless you...I wish I could give you a hug...

Yes, wintersowing has done a lot for me too. I found this site in 2003 - in 1998 I was diagnosed with a kidney problem (spilling protein) and was told if it continued in the amounts it was spilling, I would probably be on dialysis. This news was a shock to me.

I was always so healthy - ate well, stayed slim (108 lbs.) - never sick - and then I get this unusual disease. No one in my family had kidney problems.

So, I threw myself into gardening - well three years ago my kidney disease disappeared. No protein spill - (they check me every six months now - instead of every two) and not a trace! My kidney doctor said it was a miracle and that I probably will not have to even worry the slightest about dialysis. There is no medication for this disease, so it stopped on its own... - but I say IT WAS THE WINTERSOWING! I love my gardening and nurturing my seedlings.

It brings such joy...

Need I say more?

Carrie
trudi_d
14 years ago
I don't think Trudi had any Idea how powerful winter sowing was when she discovered/invented it.

Yes, I did ;-)

Back then there was no forum, there were no Winter Sowers, there was me and my milkjugs, and everytime I told someone about them I got laughed at, some people wrote the most awful, heartbreaking cruel letters. It was horrible. My own family laughed at me. But I didn't give up--I chose to believe in myself and I would not cave in to criticism.

The very first time I saw green I had an epiphany and I knew all it could be and all it could do. The reward for the Leap of Faith is huge--it's a brain rush of adrenaline and endorphins. In that one moment, that one flash I saw it all. I'm not being boastful, that's just the way it was, that's what happened.

Winter Sowing will continue to expand and grow--we're not even near a xenith. Much is yet to come!

T
trudi_d
14 years ago
My FIL Norman Davidoff passed away this afternoon. Norman was among the first in my family to say I had gone crazy, those seeds would freeze and die. Even after the garden started to expand, grow and bloom, even after I was sprouting shrubs and trees which would grow and bloom it took him a long time to accept that such a thing could work. Only after I told him how much the garden was worth did he finally stop knocking me. He would come into my office and ask why do you give them the seeds and I would point to a mini-poster on the wall that says "Tikkun Olam". It's a Hebrew phrase that in most simplest terms means 'The continuation of God's work." And he would nod his head and agree--and then he would ask, "Where did you get the seeds? Did you buy them?" And then Steven and I would say that in the beginning we first gave away seeds from our garden, and then later on we added seeds we bought in bulk and I repacked, and then people shared seeds so that we could share their seeds for them.

It took Norman many years to understand Winter Sowing but it didn't take him long to understand the purpose of WinterSown Educational, it was something that his son and I built together. This solstice I'll sow seeds in his memory--I don't think there's a Norman Flower, but Norman was soldier who had served in the Korean War, and his grandchildren called him Poppy--so for Dad--he's gonna get red poppies.
carrie630
14 years ago
That story was so touching, but I am sad for your loss. Hope your family is holding up as well as can be expected.

It's a beautiful story and I am glad he got to understand your reasons for growing, sharing, etc.

Take care,

Carrie
not_a_contessa
14 years ago
Trudi, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this particularly sad time. Hugs, Mary

Shore, thank you for your post, not a day goes by that I don't think about how Trudi has changed my life, bless her.
mmqchdygg
14 years ago
Maybe not "just" Norman, but Hemerocallis "Lake Norman Sunset" is a gorgeous daylily you might consider.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:445433}}
ontheteam
14 years ago
No words...just hugs...(( Trudi and Family))
ollierose
14 years ago
Hugs Trudi, I hope you find peace in your heart.
drippy
14 years ago
My heart goes out to you - even time to prepare doesn't stop the ache of loss when a loved one leaves our sight. God bless your family, and your father-in-law's spirit.

I, too, am planning on planting Flanders poppies this year, as a more general than personal memorial. I always loved the poem "In Flanders Field", and the feeling of it was nailed to my heart when I heard "Ay, Marieke", from Jacques Brel. A field of red poppies waving in the breeze is a beautiful, heart-stopping sight.
auntyara
14 years ago
Trudi,
I'm so sorry for the loss of your FIL Norman.
sending you and your family gentle thought of love and sadness.
Laura
whiteoakian
14 years ago
Hello all. So sorry to read about everybody's current loss and situation. I lost two brothers in their 50s in the past 15 months, one very unexpectedly. It's been a rough year so I understand and feel for your grief.

This site has been a blessing to me in so many ways. The people here are good people, salt of the earth types, and the information is tremendous.

So let's all hang in there during this tough year. You all are in my thoughts and prayers, and a special thanks to Trudi for all your work on the subject of WS, the only thing keeping me sane right now.
Susan
Whiteoakian
atravers
14 years ago
Hello from another one who has not posted for way too long. Trudi you are in my thoughts and you have so many followers who appreciate your hard work, great dedication and tremendous talents. This forum played a great role in my life a number of years ago - I still have my Excel WS database from 2003 - and I always seem to find myself checking back in just before the solstice to make sure I remember what to do.

Trudi, I want some of your tomato seeds if you're still offering them. I have some fresh seed I can donate your way for wintersown.org. I've done this once before and I'm long overdue for another round. Will get them packaged up. Sending you very warm thoughts.
Ann
Lisa_H OK
14 years ago
Every year I save seeds for Trudi. It's my way of paying her back for all she does and all she gave me over the years :) Before I tried WS I was convinced I could not grow from seed. Now I can, and I am forever grateful!

So, Trudi, there will eventually be more seeds sent your way :) I just gotta package them first :)

Lisa
trudi_d
14 years ago
Everyone has been so kind. We're getting back on track with our daily lives. And it's a good thing.

Ann, yes I do still offer tomato seeds--it's been so popular and important to the online community that I now offer them 24/7/365!
Your Choice Tomato SASE

And I am very grateful to those of you who can donate seeds. WinterSown has always been a 'three-prong fork'--sharing info on Winter Sowing, sharing info on how to save and trade seeds, and lately a large emphasis on seed recycling through the two SASE programs.

Winter Sowers are by nature a very generous culture and sharing knowledge and seeds is part of what we do. But for some, though there is desire, there isn't always time or skill to share those seeds far and wide. Your seeds can be donated to WinterSown and shared to the public through the SASE programs. Seeds get to the public through the SASEs or through private request from worthy organizations. Some of the last groups to receive seeds are a volunteer EMT and Ambulance Corp is Queens NY--they're doing a firehouse garden, they got tomatoes and peppers, a garden club in the Midwest is doing "Grow a Row for the Hungry" so they got tomatoes and veggies, and a advocacy center in Chicago that works with young victims of sexual abuse has a therapy garden and they got sunflowers because sunflower seeds are large and easy for little hands to manipulate, they grow fast and their flowers give lots of smiles--these children need a lifetime of smiles to help them heal.

Though I don't know where any donated seeds will wind up--it could be in the gardens of folks just like you and me, or it could be to organizations that help veterans, community hospital outreach programs, food-bank gardens, horticultural training programs for incarcerated youths, or schools where tomato seeds germinated and the seedlings dissected ;-O Seeds, wherever they grow, provide a lot of self-taught learning and help people to better themselves.
How to Donate your Seeds to WinterSown.

Bless you and thank you all! Winter Sowers are an amazing community!

T
daisydawnny
14 years ago
I will be going through my stash and sending you extra's Trudi. Winter Sowing has been a blessing in my life. For that I thank you.
dusty314
14 years ago
Hi, Newbie here, Just read all this post and tears are very present...You'all are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am really glad to find WS and I hope to learn all about wintersowing. It seems like the place to be!
Thanks and God Bless each of you.
Dusty314
girlgroupgirl
14 years ago
I just wanted to wave HELLO to Shore!!! Good to "see" you again, Shore!
drippy
14 years ago
Wintersowing rocks! Trudi, I so wish I had seeds to donate this year - not much gardening with the two moves, though. Hope to settle on a house by the end of January, though, so I fully intend to have some in 2010. I love that you are doing a tremendous amount of outreach to organizations as well as individuals - making the world a better place to be. Some day, when you return to the earth, there will be "someone" there saying "Well done, good and faithful servant".

I wish you, and all my GW friends, a very blessed holiday season.
trudi_d
14 years ago
Thank you Drippy, good luck with the house, I hope it's what you need it to be and that you're happy there. With all that's be going on real life still continues...we spent the afternoon initialing and signing a ton of papers for a refi on the house, I envy you getting a new place but signing all those papers is a horror story ;-O

We have a phrase around here ~ 'When hell freezes over, the devil will winter sow.' Someday, when I get there, I'll have a gallon of milk and a clamshell of cookies for Cerberus. It pays to be prepared. Good dog. Hehehe.
karendee
14 years ago
So sorry about those that lost someone!!

This is my second year for WS'ing and I am very thankful I found it.

I have so many seeds to plant this year!

Karen
carrie630
14 years ago
I missed knowing that drippy moved twice - first the SC and then to Alabama - where was I? :0/

Good luck, drippy

Carrie
carrie630
14 years ago
Ha Ha Shore... NOT! He visited us.... but gosh, drippy, I thought you would be closer to us - now you are further away.... :0(

Good luck, again

Carrie
drippy
14 years ago
Hi, Carrie & Shore - we don't actually have a house yet, but we're working on it - saw a couple of good ones yesterday, but still want to do more looking. Carrie, I thought SC was nice for the brief 3 1/2 months I was there - but a better opportunity arose in AL, so off we went! I like AL too, though, so far - I'm pretty easy where I go, as long as I have a place to garden :).

Shore, I'm not going anywhere for Christmas - my DD, whom we haven't seen since last Christmas, is flying over from "across the pond" on Christmas Eve - what a nice gift!
aliska12000
14 years ago
It makes me so sad to read about your losses here, but I'm so glad you have your winter sowing and each other to share with.
pippi21
14 years ago
Do you all remember the telephone commercial "Reach out and touch someone today?" I guess it was Ma Bell's commerical years ago. You all have touched my life today just reading about how WS has helped get you through the worst times of your life. I am greatful for finding this website and new friends.

Solstice sowing and paying it FORWARD!!!

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