There is so much wisdom in everything you say, Melissa. When I read or hear that someone has spent many millions for one object I instantly think of how that money could help abused and needy animals all over the world. Others may think how children or desperately poor people could benefit, all worthwhile causes and so much more rational than what the very rich do with so much of their money. A bigger yacht, an airplane or a fifth or sixth house; it's all insane. The disparity in income is now greater than ever. I also truly believe that people who are closely connected to the earth and its creatures have different, saner values. The reality of life and what is portrayed on television or in the media are two entirely different things. A few doses of the one will not hurt you if you have much larger doses of that which is natural and genuine. We are, underneath it all, animals who need the grounding of the earth, plants, animals, nature - and with all that we can allow our spirits to soar. Neither of those aspects is present in the glittering, make-believe world of false, artificial values and pursuits. In many ways this has led to the ultimate destruction of the very fabric of this earth.

I am with you both.

I think the same thing, Ingrid.

...and that stupid rabbit thing is JUST SO EFFING UGLY!!!

I missed the rabbit, but agree on everything written. So well put.

Good story, Perma. Perhaps you gave your students something to think about. I think gardening programs in schools are a wonderful idea, but don't know how common they are. Also in prisons. I also think people, even educated ones, often grow up lacking any knowledge of practical biology: the cycle of birth, life, and death, basic metabolism. No one has ever taught them how plants function and why they're important.

Well said, Melissa et al! Gads, I've missed this forum and its sane and grounded members!! Carol

I’ve been hearing about the mental health benefits of soil microbiology (most recently NPR ran a story.) This has got me wondering if this isn’t why our society is so unstable. We all used to dig in the dirt, raising our own food. But now we are so distant from the earth and it’s proving unhealthy in many ways.

I began self-medicating this way long before I knew anything about microbes, and recognized quickly that this was the best therapy all around. :-)

I could not agree more. Our society is just crazy. TV is crazy and who could listen to all those ads! They drive me mad. My garden is my refuge and in my own small way I am trying to help salvage our beautiful planet. My heart breaks when I read and hear about all the mindless destructive we humans have inflicted upon plants and animals (including we human animals).

This post (and forum) could also be subtitled: Sanity on Web Forums. Not only do we as gardeners take the time to appreciate and share the beauty and health and literal grounding that we experience in our gardens, but we as the Rose/Antique Rose forum community take the time to appreciate and support each other as people. Not only does gardening engage all the senses as Melissa and others have so eloquently put it, it also engages the heart. People on this forum consistently show that they've been exercising their hearts in every way possible, by being a safe place to come talk about roses and leave feeling better about themselves and the world and each other. Not many web forums we can say that about. I consider this community of people my friends even if we'll never meet face to face and I'm grateful for all of you.
Speaking of which, WELCOME BACK Carol!! We've missed your wisdom here and it's delightful to have you back in our midst. A warm group hug is sent your way.

Cynthia

The wisdom, beauty and sheer humanity (in its best sense) of all of you warms my heart and reinforces the feeling I always have that this is a place of refuge, love and understanding. That it is also a place of learning and appreciation of the beauty we create and nurture in our gardens is very precious to me. I believe that most, if not all, of us here are united in these feelings. At the very heart of it is the earth under our feet and all it supports in such infinite variety. It is real and it is the most profoundly rich experience that this world can offer.

As Cynthia said, this forum is safe, and that's rare. I'm grateful to have a place where I can share my thoughts. It's not like the public world is running over with excess positive emotion; it feeds my soul to read what people have written here.

What a lovely thread this is - I just wanted to chime in to thank everyone for sharing their thoughts. And, I agree that gardening is very centering, and an important balance to the huge amount of rapid-fire information that we are now hit with every day (the benefit & curse of the internet).