More light
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Things can get a tad gloomy from this point on in the year, and I’ve been thinking about the things we do to keep a little light in our lives while the evenings draw in on us. We shoudn’t underestimate the power of inspiring images, and I’ve long been an admirer of the work of Ros Atkinson (Her Dark Materials on Instagram), who captures something of the chiaroscuro quality of the old Dutch masters in her vegetable-heavy still lifes. We talk about her background, a rather unfortunate childhood experience in her parents veg patch which I promise will leave you with an indelible mental image, and go so far as to get into Goethe and his dying request.
And that’s having begun things with a micro review of American Primitive, a collection from one of my favourite contemporary poets, Mary Oliver, with a reading from Ben Dark of the Garden Log podcast.
Making an appearance in the garden soundtrack are an angry squirrel (they always seem so cross), the indignant cock pheasant, and a group of busy bees who were making the most of Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ while I was tending to the beds nearby.
Do check your podcast apps for the new episode if you’ve already subscribed, or click on the link below to do just that. I’ve also included the podcast player here so you can listen to all three episodes directly from this blog post.
I’m hugely grateful for all the positive feedback on the first two episodes, and am so glad that the podcast seems to be striking a chord with so many of you. Please continue to spread the word on social media and, if you have a moment, do leave me a review on your podcast player of choice – it really helps to make the podcast more visible.
Gardens, weeds and words podcast, S01E03 show notes
A blend of slow radio, gardening advice and conversation, and readings from the best garden and wildlife writing.
Garden soundtrack
The end of British Summertime, and what the sun has been getting up to.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/
Overcoming the Winter Blues https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/dealing-with-winter-blues-sad/
A micro review of American Primitive by Mary Oliver https://amzn.to/2P3lAGf, including ‘Fall Song’, ready by Ben Dark of the Garden Log podcast https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-garden-log/id1291778248?mt=2
Replacing the light we’ve lost…
Interview with Ros Atkinson, food and lifestyle photographer
https://www.instagram.com/her_dark_materials
The pea that caused the problems – ‘Kelvedon Wonder’ https://www.thompson-morgan.com/p/pea-kelvedon-wonder/107TM
Tutu, Ros’s own.
Ros’s veg shopping shopping:
Daylesford Organic Farm https://www.daylesford.com/
Oxford covered market http://oxford-coveredmarket.co.uk/
“More light” – a little bit about Goethe
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/02/01/design-for-living-books-adam-kirsch
website: gardensweedsandwords.com
email: gardensweedsandwords@gmail.com
Instagram: instagram.com/AndrewTimothyOB
Twitter: twitter.com/AndrewTimothyOB
You can hear find the podcast trailer and the first three episodes here, either on iTunes or on Switcher.
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Hello! I’m Andrew, gardener, writer, photographer, and owner of a too-loud laugh, and I’m so pleased you’ve found your way to Gardens, weeds & words. You can read a more in-depth profile of me on the About page, or by clicking this image.