Tumbled

Saw a friend this evening while I was getting my food from Visitors Centre.  She said that so much was happening around and within her that she was feeling tumbled, as in a tumble dryer or washing machine.

It was a good description of how I am feeling as well at the moment.

Still intense

Another very intense day.  We had to sort out issues with one of our group.  We talked about a project proposal I am doing to get funds for the new website.  I had to go to the doctor only to find that the device I need is not available in India so I will have to get it from Germany.  Apparently it won’t be too expensive.  I am starting to feel much better now.

It was Sam’s third birthday on Wednesday.  I love the way he concentrates so hard on opening the balloon I sent him.  He can pretty much do it himself now.

Last day of the course

Last day of the course today.  I think we are all glad as it has been a very intense time.  More for Vivek than me of course.

Too much

Feel better today although every so often I start sneezing.  At least my nose is dripping less.

Still feel as if I am at the centre of a whirlwind with so much happening and so much to do.  Wrote a proposal for the development of the Earth to Eating website today.  Amongst a lot of other things that needed doing.

Feeling horrible

Spent all day sneezing with a drippy nose.  Absolutely horrible.

Somehow managed to get everything done which included attending a Farm Group meeting and writing the notes. Didn’t manage to do a picture for today or get to yoga class.  I am going to bed very early.

One radish at last

Woke up last night with a runny nose that seems to have got worse as the day has progressed.  Could be a cold or some sort of allergy, but either way have not felt very well and rather droopy.  Found out last night that the website has been hacked yet again and all the material has disappeared – again.  I felt very much that the universe is not supporting me right now!

Despite this I managed to get everything done that needed to be done.  Which included doing the Farm Tour for the first day of the course.  There was too much going on for me to go to ballet class.  I even managed to get this picture of a radish for the new book, which I’ve been wanting for some time.  It was the last one in Foodlink and looks too big to have been grown in Auroville.  Although I know it is an organic one.

Red

Another Sunday when I feel swivel eyed after spending most of the day on the computer trying to finish off my book.  Amongst other things. I had to keep getting up to go and take more photos of things I had forgotten.  I took this one of rosella – fortunately with lots of rosella on it.

The book is almost finished.  Unlike print books digital ones can be updated easily. The course starts tomorrow and I hope Vivek is going to manage with it OK.  

Feeling droopy

It is Pongal today when I feel I should be using the time to catch up on all the stuff I need to do on the computer.  Particularly with regard to the new web site.  Have been uploading photos to the new book but it is going much slower than I would like. Trouble is I feel a bit droopy and don’t feel like doing much.

The picture shows what my mother would call ‘wool gathering’. Just staring off into the middle distance and thinking about nothing in particular.  Its not an unpleasant feeling.  Now do I force myself to keep going? Or wait until I have more energy?  

Giddy times

Another very intense morning with a lot of volunteers.  Ended up having to be quite brutal with a group of medical students who turned up much later than they said they would.  As they came after breakfast I didn’t have time to talk to them.   I had to rush to Financial Services before it closed to sort out air ticket and Pongal bonus. 

The picture (when I eventually get it!) shows how all the students eventually congregated in Spiros’s cabin.  Where apparently Spiros gave an impromptu talk about the importance of organic food.

Very misty morning

Had our first big mist this morning which to me always makes the garden very mysterious.  As I sent the volunteers out on their various jobs I couldn’t see a lot of them through the mist except as vague shapes.

I am finding it very demanding with so many volunteers in the morning.

Talking talking

This picture was taken by a volunteer.  It shows what I seem to be spending most of my time doing these days. Talking, talking, talking to well meaning people who want to know a lot.

A lot of the time I enjoy doing it, but feel that other jobs are getting increasingly squashed.  Especially those that require me to sit quietly and think and type.

Fire

Had an argument with Pierre about a mattress of all things.  Trying to sort out the new way of being together in Buddha Garden is a long process.

This morning we started working on the area of Buddha Garden where we are going to have our tree nursery.  It seemed fitting that after getting the grass cut we then burnt all the rubbish.

Very positive

Has felt like a very positive day today.  It began by us getting a lot of planting done.  It was the day of the Aurovile Farm Festival and we had a group from there come and look around Buddha Garden.  According to Vivek everything went very well and things look good for tomorrow.  This is a picture of the festival.

I made a start on putting together the book for the website.  Ann did a good job with the editing and I am feeling good about the course and the other ‘Earth to Eating’ planned activities. Emma found out today that she is probably expecting a baby girl.  Wonderful.

Catch up

This has been a catch up day trying to keep abreast of all the things that need doing.  Admin work, posters and new website.

Am very pleased with this poster that will hopefully get printed today.  This is the first course which is part of our ‘Earth to Eating’ activities.  Am so glad that we have got everything together at last.  It all feels very positive if a bit breath taking if I think what has to be done over the next few months……

New posters

I was asked to quickly make three flyers for the Farm Group festival which is starting tomorrow.  I did three with different backgrounds but I think I prefer this one.

Although I don’t know how it will look when it is printed……

Glowing

Still very busy with an extra session at the school this morning.  Mainly because they are all booked up with upcoming sports day, theatre performance and Pongal.  There won’t be any more gardening sessions until the end of January.  When their tomato seedlings should be ready.

Had a wonderful acupuncture session and came away feeling all glowing like these flowers.  Still not completely happy with the medical treatment I am having but feel that things are getting better.  It will take time I think for everything to come together. 

Our new course

Talked with all the people about our new course today.  Have written out all the information and waiting for Vivek to agree to it.  Then I have to make a poster and get promoting it.

The picture is of food made by Efrat who is going to run the cooking part of the course.  Looks fabulous!

Still intense

This is a picture of the new parking signs we have put up in Buddha Garden.  With so many volunteers we are able to do these sorts of jobs now.  Provided I can find enough time and energy to organise it.  Having Rajan come for the morning work definitely makes it easier.

This afternoon Vivek and I went to look at a space where we intend to put a large dynamic exhibition ‘Earth to Eating’.  Very exciting and hope I can find the time and energy to do it justice. I am going to see the doctor tomorrow for the last part of my treatment which I hope will make a difference.

Very intense

So many people, so much to do! This afternoon got very intense trying to finish off the notes of the meeting this morning.  Have got some exciting projects coming up but some of them will mean a lot of work. No time for yoga this afternoon.

Gave myself a headache which went away once I went to the pond and looked at the water to cool down.  There were nine people meditating there at sunset.  Helped me get everything into perspective again.

Back to school

School is back so have started the school project again.  They were all very excitable this afternoon but managed to get a bed cleared and replanted.

Findings

While doing all this recent work on the website and creating posters I have turned up a lot of old images.  This is something I created quite some years ago to demonstrate crop rotation.

Looking at it I realise how much more I have learnt about how to do this sort of graphic work.  Not only the layout, but also how to manipulate file sizes for different uses and how to file them so I know where to find them when I want them. 

Very glad to still be learning.

Beauty

This is a picture of Jala bhoomi, the land of water. This year it is really beautiful.  With the ponds full of water and many trees established.

As I have struggled to finish the website (almost done!) I’m very glad to have places like this to go when I need a break.

Sunrise on 2016

Feeling hollow eyed having been working all day on the computer.  Using clunky software and a mouse that rattles because there are loose connections inside it.  Yet I managed to get some of the Buddha Garden website stuff uploaded at last.

Hope things are better organised for the rest of this year!