A Thorn by Another Name, Could Be Less Prickly……by Niall Wildwoode

‘’Look at all of those bloody hawthorns!’’, I shouted as I viewed a small, wooded bank on newly bought ‘Moondawn’. More thorns than any other tree, it looked impenetrable. This statement alone, would have initiated a cull in the first year of at least 50% of them. But the need to keep my projects & developments visually blurred within the landscape, stayed my hand….thorns make good shelter.

Moondawn Thorns 

Some years later with a hankering to get as many varieties of fruit established on my holding as possible, I had to relearn the classic art of grafting : the craft of splicing the growing-tip of a desirable woody plant, onto a young, rooted species of the same, which itself displays traits of resilience not found in the former. Your roses will likely have been grafted (unless they’re ‘species’ roses) – a variety will have been selected from thousands of germinated seeds, because of its colour, form and scent, but most likely will perform poorly in the long term. This is due to weaknesses brought about by generations of cross-breeding, but is resolved by grafting a piece onto a relative of the tenacious, wild dog rose; if the two ‘take’, then the dog rose will provide a strong root system & vigorous habit, whilst the hybrid does it’s stuff at the flower shows.

In my case I wanted many varieties of tree fruit. Starting with apples, I obtained ‘scions’ (small twigs) of the apple trees that I wanted, then grafted them onto specifically bred ‘rootstocks’ of apple which have a growth habit best matching my needs.

But, I do hanker for a little more self-reliance and adventure;  having to buy commercial rootstocks isn't a challenge…..something tinkling in the back of my mind….what did growers use before commercialisation?

OK, back to basics. Fortunately I've worked with trees and shrubs all of my independent life, & have a usable botanical knowledge. The largest percentage of our northern tree fruit are within the Rosaceae plant family….. apples, pears, plums, cherries, quinces..…even strawberries, raspberries & blackberries ( & roses, of course)! The trick it seems, is to find a native tree or shrub that will be a close enough genetic match to the fruit you wish to replicate.

Enter, Hawthorn!!! It’s also in the Rosaceae bunch, and was used as a rootstock in earlier centuries to graft the fruit, Medlar onto, as they’re VERY close cousins. So as a trial, I gave medlar a go on the regrowth of a felled thorn & ‘’hey presto!’’, they ‘took’!.....

Medlar graft on hawthorn, a little moth-eaten

  Next? Hmmm…PEAR!! These are a tad trickier, & are generally grafted onto a variety of quince rootstock. What the heck! I managed to find some ‘Hessle’ pear – a reliable, sweet, Yorkshire variety, & plenty of ‘Conference’. Winter 2010/11 I picked several thorn stems worth playing with on a sunny bank, & slipped the pears in.

   I pretty much left it for a couple of years as life was busy, but recently had a scratch around & found that I had about a 50% take….damned good for something left out to the elements.

 

 

 

Grafting in session

So, ‘’that’s a nice story…’’ you might say, ‘’…and your point is?’’……

The point is that our native trees in this plant family, happen to be some of the most prolific, resilient, fastest-growing species around. Don’t we yearn to return to times when kids can go out to a hedgerow, woodland edge or copse, & pick ripe tree fruit at will? Instead, unless they have access to an orchard or well-stocked garden, supermarket ‘blandings’ are all they’ll experience. Groups talk of ‘community gardens & orchards’, yet fail to see the wealth of potential within the trees they’re grubbing up to achieve this – trees that are already rooted-down, established & vigorous, & which just need converting through grafting.This isn’t a call-to-arms to convert EVERY tree, but to make use of those that might otherwise end up uncared-for, or destroyed….convert them to fruit trees!

                                     

Conference pear graft on hawthorn

POTENTIAL X 10,000’S, don’t you think?

By the way, have you ever looked at a single rowan berry, & noticed the shape similarity to another, larger fruit?

Guess what my next trick’s going to be?

by Niall Wildwoode

For more information or to stay up to date with news from Moondawn Farm join them on Facebook

 All Rights Reserved, Niall Wldwoode 2013.

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Shout it Loud - Some Good News on the Gagging Law

This just arrived in my in-box from 38 Degrees.



Here's a news headline, in today's Independent, which every 38 Degrees member can feel proud of: "Tories put Lobbying Bill on hold over fears of embarrassing defeat in House of Lords". [1]

It looks like the campaign against the gagging law is starting to work! In the face of an ever-growing campaign the government was forced to agree a six-week delay and promise further "consultation". [2]

That means we’ve got more time to ramp up the pressure. So please add your name now to the petition calling on the Lords to stop the gagging law:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/scrap-the-gagging-law

Yesterday the 38 Degrees petition passed 100,000 signatures in just a few hours. Meanwhile over 50 different charities and voluntary groups – including big names like Oxfam, the Royal British Legion, and the Countryside Alliance – wrote to every single Lord.

Together, we proved to members of the House of Lords that there's real concern about this threat to democracy. And together, we've persuaded enough of them that the gagging law can't just be waved through.

It remains to be seen if the six-week delay will mean real changes. The government may choose to listen, or they may just take a breather before having another go at forcing the law through. Their choice will probably depend on how much pressure we put them under!

If enough of us keep speaking up to protect democracy, we have a real chance of winning. All the messages to MPs, the donations, the leaflets, and the posters are starting to work. So let's keep going!

Please take 30 seconds to sign the petition by clicking here:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/scrap-the-gagging-law

"Time" by GD Kokani

'TIME'

  Is 'TIME' a human perception of a progression or a process or existence? Leading scientists, physicists and thinkers believed/believe that 'time' is absolute and moves forward irrespective of what happens in the Universe, it is a fundamental reality, it is interwoven with space and so forth..

   The scientists think that 'time' is an independent and absolute reality and it is marching ahead or progressing like a living being. This approach of thinking about it in isolation or granting it an independent and absolute status, is not only irrational but it adds more confusion than clarity,thereby taking us farther from the truth or reality about it.

   The reality about it and the most rational, scientific and intelligent approach in this regard would be as under:-

   The Existence of the Universe is governed by the properties and laws of 'mother matter' from which everything that exists in this universe has been formed as per the forces, energies and matter possessed by the mother matter, over an infinite period of time.  Matter, Space and Time (as we perceive) are the three dimensions of the same 'existence' of the universe.  Therefore, 'time' is a relative phenomenon with reference to the matter and space existed during each and every phase or formation that has taken place in the universe.The fundamental property of all kinds of matter contained in the universe (living and non-living matters) is that their existence is CYCLIC phenomenon.

  A reader interested to know more about my perspectives may like to see my short essay titled:

  'The Universe, The God and Origin of Life' in my e book 'Human Nature Part II' wherein I have tried to explain 'The theory of cyclic existence' of matters of this Universe.

   All the planets, stars,objects, formations,galaxies and all living organisms exist/live in cyclic manner. In case of living organisms the cycle goes on like this:birth/germination--growth/development--re creation/reproduction--maturing/aging--decay/degeneration.... Therefore, it is not the time which progresses or marches ahead or it is not pushing forward to make things/events happen but it is the chain of predetermined/fixed events or phases of a given cycle that progress or march ahead from one stage to the next stage of a cycle. However, we get a perception that time is marching ahead.

  It would be clear from the above explanation that 'time' does not exist as an independent and active or self propelling entity or a force or an energy or a phenomenon but it is a human perception of the distance between two events or happenings or chain of events or phases in a given cycle .In other words (aptly) it is a human perception of another perfect measure of distance (other than physical distance) between the beginning and the end or between two events/happenings/phases or amongst different phases/stages in a given cycle of 'existence'.

   .....G.D.Kokani.

2014 Naked Calendar Launch

This is probably the one and only time you will see us feature an event like this one. 

The Girl Against Fluoride and Co. have decided to work with the World as it is, to create the World they want to see. As firm supporters of people's right to make informed choices and drink fluoride free water we are right behind  them (with our clothes on, don't panic).

 Aisling and the team will be demonstrating their naked ambition to raise awareness of this subject at the 2014 Naked Calendar at Filmbase, Templebar, Dublin on Thursday 7th November.  Doors open at 6.30 pm.

"The aim of the 2014 Naked Calendar is to create awareness about the water fluoridation issue in Ireland. It will combine beauty, entertainment and information that is sure to get the nation talking about fluoride.

The proceeds of the sale of the calendar will go towards paying for expert witnesses who will be needed to testify in the up and coming High Court case.

Join me for a free wine reception during what promises to be a night of information and fun. Meander through the exhibition of our calendar and best campaign photographs. Meet with the brave participants and models which graciously and unreservedly created the Naked Calendar. The exhibition will be opened by the much loved and esteemed Senator David Norris.

I very much look forward to seeing you on the night.

Best wishes,

Aisling &The Team

Read more about The Girl Against Fluoride here.
© 2013 Enlightening Times All Rights Reserved.

May She Rest in Peace - The NHS is Dead, Long Live the NHS

Obituary Notice

NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE

July 5th, 1948 - April 1st 2013 

Affectionately known as NHS to the World 

On the 1st April 2013, quietly and alone in the darkness she was taken from us. In the blink of an eye she was gone, leaving those who loved her and depended on her in complete desolation.

She has been awarded a full State burial as a reward for her years of dedicated service to the people of the UK and no doubt the issues surrounding her death will long be the focus of the public mind. As they ponder how the slow intoxicating poison gained control of her mind and led to her losing pound after pound to Big P in whatever their latest gamble happened to be. She will be sadly missed, some have already said goodbye to the woman they had once known as day by day she'd been slipping out away for years.

A child born in a time of dreams, a teenager in the sixties. It was during her adult years  in the 80's she began to feel the burden of responsibility and even though at times she could be a bit short sighted, she blazed a trail like no other. In later years her more maternal side came along and sometimes the shadow of control would become her cloak. As the years went on she transformed into the sweet gentle grandmother of dreams, but in the wrong company in which she'd certainly fallen she also had the potential to become the nanny from hell. The drunk one without the teeth who wants to slobber all over you and tell you how to live your life, only this nanny has needles and vaccines and other such toxic tools at her disposal.

Her dying wish was to remind all you who take the time to read this and think of her with fondness in your heart. YOU have a say in this..the NHS does not belong to the Government or the British Medical Association, it does not belong to the pharmaceutical companies who supply it, IT BELONGS TO YOU and me and your neighbour and granny and children, and hairdresser and I think you see what I mean.

Our Elected Representatives are simply that "Elected" "Representatives" if they are not representing you, it's up to you to let them know. Some are actually waiting for YOU to give them the push, some have started without you, but let's face it a little nudge in the right direction never hurt anyone.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/05/31/rebel-mp-tory-david-cameron-confidence-_n_3364562.html

A dream, an ideology, a desired state of grace.
Yet somehow she was left with egg on her face.
Compassionate, caring, courageous indeed.
If only the World wasn't infected by greed.

It's not too late, an idea lingers on.
I hope we can revive her sweet song.
A change of key, a new harmonic exchange.
With the focus on wellness, just for a change.

Working with our bodies and hearing their tune.
Allowing ourselves to flow with the ebb of the moon.
When the death tolls ring new beginning are near.
It's time for re-birth, a new era is here.

A time when we move away from the fear.
To embrace each other and all we hold dear.
A time when we remember what we'd forgotten,
When we heal what's been at the core rotten.

The power's within us to lead with our heart.
What if together we plan a fresh start.
A focus on healing not more disease.
With poisons on tap and crazy remedies.

We're treating the body like pieces of scrap.
But have we forgot who inhabits it's trap?
A person with feelings not a box to tick.
Dear God, no wonder humanity's sick

The nurses, the doctors are all there to care.
Silenced with their jobs, their voice they can't share.
Opening their eyes to an alternative view.
Starting to see they were fooled too.

Much of the research was hidden from view.
As reps came with "facts" promising miracles for you.
Stressed, over-worked and paying off debt,
Questioning the research is not a safe bet.

Hands tied as ours were, with no informed choice.
Many different voices creating lots of noise.
Selling propaganda and pills much hyped.
Dressed up all dandy, like the snake-oil type.

Let us indulge the lessons wisely and her life not be in vain.
As we once again look at ways to address the misery and pain.
Eyes washed and weary from the grief that's on it's way.
Maybe the alarm sounds the dawning of a new day.

When people question what they are told.
And see through the products they're being sold.
A new day is here, what heralds that change?
The reborn NHS with a fantastic new range.

Imagine a world where illness was rare.
Imagine a world where we all stopped to care.
Imagine it wasn't about gaining a dime.
Imagine co creating a new paradigm.

We see where the hacks cracked the system before.
So let's build a new firewall and close that door.
The alleged murderer has an axe to our throats.
Would you pledge a No Confidence Vote?

Our attention is needed or the consequences are grim.
I beg you to please take the time to look within.
Ask your heart how it feels, do you care?
If so with your MP please your views share.

"The NHS has been killed, murdered, assassinated by a Tory government. The question now is – do we have enough faith to bring it back to life? " Owen Jones, The Independent, 31st March 2013. 

More news on this topic:

Prime Suspect still at large.  Scotland Yard have issued a warrant to question Prime Minister David Cameron about his recent dealings with the deceased. No Suspect has been named at this time, we are expecting an up-date soon. Unfortunately we have been unable to contact the Secret Service as all there agents are currently on missions educating activists on what will occur should they continue down their chosen path, hiring shills, arresting people for peacefully demonstrating their right to protect their land and other such atrocities against humanity.We suspect the prime suspect will have close links with the Secret service and when we hear from one we will hear from the other. Stay tuned for more information on this topic and many more here at the Enlightening Times.


http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/farewell-to-the-nhs-19482013-a-dear-and-trusted-friend-finally-murdered-by-tory-ideologues-8555503.html