Thoughts to Ponder . . .
from Bill Varney, URBANherbal

January 2007

Your source for herbal advice about plants, recipes using herbs, personal care products and much much more . . .

Dear Herb Farm Family & Friends,

New Years Day . . .

Satisfying (because it indicates having survived the previous year) yet scary (because who knows what the new year will bring), New Year's Day calls for safeguards, augurs, charms and proclamations. All over the world, people kiss strangers, shoot guns into the air, toll bells, and exchange gifts. In Scotland and northern England, people keenly watch their thresholds to ensure that the "first footer" — the first visitor to come through the door in the new year — is of the propitious kind. Some regions swear by dark haired men, others by blonde; no one seems to want a woman. No first footer worth his salt arrives empty handed: Preferred gifts are herring, bread, and fuel for the fire. In Japan, temple bells usher out the old year, and then comes the joyano-kane — the "night-watch-bell," a series of exactly 108 peals. These it is said, free the faithful from the 108 "earthly desires" lambasted in the Buddhist canon. Paraguayans rearrange the figurines in their Christmas cre'ches and address the baby Jesus as Nino del Ano Nuevo. In Greece, January 1 is the feast day of the beloved Saint Basil, who is feted with his own nut and lemon laced cake, the valilopita. Swedes, meantime go to church, go to smorgasbords and drink spicy glogg. From the book, The World Holiday Book, by Anneli Rufus.

We hope that the first person through your door in 2007 is one who is sure to bring faith, hope, love and peace.

Even though it is cold in January, according to Richardson Wright, author of Another Gardener's Bed-Book, 1933, we should go out by ourselves, face the wind, hold up your head and thank God for this gardening year.

The Herb of the Month for January is French Tarragon! Our recipe this month . . . Absolut Tarragon — a libation sure to please the tarragon lover — prepare one week in advance.

Don't miss Victoria's January Book Review. - Monastic Gardens, Mick Hales (Stewart, Tabori & Chang 2000).

Get together with family and friends and enjoy the holiday season.

Happy New Year to all of you from all of us at Fredericksburg Herb Farm!

Blessings,

Bill Varney
Founder, Fredericksburg Herb Farm

"There is only one success — to be able to spend your life in your own way"
   ~ Christopher Morley

...and that's Life at the Herb Farm - January 2007