The Roots That Help Us Grow


Book Description

Transitioning out of the white gaze to become more authentic. The Authentic Voices Fellowship, fostered by the Women's National Book Association and the Women of Color Writers organization, seeks to bring BIPOC women to a deeper level of inclusion in the publishing industry and the literary world at large. Through the words of these inaugural fellows, the reader may understand how telling these stories-despite the tragedy, trauma, injustice, political movements, language barriers, and grief involved-allows one to root more deeply into a heritage that helps us grow. Through the writing of six exceptional women, you will get to know cultures and stories from a truly authentic lens, not the lens that you've been accustomed to. Whether through fiction or creative non-fiction, these stories will transcend stereotypes that you've been slowly accustomed to and will give you a look into the heart and soul of communities you wouldn't know otherwise. The words in this anthology are raw and aren't polished to make you feel better. They are left sharp to just make you feel. These stories are a reminder that we have so much more to learn about each other. They are unforgettable be-cause, more than just stories, they are a look into a gaze that is authentic and not white. The essays and their authors remind us that while the United States is diverse, the views represented from those diverse communities are often not. Try as our communities may to open themselves up to other cultures and communities, often are those stories given a re-fresh, or in publishing terms an "edit," so that the story is more comfortable for you to read. More often than not, the polishing of publishing comes at the cost of authenticity. Our communities are complex. We are complex.All these stories are steeped in culture-each so different, so personal-yet something that we can relate to and experience authentically through their words. All these stories are rooted in strength. STORIES: Alaa Al-Barkawi, "A Disappearance"; Amber Blaeser-Wardzala, "What Comes After"; L. Iyengar, "Life Cycles"; Yemimah, "Far Above Rubies"; Cecilia Caballero, "A Starburst Within Myself"; Arao Ameny, "Tangawizi"




Understanding Roots


Book Description

Understanding Roots uncovers one of the greatest mysteries underground—the secret lives and magical workings of the roots that move and grow invisibly beneath our feet. Roots, it seems, do more than just keep a plant from falling over: they gather water and nutrients, exude wondrous elixirs to create good soil, make friends with microbes and fungi, communicate with other roots, and adapt themselves to all manner of soils, winds, and climates, nourishing and sustaining our gardens, lawns, and woodlands. Understanding Roots contains over 115 enchanting and revealing root drawings that most people have never seen, from prairies, grasslands, and deserts, as well as drawings based on excavations of vegetable, fruit, nut, and ornamental tree roots. Every root system presented in this book was drawn by people literally working in the trenches, sketching the roots where they grew. The text provides a verydetailed review of all aspects of transplanting; describes how roots work their magic to improve soil nutrients; investigates the hidden life of soil microbes and their mysterious relationship to roots; explores the question of whether deep roots really gather more unique nutrients than shallow roots; shares the latest research about the mysteries of mycorrhizal (good fungal) association; shows you exactly where to put your fertilizer, compost, water, and mulch to help plants flourish; tells you why gray water increases crop yields more than fresh water; and, most importantly, reveals the science behind all the above (with citations for each scientific paper). This book contains at least eighty percent more new information, more results of the latest in-depth and up-to-date explorations, and even more helpful guidelines on roots than the author’s previous book (Roots Demystified: Change Your Garden Habits to Help Roots Thrive). This is not a revised edition—it’s a whole new stand-alone book.




Plant the Tiny Seed


Book Description

How do you make a garden grow? In this playful companion to the popular Tap the Magic Tree and Touch the Brightest Star, you will see how tiny seeds bloom into beautiful flowers. And by tapping, clapping, waving, and more, young readers can join in the action! Christie Matheson masterfully combines the wonder of the natural world with the interactivity of reading. Beautiful collage-and-watercolor art follows the seed through its entire life cycle, as it grows into a zinnia in a garden full of buzzing bees, curious hummingbirds, and colorful butterflies. Children engage with the book as they wiggle their fingers to water the seeds, clap to make the sun shine after rain, and shoo away a hungry snail. Appropriate for even the youngest child, Plant the Tiny Seed is never the same book twice—no matter how many times you read it! And for curious young nature lovers, a page of facts about seeds, flowers, and the insects and animals featured in the book is included at the end. Fans of Press Here, Eric Carle, and Lois Ehlert will find their next favorite book in Plant the Tiny Seed.




Roots Demystified


Book Description

Explains simple solutions about growing healthy roots and, thereby, healthier plants. Explores the subterranean part of every gardener's world, revealing how roots really grow while dispelling myths such as where most gardeners apply water, mulch, and fertilizer or compost. Covers lawns, prairies, shrubs, vegetables, fruit trees, and native and ornamental trees. Includes practical tips for how a gardener might use this new information to create more abundant vegetables, better lawns and sturdier trees and shrubs. Also describes several ways to garden without turning the soil.--From publisher description.




Regrow Your Veggies


Book Description

There’s no need to keep buying the same vegetables you eat all the time. This insightful guide will show you how to recycle and regrow more than 20 popular fresh vegetables right at home, from cabbage to coriander. Reduce waste, save money, and Regrow Your Veggies the right (and easy) way!




Plant Roots


Book Description

The root system is a vital part of the plant and therefore understanding roots and their functioning is key to agricultural, plant and soil scientists. In Plant Roots Professor Peter Gregory brings together recent developments in techniques and an improved understanding of plant and soil interactions to present a comprehensive look at this important relationship, covering: Root response to, and modification of, soils Genetic control of roots’ responses to the environment Use of modern techniques in imaging, molecular biology and analytical chemistry Practical exploitation of root characters This book will be a vital tool for plant, crop, soil and agricultural scientists, plant physiologists, environmental scientists, ecologists and hydrologists. It will be a valuable addition to libraries in universities, agricultural colleges and research establishments where these subjects are studied and taught.




Dr. Kidd's Guide to Herbal Dog Care


Book Description

Holistic veterinarian Dr. Randy Kidd explains how herbs can be used in the care of dogs. Includes chapters on common dog ailments and how to address them. Illustrations.




The Humane Gardener


Book Description

In this eloquent plea for compassion and respect for all species, journalist and gardener Nancy Lawson describes why and how to welcome wildlife to our backyards. Through engaging anecdotes and inspired advice, profiles of home gardeners throughout the country, and interviews with scientists and horticulturalists, Lawson applies the broader lessons of ecology to our own outdoor spaces. Detailed chapters address planting for wildlife by choosing native species; providing habitats that shelter baby animals, as well as birds, bees, and butterflies; creating safe zones in the garden; cohabiting with creatures often regarded as pests; letting nature be your garden designer; and encouraging natural processes and evolution in the garden. The Humane Gardener fills a unique niche in describing simple principles for both attracting wildlife and peacefully resolving conflicts with all the creatures that share our world.




Cassandra Speaks


Book Description

What story would Eve have told about picking the apple? Why is Pandora blamed for opening the box? And what about the fate of Cassandra who was blessed with knowing the future but cursed so that no one believed her? What if women had been the storytellers? Elizabeth Lesser believes that if women’s voices had been equally heard and respected throughout history, humankind would have followed different hero myths and guiding stories—stories that value caretaking, champion compassion, and elevate communication over vengeance and violence. Cassandra Speaks is about the stories we tell and how those stories become the culture. It’s about the stories we still blindly cling to, and the ones that cling to us: the origin tales, the guiding myths, the religious parables, the literature and films and fairy tales passed down through the centuries about women and men, power and war, sex and love, and the values we live by. Stories written mostly by men with lessons and laws for all of humanity. We have outgrown so many of them, and still they endure. This book is about what happens when women are the storytellers too—when we speak from our authentic voices, when we flex our values, when we become protagonists in the tales we tell about what it means to be human. Lesser has walked two main paths in her life—the spiritual path and the feminist one—paths that sometimes cross but sometimes feel at cross-purposes. Cassandra Speaks is her extraordinary merging of the two. The bestselling author of Broken Open and Marrow, Lesser is a beloved spiritual writer, as well as a leading feminist thinker. In this book she gives equal voice to the cool water of her meditative self and the fire of her feminist self. With her trademark gifts of both humor and insight, she offers a vision that transcends the either/or ideologies on both sides of the gender debate. Brilliantly structured into three distinct parts, Part One explores how history is carried forward through the stories a culture tells and values, and what we can do to balance the scales. Part Two looks at women and power and expands what it means to be courageous, daring, and strong. And Part Three offers “A Toolbox for Inner Strength.” Lesser argues that change in the culture starts with inner change, and that no one—woman or man—is immune to the corrupting influence of power. She provides inner tools to help us be both strong-willed and kind-hearted. Cassandra Speaks is a beautifully balanced synthesis of storytelling, memoir, and cultural observation. Women, men and all people will find themselves in the pages of this book, and will come away strengthened, opened, and ready to work together to create a better world for all people.




God, Help Us!


Book Description

God, Help Us! is an anthology of writings that explore the many challenges of the universal church as it wrestles with its relevancy in a fast-paced ever evolving and diverse culture. Has the church moved away from the tenets of Christ? Many Christians have redefined the Ten Commandments, holiness and true faith to suit their personal needs. Therefore, each chapter in its approach deals with some of the ills of the world that have infiltrated the ranks of the church, such as (but not limited to) mental illness, dishonesty, sin, church hurt, misguided leadership, narcissism, poor fiscal management, and sexual indecency. Im afraid that each topic has led to the decline of church attendance, quieted its prophetic voice in the community, and drastically reduced the effectiveness of saving souls. This book provides recommendations for going back to our first love, which is Jesus and His mission, purposeful living, balance, and wellness. It is my hope that this book transcends denominational affiliation and touches each generation to win the world for Christ one soul at a time.