so what’s this about ‘woo-woo’? a video explains
YOU CAN READ IT RIGHT UP TOP, BELOW MY LOGO: Horticultural how-to and woo-woo practiced here. After the question of “Where’d you get that plant?” (alluding to whatever oddball thing I post a picture of), the second-most common question I’m asked is, “What’s up with the woo-woo, Margaret?” The video above–my first, since I am happier behind a camera than in front–attempts to explain. Woo-hoo! Er, no, sorry: woo-woo.
(If you need to download the QuickTime player to watch, here’s the link.) And thanks to my friends at Catman & Mary Productions for forcing me to do this. Now if they’d only rename the company Catman and Margaret….
Please Spread the Woo(rd):
Help me get the word out that there’s more to gardening than chores by giving this one a thumb’s up in whatever way you like. Click on one of the choices (Facebook, Twitter), and thank you. As my niece says to me on my very favorite occasions, “You’re the best.”
Suzanne shaffer says
Cudos to you….really great, a beautiful piece…..this is a keeper and can be enjoyed again and again thank-you
Suzanne
Joyce says
Margaret, Can I call you Margaret :) Love all the stuff on your blog, you are a teacher… I enjoyed your first video. I think the first of everything is memorable and I’m sure there will be more. And I love the ways of the Japanese people, and they garden with such passion!!!
I like your voice on the video. I myself can relate to getting down in the dirt and communicating with the plants in my garden areas. I talk to the plants inside and out. Sometimes it works :) Plus believe it or not they actually listen, just like our pets. Not like some people when you talk to them it goes right thru :) I could spend my time in the garden 24/7 if weather permitting. Thanks
Christine says
Thanks for sharing this with us, Margaret. I never questioned the “woo woo” — just loved the phrasing and how it captured everything glorious about gardening. It’s so nice to hear your interpretation of it.
Dorita says
Miss MM – Great job on the first video! More beautiful garden videos, please, so those of us trapped inside all day can live vicariously in the Berkshires.
I hear that the Frogboys are jealous of Jack and are now demanding some camera time. XXXOOO, Dorita
Simon says
Great video, you have a beautiful garden.
Way to go Margaret, woo-woo
Were you really using hand shears to edge the lawn?
I don’t think I have the patience to edge like that :-)
Naomi Sachs says
Here it is, Margaret. Hope you like it!
Phyllis says
Thank you for sharing your garden and your thoughts. Both are lovely and inspiring!
My neighbors cannot understand why I enjoy weeding, and one of them has told me that she has seen me smelling dirt! What can I say?!! You get it!!! Could you do at least one video each season so that we may see you and your gardens? Enjoy your summer evening!
Sarah says
Oh, I love this (and not because I’m biased), but because it’s so visually engaging AND you are so saying so many thought-provoking things: the humble action of gardening on your knees, gardening as moving meditation, the ephemeral nature of all things. Your voice is so soothing and your garden is, of course, absolutely gorgeous. I absolutely love this video, I could watch it again and again. Brava!
Alan says
Margaret….I loved it. Thank you for sharing….. Alan.
Amity says
This video is really great. Love the parting shot. You are a kindred spirit. A big hug from Maine!
Margaret says
Welcome, Alan. Nice of you to say so!
Same to you, Amity — welcome and thank you. Big hugs sound good — send extras! :)
See you both soon again, I hope.
@Simon: I cut the edges twice a year with an edging tool, but then every month (because I don’t use a power weed-whip) we cut the edges by hand to keep things looking semi-decent. Big scissors, grass shears, you name it — all of these are good tools for that. Crazy, huh? :)
lotusleaf says
I liked your post very much.
Margaret says
Welcome, Lotusleaf, all the way from across the world. Nice to see you here, and hope we will again soon.
Judith says
Loved your video Margaret. Woo woo, that explains why gardening is such a stress reliever for me. I’ve just spent most of the day in the garden with heat and humidity bearing down but seemed not to notice! I also managed to order a second hand copy of your book “A Way to Garden” which is at this moment on its way from the USA to my home in Southern Ontario. Woo hoo!!
brian says
Margaret, what a simple truth you shared! the ephemeral nature of gardening is our constant reminder to live each day and be grateful for the experience of living “in the moment” I loved your view that the garden and the gardner are one and the same,a true symbiosis! Thanks Margaret!
Margaret says
Welcome, Brian. I am so glad you enjoyed the video, and hope that we will see you again here soon. Tonight the garden and I are sharing a downpour, and are both happier for it. :)
Bob Newman says
Hi Margaret,
I enjoyed your video; seems to me that you are a ‘natural’ in front as well as behing the camera.
Need your help if you have any advice on how to get rid of a large area of Bishop’s weed that is established on a hillside on a piece of property I have in Spencertown. The are is 25 yards by 10 yards in and around 8 to 10 feet high Norway spruce trees.
Thanks in advance for any strategies you can send my way.
Bob
Margaret says
Hi, Bob. A friend inherited a garden loaded with it years ago, and he covered it with clear plastic sheeting for a hot, sunny season or so (known as solarizing, or sort of cooking the weeds to death). It aids in the process if first you remove any/all of the weeds that you can (dig them out or a least mow/cut them down), and thinner plastic works better than very thick (no more than 5 mm, and closer to 3 is preferred). You want to do this when there are 6 or so hot, sunny weeks.
jodi capobianco says
hi margaret,
thank you for sharing your home and gardens with all.
you are extremely inspiring! i can’t wait for morning to tend to my own garden.
love and blessings!
jodi
Margaret says
Welcome, Jodi. I am very appreciative of your positive feedback. :) Do come visit again soon, and holler if you need any help!
Tricia Garland says
What a lovely video. The imagery, the music and your commentary were super. Please promise to share more with your readers in the months ahead.
I hope to see your garden in person next month during the “Open Days” program.
Margaret says
Welcome, Tricia, and thank you for your kindness. As for the next open day — yikes, what a harsh year (heat, no rain…). All of that aside, I will be here! :)
vera m says
I loved walking in his garden …I want more videos
Congrts!
Sylvia says
Thank you for your beautiful video, your glorious garden and your thoughtfulness. I am so looking forward to your book! Loved your pussycat, too:)
Margaret says
Welcome, Vera. Thanks for your words of encouragement. More to come, promise!
Welcome, Sylvia. You are welcome…and Jack sends his love. :)
See you both soon again.
TomW says
Are you sure you did not mean “wu wei”? ;-)
Anita says
Thank you for sharing your garden “live”. I have enjoyed your website and have learned so much. As stated before please share more with your readers we do appreciate it.
Margaret says
Welcome, Anita, and glad you enjoyed…will do more, yes. Don’t be a stranger — see you soon!
Sue says
This is a very nice and big garden. Bravo!
I can’t wait to see my garden in 25 yrs.
Thanks for sharing your passion.
I would like to fallow your blog and see what is growing in your garden.
Margaret says
Thanks, Sue, and welcome. Look forward to spending the season ahead with you.
Sandy says
Read your book and still wonder why moles were in your attic? I admire your courage and glad you didn’t stop gardening after meeting the rattlesnakes. I also hate snakes and ours (in MI) are only garter and hognose.
Margaret says
@Sandy: I don’t know why they come in the house, but they do. I guess they just took a wrong turn. If it had only been once, I’d have said it was a freak thing…but it was multiple times.
Rebecca says
It’s a treat to sit and read your blog and I get a kick out of seeing Jack in the pictures, but watching him in the video brought some tears to my eyes-looks so much like my Buddy did. I love your friendship with him. It is very sweet:)
Margaret says
Hi, Rebecca. I will tell Jack he is a tear-jerker. :) He has become my one true love, I have to admit. Funny how he and I both shed some of our ultra-independence and have settled in to life here together, isn’t it? He is a great blessing.
Elizabeth Stoltz-Peters says
I just finished reading your book (and I shall have some peace there – coincidentally one of my favorite poems), and I loved it. It is so fun to be able to see the places (and creatures) you wrote about on your blog. I am a fan for life now and am telling all my gardening friends about your fabulous blog. Thanks so much!
Margaret says
How kind of you to come and say so, Elizabeth. Very sweet. And thank you for being my new ambassador — I definitely need one! Hope to see you soon again.