It wasn’t a real big market, but they had everything you would want or need. From flowers to fish. There were also some food truck type setups to get some food to eat. I could have easily filled my basket up. All the time remembering that the prices are in Euros (and I am converting from the Canadian Peso).

Even though I am writing this story, I also posted a few black and white photos on one of my instagram accounts that tell a little story about this trip to the market.

I’ll try not to be too political or philosophical with this post. I’ll avoid pontificating. However, I still will take the time to say grow your own. Even if it is just some herbs. Sometimes these markets have vendors that sell small plants to help get you started. When you can get out to try and support small local farmers it helps the system overall. Without them the food system will just get worse. To me it is just shocking watching what is happening with people and their choices. The literal garbage and poison they are willing to buy and consume.

When I am in Lviv and go to markets there are lots of vendors. Small little operations and stalls. But when there are many businesses competing for customers they have to do that either by price or quality. Just think when our food system is further reduced to no more independent farmers. Then the system will not need to provide quality, freshness, or anything healthy. You will have no other choice or option. Farmers markets are one small way to help protect options. Sometimes you are able to speak with them and find out about what you are buying. While corporations legislate to hide ingredients, or to avoid proper food labelling.

Back to the market. Back to the reason I went - colours, aromas, tastes, and textures. Beauty from the natural world.

It had been a very long time since my last visit. Looking back it is quite strange in that the last time I went to visit my relatives it was for a similar reason. It wasn’t a vacation, but a visit for another reason. Regardless, I was hoping to take a break from a few things.

When I booked my travel I compared it with travelling by plane. However, it was just as long in overall time as taking the bus. But with more changes and longer layovers between connections. My original bus itinerary had only one change over, and it wasn’t a long wait either. This time I decided to be ready considering my last experience in Poland with the public washrooms. So I armed my pockets with coins. Lots of coins.

It was an early departure from Lviv, on a rainy morning. Yes, I know many novel writers would have written a more dramatic scene. Chapter One - The night was humid. [Once again, if you don't get that joke we can't be friends]

I live close enough to the main train station that I could walk. And at this time of year it was bright enough that early in the morning. I didn’t sleep much, and knew I wouldn’t sleep much on the way. Ah, good times ahead.

As expected the stop at the border was long. But not as long as I have had in the past, so that was a plus. But I prepared to wait a long time anyway. I got questioned a little bit considering my last name, and the length of time it had been since my last passport stamps. But I got things all sorted out as soon as I explained that I was volunteering.

We made it across the border and on our way to my change over. I decided not to use the on board toilet and wait for the washroom at the next bus station. I had my coins afterall. No problems this time. None that I can think of.

It was a daytime arrival at the bus station. Not many people around but lots of buses being prepared for their departures. I just needed to figure out which one would be mine. Plenty of time to figure that out. But first my washroom break. Dig in my pocket to check my coins. We are good to go. I find the mens area and it is fortified with coin operated contraptions. I looked for the Brinks logo to see if they in fact were in charge of the entrance. I saw the sign that indicated the minimum price for entry was 1 Polish zloty. Polish zloty. Or Euro. The sign also indicated they permit entry for Euros as well. But who needs euros when you have zlotys.

Coin drops and goes through. Try again.

Coin drops and goes through. Try again.

Coin drops and goes through. Try again.

Do I blow on the coin for good luck and try again. Damn, this is like trying to use coins to refill water bottles in Lviv.

Coin drops and goes through. Try again.

Umm, I kind of need to go. And it would be nice to wash my hands. I think I can wait and go in the on board of the next bus. I head back outside to sit on a bench and wait.

Time goes by, boredom sets in.

Hmm, lets see if some of my larger denominated coins are maybe in Euros. I only tried the smaller denomination. Maybe I snuck some in my stash. Let me read. Ah, there is the problem - Republic of Mexico. I . . . was . . . prepared. How much longer until this next bus gets going?

I find the next bus. Small snag. I was told that it wasn’t direct to my destination as booked. There would be another changover in Germany. In Hof. Don't hassle the Hof I said. The two Polish bus drivers did not get the joke. I think 80% of readers won't get it either. So lonely.

Ugh, in the middle of the night/early morning. I was not told how long the wait would be, just when the next departure would take off. So I decided not to take a chance on trying to sleep in order to make sure I won't miss the changeover stop (all the announcements were in Polish).

Turns out the changeover was really short, and it worked out almost like the two buses swapped a series of passengers. It was a good deal for me as I didn’t have to sit beside anyone. The bus before had me in the corner seat of the last row with a somewhat annoying guy beside me.

I did get to see some nice scenery and relax for the rest of the ride. After 32 hours we only arrived 20 minutes later than scheduled. So not too bad afterall. I was glad to be back. Some things looked and felt familiar as the bus arrives in the city.

My aunt met me at the bus station to pick me up and give me a lift back to her apartment where I would be staying for my visit. It will be nice not to hear any air raid sirens for a while.

One thing I would look forward to is the weather, and trying to get a decent sleep.

I will fast forward with one little story even though this is just an introduction post. One night I decided to try and have a sleep on the balcony. It was a really nice night to try it. Haven’t had an outdoor sleep in a long time. Despite the sounds from cars and buzzing motorbikes, it was nice.

I would also get to experience thunderstorms here as well. I bring this up as I didn’t realize it would have such an affect on me. It has been hot and dry here so any rain is welcome. We were getting a decent thunderstorm. They can be a little unpredictable in mountain areas. I normally like thunderstorms. However, this night a few of the thunderclaps sounded eerily like bomb blast I would hear with the attacks that happened in Lviv. Laying in bed it just felt ironic that I came here to get away from the sounds and feeling of the war. Yet here I lay with some of those very sounds. So I will forever hear thunderstorms and fireworks with the memory of the war. Damn I used to enjoy those things.

I didn’t take many photos along my trip here, but I will try and make up for that in other posts. I will have a few dedicated to what I do and see here. It has been a long time since I have posted no doubt.

After I have hopped on the tram to make my delivery to Rynok Square my sourdough levain will be maturing so I can bake some sourdough bread later. I might even try and make another batch of ice cream if my starter takes long enough to be ready to work with. Goodnees my Sundays are never a day of rest.

I have also got back into home-brewing. Later today I will do a transfer step in the bottling process for my first attempt at a hard cider. Just an activity until I can get back to brewing beer and finally learning how to make wine. But I will wait until I have my own grape vines. Still working on that.

With all that has been going on and happening lately - like incessant air raid sirens during the nights, power outages, and yes still trying to bake, I just let picture taking slide a little. However, some of what I do on that end may change a little. I reached the stage of planned obsolescence with my previous phone. Having a new one with different camera specifications will change what I do somewhat. So I may spend some time testing it out.

I have been encouraged by some people to get into making videos. I have some ideas on that end, but when I can get my life settled in one place and more focused on things like I mentioned above. Oh how I want to get all my photo gear with me. And even get back to developing my own negatives again. In time. But for now I adapt - as per usual. Hoping to bring images that will be of interest or capture someones attention.

Please enjoy this edition.

When I was living outside of the city I was able to get there by bus. Thankfully that route has normal modern buses. Every time I would get off at the bus stop at Shuvar, it would be me and about twelve senior citizens (just another odd observation). So I figure prices are generally decent here, otherwise the golden girls and silver foxes would be going somewhere else.

I mostly come for the amazing selection and decent prices for honey. Good lord I feel like I hit the jackpot when I discovered all the stalls and shops. Since its a long trek to get there I usually make the rounds to also get meat, cheese, fish, spices, and various other items that I may want or need. I even got supplies for the garden I had.

Along the way I have taken a few photos of this place. Despite what I will show it won’t give you a full picture of what this place is like. You really have to dedicate a few hours and have a walk around the complex. I do not miss the tacky North American supercenters.

Speaking of the seafood building. I seem to find the more interesting photos in this place. It can get crowded. People bustling about. Vendors and merchants scrambling around with cart and trolleys. It can get a little crazy, but you get used to it.

I eventually found an area where they primarily sell meat, chicken, and the odd unfortunate rabbit. No one selling any lucky rabbits’ feet here.

Not everything is inside the buildings. There are also sections of small shops and stalls selling every kind of product. There are many rows like this. To try and get a proper photo is tricky as there are so many cars, vans, and trucks driving all around. And the vendors don’t at all look friendly, so I didn’t push my luck taking many photos here.

You also come across several sections where it is likely small or independent farms that sell directly out the back of their vans or trucks. Nothing fancy, just the goods they produced.

You can always count on a small barbeque hut to be found.

I am getting better at recognizing good deals and pricing. But the language barrier keeps me from shopping more regularly. And the fact that you are always going to be charged more or the ‘out-of-season’ prices. Anyway, no excuse not to go. Sometimes you will find the occasional vendor who is nice or smiles. But not often enough.

This is one of the bigger markets in the city. The Pryvokzalʹnyy Rynok, near the main bus/train station. People are selling everything you will need here. It’s usually busy, some sections pretty tight to maneuvre through the crowds of shoppers.

There is always lots on display to appeal to your senses. The selection of goods is pretty impressive.

Quite often you will see vendors open up their produce to show you what the quality and taste will be like. Can’t get over the vibrant colours. Thats what you get from smaller, local growers.

Sometimes you will find freshly prepared meals, as well as pickled and fermented foods.

Flower stalls always looking vibrant and abundant. Here flowers can be affordable. I was always so shocked back in Canada at how outrageously priced flowers would be. Solved that dilemma by growing my own gardens.

And what would open air markets be without pigeons . . .

I wonder if the pigeon below knows the fate of birds at this table. Might want to get out of that box or check out what is above. Maybe the ladies do a little work to make it look like chicken.

This post really only scratches the surface of what it is like here, or what you can find. Hope you enjoyed this little introduction to what you can find and see when you don’t just go to a traditional supermarket. It is really quite an adventure. The sights, the sounds, and for better or for worse, the smells.

What prompted me to write this post was for a few reasons. Lately I have struggled to find something to write, as I have been feeling a little stressed about life and decisions, and a few negative experiences that happened here have me distracted. I have also posted several photo journals, so I decided to write about another funny little circumstance. Who doesn’t like a good little laugh.

At the packaging place where I am volunteering at I have been showing photos of the focaccias I have been creating and baking. Here are a few sample pictures:

If you care to see more of that side of things, and you are on Instagram, feel free to follow along for other creations and stories - https://www.instagram.com/the_molodets/

Now back to the story. We had just finished saying farewell to a visiting volunteer and were getting back to doing our work. A lady turned to me and asked who was this girlfriend I keep mentioning. I told her I don’t have a girlfriend. She then replied, then who is this Katia that you keep baking for. If you missed the story, or didn’t click the above link, now is your chance to do it.

Okay, so now that you are caught up on things, this is the point where long time readers begin to smirk. I know I have a smarmy grin going on at this point. Occasionally the ladies will ask if I have been baking, so that is when I let them know what I have been up to - sourdough bread, cookies, cakes. Recently I have been making focaccias. Have to admit, I’m baking some top notch stuff.

Well this lady was obviously curious about this mysterious woman she kept hearing about. So I had to clear up the confusion. Yes, this is the part where if we were together having a few drinks (or other legal means for responsible recreation) we would begin to giggle in anticipation of . . . I think you can sense it, but there is still a little more.

After a little bit of laughter I tried to explain to . . . you will never believe who I was explaining this to. Care to guess her name? Ya, this is the point of the full on giggle fit. I was clearing up the confusion, and recounting the For Katia story to a lady named . . . Katia. You just can’t make this stuff up. I told her that I was not baking for a girlfriend named Katia - not For Katia. But in fact baking focaccia. Fo-caccia. That is the point I told her about the original story. She had a good laugh. I guess it seemed funny to us as we just had a few shots when we had our visiting volunteer farewell gathering. Makes the work go by so nicely.

Hope this little story brought a smile. Sometimes we can use one.

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Black and white photography sometimes gives me that moment almost like when you are in a museum. There are so many things to look at, yet occasionally you stop and take the time to really look at what is in front of you. I guess that is why I tend to appreciate the timeless quality to black and white images.

Please enjoy another instalment of me keeping black and white photography alive.

Oh how I was waiting for a moment to get this next image without people in it (for an unrelated post). I got close twice. When I noticed more people approaching I decided to take this shot. Initially I was not happy with it. Until the black and white side of my brain took an assessment. Pleased enough with the scene to share.

I’m going to include myself in one of these journals. Why the heck not. One day when cutting up some home baked sourdough bread I decided to just take a quick snap. No staging. No set ups. It just caught me.

Now that I am back in the city I have a few more opportunities to capture my surroundings and wanders. I’m not leading a busy big city lifestyle. But I still need to make an effort to get out; to make more of a point to get out and walk and wander. Its a good mental break from all that life throws at you. But it is winter. Not Canada winter, but the weather and surroundings are not always the best for taking photos. Although I do get a lot of laughs and stares when I am in shorts in January.

Here is some more of how I see things around me.

I did have a few photos to post, none of which are related. But I will use them and somehow make them all seem related. How I will weave them together will surprise even me. I know I could make a few different posts out of the content, but where would the fun be in that? This way makes a lot less sense, and things far more challenging. Maybe I will throw in a story while I’m at it.

Finally getting a place of my own in the city has changed a few things. I still won’t feel settled because I am here temporarily volunteering. Anyone have an idea when this war ends? Until then I will try and do a few things that help me feel a little bit grounded. Maybe do some good things for others at the same time.

I found a place with an oven - halleluja!! This is a good thing because I have missed making bread. And I have wanted to get back to making things to bake for soldiers, and help the Lviv Volunteer Kitchen raise money when they run their Sunday charity table. At the new apartment I didn’t have a decent work surface. So if I was going to be making things that required rolling, dividing, shaping, and all sorts of other steps involved in certain recipes I would need (knead) a more proper surface. I have a couple of mats, but they are finicky and not always great to work on. I did a lot of searching for things like dough kneading boards, but the quality was either lacking, the size not right, or the price just ridiculous. So the next best thing to do? Buy a countertop. Yes, it came down to that. But it turned out to be a good size for my new space.

I had been making some sourdough bread which I was able to do with a mixing bowl, and my cast iron bread baker.

The sourdough process is essentially fermented food. It is filled with healthy microbes and bacterias. This contributes to better overall health. Especially when whole grain and stone-milled flours are used. Have to admit I feel so much better in general when I am eating my sourdough bread. I eat some with almost every meal. Like we used to. The aroma and taste are remarkable. I am sure most of you have bread in your home that won’t go stale for a month. Just ask yourself how. My bread is essentially three ingredients - flour, water, salt (my leaven only consists of flour and water). Care to read the label on yours?

Now that I had my new kneading surface I wanted to get back to trying to make baguettes. Apparently they were selling at the charity table in the past (and for a decent price as well). But I am back to square one with new flours, new environment, and a new oven. Part of the challenge - or obsession. Just depends on your perspective. It was good to finally get a chance to work on something enjoyable again.

I did manage to get one that was photo worthy.

What I do with my bread baking I consider environmentalism. I try to buy flour from more organic sources (hopefully not sprayed with glyphosate and other harmful substances). Flour that had been stone-milled (to retain nutrition). And a variety of flours (hopefully providing diversity in what we are growing and farming). I try and seek out flour from sources that care about what is being grown. Flours that are grown for nutrition and flavour, not just being grown for the convenience of the processing. No doubt that means taking care of the soil - the Earth. When we make these choices, that helps the planet. Not private jets flying to Davos. My way is better.

That way of thinking is why I decided to grow a garden. To try and do something healthy for myself, and the things around me. No doubt it is likely cheaper, and certainly easier just to buy things from the store. Hey, I can even get it delivered to me at the click of a button. But that is not the point. It’s about doing something good for my mind, body, and spirit (or soul). It’s about maintaining a certain amount of control over myself. It’s about being connected to things that matter to me. All these conveniences in our modern world is a slow seduction. For every convenience, we pay a price. What has become evident is our health has paid a price. We are losing our connection to things that are natural. Losing our connection to things that should matter to us.

This connection to food is what makes me take steps toward treating the environment with respect. Trying to create healthy soil so the plants and food I grow are healthy as well. If we took these basic principles and applied it to larger processes we would not have so many problems with our food and general health. That is not really the purpose of this post. But the topic did help me bridge over from one subject to another.

The garden I grew did provide me with lots of herbs that I still use for cooking and pickling. It also gave me enough material that I am able to enjoy tea blends entirely from things I grew. The aromas are still so incredible. And salads just won’t be the same without freshly picked additions I used to have access to.

I also decided to try something I have had on my mind. Like make a gin. I have not gone crazy getting my own distilling equipment (yet). Instead I tried a cold infusion method with some vodka - горілка (horilka) actually. Usually you use a neutral and flavourless vodka to infuse your ingredients to make a more gin like spirit. However, this vodka (horilka) was sort of gifted to me. And it was just sitting there. Then I had a realization. My garden! I actually grew quite a few ingredients that can be found in gin recipes. A few others I had foraged from the nearby forest. And a couple of ingredients I obtained from the place I buy my honey at. Time to go a little mad scientist.

The vodka I was using had a bit of a kick and taste to it. I think it may have been someones home recipe if I am not mistaken. Not ideal for gin, but I still wanted to try and see how the addition of my blend of herbs and spices would change the flavour and aroma.

So how did I come to possess this Carpathian homemade horilka? Well . . . theres a story behind that. After doing a pizza service with a charity, we were invited to have a sit down meal with our hosts. We were also gifted some local cheese done in a decorative fashion. It was nice to share some conversation and food. One lady brought out a bottle of horilka. It seems we got a chance to learn some local customs regarding eating. Out came the shot glasses, and lots of toasts spoken in Ukrainian. Most of the team did not take part in all the rounds of shots. A few were driving so that made sense. The host discovered that I had Ukrainian heritage - how could I refuse now. But part of my time here is to also discover my culture and the traditions. And I did not want to insult our gracious hosts.

We came to a point where we have to say goodbye and start making our way back home. As I was leaving, the lady who was providing the toasts and the vodka handed me a jar with a clear substance in it. She decided to pack up some of the horilka for me as a parting gift. Дуже дякую (Duzhe dyakuyu - thank you very much). Apparently finding out that I had Ukrainian heritage had its perks. And she had such a good time teaching me the toasts. All five or six of them.

Oh brother, one of our trucks was stuck in some soft grass which quickly turned to mud. There was no good place to put down my glass jar. “Hey kid! Hold this.” I failed to mention that the gifted jar only had a rubber type lid, not a tight fitting metal lid. As we were struggling to get this truck out of the mud I look over at the kid holding the jar of vodka. He is moving around and waving it about. And sure enough some of the contents are spilling out from under the lid. I’m still pushing and trying to help the truck as it rocks back and forth. Then I see the kid look over at his friend as he is smelling his hands and from what I gather is telling him ‘hey, my hands stink.’ The truck can wait. “Hey kid - don’t lick your hands!” He doesn’t understand what I am saying. I run over and thank him for his service. Any advice I try and give him about the stinky hands is lost in translation. I find a little spot nearby and hope that no one will kick it over as we try and free the truck. And I hope we are out of this village before the parents potentially come back to the school looking for the guy with the beard.

So after I strained out my additions the ‘gin’ took on an amber colour. One day I’ll get to distilling my own blends and making something more traditional. Another layer of garden building and growing to think about. Additions for my beer brewing and spirit making.

I have not tasted or sampled it yet as of this writing. I still wanted to give it some time to mellow. But I did take in the aroma. I still notice the horilka smell, but now it has the aromatics of my ingredients. It will be interesting to see how it tastes. Maybe a nice addition to some cooking? Ah, the subtle are of waiting.

I seem to have taken on a lot of things that require waiting. Film photography. Growing gardens. Slow cooking. Bread baking. Fermentations of various types (like making beer). The more the world becomes ‘clickable’, and everything in an instant, the more I want to slow things down. To return to things that require my input, knowledge, skill, and attention. You can set your camera to automatic; reheat processed food in a microwave; and have someone else decide things for you. I am sure its just as satisfying.

When I baked some bread to share with people someone had mentioned can’t you just bake some bread that won’t take so much time and effort? I could, but it wouldn’t be worth waiting for; even though it would take just a fraction of the time. There would be no aroma or flavour. It would lack . . . character. I don’t want to make things or serve something that was easy and quick. Anyone can do that. I’ll do special. I want to do things that show some effort, skill, and respect. I knew this person did not mean anything in a bad way, but he couldn’t understand why I would take so many steps, and wait so long. But when I serve you something that looks like this . . .

. . . and it smells amazing. Then you will know why I took the time. I don’t want the fast and easy way. Things that are convenient. I don’t want something instant made by someone else. With inferior ingredients. A life without quality. This way you are able to present to people with a sense of pride. Why not present people with something different; something they can’t get just anywhere. Showing you care shouldn’t be a lost art. There should still be things worth waiting for. I kind of miss the waiting to see whats on the roll of film. Maybe thats why I like baking bread. Waiting to see if that magic moment happened. Did all my time and care turn out right? Fewer and fewer know of this.

Oh, that reminds me. I still have some homemade ice cream in the freezer . . . see ya!

This wasn’t a great Christmas for me. While I experienced the worst in some people, life also showed me the best in others. I’d like to say ‘funny how that happens’, but right now it is anything but funny. No point going into details, its Christmas afterall. I couldn’t have made it through without the help I received. It did reinforce the way I try and live my life - try to make things better for others, and don’t be the reason to add to their hardship. Life is challenging enough. What I’m going to do with my mental energy right now is just focus on getting back to baking amazing bread. Sharing and helping others one bake at a time. I’ll share more of that side of my life on my Instagram (the_molodets). I may share some things here occasionally here as well.

Merry Christmas . . . no matter what time of year you may be reading this post.

Please enjoy some more of the world around me.

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I also finished off the last of my donut holes. I made my first ever batch of donuts recently and they were an instant score. Brought back memories of scarfing down most of a box of those things from the The Country Style (Canadians will get that reference). I can’t wait to make my next batch to fine tune some things.

Okay. Back to reality and why I started writing this post. With less time in the garden the bread and baking itch has resurfaced. I’ve been in search of a place and a way to get back to baking bread. To making things to send out to the soldiers. And maybe create some things for the charity table the volunteer kitchen runs to raise funds. I may have a temporary place to bake at, but it will be really difficult to do anything sustained. Especially in the winter.

However, in a moment of daydreaming I was reminded of a funny story. One I told before (but I am sure none remember). I actually did something interesting and a little crazy today with one of the photos I had from that story. That will be for another day. Right now I don’t know if the crazy little thing I did today will lead anywhere. Now you can’t unsubscribe.

So I will take you back to when I was baking things on Saturdays at the packaging place. I won’t revisit and recount the whole story like I did before. Really it all boils down to the one funny moment of trying to clear up some confusion.

A typical Saturday of baking involved having to carry along baking tools and ingredients. Bringing things along in my backpack and various bags in hand. Often having to run out to a local store at the last minute in order to get what was missing or forgotten. But this bake session was a little different.

At the time I was in an apartment no too far away. I was doing a focaccia that day. But my recipe and process didn’t fit the amount of time the facility was open. Proofing and rising take time. So I started the process the day before, and continued in the morning. It’s almost time to go to the packaging facility. I get my bowl that has the fermenting dough in. Pack up my backpack and bags of ingredients and tools and walk over. Fortunately it is only a 15 minute walk. Other times I have done far longer walks (and in far worse weather). I cover the bowl with a towel and head out. Everyone passing me by just looks at me and my towel wondering what is underneath and what I am doing. I knew it would look odd.

Fast forward the story a little (I did promise a few paragraphs earlier I wouldn’t wade too deep). I am a few hours into the baking process when I hear laughter coming from the main room. The voices and laughing are heading my way. One of the volunteers kept saying “for Katia! for Katia!” Followed by replies of “what do you mean for Katia?” They were coming to visit me in my bake room to settle the miscommunication. One of the volunteers was trying to explain to another volunteer what I was making in the bake room. He didn’t quite understand what she was saying. So we open up the oven door so she could show him what I was baking. When she was trying to say focaccia, he was hearing for Katia. Have to admit that story will stick with me for a long time. Maybe it’s one of those you had to be there to find it funny stories, but I will always call them For Katia’s from now on.

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I admit I should have pulled out my camera more often. But I found myself hesitating; then letting the moment or opportunity pass. Sometimes it just was not easy to stop the bike and go through all the steps to take the photo. I would just want to get to my destination and rest. Or I would be on a mission to get garden supplies. Might have been a good idea to just dedicate some ‘me’ time. I guess the time taken for the gardens qualified as such.

Sometimes I take forced breaks in order to come back with a renewed outlook/perspective/attitude. Some of the following images come from places that I have presented in previous posts. With a different perspective or story.

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We were going through a period of frequent blackouts. At times that would give me time to play in the garden. One time I decided to just start filming and talking. A chance to show how things have been progressing in the garden(s).

I thought originally I had a plan and a vision. Nothing set in stone, but I had hoped for certain results. Much as the same in life, a few curveballs came my way. Or like Mike Tyson says - everyone has a plan ‘till they get punched in the mouth. My punch in the mouth was slugs . . . god I hate those things. Another thing that changed how things evolved in the garden was the frequent and heavy rains. I got a late start on the outside garden. A space I actually didn’t even plan on having, but my landlord had some unused space and said I could use it if I wanted.

I did a lot from seeds. Something I didn’t have a lot of experience with. Great way and time to learn. As well, I could bring down a few things that were growing on my balcony. The area was in an abandoned greenhouse space. It was really just a patch of grass and weeds.

Things got cut down far enough for me to go in and pull up the remains by hand. No time to do a proper soil and area prep.

And so the planting began. Everything looked so small. However, I needed to start with something, to start somewhere. It would have been good to get a sense of how the sun pattern went throughout the day. I had a general sense, so I hoped where I chose to place things was appropriate. I really had no idea of the condition of the soil as well. Have to admit it didn’t look good at all. But I was also working on some natural fertilizers that I hoped would help.

For months now I have had a regular routine of waking up and the first thing I do is go outside to assess the daily damage from the slugs, and ‘remove’ them from the garden. I was aware they were around. I had no idea how voracious and relentless these things are. A few areas I had planted did not survive the attacks. I planted carrots four separate times. Most of them did not survive the nocturnal feastings. As well my original planting of camomile and echinacea did not fare well. I planted those three times each. Each time the sproutings were eaten or damaged. My salad patch experienced the same fate.

At one point I decided just to plant seeds and some extra seedling in random places. To fill empty spaces and areas damaged by the slugs. Any ideas for uniformity and linearity were out the door. It was time to have a little fun with my predicament. As you can see I built a little walking path to give myself some place to move and walk around. Looks pretty open and spacious, no?

Some of what I did with plantings was to place them close to the pathway. I was hoping they would spill over slightly - slightly. I wanted to create a visual sense of abundance by having some of their growth encroach the path space. Wow did I ever underestimate that idea. Cue the heatwave in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . .

Then things got a little crazy.

I really thought I had things well planted and spaced out. That I would have proper access to all my plantings. I really had no idea that this one tomato plant (that is supposed to be a ‘balcony’ type plant) would grow wider than it would be tall. Like they say in real estate - location, location, location. I must have hit the sweet spot for sunlight with that plant.

To show you how things developed I decided to create the following video. To show you with photos just would not give you the complete picture. Even this short video can’t really give you a true sense of everything. Enjoy the little mid-season update.

Some of the harvest that I mentioned in the video.

This garden is now a hub for bumble bees, butterflies, all sorts of insects and spiders.

Even the occasional bird flies in to spend time. A few visitors I did not expect were the chickens from the neighbour. That was a funny visit. I did also wake up one morning to a big pile of dog poop; and they dug up a hole after I planted my sweet potato slips. The joys of gardening. I do have an unexpected companion. A girl who lives in a flat in the place I live at has a black cat. Initially it was pretty timid. However, there are occasions where it gets out of the house and comes roaming around while I work away in the Soul Patch (the name I have given my garden).

As you saw in the video my plan to have some plants grow into the pathway was grossly underestimated. An unintended result of how things have grown is the bizarre way I have to move around and stand at times. It must look ridiculous at times the way I need to step around or over my plants, or move things out of the way. As I got a sense of what I needed to do, it seemed reminiscent of yoga classes I had attended. Holding postures for extended lengths of time. Other moments my movements reminded me of Tai Chi movements I had learned. So often I need to move in a sequence that looks like those scenes from movies where people are robbing museums that have sophisticated surveillance systems. An artful dance.

So I raise a case for not making everything in a garden linear. Not having everything easily accessible. Make some areas and spaces just a little crazy. Embrace a wild or natural element. Yes, I agree gardening can be hard on the back and the knees. Crouching and bending can take its toll. However, I have to admit the laughter at what I need to do to move about, to prune and harvest some plants, makes the time spent in the Soul Patch worthwhile. It also now provides a certain amount of exercise. Trying to hold certain positions and postures while trying to avoid breaking or trampling my plants - it is a challenge. An unintended benefit for sure.

Create a place that has an element of fun. Something wild and untamed. A place you can tell visitors - if you can find it, reach it, or pick it, its yours to take home. Make it an adventure. A scavenger hunt. You will always be amazed at what you find in you own little jungle or food forest.

I will never get bored of moments like these. The first discoveries. The first sightings.

In the future I will likely have gardens that look curated and manicured. A Calvin Klein looking space. But I think I will give myself some spaces that are a little more ‘natural’. A little more free.

Here is some bonus footage (to a bonus post?). I decided to add in the balcony garden just for kicks. But it will show the difference in the size of some similar plants. I did forget to mention the blueberry plants near the end of the video that is placed between the blackberry plant and the container with strawberry plants.

Maybe it is for the fact that lately I have not been in the writing swing of things - I am not being paid to do this (but donations are welcome). As I have mentioned before I have been spending some more time in nature now that I am living closer to it. A forest is within walking distance for me. It gives me a chance to experience something different than what goes on in a city. Time away from war, crowds, and generally anything else that makes your day a little less enjoyable.

I have been foraging for things like soil for my plants, and inputs to make my homemade fertilizer solutions. Gives me a chance to get out in some fresher air, and experience nature coming alive in spring. Chance to get a little lost.

Sometimes it is a literal delight for the senses. Most of the time for me it is visual. However, on occasion my other sense get stimulated. I happened along a section of a path the diverged in several directions. As I walked by a tree with a growth patch around it (acting as the source of the ‘fork-in-the-road’) I was immediately hit with what seemed like a perfume. I stopped and looked around. There didn’t seem to be any thick patch of flowers anywhere. But the aroma was intoxicating. I needed to find out what was giving this place a most incredible scent of what I could only associate with Jasmine. And then I crowched down to inspect some little flowers. Found it! Oh my goodness . . . so nice.

The next day I decided to just go for a walk in the forest. No searching/hunting/foraging. Just to spend some time in nature. To walk. To wander. To get some exercise for the body and mind. Lately I have been impressed by how many new places and paths such a small forest has yielded. So I decided to go a different direction than how I usually go. I have gone in this direction before, but decided to go a little further along the main path.

Boring!

I hit a stretch that was nice, but wasn’t really impressing me. I almost turned around. Time for the ‘ole hey, lets go this way. So I was on the look-out for something that looked like it would deviate from this rather pedestrian section. There it is. Hmm, this way goes down. Not sure where, but we’re going to find out.

OH . . . my . . . [stopped dead in my tracks]. This is . . . amazing.

It was this beautiful intersection between silence and stillness. Not a car from the nearby highway to be heard. No wind to rustle between the tree branches. No bugs buzzing, no birds chirping. Just nothingness. I was standing still so not to even let the path beneath my feat disturb this somewhat simple yet magical moment. So silent you could hear your heart beat. I imagined it to be that moment people search for when they meditate. There was nothing else but this moment. The world seemed to stop. But now this new sense of it emerged. Quietly. With no pretension. Just an existence. I couldn’t move. I was immersed in this peacefulness. It was a bizarre void of senses, yet I could sense so much else.

Marko, that sounds amazing. How long did the moment last? I don’t know. Time seemed to have very little relevance at that moment. A sort of “time stood still” experience. And there is no wife to give me crap for being gone so long, so there is that as well. There was just very little need to move on from that spot. There was a nice balance between light and shadows. A pleasant balance between warmth and coolness. I had no desire to move from this place. It is not very often you get to experience that kind of peacefulness and silence. I just stood still to appreciate it for what it was.

Later on while I was walking along it did make sense to me. Dropping down and moving further into the forest provided somewhat of a shelter for sound and wind. Sometimes my decision to ‘hey, lets go this way’ yield interesting results. I don’t anticipate I will relive this experience next time I go back along that path, but it will still be a nice way to go on occasion.

It did remind me a little bit of what I love about black and white photography. In a way the viewer is deprived of certain senses; but it also forces other senses to become heightened or more in tune. Colours give way to shapes. Shades yield to tones. Highlights and shadows become more significant. Things slow down in an image to change your sense of what you are focusing on. Your sense of interpretation experiences a shift.

That moment of standing there experiencing an almost ‘nothingness’ was also . . . overwhelming wouldn’t be the correct way to describe it. It was a welcome sense that ‘came over’ me. It was a sense or an appreciation of something greater than me. Humbling? Hey, this is the part you can make it fun for your imagination and come up with your own definition. I don’t write well enough to describe that kind of moment, but I hope you come across something like it some day. Just let it happen. Don’t yell out “HELLO” hoping to hear an echo back. Just let it be. Let yourself be.

The way I was feeling has contributed to the lack of posting. It just didn’t make sense to share the photos and stories related to an endeavour I had to walk away from. Another apartment move had also disrupted things. So I decided to step back from the day to day activities and regroup. Early in that time I did read some astrological related things. Laugh if you may, I sometimes laugh at myself for reading as well.

Occasionally it can provide some insight. I don’t look to it for answers or guidance, but I must admit there are some things about bigger picture energies. One thing that I read was to focus energies on positive things for the mind. Oddly, what I was reading was also describing everything I was experiencing and going through - right down to the reason I walked away from that amazing kitchen experience. One note advised not to let the negative experience take over. That in fact giving up something so amazing was also allowing something even greater to come to me. Have to admit the coincidence to my circumstances was a little uncanny. I decided to acknowledge some of the guidance and focus my mind on healthy things.

Spring was coming and I decided to focus my mind and energies towards growing plants and learning more about them. I spent lots of hours watching educational videos and reading all sorts of things about growing plants from seeds. I had the time and curiosity. I figured it was something healthy for the mind, body, and soul. I wanted to get myself out of this emotional funk. I know full well that I should never have allowed someone to come between me and what I enjoyed doing, but unfortunately I needed to set a boundary.

Another reason for this focus was to steer my energy toward my larger and longer term goals. Maybe dedicating myself as I did to the kitchen was actually steering me away from where I should be going. Have to admit even writing and thinking about it still chokes me up. But this is turning into an exercise in faith as well. Believing and knowing that what lies on the other side of this experience and the associated emotions will be amazing. But that also requires thoughts, decisions, and actions. So that is what has been going on the last few months. I do apologize for the lack of writing and content. I had a lot written. Some of it was quite funny. But I sat there one day and just began deleting. It just didn’t make sense.

Today I put together a video to update my progress (from this previous post). And as I type away, my pet bee keeps hovering outside my window trying to get in. I was actually filming a companion video of him doing just that, only to watch him climb into a gap in a wood dresser. I realized he must be looking for a hive location. I stopped filming in order to help him back outside. It was quite ridiculous. Here is my video update as I get some of my seedling ready for life outside.

This essentially sums things up when it comes to me and plants -

Over the last while I have been wanting to get back to photographing my wanders and surroundings. Lately these are the types of things that I have been seeing - remember, trying to feed myself and digest positive things. Sometimes taking these ‘steps back’ from things allows for refocusing and discovering. While this first image is not a great photo, I had never seen a bee with a beak similar to a hummingbird. But it is an evolutionary trait required as part of its work to pollinate.

There is so much I could update folks with, but I decided to write up about one little thing that I have focused some time on. Trying to steer my attention and energies to something I really enjoy and hope to continue with on a larger scale. After reading this post you will agree, I need more space. It is something people really don’t do for themselves anymore. Another thing in our lives and societies that we are losing touch with. Instead we are being lured away by convenience. Life seems to be getting faster, so I am choosing more things toward the ‘slow life’. Admittedly I am decades behind where I want to me - talk about slow. My goodness it is painful. But I strive on. Atlas must be looking down on me and laughing, realizing his stone pushing was a cakewalk.

So what has taken up my time and energies lately? Some of you may be familiar with how much I love plants, growing gardens, and things revolving around that. I tend to go a little over-board with it at times. A few of you may remember when I moved to a place that didn’t really have much for me to do. So I took advantage of time and situation to focus on learning about growing plants. I simply went to places that were selling plants already started and . . . just kept buying more.

It was great being able to go out and pick fresh ingredients to eat and cook with. The tastes, the aromas, the textures were simply amazing. Good for the mind, the body, and the soul.

I recently found myself in a place with a balcony, so I decided to try something like this again. This time starting from the actual seeds. I had been accumulating some items from my grocery shopping to help get me started.

I know there are certain ways to be properly growing seeds. I just decided to plough ahead and just get started. Challenge myself to be able to do things without specialty equipment. I knew I was too early, but I wanted to get some experimenting done. I would have time to start over if anything should go wrong.

Eventually I had some success.

And then things got going . . .

Seeds are not the only thing that I have experimented with. I also decided to play around with a few other things. Such as these -

I know, I know - what are they? What is inside? It’s coming, be patient. You know the rules. Marko and his “rules”! I’ll do the reveal in a little bit. I am kind of putting the universe on notice now - get me some damn land and a place for all these plants. In the meantime there were little moments of joy. Watching my little babies (as I had affectionately referred to them) grow.

What has been the inspiring part of this is witnessing the process of life evolving. Working with nature in a sense. Trying to create the environment for life to happen. Watching, waiting, learning, understanding. Mostly realizing that a lot of what is happening is just patience and trust. Yes, I agree with anyone who would say at this point wouldn’t it be easier and cheaper to just go out and buy it. That is not the point. It is about knowing where my food is coming from. Knowing what is in them, or on them for that matter. Remember this, for every convenience you have it comes at a cost. The more we lose touch with our food the more independence we hand over to someone else. I would kind of like to have more control over that aspect of my life. I see as our society embraces fast and convenient foods, the corresponding deterioration in our health and rise of diseases.

Another reason for this little garden I am growing is the medicinal aspect to it. Yes, many of these herb plants I am growing not only taste and smell amazing, but have a myriad of health benefits. One day I want to create my own home apothecary. As you can see, all you need is a little container and a window and you can do something like this. Just start with one plant. They can be kept going on and on. I am sure you will agree, the prices of herbs, fruits, vegetables can be quite expensive. You can change that for yourself, it may just take a little time and attention. If you have a home with any yard space (front and/or back) why are you growing a lawn, and not your own food?

For me this process is worth it. And I will make the time for it. Busy is an excuse, and often something that is chosen. I just choose to keep myself busy with these kind of things. I probably won’t have time for much else if this little experiment keeps getting out of hand. Now is a good time to share with you some of the initial results.

And part two, with the reveals.

I also tried to get a blueberry plant, but the delivery of that just didn’t happen. I am still on the hunt for one. I see so many trees that I want to buy, but I just can’t do them now. If you think I am done with seeds, here are the ones not yet started.

Yes, I agree, I am a little crazy when it comes to this kind of thing. And if you are asking yourself where the heck is he going to put all these plants (now that you have seen the modest balcony I have to work with), I am asking myself the same question. As with most things, I’ll just figure it out later. For now I will just keep getting more containers. You don’t always need to have a backyard to do this. I decided not to wait to get land, I’ll just start some plants and trees in containers and just move them someday when I get a more stable place to grow. In the meantime I hope I actually get some berries to eat.

Another thing I am trying to learn is to save my own seeds. Decided to take advantage of some of the food I was buying and see if that is another skill I can develop.

Hope to provide an update in a few months when I can get some of these plants outside and in containers. Stay tuned.

With the end of summer here and entering the early fall, the weather is really nice for taking a stroll on the street. The cafes and patios often have people eating and drinking. They can be busy at times, but there are places and times where you can feel like you almost have the place to yourself.

I pass by this incredible cathedral several times per week on my way to and from the gym. One night when returning from a day tour I got a chance to see it at night.