Strong winds - window of opportunity

How do we know and feel LOVE? The test of love is adversity (!)

• Strong wind blows, brings window of opportunity;
• As we face our obstacles, in us that wisdom reveals;
• What matters most is the philosophy you hold onto;
• Because what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger!

"Your philosophy determines whether you will go for the disciplines or continue the errors." by Jim Rohn.

Self-enlightenment: to see past the anguish, the pain and the unfortunate event - hence your inner spirit evidently felt; binding in love with your loved ones, supporting in prayers and hopes. Read about "Faith & Healing" at http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,984737,00.html

Not only do patients with chronic health problems fail to find relief in a doctor's office, but the endless high-tech scans and tests of modern medicine also often leave them feeling alienated and uncared for... Millions more is spent on best-selling books and tapes by New Age doctors .. who offer an appealing blend of medicine and Eastern-flavored spirituality.

Numerous studies have found lower rates of depression and anxiety-related illness among the religiously committed. Nonchurchgoers have been found to have a suicide rate four times higher than church regulars.

Could it be that religious faith has some direct influence on physiology and health? Harvard's Herbert Benson showed that patients can successfully battle a number of stress-related ills by practicing a simple form of meditation. The act of focusing the mind on a single sound or image brings about a set of physiological changes that are the opposite of the "fight-or-flight response." With meditation, heart rate, respiration and brain waves slow down, muscles relax and the effects of epinephrine and other stress-related hormones diminish. Studies have shown that by routinely eliciting this "relaxation response," 75% of insomniacs begin to sleep normally, 35% of infertile women become pregnant and 34% of chronic-pain sufferers reduce their use of painkilling drugs.

CNY 7th day

Chinese New Year (CNY) - was celebrated on Jan-26. On eve of CNY, families gathered excitedly over a renunion dinner, this time was held in our new home. Started with "Low-Sang" (tossing for good fortune) and ended with a group-photo. Families leave for last minute home-cleaning, washing up and minor preparations before the stroke of midnight. Sounds of firecrackers nearby, welcome the dawn of the CNY day.

As we usher in the new year of the Ox, filling the house with aromas of foods, teases and laughters, a time to catching up with young ones and listening to advice from the old. It was a especially fun filled week despite raining in the evenings. On the bright side, the rain cools the heat from the noon sun and offers cool breeze. Need not fuss about watering the garden!

Another look-forward activity during CNY would be the distribution "angbao" from the married to the unmarried and trying our gambling luck amongst family members.

Tomorrow, before the stroke of midnight, we will be offering special thanks to 'Jade Emperor God' (Pai-Thee-Kong).

Episcia blooms non-stop lately. Its bloom last for 3 days before wilting. When wilted for a day or two, I'll softly tug it off because it doesn't fall off itself unlike the periwinkle.

I took cuttings and planted into 3 small pots as shown. Hoping that all will grow like its mother. It has been a week now and doing ok. Light watering on alternate days (rainy CNY) and no fertilizers.

Spotted Anthurium bud !!

Flower bud takes 2 to 3 weeks to fully form.

[Update May-1,'09] Anthurium's performance is quite discouraging - its dormancy stretches for months. I do not recommend Anthurium-growing for home garden and even in courtyard garden. Perhaps it is best to leave the growing to the experts and buy cut-Anthuriums for indoors as your temporary home decor.

2 Weeks to CNY

Usher in the year of the Ox with colours of red.
2009 is the year of the Earth Ox: a time of stability, harmony and balance.

As iridescent as a prism in a morning room

"There is no spot of ground, however arid, bare or ugly, that cannot be tamed into such a state as may give an impression of beauty and delight."- Gertrude Jekyll

Lantana Camara replaced a row of Ajugas in Dec'08 (ground planted Ajugas didn't survive the rainy season), which had replaced high-maintenance Coleus (requires frequent flower-trimming) early Sep'08. The colours and hues differentiates them from any flowering plant. It changes colours as it matures, see http://ntsavanna.com/lantana-camara/. Though they are a foot tall or less, I just can't wait for it to grow 3 feet for a good trim into a ball!
As it flowers profusely, it has attracted many small butterflies species. Though it is known to give out a certain odour when its leaves or stems are cut (which given its name locally as 'bunga tahi ayam' or chicken droppings) - it offers wondrous colour display like having rainbow in your garden.

Lantana Camara: Spreading Sunset, Pink Caprice, Monol, Depressa or Luscious Lemonade, while the last has many names; Miss Huff, Irene, Confetti.























Some updates on how our garden is thriving so far. After six months, Calathea Lutea had grown so tall (newer shoots seem to be competing in height), reaching our terrace roof. We're guessing 9' tall. Does a good job, obscuring view from the front, a garden trellis, yet allows breeze to ventilate freely in between their stems. And alerts us when it is raining with sound effects. Paired with Ever-red shrubs below.








Heliconia Parrot is thriving. Need to pull out new shoots frequently, when it is still young, before it roots deep, so that its colony will stay in its patch. It has the tendency to steal anyone's attention off the neighbouring flowering plants. It loves sunshine & water, a definitely must have in your home garden.

Another garden trellis idea for you. Heliconia grows up to 3' tall, obscure the view of the house-fence.






For flower gardening ideas, you could opt for Periwinkles.

Top: Our Madagascar Perinwinkle (Catharanthus Rosea) takes the center-stage. Has a predictable nature by encroaching into Ajuga's and Snake Plant's (Sansevieria trifasciata) spaces; as if 'to kiss'. This plant is temperament, it will show signs when thirsting for water. Must try not to over-water at once. It is bushier and sensitive than the Periwinkle Vinca (left). You can differentiate them from their petals and growing habit. The former commonly grown in hanging basket (leaning habit) while the later is preferred on ground (standing habit, tall).

Easy home gardening, just water moderately in the evenings and they'll bloom profusely - everyday!