Dear Isabella, As I lie here across my bed writing this, you sit in your crib, "ma... ma.. maa..." talking to yourself and attempting to tear off your diaper for the first time ever. "What are you doing over there, sweet girl?" Ahh, your smile! It is my world. I reside there in your smile. When I think about Rosemary, I think about you in our kitchen here in Primrose Hill. "Gently", I say as you reach for the herbs which sit on the windowsill. You have always been so curious about them. Your little fingers softly stroke them, then of course, gently squeeze and pull. :) Rosemary. I think of putting a few drops in the palms of my hands and gently rubbing them together, one or two times, softly, and then closing my eyes and inhaling its scent fully. I feel awake in these moments. I think of my yoga students and their reactions. It's amazing to see them become more focused in just one or two seconds. It is often their first full breath of the day, all brought about by the rosemary essence. Aromatherapy is a blessing. I also think of my English students in Cusco, Peru. "Ms. Ashley, can we smell some rosemary today? We are feeling pretty tired." Rosemary Tea. I think of Sedona. Running my hands over the bush that grew in my backyard and then smelling my palms. Sprigs in boiling water. A tablespoon of agave, mmm. Did you know that rosemary is an adaptogen? It does whatever your body needs. It can be as potent as caffeine or as relaxing as chamomile. I find it oftentimes relaxing. Someday, I will make you a rosemary tea and perhaps someday when you smell rosemary, you will think of me. Currently, our rosemary is not so happy. It has a little powdery mildew growing on it. Some of the leaves seem brown and dry. It is mostly a light green now instead of the deep green it was when your Mimi purchased it for us from the Kew Gardens shop. It sits in the kitchen, north facing, window open... I think where we have gone wrong is:
What are my solutions? Well, I cut off all the mildew parts and then simply cut the plant back to about five inches, snipping off maybe four inches total. Then I gave it a good watering in the kitchen sink. Next, I placed it on our north facing balcony. Here's the thing though, my love. I like to have the rosemary in the kitchen because I use it so often in our cooking. Rosemary roasted potatoes are delicious. The kitchen doesn't get very warm because of the windows being open, but perhaps it simply just needs more sun during the day and then I can move it back in the evening? However, plants dislike being moved so often. But perhaps, our little rosemary will acclimate? Let's give it a shot shall we? If she doesn't like it, she can stay outside and I will grow more basil instead for the windowsill. It is best to have two anyways since we use it so much. :) Let's go outside now my love. Love, Mama July 24, 2019 -- 12:14 PM Primrose Hill Home, London Rosemary |
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