This post will look at one plant but first here is something that made me think! Travel with Plato and the Bible for a while:
Plato in his dialogue Phaerus 370BC argued that writing is ‘elixir of reminder, not of memory’ warning that the technology would actually weaken the human mind.
Socrates who wrote what Plato said claimed that we have an illusion of wisdom when we quote many things without actively explaining them, readers seem to know a lot while mostly knowing nothing! The page doesn’t argue back.
Plato was saying something for now in 370 BC. This is a vast subject.
I then travelled with the word memory using the Bible.
Psalm 119:11
David says something like this:
‘Lord, I love you with all my heart: don’t let me disobey your law. I have hidden your words in my heart so I won’t sin against you.’
Here memory is a powerful spiritual practice used to anchor faith, honour God and also remember the past as seen in John quoting Jesus.
Jesus is speaking: ‘ The Holy Spirit whom the Father will send to represent me, will help you understand these things more fully after I am gone and will help you remember what I have said.’
John 14:26
Moses asks the people to establish memory by talking. Here is what he says and we could say he is talking to us right now:
‘ Listen to me! The Lord our God is one God! So love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, your mind and your strength…teach your children to love the Lord by obeying Him. Talk to them about Him whether you are at home or travelling.
Memory can form by speaking aloud. Meditation in the biblical context means to murmur, mutter or speak under ones breath.
God speaks to Joshua when he takes over from Moses. This is what God says:
‘ Don’t forget to read and meditate on the book of the law that Moses wrote: Keep reading it morning and night so you don’t forget what I want you to do…Don’t get discouraged or give up, because you don’t have to do this alone. The Lord your God will be with you every step of the way.’
Then there is music a very important form to help memory
Paul is speaking: ‘ Encourage each other with scriptures and singing hymns with gratitude.’
It seems memory and the use of it needs to be talked about in our time of AI if we are to respect what was said a long time ago. I know I have mixed up two big topics. Memory of what is written and memory through discussion and understanding. I hope I keep thinking, talking and reading about this. It is important.
Let us go into the garden.
They are repetitive spheres so small that the violet-blue petals of six can hardly be seen. Each is held on a wand like spike all in a bunch. Here they are in a tough Dutch vase the lady I bought it from said: ‘ It is so strong you could stand on it.’
Liriope muscari /border grass or big blue lilyturf. Something I never thought was a grass but should be cut to about 2 or 3 inches above the ground in February. Looking more closely at a stem in this photograph notice one of the buds is splitting.
The flower resembles minature grape hyancinth but are not blue. This year the clump with its strap-like leaves is far more weathered. A result of our long period of wet then intense heat waves. Notice the ivy plant taking its opportunity to grow through the clump.
Working in the garden yesterday the soil is noticeably warm and the first layer crumbles in ones hands this is after a little rain and with lower autumn temperatures. It is said that October is perfect for planting perennials that are hardy and which can then grow strong roots before winter. Yesterday we planted eight Cardonna Salvia nemorosa. They will hopefully bloom well 2027 with spikes of violet blue flowers on dark stems.
With these I have also planted lambs ear cuttings taken from established plants. I was surprised to see the small pots filled with roots in about 6 weeks. The idea is to have these plants all grow with five Japanese Anemones. Pink, violet-blue, and silver from the leaf of lamb’s ear, these are the colours I would like to see for 2027.
And something to think about:
‘ Memory is the mother of wisdom.’
Aeschylus
Take care,
Sandy 🙂