Western Oregon in the spring. Ah.  Renewal. Life. Play. Greeeeeeeeeeennnnnnn.

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So whatcha doing on Saturday (April 18)? 

Join me ’round the garden table. I’ll be giving a healing garden primer talk at Portland’s Smith & Hawken store — just in time for spring’s righteous renewal, planting, planning.

A healing garden primer? Yeah, there’s just so much to say and well, I will only have 30 minutes (this time)… so consider it a “healing garden talk appetizer“. [Stay tuned for other speaking gigs - that are more of a meal.]

Sheer yummy-let me be outside, finally-grow my own restorativeness:

“Unearthing Your Healing Garden Potential“

Time to demystify all the research and that design intel about healing gardens for hospitals, and set the goodness free for the everyday home dweller – a la “restorative gardens”. Picture a green halo… making more of the standard-lawn-couple trees-dots of shrubs-scenario — something like this:

…a sea of stress-relieving natural elements, harmonized together, reflecting your spirit, surrounding your home… 

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Deets: April 18th 11 am Free

Smith & Hawken

26 NW 23rd Place

Portland, OR 97210

503-274-9561

(you’ll need to RSVP to Smith & Hawken)

All attendees will receive a 20% off coupon for the day and a free S&H gift… and Red Bird’s Restorative Garden Pocket Guide!

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In the event you can’t make it (because you live in, well, Switzerland like groovy Caroline), this might be a welcomed resource for you: American Horticultural Therapy Association’s low-down on Healing Gardens — a helpful primer.

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There’s magic in that there landscape – tap it – unearth it.

Happy New Year!  

Red Bird Design is flying in for a wondrous year ahead! 

Moment of necessary distraction - anyone home?

Hear me, hear me, the Red Bird Design theme for 2009 is “Hope Springs Eternal!” Let’s break it on down now, shall we? (Full credits & props to A. Pope for original meaning.)

Hope:  noun – a feeling that something desirable is likely to, will or possibly happen [bloom]; to likely bring success or relief [repair] ; a feeling of trust [safety]*

Springs:  verb — to move rapidly upward or forward in a single movement or in a series of rapid movements [grow]; a time of new growth and regeneration [restorative]; a source of water that flows out of the ground as a small stream or pool [life force]*

Eternal:  noun – something that exists everlastingly* 

Nothing better than practicing (and learning) this in the landscapes of our lives. Tweet me on Twitter, post a comment on this blog, friend me on Facebook and share how this garden metaphor might springs you.  How will your “garden” grow?

Giddily this theme foreshadows great surprises (some known and some unknown) in my work and service of healing gardens in the year ahead.  Come find this theme in action at my upcoming restorative garden display at the Spring Home and Garden Show in Portland, Oregon.  Check back on details as this little red bird finds her unique way of sharing healing garden goodness for our collective well-being.  Nature is the great equalizer! 

*Encarta® World English Dictionary © 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.