This week, several articles and books have deeply inspired and expanded my research.
One that stood out was Social Forestry: Tending the Land as People of Place by Tomi Hazel Vaarde. This book provides a rich perspective on forestry, integrating the ethics of earth care, people care, and fair share principles that align closely with those of permaculture. Vaarde’s words resonated with me on a profound level, offering insights that feel like a natural extension of the core ideas shaping my work. A few of Hazel’s quotes struck me as particularly powerful, ones that I feel could complement the main quote on my overview page:
“Human cultures are built on narratives. The power of story can glamor us when the story fits the place, the people feel the power of the land and are reconfirmed in their story.” (415)
And another, equally stirring:
“Principle 51. It is not virtuous to exploit nature just because your ancestors were removed, placeless, and disenfranchised.”
I stumbled upon an article titled Radicchio, Not Roses and my jaw physically dropped. The article proposed a bold and beautiful idea: replacing traditional Valentine’s Day roses with radicchio in floral arrangement styles. This simple yet revolutionary concept electrified me. It reframed the way we view what is “beautiful” and “worthy” in the natural world, challenging the conventions of floral aesthetics and consumer culture. It was as if the land itself was speaking radicchio, with its deep crimson hues and intricate veins, standing in defiant elegance, reclaiming space in a world accustomed to commodifying nature in predictable ways.
Reading this, I felt something shift within me: a deeper confirmation of the power of land, story, and belonging. This isn’t just research; it’s a living, breathing dialogue with the earth itself.
Last night, after sharing this article with a few friends, I heard an aggressive knock at my door. I got up and opened it, and to my surprise, there stood my very good friend holding two beautiful radicchio di Chioggia. This was just a step into the power that radicchio holds. As she handed me the radicchio, she said, “Radicchio, not roses, right?”