Yesterday, my uphill neighbors left a bouquet of kitchen herbs wrapped in nasturtiums hanging on my gate. Divided into bunches, the bouquet brightens my kitchen windowsill and my cooking. The surprise gift brightened my mood, too, and reminded me of tiny bouquets I made in childhood and left on neighbors’ doorsteps. The simple act felt strangely magical, and still does, like a remnant of a tradition from a greener time.
So here’s a way to spread the magic today:
Take a few sprigs of local greenery–mint, sage, rosemary nasturtiums, lavender–but be sure you and your children know which plants to avoid, like a favorite rose or anything poisonous. Then using yarn, ribbon, string, or nasturtium stems to wrap a handful the sprigs into a central stem, then fasten together, and voila! You have created a bouquet
Now surprise a neighbor, maybe someone old or alone, with your gift on their doorstep.
Bring the old tradition to life again. Practice green magic! Spread the joy.
