Last week my mom came to visit. It was wonderful to share with her some of our favorite places and to open the door to this life we have begun in Washington.
One of our days was spent exploring the Bloedel Reserve. In 1929 Prentice Bloedel became a reluctant heir of his father's timber business. He was more ecologist than logger. Despite his preference to become a teacher and his resistance to logging, he revolutionized the timber business, creating more sustainable and ecologically sound practices that are still used today. In 1951, he and his wife Virginia purchased the land that would become the Bloedel Reserve for their home. Through daily walks and extensive study and partnerships with ecologists and architects, over the course of 30 years, they slowly transformed the rough Pacific Northwest forest into extraordinary gardens. In 1988, the gardens were opened to the public.
Their former home now acts as a museum to tell the story of this extraordinary place. Once quote stood out to me above all others.
"Nature can live without man,
but man cannot live without nature"
-Prentice Bloedel
I have been thinking about this quote ever since our visit. The Bloedel Gardens, and the stance that Virginia and Prentice Bloedel took throughout their lives to build in harmony with nature, to cultivate spaces for healing and imagination, and to generously build this space for others stands in sharp contrast to the chaos and destructive immaturity of our current government. What is seen as power is greed. What is touted as action in the name of efficiency is destruction. Men, drunk with the delusion of power and sure that their control confirms their power, are in fact voraciously empty, searching for something to fill their needs at the extreme cost of the public good. It is a short game, as nature can live without man, but man cannot live without nature. The Bloedel Reserves provided me a sharp contrast as to what is possible when humans act in partnership with and attuned to the wisdom of nature.
I am thankful for this incredible space and the wisdom of the Bloedel's to offer up such an incredible example of stewardship. In these challenging times, nature is our guiding light. As we collectively face the challenges ahead, may you find solace outside amidst the wonder and beauty of the natural world.
Until next Friday!
Be well, breathe, read, and make some art!
Jen