“I feel a great regard for trees; they represent age and beauty and the miracles of life and growth.” ~ Louise Dickinson Rich (1903-1991; American author of fiction and non-fiction works about New England)
Author Archive: Betty Hanselman
A Lesson Learned During the Lockdown
In a recent article, Houzz Magazine looks at several home design trends that have emerged, based on the way people used their homes during the Covid pandemic. For example, in response to “technopherence” (the interference of technology in personal relationships during the lockdown), there was an escalation in the perceived need for experiences in beautiful, natural spaces.
Kent Martinussen, CEO of the Danish Architecture Center, notes, “The pandemic accelerated, almost like a rocket, our use of digital communication for work, education, shopping and leisure. Digitally and socially overwhelmed and isolated in a confined physical space, we quickly began to desire the experiences — and understand the value — of public spaces and contact with nature. I have recognized a strong general trend: a desire for nature!”
Martinussen continues, ” . . . we are defined and guided by a general human need and desire for balance between, on one hand, the often fuzzy and immaterial world of our digital life and, on the other hand, being rooted in a world of things that are not artificial: such as wood, bamboo, stones, plants, water and animals, which belong to a realm that we are part of and connected to — nature.”
Houzz Magazine asserts that during lockdowns (and, we think, always!), those who have access to an outdoor space, such as a garden, are the luckiest because they have daily access to natural beauty, fresh air, and a place where they can go to escape and refresh.
If daily connection with natural beauty is a priority for you, please call us. Find out how we can partner with you to create a beautiful garden sanctuary around your home.
Gladly shared by Betty HanselmanGardener’s wife (& one of “the luckiest”)
For more trends that emerged as a result of the Covid pandemic, click here.
All Labor Uplifts Humanity
“No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
This Labor Day, may you fill with gratitude for a mind and body that can serve the others in your sphere of influence. And may your heart take joy in the knowledge that your service is valuable and appreciated. We are grateful for the privilege of bringing joy to your gardens, and wish you a refreshing day with your dear ones!
Sincerely,
Betty (Gardener’s Wife), for all of us at Hanselman Landscape
Theodore Roethke (in The Waking)
I came to where the river
Ran over stones;
My ears knew
An early joy.
And all the waters
And all the streams
Sang in my veins
That summer day.
~ Theodore Roethke (in The Waking)
It’s true! The joyful song of water over rocks refreshes, soothes, and delights! Home and business owners are discovering that adding water features to their residential or commercial gardens introduces the sensory thrill of falling water into their everyday lives. Depending on available space and budget, garden water features can be on a grand scale (such as remodeling a swimming pool to include a waterfall) or on a much smaller scale (adding a Japanese tsukubai in a quiet corner of a courtyard, for example). Regardless of size and scope, a well-planned and carefully installed water garden is sure to invite joy into a garden and into the daily experience of everyone who happens to pass by!
We’d love to deliver the splash and play of water to your garden, too! To get started, give us a call: 717-653-1273.
Joyfully shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& “water music” enthusiast)
Restoring Your Soul
“Whenever you are creating beauty around you, you are restoring your own soul.”
~Alice Walker
Shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s Wife
(With gratitude for our team members who work tirelessly to bring joy and beauty into the daily experience of everyone we are privileged to serve.)
The Wonder of Trees
“Trees are amazing! They take dirt and lift it dozens–sometimes hundreds–of feet into the air and build with it. And the things they build are so beautiful and varied!”
~ James Hanselman
It’s true! Just think of the incredible functions of trees: they are air purification systems; food producers; cooling units; apartment complexes for all manner of birds, insects, and animals; privacy screening; multi-colored, seasonally-changing art displays; children’s playgrounds; wind barriers; erosion controllers; examples of the strength and grace of a firmly-rooted, upward-reaching life. . . .
Because trees are such valuable contributors to joyous living, we encourage you to invest in several this year. Give us a call–we’d be delighted to help you extend the grace and beauty of trees in your garden!
Joyfully shared by Betty Hanselman Gardener’s wife (& life-long tree enthusiast)
