|
|
|
|
Flowers to cure your worst illness
Mr. Inoue proudly holds up one of his healing flowers as he gives me a guided tour of his green houses. 99.11.27/ Temperature: 7C/ Weather: Mixed rain and snow/ Wind Direction: W
Start: Tenoko, Iidemachi 38 00 42 N 139 45 33 E
Destination: Ogunimachi 38 03 42 N 139 45 33 E
Distance Traveled: 24 kmI have met several people who have spoken about the importance of healthy food, healthy soil and a clean environment. Last evening and this morning I met with a gentleman who expresses a similar idea through growing healthy flowers.
Covering my mouth with a bandana I pass through the 1335 meter gas trap/ tunnel. Mr. Inoue is the proprietor of Inoue Gardening . For 7 years now he has been working to grow flowers which will cure illness. Seated with his legs crossed at the dinner table, he told me about his philosophy. "I aim to grow the kind of flower that will cure people from illness," he said to me in a deep and mellow voice. "Unhealthy flowers can't heal people. In order to grow healthy flowers the soil, the air and the gardener, all need to be healthy. Put simply, I grow flowers with love. By using what nature has provided-air, soil, and water- along with all of our thoughts and good intentions, I grow heart-filled flowers."
Snow piled up upon my backpack as I walked through the snow today. For 7 years Mr. Inoue has grown flowers. Prior to his flower business he has a long history of growing organic vegetables. He has continued growing his vegetables while he maintains 30 greenhouses full of close to 30 different types of flowers. Behind either of his endeavors is an interesting and important thought. "I'm doing it for the children of the future," he said.
Regardless of whether he is growing vegetables or flowers, Mr. Inoue's gentle manor and his greenhouses full of vivid pink and purple flowers convinced me that we would benefit if our daily vegetables as well as flowers received a little bit of love while being made.
A terraced rice paddy surrounded in fresh snow. The sun shone brightly as I departed Mr. Inoue's flower garden. It was soon to lose out to the heavy precipitation ready to fall from the clouds above. I huffed and puffed my way through the longest tunnel so far on this journey, 1335 meters. Gagging with the fumes of cars passing by in the tunnel, I was forced to cover my mouth and nose with a bandana. The claustrophobic and gaseous tunnel gave way to the snowy, forested hillside of the mountains. Walking along in the snow, I could catch large snowflakes simply by sticking my tongue out. Winter has arrived.
Greg
Copyright World School Network & ECO-CLUB, 1998-99. No reproduction or republication without written permission.
Send feedback to info@wschool.net
