News From the Hill

Archive for October 15th, 2008

I spent yesterday creating a bank in which to plant a hedge (whitethorn) to fill a gap that used to be a gateway and is no longer used. I was using a large pile of cow dung and straw that a neighbour kindly delivered to us last year when he was cleaning out a cowshed and it had been sitting for the year composting away, the top was well composted and filled with happy worms but in the middle, it was very much recognisable as what it was – cowshit.

Yesterday alot of people were shovelling manure – it was budget day in Ireland, however in Dublin they were busy shovelling bullshit! It was also readily recognisable – taking away automatic medical cards for those over seventy years of age, taking away special needs and library grants for primary schools, I won’t go on. I could – but I won’t.

I guess I was lucky, I knew what I was shovelling and something beautifull will grow in it, the whitethorn (hawthorn) hedge will shelter and nuture the vunerable during the winter months, feed many small creatures, provide beauty for the eyes, delight the nose when in flower, provide challenge for the two kittens climbing skills and the hedge, firmly rooted in cowsh*t, may very well outlast me.