Leave the good parts over

Yesterday I removed the dead branches of one our willow trees. Half of the tree was dead, half of it alive. So in order to encourage the living part to revitalize I removed the burden of the dead parts. Sometimes in life you need to say goodbye to what is dead. There is only death because there is life.

On the the INBAR site you can find all info on bamboo and rattan, where it comes from, what the properties are and what you can do with it. I need to put this link on my site too. An interesting part is the one where you can see all products that are made out of bamboo. Although "all products" is not correct : bamboo clothes and bamboo beer, bamboo vinegar, bamboo coffee filters, bamboo tees,.... are not yet mentioned. Environmental sustainability is a keyword throughout this Chinese site, which is documented in a perfect english.

Next year we are going to Olargues, a pittoresque place in the French Cathares. We are going to stay in the house of Mieke & Stefan Tanghe. Stefan is the general manager of the superb "theatre at sea" festival in Ostend. With the current summer starting to even have an effect on my temper, I am already now looking forward to being all together in sunny wheather.

Today I am in a somewhat contemplative mood. So let me add following words to share with you. They are not originally mine, but resonate strongly within me as something worthwile making an effort, some time for. Remember, Véronique and I have together six children to raise and hopefully inspire.

"We have a responsibility to tell our children who they are. If we don't tell our children who they are, somebody else will. Let's tell our children : you've got what it takes, there is nothing you cannot do. Mum and dad are behind you. We are proud of you. We believe in you. You are destined to do great things".

Have a good night !