I wish the world was a beautiful lovely place where we all worked together, and grew our own food and revered our elders, and taught in school things like caring for elders, loving ourselves, growing our own food, the importance of community and kindness and simplicity.
Yes, it would be wonderful if the whole world was as you describe. All we can do is help create such a world in our local environs. Actually, that is the world we live in!
This too is my hopes and dreams... I am a Gardener and want to instill it not only in family but others as well. What a Beautiful woman. I pray that I will be like her when I am 85 🙏💛🙏
I want to be just like her when I grow up (I am 59). What a truly wonderful, intelligent, caring woman! May you have many more years of enjoying your gardening!
Me too!! Thank you Happen Flims for beautifully sharing this inspiring person and her story. I feel a fresh wave of inspiration and motivation fill me. What a marvelous path she walks and teaches from🙏😊
My 75-80 yr old aunts/uncle mentioned that they had to give up gardening because bending over was too difficult. I bought them a few raised beds that are shallow but high enough (@4ft) so they don't need to bend over and could sit by the bed to pull weeds, etc. They ended up enjoying the beds and planting tomatoes in flower container pots, etc. They still seem to enjoy it...esp since the prices of fresh veg have gone up so much.
What a beautiful and inspiring woman. A wonderful uplifting life. Frugality isn't only about not wasting resources, it's about not wasting time as well. And Helen shows us how. Thank you.
When I die, I see no greater honor than to have an oak tree feed on my body. One day the molecules that make up "Keith" will live for hundreds of years inside an old oak tree - God willing.
I'm watching this in the U. S. in the middle of November. There's a lot of ugliness here. Something Beautiful for the World reminds us that beauty and love still exist, and are powerful forces. Thanks to all you good people who keep hope alive, and send it out into the world for us to cling to and remember.
Helen, you remind me of a Master Gardener I worked with for many years and now count as a wonderful friend. She too is in her mid-eighties and wants to teach the world about the rewards of gardening, food security, the beauty of art. While also teaching people to look up and not always at the ground and be humbled by our world. Her name is MaryLu and she holds many classes and hosts people at night for stargazing. You are in a group of very special people. Thank you for your inspiration to all those around you.
Wow, this 85 year old woman is even making biochar. I can't believe what I'm seeing... what a knowledgeable and wonderful woman. Putting it through the compost first is so important to innoculate it with not only nutrient, but also microbiological life. Helen, you are a superstar! I wish we could be neighbours you and I. But then again, perhaps it's best if we inspire other people in opposite corners of the world. You and I would be best friends if I could be so lucky to have you in my local social circles...
Thanks for your comments . I also use the bokashi system for my kitchen waste, which increases microbial life when added to my compost. Where do you live?
@@helendew5333I met u once in Carterton and still have your seeds. I'm 'over the hill' in Palmy. Huge fan of Bokashi been using it about 10 years here and ovsrseas. Make my own Bran now
This story really touched me. I've started gardening again at 73, and it has brought me back to life, as well. Hope this lady has many years yet to enjoy her garden!
Good for you. I used to garden a lot and found so much joy and serenity in doing so. I am currently unable to do that because I am traveling long term ( before I’m too old, 66 now ) and I miss it terribly. Once I am done with travel, I will throw myself back into gardening and never take a moment for granted. I remember one of my life’s 3 epiphanies came one very early morning, dew still on the ground, as I was replanting small tomato plants, hands in the dirt, I looked up and thought “this is what happiness is”. It’s the little moments of pure joy that truly matter. Take care.
@@Booboonancy Thank you all for your support and good wishes! I love the sense of experimentation and beauty that it brings. Hope to have some vegetables to share with other seniors.
I see that she was harvesting chard she had grown. I am 66 and today I harvested chard & kale to make a lovely frittata for Easter Sunday. I wish she were my neighbor.😊
I am 59 and this is how it was when I was a kid. Learning and listening to wisdom for old folks! These young kids today don't know the value of listening and hanging around and learning how to survive in this world from the elderly? They are drunk on social media!
@@allthingznatural5592 Please remember that it is social media that brought us Helen's story. Like anything in life, it can add value when used correctly. Blessings.
Hey Happen Film, few years ago I watched a video about food forest on your channel. I was extremely inspired, and started my own organic indigenous food forest because of it! After 3 years of hard work its finally starting to look like a permaculture but it will take a life time to accomplish. Thank you, it changed my life!
@@moonmist9 I was a notorious black thumb and I can share you how I personally did it, it was smooth and easy. Well first of all I hesitated to start a permaculture for more than 10 years, when someone told me ''DO IT!'', and so I did it and realized how easy it is, and I had wasted 10 years because of fear of failure. Let me be the one to tell you, DO IT! There are lots of great youtube channels that could take you from ''total beginner'' to having a very good fundation. Channels such as Charles Dowding have great videos that would sky rocket your knowledge of how to work with different composts, how to make your own compost, how to plant and care of veggies for your garden. Even if he lives in England in a total different climate, the information is still extremely solid about veggies and especially compost. Another great channel is CanadianPermacultureLegacy 🖕up in this conversation. But personally there are like 15 channels that really changed my life, so just browse youtube for permaculture and organic gardening. Be careful, not all channels are good. You should also go in the forest from time to time, sit down in a spot that has no human interventions and watch how mother nature works. Look the diversity of species, the density of the vegetation, the different layers of canopy, and how the ground is always very well protected by organic matters and plants. Grab soil in your hand, smell it, this is what healthy soil smells like, you will want to recreate that when making compost. From there you could start your own compost station and your organic garden (this summer!) .This will give you basic experience how the soil works and keep you very busy and happy. Meanwhile, I would order the books ''Teaming with bacterias'' - ''teaming with fungies'' and ''Teaming with nutrients'' from Jeff Lowenfels. Those book will really unite all the dots together, for me ... it was a life changing experience to read those books, way beyond permaculture. After reading those book you will not be in the unknown anymore, you will know whats going on in your soil and that will change everything. You will also need to order book on native trees of your region. There are books that contain every native tree-shrub-plant species of where you live and how to identify them. So you can read those books and see what you would like to have in your permaculture. You will see what fruit - beries - medicinal herbs etc have been growing in your region for centuries, and you should focus on growing species that are adapoted to your climate, at least at first to give your food forest a solid fundation. Then you can start contacting different tree nurseries in your area to know what they have for sell. If you are lucky, there will be a tree nursery which only sell native species, those nurseries are very very very important. Often those nuseries will not necesseraly be in your town, but they have online stores where you buy and get those native trees shipped to you. Often those nurseries are very ethical too, producing their own trees from their own seeds, not foraging them from a nearby forest. From there, you could start making a plan of your property, make drawings of how you would like your permaculture to look like. Where patch of trees will be, where paths will be, a pond maybe etc. After a big rain, walk on your property and identify the spots where drainage is less efficient, you will want to plant moist tolerant species in those areas etc. Then you could start working the ground as you want it to be, with bumps and hills maybe, maybe dig the pond where drainage is bad etc. Its time to work the ground before you plant everything, then its too late. Then you can start planting indigenous, fast growing trees-shrubs here and there just to give your forest a fundation. Around those trees you can plant indigenous (or hybrid) fruit trees - berries bushes, medicinal herbs, flowers, nuts etc. From there you just keep enlarging the patches until they all meet together. Diversity is key. Thats how I did it, and it was such a fun experience, without failures really. Thats one way to do it I guess :)
Occasionally you come across things that might change your life. This for me, might be one of them. Helen, you are an inspiration. Its an honor to know of you.
What a beautiful love poem to growing older. My garden and a sense of wonder keeps me alive and I can see it in this lovely woman that there are still things to see and do, and life to live. Roll on!!
Thanks very much for your kind comments. My garden is my 'happy place', where I recharge my batteries. I hope yours continues to do the same for you for many years to cone !
I just retired at 58 (I started my career at 20) and I have been feeling 'old' and not sure what I want to do next. YOU HAVE INSPIRED ME SO MUCH I"M CRYING. I am relocating and moving to another place and I cannot wait to start growing my own veggies. You reminded me it's not over til it's over. You are an amazing human being!
@@Lherminewhite You are kind and you made me smile and laugh. But I do miss the unbounded energy I had (we had) in younger years (not to mention taut skin)!
I love Helen Dew ! Tell her thank you for sharing her story with us. It is very inspiring and heartwarming. Her poem did make me cry , and then smile. I would love to go to her classes, workshops, and learn from her. Much love !
Thanks very much for your kind comments . I plan to set dates for my next workshops as soon as I return from the hospital, where I'm recovering from a fall. I live in the wairarapa. Where do you live?
@@helendew5333 So wonderful to hear from you ! I hope you are feeling well and can return home soon. I am Costa Rican, so , if possible, do you ever do workshops where someone can listen in on Zoom or another platform ? If it can't workout I understand, but perhaps someone can set it up for you and others from around the world can hear what you have to teach !
@@helendew5333Helen, you are an amazing woman. Thank you so much for not allowing that depression you suffered from during Covid, overtake you. I know what it’s like to fight depression. Thank you for helping me to realize that even though I’m 51, it’s not like my life is half over. I have so much time left to make a difference, and today is another opportunity to make that change. Thank you again for being a gift to this world. ❤
What a beautiful "old" soul. When she, almost in tears, read that poem I could see so well the two young, absolutely carefree children on a beach building sand castles. It was so poignant and brought back such innocent cherished memories of parts of my "ancient" past. Thanks so much for this lovely portrait of an inspiring fellow inhabitant of our precious world.
I had the good fortune to meet Helen some years ago and she is so lovely, wise and driven, it is truly amazing. Such a beautiful story. Great work Happen Films for covering this amazing woman...
i really enjoyed listening to Helen Dew and greatly appreciated visiting her beautiful garden. I am 70 and learned over many decades how important the beauty and soul of one's garden is. If one is blessed, that beauty will bring many life lessons. Helen Dew has been fortunate to catch the wisdom of the garden and like all good teachers, she is kind enough to share a peek into her life. Lovely video, thank you.
I hope this wonderful woman gets to spend many more years honing her crafts on this planet before it's her time. God Bless her. Another terrific production.
What an awesome lady. I turn 70 next month and have been working towards self sufficiency since moving to the country, best move I have ever made. Never too old to start. 😊❤
What an inspiration,,,,I was so sad when it ended so quickly, I just want to spend the whole day with this lovely elder. I’m vintage myself, and on the precious side of time,,,,I pray I can hold the same outlook on my time left on this earth💕💕🙏🏽💕
Thank you for your comments. The whole series is short interviews with amazing people from 5 different continents. You can tune in to hear one each month of the year.
I was sitting here just now, thinking of my beautiful Mother, who passed at 90 years old on January 2, 2023. She was very much like this lovely lady. She planted beauty wherever she was. She cared about the sustainable well-being of those whom she encountered and became involved in providing constructive help wherever she could. I could go on and on about her many beloved facets but we would be here all day. When I think of her, it is always with deep gratitude to God for placing her in my life. It usually stops my tears. However, this morning, I felt such a pang of loss that it brought some tears. Then, almost immediately, this video popped up, and this lovely lady, who my Mother most likely would have loved, began to talk of her life and direction. It is good to know that there are other beautiful people such as her in the world. Thank you for this lovely portrayal.
Thanks for your acknowledgment . I'm pleased that people are keen to learn from me. However, I'm impressed with the wisdom found in many younger people these days. Gretna is one outstanding example.
Thanks for your kind comments. If you're already active and productive just keep on day by day with your interests and passion - and gather others around you to share your journey.
A moving and inspiring film. Helen is an endearing soulful woman with a purpose - the epitome of humanity. Thank you for making this important film. - Director, CRY OF THE INNOCENT: The Voices That Can't Speak
Thank you, Helen, for sharing your experience with us. Felt encouraged as I recently started planting a few vegetables on my balcony. Take good care, and God bless.❤❤❤
Helen Dew , YOU ROCK❤ Thanks for sharing this video and for introducing us to this wonderful women and her wisdom and clarity of respect and love. She is inspirational and very generous of heart and mind. ❤ Good for you, Helen Dew❤
Become your best self by living day by day with purpose, being true to your values, respecting nature, and forming strong bonds with fellow travelers in this wonderful world.
Thank you for the vlog and so much for the poem. I am in the covid tunnel now and after 4 weeks it's taking it's toll emotionally. Helen your poem made me feel confident that I will get back on my feet and back to my garden and playing with my grandsons. Thank you Nga mihi nui
Hang in there! You will eventually rise above this, but I know it's hard to endure when you're in the midst of this awful illness. Don't be afraid to ask for support - I've found that people welcome the opportunity to assist when asked. Perhaps you have gardeners among your friends?
@@helendew5333 Thank you I have friends that are being amazing and my garden is ok and my oasis even just standing watching the birds, I ignore the weeds. Just thank you for your poem, it made a difference just hearing you read it - there is light at the end of the tunnel. Nga mihi nui
Yes, I keep going - one day at a time! And what keeps me going is having diverse interests, especially growing my own food, and encouraging others to do the same.
Thank you for sharing! It’s so uplifting to see like minded people over all oceans… We, 69 and 70, have a tiny garden in a big town in Germany and people can’t believe what we’re growing and sharing: figs, mulberries and a lot of other berries, herbs, peas, beans, cucumbers, salads and 24 different tomatoes from seeds all over the world. The super market is nearby, but as Helen said: fresh from the earth makes a big difference. All our family kids know how food grows. Is that book Helen is reading for the kids available? Love, Monika❣
Thank you for this!!! I am so inspired and hopeful, not just for today, but even for the eventuality of my life's cycle. I hope to do the same burial as this beautiful woman. Another amazing video and story!!! Thank you!! --Tess
Hi Tess, thank you for your kind words. I don't know where you live, but do lobby your council if you don't already have the option of natural burial in you area.
@@helendew5333 Thank you Helen. I am researching any laws and requirements now. I had just learned of this not too long ago, and after watching this video, I am even more so interested in this. I told my girls, when I die, just take me to a mountain forest and bury me there. I know that it isn't that simple in today's world, but I never wanted to be in a cemetery. Again, thank you for all your wisdom and giving of hope. --Tess
at 80 putting that first fava bean in the bare soil and digging my bare fingers and pressing in the seed convinces me I just might live long enough to eat it and then I lick the soil and smell the microbes and know my biome is up to date,
I got my stomach removed due to stress and H Pilori April 18 2024,due to immune deficiency while going through mounds of Chemo,immunal therapy,Covid and Shingles came for visit the December and January,I have been wanting to this while I was in better,this video gave me renewed inspirations to go on with life so I can be there for wife of 50years who courageous fight 3 different Cancer and a incredible fall from from second story fall and broken two of spinal cord now still living with six Titanium screws,I will put in my bucket list to visit you in person if I am able to put things in perspective,thank you for sharing ❤
Wow Walter ! you are one tough guy! I am so sorry for all you and your wife have been through. I believe that you will be gardening soon ! Much love.💚🌻🌿🌱
Hello Walter. My word! You and your wife have been through an awful lot! AND SURVIVED! Well done indeed! Maybe it's a case of one day at a time and just hanging in there! Perhaps there will come a time when you look back and find meaning and purpose in it all, but it must be really hard to see while in the midst of it.
@@helendew5333 in times of difficulties and pain, I always think of other that's less fortunate,ie. an elderly who have to amputated her elderly husband in the non cessant war in Ukian because she was in her apartment by herself with no outside contacts ,wrong place at the wrong time not counting who are dying of hunger in Gaza, we are in Paradise on earth but majority of us are not aware or the have the feeling of gratitude, I always remembered the vow of 'for better or worse ,have a great day!
Yes Sarah, documentaries by Happen Films have been a source of inspiration for countless people. Our world is so fortunate to have people such as the HF team whose passion and professionalism is shared so generously.
@@helendew5333 ... And of course, the world is equally fortunate to have you and your inspirational gifts, too! Go raibh míle maith agaibh, go tusa agus Jordon agus Antoinette (as we'd say in Irish) 🙌🏾🌍🌱✨
I found it so inspiring to listen to her in all dimensions. About the practical and very personal things. In a very practical way - now i have two little tins and make plant coal whenever i use my fireplace.
Wonderful praise God for these special women. Yes my grandmother was one of them. Mrs Silincy Kharsyntiew of Cherrapunji lived till 93 years and gardening was her passion n hobby!. Though my Granny married to a renowned Doctor Dr. H.C.S.Wahlang could have just lived a comfortable life style. But no my granny after attending house chores went straight to her huge flower and vegetable garden all around Hillside Cottage and tended her flowers etc from morning till evening . This was n is the secret of happiness n long life and she shared all her veggies to all family and friends. Miss her lots but now I am also like her ,I inherited her green thumb and gardening is my passion too. But not in Cherrapunji but Ziro Arunachal my husbands home town.
@@jean6453 I live in the most northern part of California in the US. I write grants to help farmers transition to regenerative agriculture to feed the hungry and get Carbon out of the air and into the soil. Wish me luck.
😢 @MegaSnmail1 thank you for your kind comments. I'm so pleased that you're supporting farmer coops. We also need coops for workers of all kinds, where profits (and losses) are shared among the members. There is a wee booklet published some years ago by the ILO 'the resilience of the cooperative business model in time of crisis' (I hope I've got that title right!)
Hate to tell y'all...but Our decaying bodies might be part of what feeds the bionics Of what feeds the trees . But at the end of the day What ever gives you solace is inspirational .
Thank you Dear Helen Dew (and to Happen Films) for giving me some hope.
I wish the world was a beautiful lovely place where we all worked together, and grew our own food and revered our elders, and taught in school things like caring for elders, loving ourselves, growing our own food, the importance of community and kindness and simplicity.
Yes, it would be wonderful if the whole world was as you describe. All we can do is help create such a world in our local environs. Actually, that is the world we live in!
@@helendew5333 it all starts inside each one of us. Peace begins with me! ❤️
We weave the world we live in day by day, through our thoughts, actions, and the relationships we form with one another.
Amen!
This too is my hopes and dreams... I am a Gardener and want to instill it not only in family but others as well. What a Beautiful woman. I pray that I will be like her when I am 85 🙏💛🙏
I want to be just like her when I grow up (I am 59). What a truly wonderful, intelligent, caring woman! May you have many more years of enjoying your gardening!
Thank you for your kind comments. Whilst you might wish to be like me, you'll develop into your best self by living each day with passion and purpose.
Me too!! Thank you Happen Flims for beautifully sharing this inspiring person and her story. I feel a fresh wave of inspiration and motivation fill me. What a marvelous path she walks and teaches from🙏😊
I’m 59 as well and I agree. She is a beautiful human.
My 75-80 yr old aunts/uncle mentioned that they had to give up gardening because bending over was too difficult. I bought them a few raised beds that are shallow but high enough (@4ft) so they don't need to bend over and could sit by the bed to pull weeds, etc. They ended up enjoying the beds and planting tomatoes in flower container pots, etc. They still seem to enjoy it...esp since the prices of fresh veg have gone up so much.
Helen.
A woman who advocates for mother earth. Our natural food sources are vital.
For our kids future.❤
What a beautiful and inspiring woman. A wonderful uplifting life. Frugality isn't only about not wasting resources, it's about not wasting time as well. And Helen shows us how. Thank you.
When I die, I see no greater honor than to have an oak tree feed on my body. One day the molecules that make up "Keith" will live for hundreds of years inside an old oak tree - God willing.
why an oak? do those grow well in your part of the country?
My mom is buried under a massive oak tree. I love to go sit under it on a warm evening.
I wish it were easier here in the United States. I would like to be buried in my niece's forest.
I want to be buried in a chicken cage so they can eat me and turn me into eggs that someone else can eat
I requested that of my family, and they told me, "That's against the law." 😢
I'm watching this in the U. S. in the middle of November. There's a lot of ugliness here. Something Beautiful for the World reminds us that beauty and love still exist, and are powerful forces. Thanks to all you good people who keep hope alive, and send it out into the world for us to cling to and remember.
Helen, you remind me of a Master Gardener I worked with for many years and now count as a wonderful friend. She too is in her mid-eighties and wants to teach the world about the rewards of gardening, food security, the beauty of art. While also teaching people to look up and not always at the ground and be humbled by our world. Her name is MaryLu and she holds many classes and hosts people at night for stargazing. You are in a group of very special people. Thank you for your inspiration to all those around you.
Wow, this 85 year old woman is even making biochar. I can't believe what I'm seeing... what a knowledgeable and wonderful woman. Putting it through the compost first is so important to innoculate it with not only nutrient, but also microbiological life. Helen, you are a superstar! I wish we could be neighbours you and I. But then again, perhaps it's best if we inspire other people in opposite corners of the world. You and I would be best friends if I could be so lucky to have you in my local social circles...
Thanks for your comments . I also use the bokashi system for my kitchen waste, which increases microbial life when added to my compost.
Where do you live?
I'm not crying! Thank you, Beautiful Woman.❤
@@helendew5333I met u once in Carterton and still have your seeds. I'm 'over the hill' in Palmy. Huge fan of Bokashi been using it about 10 years here and ovsrseas. Make my own Bran now
Wow, what an inspiration. I hope she meets one day, her Lord, in heaven.
This story really touched me. I've started gardening again at 73, and it has brought me back to life, as well.
Hope this lady has many years yet to enjoy her garden!
I'm glad to hear that you've returned to gardening. I hope it recharges your batteries as well as it does for me!
Good for you. I used to garden a lot and found so much joy and serenity in doing so. I am currently unable to do that because I am traveling long term ( before I’m too old, 66 now ) and I miss it terribly. Once I am done with travel, I will throw myself back into gardening and never take a moment for granted. I remember one of my life’s 3 epiphanies came one very early morning, dew still on the ground, as I was replanting small tomato plants, hands in the dirt, I looked up and thought “this is what happiness is”. It’s the little moments of pure joy that truly matter. Take care.
@@Booboonancy Thank you all for your support and good wishes! I love the sense of experimentation and beauty that it brings. Hope to have some vegetables to share with other seniors.
Us younger people have to listen to our elders! Helen has so much wisdom to help us deal with our problems.
Oh what an inspiring woman! She has opened my eyes xx
In 2003 she discovered what she wanted to do with her life. She was 64 years old. That's the kind of human I wish to be. Never too late. @7:49
I see that she was harvesting chard she had grown. I am 66 and today I harvested chard & kale to make a lovely frittata for Easter Sunday. I wish she were my neighbor.😊
Frittata is such a healthy meal, especially if the greens are freshly harvested and the eggs are free range.
I am 59 and this is how it was when I was a kid. Learning and listening to wisdom for old folks! These young kids today don't know the value of listening and hanging around and learning how to survive in this world from the elderly? They are drunk on social media!
@@allthingznatural5592 Please remember that it is social media that brought us Helen's story. Like anything in life, it can add value when used correctly. Blessings.
@@thisorthat7626 Used in a positive way it is a great tool.
Hey Happen Film, few years ago I watched a video about food forest on your channel. I was extremely inspired, and started my own organic indigenous food forest because of it! After 3 years of hard work its finally starting to look like a permaculture but it will take a life time to accomplish. Thank you, it changed my life!
*Fistbump* brother
@@CanadianPermacultureLegacy 🤜🤛
Rockin' !
Wow thank you for sharing! We love hearing how our films have impacted people. Wishing you continued success with the forest!
@@moonmist9 I was a notorious black thumb and I can share you how I personally did it, it was smooth and easy. Well first of all I hesitated to start a permaculture for more than 10 years, when someone told me ''DO IT!'', and so I did it and realized how easy it is, and I had wasted 10 years because of fear of failure. Let me be the one to tell you, DO IT!
There are lots of great youtube channels that could take you from ''total beginner'' to having a very good fundation. Channels such as Charles Dowding have great videos that would sky rocket your knowledge of how to work with different composts, how to make your own compost, how to plant and care of veggies for your garden. Even if he lives in England in a total different climate, the information is still extremely solid about veggies and especially compost. Another great channel is CanadianPermacultureLegacy 🖕up in this conversation. But personally there are like 15 channels that really changed my life, so just browse youtube for permaculture and organic gardening. Be careful, not all channels are good.
You should also go in the forest from time to time, sit down in a spot that has no human interventions and watch how mother nature works. Look the diversity of species, the density of the vegetation, the different layers of canopy, and how the ground is always very well protected by organic matters and plants. Grab soil in your hand, smell it, this is what healthy soil smells like, you will want to recreate that when making compost.
From there you could start your own compost station and your organic garden (this summer!) .This will give you basic experience how the soil works and keep you very busy and happy.
Meanwhile, I would order the books ''Teaming with bacterias'' - ''teaming with fungies'' and ''Teaming with nutrients'' from Jeff Lowenfels. Those book will really unite all the dots together, for me ... it was a life changing experience to read those books, way beyond permaculture. After reading those book you will not be in the unknown anymore, you will know whats going on in your soil and that will change everything.
You will also need to order book on native trees of your region. There are books that contain every native tree-shrub-plant species of where you live and how to identify them. So you can read those books and see what you would like to have in your permaculture. You will see what fruit - beries - medicinal herbs etc have been growing in your region for centuries, and you should focus on growing species that are adapoted to your climate, at least at first to give your food forest a solid fundation.
Then you can start contacting different tree nurseries in your area to know what they have for sell. If you are lucky, there will be a tree nursery which only sell native species, those nurseries are very very very important. Often those nuseries will not necesseraly be in your town, but they have online stores where you buy and get those native trees shipped to you. Often those nurseries are very ethical too, producing their own trees from their own seeds, not foraging them from a nearby forest.
From there, you could start making a plan of your property, make drawings of how you would like your permaculture to look like. Where patch of trees will be, where paths will be, a pond maybe etc. After a big rain, walk on your property and identify the spots where drainage is less efficient, you will want to plant moist tolerant species in those areas etc. Then you could start working the ground as you want it to be, with bumps and hills maybe, maybe dig the pond where drainage is bad etc. Its time to work the ground before you plant everything, then its too late.
Then you can start planting indigenous, fast growing trees-shrubs here and there just to give your forest a fundation. Around those trees you can plant indigenous (or hybrid) fruit trees - berries bushes, medicinal herbs, flowers, nuts etc. From there you just keep enlarging the patches until they all meet together. Diversity is key.
Thats how I did it, and it was such a fun experience, without failures really. Thats one way to do it I guess :)
Occasionally you come across things that might change your life. This for me, might be one of them. Helen, you are an inspiration. Its an honor to know of you.
What a beautiful love poem to growing older. My garden and a sense of wonder keeps me alive and I can see it in this lovely woman that there are still things to see and do, and life to live. Roll on!!
Thanks very much for your kind comments. My garden is my 'happy place', where I recharge my batteries. I hope yours continues to do the same for you for many years to cone !
I just retired at 58 (I started my career at 20) and I have been feeling 'old' and not sure what I want to do next. YOU HAVE INSPIRED ME SO MUCH I"M CRYING. I am relocating and moving to another place and I cannot wait to start growing my own veggies. You reminded me it's not over til it's over. You are an amazing human being!
I feel the same as you. I wish peace and hapiness on your journey.
@@SIERRATREES Thank you!
58 ans vieux ??? N'importe quoi!!
@@Lherminewhite You are kind and you made me smile and laugh. But I do miss the unbounded energy I had (we had) in younger years (not to mention taut skin)!
Absolutely inspirational! Thank goodness for the Helen's of this world.
Thanks very much for your kind comments.
I love Helen Dew ! Tell her thank you for sharing her story with us. It is very inspiring and heartwarming. Her poem did make me cry , and then smile. I would love to go to her classes, workshops, and learn from her. Much love !
Thanks very much for your kind comments .
I plan to set dates for my next workshops as soon as I return from the hospital, where I'm recovering from a fall.
I live in the wairarapa. Where do you live?
@@helendew5333 So wonderful to hear from you ! I hope you are feeling well and can return home soon. I am Costa Rican, so , if possible, do you ever do workshops where someone can listen in on Zoom or another platform ? If it can't workout I understand, but perhaps someone can set it up for you and others from around the world can hear what you have to teach !
@@helendew5333Helen, you are an amazing woman. Thank you so much for not allowing that depression you suffered from during Covid, overtake you. I know what it’s like to fight depression. Thank you for helping me to realize that even though I’m 51, it’s not like my life is half over. I have so much time left to make a difference, and today is another opportunity to make that change. Thank you again for being a gift to this world. ❤
Thank you. You are an inspiration Helen, and you have such a joy in living life to the full while accepting that all life is finite.
What a beautiful "old" soul. When she, almost in tears, read that poem I could see so well the two young, absolutely carefree children on a beach building sand castles. It was so poignant and brought back such innocent cherished memories of parts of my "ancient" past. Thanks so much for this lovely portrait of an inspiring fellow inhabitant of our precious world.
Thanks so much for your kind comments. Seems my poem has struck a chord for quite a few people. I'm pleased that it was included in the film.
@@helendew5333Thank you again Helen for being an inspiration to your community and the world. I wish you a speedy recovery from your fall❤😊
I had the good fortune to meet Helen some years ago and she is so lovely, wise and driven, it is truly amazing. Such a beautiful story. Great work Happen Films for covering this amazing woman...
Thak you for your kind comments. I'm curious! Where did we meet, and with what purpose?
Yes, Happen Films do amazing work!
i really enjoyed listening to Helen Dew and greatly appreciated visiting her beautiful garden. I am 70 and learned over many decades how important the beauty and soul of one's garden is. If one is blessed, that beauty will bring many life lessons. Helen Dew has been fortunate to catch the wisdom of the garden and like all good teachers, she is kind enough to share a peek into her life. Lovely video, thank you.
Helen Dew I have watched this 3 times now and pick up something new from you each time. You are such an inspiration!
I hope this wonderful woman gets to spend many more years honing her crafts on this planet before it's her time. God Bless her. Another terrific production.
Thanks for your kind comments.
I'm really honoured that Happen Films chose to make my film! I've loved watching their inspiring films over the years.
I'm the happiest when I play in my garden💜Thank you Helen for sharing your knowledge and life.
Thank you for sharing Helen's story, what a beautiful person! 😃
Thank you for your acknowledgement . It's much appreciated!
I absolutely love her
Thanks Esther. I'm glad you enjoyed my film!
What an awesome lady. I turn 70 next month and have been working towards self sufficiency since moving to the country, best move I have ever made. Never too old to start. 😊❤
With what you are saying, you give me more courage do move to the country at 64 oder 65...I have always dreamt of a garden. Love from Germany
What an amazing woman, hats off to you Helen ❣❣❣
What an inspiration,,,,I was so sad when it ended so quickly, I just want to spend the whole day with this lovely elder. I’m vintage myself, and on the precious side of time,,,,I pray I can hold the same outlook on my time left on this earth💕💕🙏🏽💕
Great to hear you enjoyed it and you could have watched more. Thanks!
Thank you for your comments. The whole series is short interviews with amazing people from 5 different continents. You can tune in to hear one each month of the year.
Thank you for the info,,,I love watching happenfilms, and this one really warmed my heart
@janieterrel681 thanks Janie. I have loved watching Happen Films over the years. Their stories help to make our world better for people and planet.
I was sitting here just now, thinking of my beautiful Mother, who passed at 90 years old on January 2, 2023. She was very much like this lovely lady. She planted beauty wherever she was. She cared about the sustainable well-being of those whom she encountered and became involved in providing constructive help wherever she could. I could go on and on about her many beloved facets but we would be here all day. When I think of her, it is always with deep gratitude to God for placing her in my life. It usually stops my tears. However, this morning, I felt such a pang of loss that it brought some tears. Then, almost immediately, this video popped up, and this lovely lady, who my Mother most likely would have loved, began to talk of her life and direction. It is good to know that there are other beautiful people such as her in the world. Thank you for this lovely portrayal.
Could have watched her talking and telling stories for hours on, such a wonderful person and great job, capturing her inspiring story and caracter !
What an inspiring woman! I hope when I am 85 I am still gardening, still passionate about building community and learning new skills.
Love these beautiful reminders that there are amazing souls adding light and love to our world!
Yes, there are lots of wonderful individuals and groups quietly working away to help make life better for people and planet.
Wonderful to see people listening to a senior...👍😎🇨🇦💜🌿
Thanks for your acknowledgment .
I'm pleased that people are keen to learn from me.
However, I'm impressed with the wisdom found in many younger people these days. Gretna is one outstanding example.
Gretta!
What a wonderful women. I hope to be as productive and busy with projects in the garden when I get to that time in my life!
Thanks for your kind comments. If you're already active and productive just keep on day by day with your interests and passion - and gather others around you to share your journey.
A moving and inspiring film. Helen is an endearing soulful woman with a purpose - the epitome of humanity. Thank you for making this important film. - Director, CRY OF THE INNOCENT: The Voices That Can't Speak
Thank you for your kind comments.
I will watch Cry of the Innocents when I return from hospital where I'm recovering from a fall.
@@helendew5333 Thank you, Helen. So sorry to hear about your fall. Sending healing energy to you. 🙏
This lady is a real treasure❤
Thank you, Helen, for sharing your experience with us. Felt encouraged as I recently started planting a few vegetables on my balcony. Take good care, and God bless.❤❤❤
Helen Dew , YOU ROCK❤
Thanks for sharing this video and for introducing us to this wonderful women and her wisdom and clarity of respect and love.
She is inspirational and very generous of heart and mind. ❤
Good for you, Helen Dew❤
Life goal! I want to be like Helen when I am that age. Thanks for sharing her inspiring life story. ❤❤
Become your best self by living day by day with purpose, being true to your values, respecting nature, and forming strong bonds with fellow travelers in this wonderful world.
@@helendew5333 Beautifully stated, Helen. Thank you for your wisdom and your love for nature and society. Blessings.
I went into terrible depression as well with COVID
🙏 Thank you for your beautiful poem 🏖️ gosh! So beautiful 😍
Thanks for your kind comments.
The depression associated with covid is hard to describe. I hope you've made a good recovery.
Thank you for the vlog and so much for the poem. I am in the covid tunnel now and after 4 weeks it's taking it's toll emotionally. Helen your poem made me feel confident that I will get back on my feet and back to my garden and playing with my grandsons. Thank you Nga mihi nui
Lorraine I thought the poem was so moving as well. I cried and then I laughed. I hope you feel 100 % very soon.
Hang in there! You will eventually rise above this, but I know it's hard to endure when you're in the midst of this awful illness.
Don't be afraid to ask for support - I've found that people welcome the opportunity to assist when asked. Perhaps you have gardeners among your friends?
@@helendew5333 Thank you I have friends that are being amazing and my garden is ok and my oasis even just standing watching the birds, I ignore the weeds. Just thank you for your poem, it made a difference just hearing you read it - there is light at the end of the tunnel. Nga mihi nui
What a wonderful inspiring lady, telling us the good and the bad and still full of hope for her future. Thank you for sharing.
Simply beautiful and absolutely inspiring. What a resourceful woman! Joy and contentment in living lightly and well. Thank you.💐
OMG WHAT AN INSPIRATION YOU ARE!!! ❤❤❤
What an inspiring woman. Thank you so much for sharing her story.❤
Thanks for your kind comments. I feel blessed that Happen Films chose to record my story, and that it's being shared so widely.
She is a treasure. I’d love to learn from her.
Omg this lady lives 3O mins from me. I had no idea. She’s so onto it. God bless x
I hope you can meet her one day and learn more about her philosophy. We need to pass it on to younger generations. Blessings.
Such a strong and positive woman, who keeps going and going.
Yes, I keep going - one day at a time! And what keeps me going is having diverse interests, especially growing my own food, and encouraging others to do the same.
Incredible story, what bravery and resilience! ❤
What a beautiful woman. I felt her despair as she read her poem. Such an inspirational human being.
This clip really moves me to tears. Best wishes for this grandma.
Thank you Helen. What a superb legacy.
Thanks for your kind comments. I agree - it's wonderful to have this film to pass on to my family.
I am inspired to be her by the time I am 80, hopefully before (52 now). What a true soul ❤
What a beautiful and inspirational woman. I’m so glad I was able to hear her story.
Thank you for sharing! It’s so uplifting to see like minded people over all oceans… We, 69 and 70, have a tiny garden in a big town in Germany and people can’t believe what we’re growing and sharing: figs, mulberries and a lot of other berries, herbs, peas, beans, cucumbers, salads and 24 different tomatoes from seeds all over the world. The super market is nearby, but as Helen said: fresh from the earth makes a big difference. All our family kids know how food grows. Is that book Helen is reading for the kids available? Love, Monika❣
Found the Book Second Hand, it will soon be here❣
What an amazing woman and film. Every time I watch a happen film it always speaks to me. Thank you for your amazing work. Peace 🧚
Hi Linda. Yes, these HF films are so varied and inspirational. Always worth taking the time to watch - and worth sharing with others!
Very inspiring story.
Hi Claudia. Thanks for your kind comments!
Such a lovely person and inspiring.
Thank you for your kind comments. I'm pleased you enjoyed watching the film.
Thank you!💚👍
And thank you for watching! Perhaps you'd like to share with your friends.
What a beautiful soul, Helen is!
What a magnificent human, Helen Dew is! Thank you guys for making this film! So inspiring!
I needed to see this today thank you
Thank you for sharing the life of this Lady. So inspiring.👏🇵🇹🥰
Wow, very impressive. Certainly has a green thumb and a sharp mind.
Beautiful young lady. 85 years young. Made me cry. 🥲
Thank you Helen.
So glad you shared Helen's story! I want to live to be just like her (minus the depression)!
Whilst I wouldn't wish the depression on anyone, the fact that I experienced it and rose above it has given hope to others.
Thanks!
Thank you 🙏
She is amazing! A true inspiration ❤
Beautiful! Such a powerful Soul.
Thank you for this!!! I am so inspired and hopeful, not just for today, but even for the eventuality of my life's cycle. I hope to do the same burial as this beautiful woman. Another amazing video and story!!! Thank you!! --Tess
Hi Tess, thank you for your kind words.
I don't know where you live, but do lobby your council if you don't already have the option of natural burial in you area.
@@helendew5333 Thank you Helen. I am researching any laws and requirements now. I had just learned of this not too long ago, and after watching this video, I am even more so interested in this. I told my girls, when I die, just take me to a mountain forest and bury me there. I know that it isn't that simple in today's world, but I never wanted to be in a cemetery. Again, thank you for all your wisdom and giving of hope. --Tess
Yes, keep your own seeds
at 80 putting that first fava bean in the bare soil and digging my bare fingers and pressing in the seed convinces me I just might live long enough to eat it and then I lick the soil and smell the microbes and know my biome is up to date,
Thanks, guys, for your leadership & quality work. It makes a huge difference! Wishing you health & abundance! 😀
Thanks Juan - and for your support for so many years!
Yes, I'm so blessed that Happen Films chose to film my story! It will become a family treasure!
Me too Helen. By later years are the best ever. ❤my motto: LIVE LIFE! LOVE ALL!
I got my stomach removed due to stress and H Pilori April 18 2024,due to immune deficiency while going through mounds of Chemo,immunal therapy,Covid and Shingles came for visit the December and January,I have been wanting to this while I was in better,this video gave me renewed inspirations to go on with life so I can be there for wife of 50years who courageous fight 3 different Cancer and a incredible fall from from second story fall and broken two of spinal cord now still living with six Titanium screws,I will put in my bucket list to visit you in person if I am able to put things in perspective,thank you for sharing ❤
correction stomach operation was last year2023 Covid and Shingles this year 2024
Wow Walter ! you are one tough guy! I am so sorry for all you and your wife have been through. I believe that you will be gardening soon ! Much love.💚🌻🌿🌱
Hello Walter. My word! You and your wife have been through an awful lot! AND SURVIVED!
Well done indeed! Maybe it's a case of one day at a time and just hanging in there! Perhaps there will come a time when you look back and find meaning and purpose in it all, but it must be really hard to see while in the midst of it.
@@helendew5333 in times of difficulties and pain, I always think of other that's less fortunate,ie. an elderly who have to amputated her elderly husband in the non cessant war in Ukian because she was in her apartment by herself with no outside contacts ,wrong place at the wrong time not counting who are dying of hunger in Gaza, we are in Paradise on earth but majority of us are not aware or the have the feeling of gratitude, I always remembered the vow of 'for better or worse ,have a great day!
So beautiful. Another fabulous salve of a film, thanks so much for all you good folk do!
:)
Yes Sarah, documentaries by Happen Films have been a source of inspiration for countless people. Our world is so fortunate to have people such as the HF team whose passion and professionalism is shared so generously.
@@helendew5333 ... And of course, the world is equally fortunate to have you and your inspirational gifts, too!
Go raibh míle maith agaibh, go tusa agus Jordon agus Antoinette (as we'd say in Irish) 🙌🏾🌍🌱✨
Thank you Ma’am for your tender heartfelt comments.
I am blessed for having listened to you.
I found it so inspiring to listen to her in all dimensions. About the practical and very personal things. In a very practical way - now i have two little tins and make plant coal whenever i use my fireplace.
Wonderful praise God for these special women. Yes my grandmother was one of them. Mrs Silincy Kharsyntiew of Cherrapunji lived till 93 years and gardening was her passion n hobby!. Though my Granny married to a renowned Doctor Dr. H.C.S.Wahlang could have just lived a comfortable life style. But no my granny after attending house chores went straight to her huge flower and vegetable garden all around Hillside Cottage and tended her flowers etc from morning till evening . This was n is the secret of happiness n long life and she shared all her veggies to all family and friends. Miss her lots but now I am also like her ,I inherited her green thumb and gardening is my passion too. But not in Cherrapunji but Ziro Arunachal my husbands home town.
Farmer co-ops are what I'm starting. Helen you're an inspiration
That is fantastic ! I hope you have a team of people to work with. What part of the world are you in ?
@@jean6453 I live in the most northern part of California in the US. I write grants to help farmers transition to regenerative agriculture to feed the hungry and get Carbon out of the air and into the soil. Wish me luck.
😢
@MegaSnmail1 thank you for your kind comments.
I'm so pleased that you're supporting farmer coops.
We also need coops for workers of all kinds, where profits (and losses) are shared among the members.
There is a wee booklet published some years ago by the ILO 'the resilience of the cooperative business model in time of crisis' (I hope I've got that title right!)
@@helendew5333 If you run across the name of that book on co-ops I'd love to learn about that. Thank you.
@@helendew5333 Thank you so much I found the little booklet you recommended. All the best in your important work. Be well.
Sincerely, Bonnie Wood
What a wonderful woman. Thanks for sharing her story, you guys are amazing too 👍😀🌻
Thanks for your kind comments.
I couldn't agree more - HF is an amazing team - doing really important work!
What an inspiration Helen is! ❤ I absolutely loved watching this.
Wonderful. Just wonderful
Beautiful and Inspiring! Thank you.💖
What a adorable inspiring lady xx
Beautiful! Thank you. 🥰
The strongest poem I have heard in a long time
Glad you liked my poem. I guess it reflects the depth of my feeling at that time.
So inspiring! And I learned a little more about gardening and composting.
Amazing Beautiful Human being.
What a beautiful lady, inspirational Helen I wish I lived closer to you. You could teach me and others so much. The biggest gentlest hug. ❤
I've no doubt there are other 'Helens' all over the world. I hope you discover one near where you live.
I hope so too Helen. ❤
Beautiful and inspiring! Thank you for these heartwarming stories.
Gracias por compartir esta bella vivencia ❤❤❤
wow thank you they were very heartful and made me cry along with em!
That’s nice to hear 😊
Very wonderful
Hate to tell y'all...but
Our decaying bodies might be part of what feeds the bionics
Of what feeds the trees .
But at the end of the day
What ever gives you solace is inspirational .