Stimulate Your Senses...and Wave Goodbye To Writers Cramp!
By Linda Gray, Thu Dec 8th

When you get stuck for ideas, and the words won't flow,invariably it's because one, more or all of your senses aren'tbeing stimulated.

Staring at a blank screen or sheet of paper really doesn't help.The best way to stimulate all your senses in one hit is toprovide an inspirational space you can work with.

Lots of Feng Shui arrangements appear in western homes thesedays, and they're great, but outside those four walls of yourwriting space, there is another world bursting withenlightenment and inspiration. Of course you may have to work atit a little, but hey, we all need some exercise sometimes!

Whether you have a balcony or a backyard, you can very simplybuild a natural living world to plunge into whenever you choose.If you have neither, consider renting a small patch of land orsharing a garden with someone.

Gardening conjures up all sorts of hard work images; tools,backache, blisters etc;. but it's only as hard as you make it.Start small and design your garden on paper first. Decide whereyou want herbs, flowers - and even vegetables, if you have thespace and inclination!

A tiny balcony or back yard can be bordered with herbs andflowers. If you're staring at several square metres of concrete,don't despair. Plant your sensory stimulators in pots. Paint thepots different colours if

you like.

Choose strong smelling, long lasting flowers, such aswallflowers ( Cheiranthus ). They will grow in some shade and dowell against walls, fences and hedgerows. Climbing roses willonly need a few hooks screwed into the fence, and they willhappily cover your fence in blooms. Both these flowers arecolourful, smell beautiful and are velvet to the touch.

Many herbs will grow in pots. Grow chives for something tonibble as you wander round the garden. Mint varieties are many ,from spearmint through to the newer varieties such as pineappleor melon mint . Try them! They really do smell of pineapple andmelon.

Some herbs are perennial and, once established, will need verylittle care. But remember to pick them to encourage growth.

The acoustics in your outside space will change dramaticallywhen you have flowers growing. Those bees and bugs won't be ableto resist. Rub the leaves of your mint plants or other herbs andfill the air with the scent.

Now relax in a chair, listen to the humming of the insects andnibble on your chives. Within ten minutes you'll either bedozing and gaining some well needed rest, or you'll be runningback to your keyboard with more words in your head than everbefore!

About the author:What to plant and Where? Pop in to Flower and Garden Tips to geta clearer picture. Our wildflowers page should get you in themood! Wildflowers