One of the uses of Bamboo is for building houses, which had gone into disrepute, since bricks replaced its use about fifty years back. However, I notice bamboo returning to its rightful place for use in the buildings. The house, cow shed and the outhouse in my parent's home about sixty years back was made of bamboo both for its walls and roof.
The treated and reinforced bamboo has long life even in adverse climatic conditions. It is now used to make different furniture, interior of houses for false ceiling, walls and partitions. It may not last like the plywood but it is cheaper and easy to fabricate. The handicraft items which are made of bamboo are extremely popular. As the bamboo stem is hollow inside, it has been traditionally used to store solids and semisolids. I saw its use in a home recently.
The bamboo plants grow well in any terrain and protects the soil from erosion. The bamboo stem adds to colour to the garden as some varieties are ornamental and provides an aesthetic look. The three sites we planted bamboo in our cottage premises two years back, a yellow and slender variety, are frequented by birds and I hope they would make them their nesting sites.
Anna and I have been experimenting to make our garden look natural. Now that we have replaced the surface vegetation with lawn grass, the overgrowth of weeds is under check.
This in itself is a symbol of how even our inner landscape can become healthier and wholesome if we can pay attention to our interior through contemplative prayer! I wish the language of love and compassion would grow within us even more!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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