When we first moved here, I went a bit garden crazy. Besides bringing back some of the gardens that were a mess, I went ahead and dug out some more dirt, added lots of perennials and then watched them grow. Digging was fun and creative and hard work. It's easy to dig a garden. Not exactly easy but good hard work. Taking a space in the yard, thinking about the sunlight, the terrain, what it could be. Now that is really fun, isn't it? Think, think, think about the possibilities of a beautiful garden full of flowers and greenery.
Taking the step to actually do it isn't too hard, considering you are physically capable. Muscle building, yes - all that digging and not being able to move the next day. Adding compost, picking plants, dreaming and then doing. It's all good. And then life gets in the way and you realized you have created all this extra work for yourself taking care of new gardens, weeding, maintaining. Yikes! What was I thinking. That's about where I was three years ago after establishing a bunch of new perennial beds.
New things came up...... the sunflower field, the farmer's markets, the sheep and lamb meat biz, the studio renovation, the farm classes. I decided to let it all go back to whatever it wanted to be. I just couldn't do it all. Not enough time in the day and I had lost interest and went onto other things. Guilt? Maybe a tad bit but I got over it quickly. When I saw this lone allium poking its head up amongst the overgrown grass....
.....I thought back to what I had built and then let go. It's okay I decided some time ago. Sometimes you just have to let go, not feel the pressure to keep it all going. And that's where I am today.... doing what I can, not having it all perfect. (Let's just say far from perfect!) I have been reading and enjoying a book by Joan Dye Gussow called Growing, Older. Heard about her via and article in the NYT a bit ago. Check it out along with her other classic This Organic Life: Confessions of a Suburban Gardener which I have on my to read list for this summer. My mom is reading Gardening for a Lifetime by Sydney Eddison, another book I want to read when I'm not outside this summer. My friend Gwen alerted me to it and Mom is loving it.
Short week everyone - make it a good one!
9 comments:
It is affirming to read your post. Even after a long weekend, all I see outside are the unfinished projects. The books sound interesting and will pick them up for the summer. Thanks.
I try to knit with the fan and ac going.
Just finished reading "Sheepish", another take on shepherding. Like I told my adult children, it boils down to quality of life and doing what you like and can do.
My husband and I were having this conversation last night. We have created more than we can take care of. A month ago, it all seemed possible. Now, not so much. Some things must be let go, but I'm having trouble deciding which ones.
Oh, I can soooo relate to your post and the ladies comments. My hubby said I was nuts and also have to 'give' something up. How could I possibly??? Herbs, sheep and goats (cheesemaking, soap)are my passions!!! lol
great post! I think (which will get you nothing but maybe more of my thoughts, and the cycle repeats)--- that being a deeply creative sort just leads to this muddle. Some creative people are only into one thing, hence they manage their addiction and projects. The rest of us sorts who think we can do it all (even when history proves us fools over and over)---- we have to get to the top of a hill, let some things go and coast down in a renewing state of mind. Of course by the time we are down to the bottom and half way up the other side, more fabulous things have begun. This then is the outcome, fabulous-ness can't be sustained forever without something stepping back. And on we go!!!
I get it! And thanks for the book list. I read that article about Joan Dye and wanted to find that book and promptly forgot.
I was "taken" by alliums last summer, planted them in winter proof pots (using pink insulation like the nursery told me to do!!) and am still looking for them to pop up. Hmmm--does it take two years for them to appear?
The pictures of the flowers you send out are beautiful, Kristen.I tend to like the natural look anyway!!
I am working on reclaiming my own gardens this year. Hopefully I can stick with it all summer. There needs to be more hours in the day.. that's what I've decided. :)
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