Digging in the dirt
I love gardening!
Not, like, designing gorgeous banks of flowers that perfectly complement one other in long sweeping waves of color and texture. And not really vegetables, because harvesting makes me tired. More like... haphazardly planting whatever takes my fancy when I'm at the nursery.
Not that the effect is bad, but it's not exactly well-curated. And even if it’s destined to look like a permanent work in progress, people seem to think I know what I’m doing. Sounds a lot like raising kids, now that I think of it.
So sometimes people I know ask me for gardening advice. They've mistaken my enthusiasm for expertise, while I remain a permanent dilettante.
I recognize that I could stop right now and draw up plans and choose plants based on those plans. But it’s unlikely that I will, possibly because I'm impatient with rules and tradition and like to go my own way. I can’t hate these traits, they’ve kept life interesting.
My neighbors have a very tidy yard. They tell me my place looks great, but honestly it's like looking at Ramona next to Beezus. Some properties just have that well-kempt look, and others look like their moms are too busy to dress them in clothes that match.
But gardening is more therapy than aesthetics for me. I mean, would I like my yard to be instagram-worthy? Yes, definitely yes. Am I likely to engage in the kind of long-term organization that would require? No. Decidedly not.
I don’t really think about three-season interest and have only a vague idea of what size a plant will achieve at maturity. Which is ironic, because I'm also one of those slow gardeners who enjoys plucking weeds one by one or carefully removing leaves from under a tree that's only going to shed again tomorrow. I do take exquisite care of the things I’ve planted.
So if you happen to walk by my house right around now, when things are blooming and the scent of cherry blossoms and daphne wafts through the air, you will be tempted to appreciate my gardening prowess. (As long as you don't look too closely at the plum tree, which is vying with the Douglas firs for neighborhood primacy.)
But do not be fooled. I'm not a real gardener, I'm just a woman who likes to get her hands dirty.
I’m 60 years old now (a fact that I may mention every Sunday for the rest of the year, sorry in advance). I know who I am and what I’m good at. Not that I’m not open to surprises! But I’m pretty sure I’m always going to be a creative soul who loves puttering and and just wants to keep it fun.
In case I haven’t been heavy-handed enough with this metaphor, let me tell you that Everything I Ever Needed to Know About Myself I Learned in My Garden. Are there commercial possibilities here? Are the Chicken Soup people looking to branch out?
But it’s kind of true - the way you approach one thing is generally the way you approach most things. My yard and my house are pretty similar, aesthetically speaking. Don’t get me started on my career - the parallels are alarming. And yet here I am, floating along, mostly happy. Planting a little here and there, pruning a LOT.
Just a little meditation to jumpstart your Sunday.
OK, love you, bye!
Julia
p.s. Voltaire, through Candide, talked about tending one’s own garden. Live in harmony with your neighbors, produce something of value, don’t strive for kingly wealth and power. I’ve forgotten so much of the philosophy and literature I read when I was young, but this one has always stood out to me. Not a bad strategy in the current era.
Recommendation!
More flowers! Right now I've got four separate bouquets in my living/dining rooms, and it's making my whole house feel festive and beautiful. Honestly there is nothing like fresh flowers to lift your spirits.
They don't have to be expensive - Trader Joe's is one place we buy them, so please don't tell me about how they're somehow killing the planet or exploiting farmers. I mean, do tell me, because I want to shop responsibly, but know that you'll be killing a tiny part of my soul.
If you're looking for something a little fancier, and if you live in Portland, may I suggest visiting Kvetka Flowers? I know the designer, who is a charming, industrious and extremely talented young woman. You will not be disappointed!
Peter Gabriel understands the value of tending your garden, and so does this email. Forward it to someone who loves to dig.