student of nature

I am absolutely a student of nature right now. And a student of my children for that matter. I continue to be amazed at the ability of nature to be a bridge to my children. We are really enjoying our time in the garden on different levels. Elise's level is capricious and impatient. But loving and experimental. Will's level contains intuition and hard work. But also wonder. And mine contains all of the reward.

"Study nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you."
-Frank Lloyd Wright




Nasturtium

Basil/Sage/Thyme/Tarragon

Elise's baby lima bean and Will's baby pea with thyme

carpet of lettuce

picked over radishes

beets

downy carrot tops

ah, the strawberries

peas climbing Will's trellis with beans catching up

baby radish greens

purple beans

zucchini

common sense or not

Common sense: to have sound judgment, be reasonable. Well, let’s just say I haven’t always been prudent in my decision making. Fun in my 20’s isn’t the same at this age (a lady never tells!).

College was my first, big stumbling block when it came time to incorporating sage advice into my life and balancing immediate temptations with long term goals. I ended up at a community college (called the thirteenth grade in our area) because I didn’t want to hear any advice. Seeing all the kids who also had a bit more fun in high school than necessary, seemed a bit of a joke to me, especially when all over the country, college campuses were teeming with fun. The joke was on me. I left after 2 and a half non- consecutive semesters.

During this time, I did learn some very important lessons. Being ashamed of my failure, lead me to try and avoid questions about “where are you going to school?” like the plague. Sometimes I would quip about going to the “school of life”. I really wasn’t far off; bartending is its own brand of education. Usually, if I was speaking to a grown-up, they would press the point and I would have to confess. Learning there was a time for humor and a time to be forthright. Balancing the two can sometimes be tricky. Just think of a time when you thought something was a light-hearted joke but a friend didn’t.

Another moment of ego- filled ineptness came with the birth of my first child. I had read all the books. Thought I knew everything, much to my own chagrin, I didn’t! And if any one offered guidance, I took it as a slight against my abilities. Thankfully, I needed help more than I needed to be right. A very important lesson, indeed.

Now as a lady with some road behind me, I soak in as much guidance, information and humor as possible. I stumble all the time; in parenting, with friends or family and especially, in the garden. Even though I am purportedly a balance sign (if you follow that kind of stuff), my equilibrium is often shaky. But just like a plant rooted in the wrong spot grows towards the light, I also try to right my wrongs. Take last year’s tomato plants, for example. They grew out of control. Big, beautiful and jungle-like but hardly any harvest. Needless to say, I am devouring any information I can get my hands on to take better care of my small, promising plants. And our lettuce this year is way too close together. But my merry helpers scattered the seeds, and I went along for the ride instead of needing to be right. And my cilantro has taken over the joint, not sure at all what to do about this territorial creeper.

Now instead of being ashamed of my mistakes, I am embracing them and doing my best to find the message. We shall see how I do.

So far, phase 1 of the growing season has worked out nicely. Now to get on the ball for this next weekend. Mother's day is officially a day to safely plant all the rest of your garden bounty! One of the gifts to myself will be a trip to the garden center for lots of edibles! Happy Mom's day to you!


Lettuce

More Lettuce

Lots of lettuce

Peas sprouting up

rhubarb

strawberries

carrots

cilantro gone wild

Rainbow swiss chard

Hope

I am in an especially reflective mood this morning. I woke up to news about Bin Laden. Now I am sure just hearing his name brings about a visceral reaction in you, it does for me. My sweet first born was just under a month old snuggling in my arms as I watched a plane hit the second tower on that blue-skied, fateful day. My astonishment was followed by helplessness. How, in a world gone crazy, was I going to keep my precious baby safe?

William will be 10 years old in august. There have been scrapes and bruises, tears and turmoil. But the blessings abound and as another hatch mark records inches grown, I exhale just a little bit. He is safe, in this moment. So we, as a family, have learned to enjoy our moments. They are not like the moments of ’01, desperate, sad and frightened. These are more luxurious and hopeful, much like planting and tending a garden.

Gardening and life have so many overlapping lessons, reminding me of the important stuff requiring my attention. Beyond the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter reside the juicy bits of life. I would like to say I have always known what is really important. But I have been off track in my life more times than I care to rehash. And the juicy bits of my youth were immediate, self satisfying and surface fun. In this moment of my life though, I am really sinking my teeth into my own experiences and wringing every last drop of out of it. Not that I don’t enjoy a selfish occasion now and again.

Starting a garden has helped me on this path; Watching which vegetables are thriving, how to make use of every part of the plant and the joy on my children’s faces as they snap peas right off the vine for a snack. I have had setbacks and serendipitous successes, some with my green-ish thumb, others from neglect. All of this informing me along the way and reminding me about resilience in all living things. Much like tracking Will and Elise as they move through the world; did they eat enough, sleep enough? After a particularly bad meltdown…what can I do better next time? Or the pure joy of witnessing them master a new skill. Elise is a mad woman on her bike right now, no fear! And William has logged a ton of hours on a 70’s style skateboard learning to lean into a turn.

Being a parent and a gardener are helping me become more resilient. I am still pretty sensitive but surviving each challenge better equips me to carry on. Both my children and garden show me how a bit of time and energy reap tremendous rewards. Watching a seed sprout up through the soil and become a carrot or lettuce, has made me more hopeful. As does dreaming about what life has in store for my two amazing children.

All of these thoughts and emotions are with me today. Hope seems to rise above it all; A hope for peace and safety in the wake of this confusing news.