I love pressing young seedlings into the earth and sitting back to watch things grow. Amazing since I loathe getting my hands dirty, kneeling on the ground to sweat over a patch of rocky soil. Until I found my perfect Zen with container patio gardening. No more aching back. My OCD fanaticism is fed and watered matching starts by color and texture at the greenhouse then assembling them with the appropriate pot and accent greenery. Gloves on, soil in, plants arranged, decorative doo-dad added . . . voila! Eden! Then, after two days tops, all I need is a cup of coffee, my glider, a sunrise, and a cat! I even grow my own herbs and lettuces!
What does this have to do with writing, you ask? Everything. It’s creation from basic parts: The beautiful, the hardy, the grounded, the dramatic, all combined to a pleasing conclusion. We pick our characters: The bright, lacy heroine; the strong, hardy hero; the vining intrigues, and surprising pops of unexpected plot lines. And then come a villainous harsh wind, a cold snap or icy rain to challenge the promising start of their relationship. And it’s all at your fingertips, in your control. If one doesn’t satisfy or end the way you’d expected, you don’t stop. You experiment, learn from experts, and begin again. You do the work to your satisfaction then sit back and enjoy the fruit your labor, right? Not quite. There’s constant watering, finding the right spot to place each pot, plucking off the parts that don’t enhance the whole (even when it’s painful!), worrying through that fierce downpour or extended heat wave. If you plant the tender seedlings too shallow OR too deep, they fail to thrive. But setbacks don’t make you quit. You learn from them and try again. Finding the right mix of soil, the right amount to water, what prospers and what, sadly, no matter how beautiful, doesn’t. And you love each different effort with the same pride and pleasure?
How is your garden growing? Are there weeds to pull? Offshoots to prune and plant so they can take root and grow stronger on their own? Colors and textures you can integrate to achieve eye pleasing surprises and combinations? Some varieties that just don’t flourish, where others run wild as your imagination, increasing over and over?
I was a new seedling over six and a half decades ago (tomorrow!) and through all those various seasons of growth, I never stopped looking for ways to root deeper, to flourish brighter, and to bring enjoyment to those around me, while weeding out those things that got in the way. My advice: Sink those roots deep and make the most of what your garden provides. And don’t forget to take time to enjoy what blooms!
Since this is a paranormal group, who else is excited to howl under that Super Blood Moon tonight?? Hard to miss since last night’s precursor shone through the windows and lit up my entire bedroom like a spotlight from ten p.m. to early a.m.. Do I hear John Fogerty singing, “Don’t go out tonight . . .”
Have a fun and safe upcoming Memorial Day as we carefully come together as family and friends and ease into June! Happy Writing!
♚♚♚♚♚
Nancy Gideon on the Web
8 comments:
It's why I love my little perennial garden. Just a small patch where I can get my hands dirty. This is its sixth year and plants are finally thriving, spreading, and multiplying. Love these little patches of gardens. Beautiful to see. Good job.
Thanks, Diana! I love growing things and some of this year's cacti were from last year that wintered over in my office and bedroom.
I love my gardens. Many of my perennials came from my mother's and grandmother's gardens. Love your tie-in with writing. So true.
We've got a ton of the old school plants from the backyard where we grew up i.e. hollyhocks, iris, poppies, and many others. The colors and scents when they bloom always makes me think of her.
I wish I had the knack for gardening. My mom loves it, and even has a balcony garden since moving into an apartment. But, I never inherited that. It's more my hubby's thing. Though, I always admire beautiful yards, and know how much work is involved in them.
I hope you had a wonderful birthday!
I admire a beautiful yard, too, but alas, I don't want to work out in one. That's what I cultivate my pretties on the patio which started during my apartment days on the 3rd and 4th floor balconies I made into my oasis. No bending over, no pulling rampant weeds. The perfect lazy woman's lovely dream continued in the yard someone else maintains!
I LOVE my garden. It's my haven. Thanks so much for sharing--enjoyed those photos. And the full moon was intense this month. :)
Something about that connection to the earth and sun and growth . . . sigh. And relaxation!
Post a Comment