Saturday, May 16, 2009

Why? This is why....




Why do I do it, year after year, I’m asked. I could flippantly say why not? But the answer grows deeper. It is in me blood, me name, under my fingernails. Seen in weathered laugh lines, freckles, scars. Heard in me crackling knees, the “o shites” , argghhhhs and sighs. Felt in this body seizing after a good days toil, heart felt thank you’s, and life nutured.

The “it” is gardening. I became one with the earth many moons ago mostly at me fathers side. Allowing me to turn up a perfect lawn and create carpets of colour. I’ve gardened with a fine ole English gentleman even though he was a tad anal making me use a ruler to plant his Marigolds. Each plant 8.5” apart, not 8 or 9 but exactly 8.5” I humoured him as his wife made the best homemade lemonade I’ve ever tasted. Thank you Mr. Stephenson. I gardened with a mad Irish Doctor, hell bent on testing me every time. Staking peas with branches, under planting corn with squash, not tests but lessons and well learned. The worst was hauling loads of wood thru the bull pasture, not in the contract but as stubborn as he was, I am more. Slainte Doc. More importantly, I learned from a grand ole gal Winnie. O she would shudder hearing her referred to as a gal. A proper English woman she thought she was but born here she wasn’t. I learned so much. The most bountiful Asparagus beds held the secret of salt and Iceland poppies. Who knew ?

I have bookcases of gardening books mostly purchased for the pictures. Hey I’m a visual person ! I can look at one and figure it out, no instructions needed just trial and error. That’s why I do “it”. There is something in me that enjoys a challenge. If I ponder deeply it is not so much as a challenge but more so tickling life from nothing. Much like an artist takes a blank canvas and with a few brushes and paint pots creates a master piece, I take a warm patch of earth and with a few seeds create me own.

This is me masterpiece. :)

14 comments:

  1. I absolutely agree that you have created a masterpiece here Cheryl - that garden is truly lovely. As is your story about your gardening mentors. Loved it.

    Hey how about moving in another direction and taking up my challenge to tinker around in the Windows Paint programme for 70 Plus and Still Kicking? Whatever the result we'll be proud of you, and I'll 'hang' it on the site alongside you link.
    Deal?
    June in Oz

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  2. Having seen your garden first hand, I must say that you have understated your hard work. The Pigmie forest is an amazing place! Terrific pic Cheryl! You rock!

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  3. Hi Cheryl, seizing body parts notwithstanding, becoming one with the garden is the highest calling. Experience is the best teacher of all too. Happy gardening while we cans till draw breath! :-)
    Frances

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  4. Thanks you June and done deal :)

    Awwww Rogue, Twinkle Bottom sends his best, hehehehe :O

    So very true Frances, I'd be lost without a patch of earth to play in.
    Cheryl

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  5. WOW!! This is YOUR garden? Quite impressive. (I can almost smell the soft ambient fragrences wafting in the breezes)

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  6. And a masterpiece it looks :) I hope that in time I’ll grow green-fingers and become a master in the garden (smile)! You and your garden inspire these thoughts...

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  7. Speeeeeeeeeeeedy, dat be part of me Spring garden which I'm very proud of, Big hugs to you :)

    O Cath, with your loving care you'll be the finest of gardeners, this I know :)

    Cheryl

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  8. Gardening, Oh Gardening! Where would we be without it? Yours is beautiful.
    Best wishes
    Laurie

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  9. Laurie ! Welcome to The Pond :)
    Cheryl

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  10. I agree. And what a feeling of accomplishment (despite aches and pains) one feels afterwards. I'm just a novice gardener, starting late in age. Never been much of an Earth mother though my mother was a wonderful gardener all of her life. And, as I began to make my beds and create my little patchworks of colorful visuals this year I asked myself why had I not done this before.

    Loved the way you wrote this post. Very engaging and put a smile in this reader's face.

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  11. Thank you Rebecca, I've been neglectful pondering here but nature calls. Even this eve I'm out with trowel transplating this and that to create an even prettier picture. There is something about diggin in the earth, planting, sitting back to enjoy a good day painting with plants that makes me glow. Plant those which causes you to smile, AND a big and have a boo at Fairegarden's blog over dere -->. Such a wonderful garden :) Cheryl

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