Welcome to austinagrodolce … My family and I garden with more intention and enthusiasm than allocated budget or overall design plan. It shows. Wildlife populations don't seem to notice our lack of cohesive design, they just like the native plants here. It seems by growing local we've thrown out a welcome mat. Occasionally, we're surprised at who (and what) shows up.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Aspiring to the Habitual
I went out into the garden this morning. Not to weed, not to water, not to deadhead. Not to assess what needs to be transplanted or pruned, not to look for pests.
I don't do that nearly enough. I attempt to "be" but inevitably start piddling: snip this, weed that, think about how something would look better over there. Just to "be" is something I need to work on. Thanks for the reminder.
Tina: As with other times when I've tried to meditate I had a hard time not getting all monkey brained, using my time to organize future work trips in my head.
This time I didn't even take my camera, but just meandered around and finally perched on each bench for several minutes until I relaxed there. It felt dumb that could be so hard!
Whoever said "time stands still in a garden" must not have been the one in charge of taking care of it. You and I both know nothing stands still in the garden, including usually, the gardeners!
I've had a season of just 'being' in my garden lately. It's messy and chaotic as it hasn't had its usual spring tidy but I'm finding lots of peace there nonetheless. Glad you found some time to do the same ... it's good for the soul :) Oh, and btw, I'm happy you're back.
Thank you Cat - I am happy to be back. There have been a couple of seasons when I was forcibly reduced to "being" in my garden and I wish I could say I found it peaceful. Unfortunately I trend more towards the "fretful" setting.
But you are right - it is good for the soul to slow down and be rather than always striving to do. I suppose some days it takes a little chaos for us to see through to the order in our lives.
The times are rare when I do just that. Mostly as we are sitting having meals outside. I just want to stay there and enjoy everything I see. that is why I am reducing much of my planting so I can do just that. The rocks and gravel are just as pretty to me if they have one or two plants rather than a mass.
LRose/Jenny - you are so wise . Your spaces are so filled with beauty that I'm guessing editing is a natural response. I am still in the "needs filling in" stage (at least in my own head) as I'm trying to work with existing plants as transplants and seedlings, rather than making a trip to the nursery each time I decide there is a "hole".
MamaHolt: Hi! I'm glad you like the chain - I bought it for WAY too much but love it so much and it always looks good whether I water or feed or weed or anything.
It is a riff off traditional prayer flags only made out of metal so longer lasting. You are so creative I'm guessing you'll figure a way to fashion a cool one all your own - and I'll be watching to see! Thanks for dropping by - I'm on my way to the library to get the book, so YAY!
Kat! Thanks for dropping by. I am so enjoying sharing your travels (and writing), they help keep me from feeling too confined as I work in my own smaller sphere.
10 comments:
I don't do that nearly enough. I attempt to "be" but inevitably start piddling: snip this, weed that, think about how something would look better over there. Just to "be" is something I need to work on. Thanks for the reminder.
Tina: As with other times when I've tried to meditate I had a hard time not getting all monkey brained, using my time to organize future work trips in my head.
This time I didn't even take my camera, but just meandered around and finally perched on each bench for several minutes until I relaxed there. It felt dumb that could be so hard!
Whoever said "time stands still in a garden" must not have been the one in charge of taking care of it. You and I both know nothing stands still in the garden, including usually, the gardeners!
I've had a season of just 'being' in my garden lately. It's messy and chaotic as it hasn't had its usual spring tidy but I'm finding lots of peace there nonetheless. Glad you found some time to do the same ... it's good for the soul :) Oh, and btw, I'm happy you're back.
Thank you Cat - I am happy to be back. There have been a couple of seasons when I was forcibly reduced to "being" in my garden and I wish I could say I found it peaceful. Unfortunately I trend more towards the "fretful" setting.
But you are right - it is good for the soul to slow down and be rather than always striving to do. I suppose some days it takes a little chaos for us to see through to the order in our lives.
The times are rare when I do just that. Mostly as we are sitting having meals outside. I just want to stay there and enjoy everything I see. that is why I am reducing much of my planting so I can do just that. The rocks and gravel are just as pretty to me if they have one or two plants rather than a mass.
LRose/Jenny - you are so wise . Your spaces are so filled with beauty that I'm guessing editing is a natural response. I am still in the "needs filling in" stage (at least in my own head) as I'm trying to work with existing plants as transplants and seedlings, rather than making a trip to the nursery each time I decide there is a "hole".
What a WONDERFUL reminder this morning.
I llooooove that little peace chain thingee...what is that? I wanna make one.
I need to MAKE. I am in a funk.
MamaHolt: Hi! I'm glad you like the chain - I bought it for WAY too much but love it so much and it always looks good whether I water or feed or weed or anything.
It is a riff off traditional prayer flags only made out of metal so longer lasting. You are so creative I'm guessing you'll figure a way to fashion a cool one all your own - and I'll be watching to see! Thanks for dropping by - I'm on my way to the library to get the book, so YAY!
Being is so much more than doing. Thanks for the reminder.
Kat! Thanks for dropping by. I am so enjoying sharing your travels (and writing), they help keep me from feeling too confined as I work in my own smaller sphere.
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