Ordering Seeds
As I wipe away my tears from watching Obama’s First Inaugural Speech, I reflect on this time of year. As a gardener it is when I look through the seed catalogues. I dream about what my garden will be like in the full glow of summer. I choose what seeds to order, still fantasying that they will all germinate, all grow up beautiful, all be bountiful.
My country and my friends seem to have that same dream for our country. Since this is not my first season I know that won’t happen. I remember that sometimes the most beautiful flower in my garden was not planted by me. It might be the volunteer plant returning from a forgotten previous planting. Sometimes it is some “weed” brought by a bird or perhaps which has laid dormant there for years.
For those seeds which I do order, I don’t know what the weather will be like. When I used to be a caterer at almost every wedding I would be asked if it was going to rain. To which I’d sassily answer if I knew that, or could control it, I wouldn’t have to work as a caterer. We never know what the future holds, but we can make some assumptions based on past experience. It will be warm, sunny and dry during the northern California summer. How wet the spring will be varies, but I can somewhat influence that with my watering habits. In these conditions many if not all of my seeds will germinate.
Currently my compost is ripening. Some of my beds have been prepped and others need more attention. I have to plan out not only what seeds to get but where they will all go. All too often I’m unrealistic in this, thinking somehow I will be able to fit in all the plants that strike my fancy. I’ll have to make decisions about how many flowers to feed my soul versus vegetables to feed my belly, while leaving room for the herbs which will maintain my health and season my meals.
Despite my best efforts and years of practice the current dream garden of winter will not be found in the real garden of summer. Over the years in some ways they have grown more alike, but more importantly I have grown able to enjoy both. The failures have become my friends, opportunities for learning, a chance to embrace the serendipity. I have learned many new steps in my dance with nature. I have learned that sometimes I lead and sometimes she does. I have learned not to step on her toes (too often), and delighted in having her between my own.
I have lots of hope, I’m not sure how much virtue. My commitment will ebb and flow, but I will show up regularly if not daily. I will leave my little rental yard, better than it was when I found it. Filled with dreams and flowers. Healthier soul, and many healing intentions planted for later occupants. Monocultures of grass lawn replaced with herbs and vegetables. New seeds buried for others to discover. It will be a garden of dreams in all seasons—some realized and some waiting to express their potential. Hopefully four years from now, in his Second Inaugural, Obama will be able to tell us about what has flourished in our nation.
My country and my friends seem to have that same dream for our country. Since this is not my first season I know that won’t happen. I remember that sometimes the most beautiful flower in my garden was not planted by me. It might be the volunteer plant returning from a forgotten previous planting. Sometimes it is some “weed” brought by a bird or perhaps which has laid dormant there for years.
For those seeds which I do order, I don’t know what the weather will be like. When I used to be a caterer at almost every wedding I would be asked if it was going to rain. To which I’d sassily answer if I knew that, or could control it, I wouldn’t have to work as a caterer. We never know what the future holds, but we can make some assumptions based on past experience. It will be warm, sunny and dry during the northern California summer. How wet the spring will be varies, but I can somewhat influence that with my watering habits. In these conditions many if not all of my seeds will germinate.
Currently my compost is ripening. Some of my beds have been prepped and others need more attention. I have to plan out not only what seeds to get but where they will all go. All too often I’m unrealistic in this, thinking somehow I will be able to fit in all the plants that strike my fancy. I’ll have to make decisions about how many flowers to feed my soul versus vegetables to feed my belly, while leaving room for the herbs which will maintain my health and season my meals.
Despite my best efforts and years of practice the current dream garden of winter will not be found in the real garden of summer. Over the years in some ways they have grown more alike, but more importantly I have grown able to enjoy both. The failures have become my friends, opportunities for learning, a chance to embrace the serendipity. I have learned many new steps in my dance with nature. I have learned that sometimes I lead and sometimes she does. I have learned not to step on her toes (too often), and delighted in having her between my own.
I have lots of hope, I’m not sure how much virtue. My commitment will ebb and flow, but I will show up regularly if not daily. I will leave my little rental yard, better than it was when I found it. Filled with dreams and flowers. Healthier soul, and many healing intentions planted for later occupants. Monocultures of grass lawn replaced with herbs and vegetables. New seeds buried for others to discover. It will be a garden of dreams in all seasons—some realized and some waiting to express their potential. Hopefully four years from now, in his Second Inaugural, Obama will be able to tell us about what has flourished in our nation.
Labels: Inaugural speech, planning a garden, seeds
posted by Chas Moore at
12:29 PM
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