The soil at my summer house is adobe. Unless it is moisturized, it takes a pickax to make a hole in it. Then there are rocks; big, little, everywhere, you want to dig a hole.
There are trees around my house; maple, cottonwood and weeping willow. Mostly they all have water seeking roots. They may send out a tiny root to find a hole anywhere there may be a water source, like plumbing. Pipes in-and-out and all around the house. The trees considered any pipe an opportunity and a challenge to get into its water. The plumber gets called a lot here.
With the soil and the needy tree situation, any gardening that is done is done in raised beds. I made such a garden 3-4 years ago. The tree near it was appreciative. It sent its roots right into the garden. The plants in the garden did OK but the tree really flourished
Today I am going to move the raised bed. I used to do everything myself but in the past year I found I needed help. A local man has been available and we get along well. He is a big man and very happy to have work. He laughs a lot, and is contagious. He knows the best ways to do outside work. I appreciate him and expect he will do the heavy lifting, and I will cheer him on.
On my journey, as I am working to reenter life, I see my efforts comparable to the trees, seeking nourishment. Some days I am the water gulping cottonwoods and weeping willows. I feel compelled to send out roots everywhere. Maybe a small root. I talked to a woman at the grocery store the other day. We had conversations over several aisles about where to find stuff.
Other days, I feel like the hardwood trees, like the maples. I don’t need as much water. I go looking all over the store for what I need. I won't ask anybody. I have to check almost every aisle before I find it. I glower at the man trying to make a joke about the store. Indicating it is a remnant of a store; having few customers. He is not funny and I take offense. He is insulting my local store. Not only am I being protective of my tightened boundaries, but I have taken in the entire store. We both need to be protected from this invasive man.
I am not a naturally social person. When I am in the water seeking mode, I have to extend myself. The motivation is there and I’ll reach out. The interaction is rewarding, but I have to go home and collect my protective self.
Re-entering the world is work. I don't have my social spouse making a path for me anymore. I have to open the doors by myself. Sometimes they want to stay stuck.
Today I will laugh with the helper who is moving my raised garden bed. I will have new soil. I will be protective of it and look forward to crops of tomatoes and squash. I will be the water seeking entity today.
My protective self, needing less water, will try to fool the greedy trees from entering my new garden. They are relentless. They are going to have to go elsewhere.
My garden and I need time to ourselves, away from them.
Let me know how you are doing. I care.
Contemplation: Do some trees and persons need more water to flourish; and some less?
Sincerely,
Lynn Brooke
© 2023 Our New Chances
Photo Credit: © 2023 Rachel Gareau
コメント