Simple Pleasures

In the vegetable garden there is a newly planted row of tomato seedlings standing to attention with the aid of some bamboo stakes. J'adore faire du jardinage.

Despite differences in culture and socio-economic backgrounds, there is a universal camaraderie amongst gardeners. Real gardeners. The ones who actually till the earth. I revel in the chance to "get down and dirty" in practical heavy-duty work wear and feel  privileged to be able to get my hands in the soil.  For many, it's not possible.  

Dora the scarecrow has watched over the vegetable patch and also 

our children who spent their holidays at Lily Pilly farm. She has survived 

the extremes of the seasons and endured a  couple of facelifts over the 

years. Our children are now adults and Dora still stands dutifully on 

guard.

Contemporaries often look askance when I tell them of my delight pottering in the yard, digging, rearranging and preparing the  beds and vegetable patch. "Oh I've a gardener for that", " I hate getting dirt on my hands", "We've no room for a garden" or " I don't garden - my nails!", are common responses when this topic is raised . Sadly, the many delights of having one's own plot of dirt are are rapidly being lost in urbanised communities.  

A Spring visitor to our garden.

The first apple from a
young tree.

Houses are being replaced by apartment living and suburban blocks (which once produced much of the family's food in the early 20 century) are being further subdivided into minuscule parcels of land with barely enough room to construct the all too common, oversized "boxes made of ticky-tacky" that speak of the financial success.... or stupidity of their occupants. Without their own patch of earth, urban dwellers are deprived of the nuances a garden provides that indicate the changing of the seasons.....and the joy of picking fresh flowers and tasty home-grown produce. 

Our delicious pears - harvested this year.

One small patch of Earth can be very
productive.

There is something magical to be able to commune with nature - it creates an inner peace that over rides the outer frustrations daily living. Gardening is a wonderful form of meditation. 


Shipping is a terrible thing to do to vegetables.  They probably get jet-lagged, just like people.  ~Elizabeth Berry

Addendum.

1. Still with husband, who kindly gave me advice about how to minimise the damage to Roger if I have a repeat encounter with a stationary gatepost ........... Something to do with turning the steering wheel in a particular direction when dismounting a steadfast object.

2. Insurance cover is generous after the excess (not so generous) has been paid.

3. Just avoided having a horrific car accident involving a truck and high speed, which puts the French kiss incident into perspective.

Thank you for your advice and encouraging words during this period of emotional disquiet.

Image courtesy of freeware.