Bottoms Up

[Amo]

Today I have been peeved. I hate the wind and I have probably changed three times, finally into shorts, before I am comfortable enough and even then a draft will make me think of my jeans nice and folded upstairs, until the sun comes out and warms me enough to be uncomfortable.

I have my head down at knee level and my hands rummaging in the plants, quite a few of which shouldn’t be there, and my mind wanders. For some reason the picture of my son recognising me in this position probably better than face first brings a giggle forth and I realise I have probably been doing this for more years than he has been alive! No wonder my backside is more familiar to him.

This position must bring a rush of blood to the head and my mind wanders. As I prod and poke around I think of the plants I am pulling, Forget Me Not, and give them a gentle shake before they go in the bin for the compost. The shake, of course, is to spread the last of the seed waiting for the soil that will bring next years plants. I think of the blue that will swamp the bed in the spring and the bulbs that will poke through it. The shrubs beside them that will later be in flower and the future years that this will be too big, and that will have passed its best and what should I be putting in to fill that gap.

Why is it that such a now, tactile, scented, eyeful of a hobby be constantly full of thoughts of next season and the next year and the future? I suppose without such thoughts last year I would not now be pulling the last of the Forget Me Nots up, have rose thorns in my fingers or be hit by the scent of Philadelphus at every turn.

At some point I finally remind myself to look at my endeavours, it may not always be today or tomorrow but I will. I will be given a glass of wine in a clean scrubbed hand and wander around looking at what has come forth from the soil in proper shoes and tidy clothes. I will enjoy the sights and inhale the scents and sip my wine and still find lengths of string in the pockets of my clean clothes just for that one last thing that needs tying in before bed. And remember to clean out the seal of the washing machine of other bits of string from other pockets, I’m always prepared. And to make that list of things I need urgently, wire, plant food, pen for labels. And that list of plants that will fill those gaps for next year to be ordered.

It’s a nice place the garden, a peaceful place, my space. All the more special when a little voice from he who shares it with me says, ‘It’s lovely what you’ve done to the garden, thank you,’ and I’m not peeved anymore.

[Tig]

Methinks you are a lucky lady Amo - 'Pax amor et lepos in iocando' ;D x Tig

[Shrubrose]

What a lovely piece Amo. It doesn't matter where we are, who we are or what we do, I'm sure we gardeners are all the same under the skin aren't we? ;D

And Tig, I dont know latin much - does your post mean something like 'peace, love and health in abundance' (it's the last bit I'm struggling with)?

[Amo]

Sense of humour Shrub. It my family motto. ;D

I was thinking of all the things that go through ones mind whilst gardening. And why do we always want a plant to flower so we can see it, pushing time forward, and yet have the infinate patience to grow from seed or cutting, slowing time down again? It's forever in flux with gardening.

But don't forget to stop and enjoy it!!!

[Jardack]

awww thats a lovely post Amo

It is always nice when we can sit back and enjoy our work - and to get compliments on it too!

Sláinte

Jardack

[nightowl]

That's one of the really great things about gardening - the results of all your hard work are so evident and satisfying

[Weeterrier]

Your post was very prettily poetic Amo, and your deep love of your garden shone through. Also your sense of peace with the world.
For myself, I never 'just sit' in the my garden, in fact, my seats are redundant. I think I love my individual plants more than the garden as a whole, so my idea of relaxation is to wander through it with a big mug of tea (it always tastes better to me outside) , head bent down, looking at each flower.
One of my neighbours is exactly the same, we laugh at each other.
Thanks for taking the time to write your post, it was lovely.

[Barbara]

every word amo

[andy]

although the bit about the shorts had me baffled....my shorts go on in March and stay on until November (obviously i change them and go to bed in my nightdress etc :

[Amo]

Lovely picture there Andy.

I'll go and hide now.....