12-04-08

Persistence

Roma, originally uploaded by shellgreenier.

I use to think of winter, not as hibernation but as the phoenix season. The easiest way to describe it would be by the cliche’ phoenix myth, but instead of a majestic bird, picture a church mouse and instead of a dramatic burning of the self into ash, it plays out more like this: the mouse bumps into a gasoline can and splashes some of the liquid onto his fur. Shocked, he backs into a nail…leaning against a shovel and as it slides to the ground it kicks a spark which ignites the mouse and in the end the mouse becomes reincarnated…as a mouse that smells like soot. This is the phoenix season.

I’m taking it out on the plants. As much as I wish they would all stay the same and all grow the way they are, they all require to be trimmed and cut back in order to thrive and come back better (stronger, smarter, they can rebuild you!). So arms get lobbed off and neighbors get pulled out by the roots. I couldn’t quite kill the caterpillars on the passion flower, so I cut her back and left the clippings laying on the ground so they could finish their lunch and have time to find something else.

If it is so easy in the garden, why is it so difficult in real life? Not like the lobbing of arms, but the burning to the ground? (bridges and things)

About the pic: Roma has been with us for ever, since we started the garden. She’s survived drought, floods, bugs and kids. Who am I to kill her off with dedication like that? So a few weeks ago when all was dead except a sprig at the top (and to this point I hadn’t had much luck with rooting a tomato clipping), I dug the plant up, cut off the top and stuck it back in the dirt, wishing it well and going on my way. Well, true to Roma fash, she grew. That is persistence.

There is much to learn from the garden. Pure, unadulterated nature.