Even though they said it would rain, it didn't. Yesterday was filled with sun, a funeral, a consultation about a tankless water heater, and the planting of several new little plants. Over the winter, feeling a deep and sad longing for spring, I joined Arbor Day. As a thank you, I was assured I would be sent "10 flowering trees plus a lilac bush!" Sure enough, at the "appropriate planting time for [my] region" a muddy bag of twigs showed up in my mailbox. I feel a bit guilty to admit that while I felt mild excitement at my trees, I felt more dread over the thought of trenching ten large holes in the sandy, rocky soil that is my yard.
After consultation with the beloved, if at times finnicky about where to plant things in the yard, husband, we were able to come to a level of agreement ("I'm planting it there whether you like it or not.") on where the "baby trees" would take root. I set about digging my holes.
Now what I wonder, am fascinated by, is the process of growth that, if I followed the planting directions correctly, should now occur. These sticks (and they do look like sticks) will grow into beautiful, overtly showy blooms someday. That is, if my puppy is able to restrain herself from ten new chew-things pointing up out of the ground. How do humans wait for growth? I think of the years that will span before these twigs even begin to resemble plants. Do they have an inner wisdom about what is to come...or do they tumble blindly into the future like people? I feel an antsy anticipation...wanting beautiful trees in the quasi-wasteland of my back yard NOW...and wanting to be one of those people who can peacefully accept the process of each bit of growth week by week, month by month, year by year. Will I still live in this home by the time my twigs have become beautiful trees? Or will I have planted roots for beauty in a stranger's life?
After my dramatic ramblings, I guess I should fess up and admit that I got through planting half the twigs. The rest are sitting in a cardboard box on my front lawn that I'm just sure I'll get to planting this weekend.
4 comments:
You should be a writer not a chef!! Haha!
Or maybe you should write about your cooking! Share some dish on your dishes...
At this rate your ramblings will surpass mine in volume in about ... three days.
I love your writing - and I always have. I just might be your biggest fan. I am a bit curious as to why in the world you were awake and writing before the sun had risen? Happy planting.
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