Comments on: Our Garden in the Woods

By: Jean

Jean — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:39:31 +0000

Marc,
Thank you for the kind words. They made my day.

By: Marc

Marc — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 06:14:28 +0000

You are always so thoughtful and gentle…when I stop in and read I leave a little more peaceful.I will think of the woods differently now. I do love nature, but never quite thought of it as a garden….or being preferable to a domestic garden.

Marcs last blog post..Would you wear these Fall makeup trends? ?

By: Jean

Jean — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:45:45 +0000

Diane,
We sympathize with you about the gophers. I wish I could find that picture of Andy looking at the gopher hole that our bean plant disappeared down. I still remember the expression on his face.

Gophers have gotten some of our fruit trees, too. Andy buried hardware cloth at least two feet deep around the replacements. That has helped a lot.

By: Diane

Diane — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:08:31 +0000

Hi Jean,
I just planted some new seeds and they are just sprouting up right now. I think I enjoy the process most. Watching them mature and then harvesting the produce. I enjoy the end result. So I guess its both too. And I feel the same about the analogy of children in regards to plants. I have some plants that are older than my children. A gopher just ate 5 of my precious white roses that I have enjoyed for years. So sad.

By: Jean

Jean — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:12:39 +0000

Evan,
I agree. The main thing is not to get so obsessed with the future goal that one forgets that life is in the here and now. I’ve come across a lot of blogs urging us not to be “mediocre”. Somehow they seem to be saying ordinary life isn’t enough, we have to push ourselves to be outstanding. That’s not my style. It sounds like it’s not yours either.

rummuser,
I’m looking forward to seeing the picture of your garden.

By: rummuser

rummuser — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:52:21 +0000

Oh, yes indeed. I am still considered an odd ball for the way our garden has evolved. To start with, I refused to have a lawn and instead used paving stones with gaps in which grass grows. This enables us to cast bird seed so that birds can feed off the ground. Less maintenance problems and hardly any water. Next, the theme is, as many different plants along the borders as possible. So, instead of a garden, we have a mini jungle. I shall publish a photograph too now that you have given me the inspiration for a post. Thank you. rummusers last blog post..Marriage Violence and Divorce.

By: Evan

Evan — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:41:42 +0000

It is possible to enjoy doing with no excess or strain. The most prouductive can be enjoying the doing. So I think the goal of the productivity approach is compatible with enjoying the adventure. But the attitude of doing only for the result and not for the sake of the doing itself are not compatible.

When I’ve contemplated things that others find foolish (and there have been many – I’m widely regarded as eccentric) I’ve usually decided I need to do it for me. So far I’ve always been glad. My regrets are about the ones I didn’t do.

Evans last blog post..Eight Steps for Working with a Deep Difference in an Important Relationship #1

By: Jean

Jean — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:09:44 +0000

Tracey,
Amen to that! There’s so much emphasis now-a-days on productivity and goals that I think many people miss the connection.

By: Tracey

Tracey — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:01:05 +0000

I liked your comment about a garden being like a child. Only last week I went to a psychic who asked me about my new garden bed (created just weeks before). Since I am not a gardener, and only planted a vegie patch because it felt *right*, I was surprised that she picked up on this. She said the reason I needed to do this, despite my very un-green thumbs was because nurturing the garden and vegies was akin to spiritually nurturing myself. As I watched the plants grow, I was growing spiritually. So your anology fits well with me too.

As for the two approaches to life (productivity/achievement versus the adventures), I don’t think they’re incompatible at all. In fact, I think the real magic about achieving is that you get more (or at least, as much) out of the journey than the destination.

Great post!

Traceys last blog post..Get Ducked, Karma!