“I’ve studied the marsh marigold, a little. Enough to know it’s not a marigold, but rather, a buttercup. I’ve dug a few in my day, and pulled them out of the muck, then into the bucket, and then, into the truck. However, our gardening day today was not wet, nor anywhere adjoined to a wetland. Yes, I’d been poured on yesterday, at the nursery. But plant shopping in the rain, is not a bad idea. My client was game to ride shotgun, in my work vehicle, so that we could share valuable time, making choices, amongst the many. It can be so confusing. Somehow, I thrive in that confusion. I’ve lived a life where people have always tried to correct my course, but to little effect. Unfortunately for them, I run on a natural clock, one that knows how to chase, real time. And real things. Like what’s important, and who matters. Not to mention, who is telling the truth. Plants, and I can vouch for this, are inherently honest and without subterfuge. So when you’re walking the grounds of a freshly opened garden center, it’s wise to listen to your instincts, and to allow the voices of emergent growth, to penetrate your mind. Don’t worry so much, about the decisions you make. Just bring few new friends home. And situate them in favorable conditions, so you can watch what they do. Plants don’t care so much, if they die. No need to overthink that. Let them do it, and proceed with confidence, until you tune your garden better, to your own frequency. I admit, this is more a guide for flowers, than vegetables, so take that, with a grain of salt. I’m all into, the beauty element, and unencumbered display of ornamental shrubs, and perennials, though these same principles can apply, to edibles, to some degree. I leave that, to the experts. We like to joke, on my crew, almost incessantly, to “call the professionals”. It’s both a pat on the back and an admonition, to continue to strive for the highest goals. But I digress. I was not unhappy, to be walking up and down many isles of shrubs, examining tags, with my client. Let’s call her, Helen. Because she too, is a person. With a huge heart, and career helping people in dire straits, which is something I happen to know about her. To be shopping with her, is to be partnered with someone who may not yet realize, that her incredible humanitarian skills, may extend, to plant life. Or maybe she does. These opportunities that arise for us, are no accident. We can mirror things, to each other. You, beautiful soul, are doing the right things. I almost want to shout this out. Because, the quiet folk who never expect to be spoken to directly, need to hear it. Those who fly way, way, under the radar, and turn away, reflexively, from any kind of unwarranted scrutiny. Yeah. I’ve had my fill, of a certain kind of cutesy angst. If you’re making money off being applauded, I’m over it. Sorry, music industry.”
