Tuesday 18 September 2012

born a ramblin' man

Summer has been going strong in the palm garden... plants are growing fast, time is flying by fast, and I find myself with moments of pure joy.  This summer has been a sight to behold. I know it got off to a rocky start - I might have pre-emptively complained too much - but once it got going it ran!  The summer has been full of fun experiences and great time spent with friends both in the garden and out.  I'm starting to sound like I'm getting to my reflective mood.  To tell you the truth, that's exactly it. Reflect.  I guess that's part of who I am.  And in a sense the garden becomes an extension of those reflections.  A reflection of your travels, your current interests, a garden blog, your favourite foods, your dreams.  But then I have to wonder, does the garden become an extension of you, or do you become in a way part of the garden.  Growing with it.  Taking on new characteristics.  Or maybe it's both.  I sometimes wonder these things.

I wish I had some glorious tale of adventure.  I wish I could tour an epic palm garden.  But I suppose today, what I have to share is whats on my heart.  That is muddled.  If muddled is a state of the heart.  As life brings changes, challenges, and new experiences I sometimes feel lost in the mix.  It's actually the garden that feels the most clear sometimes. Sunshine. Palms. Yes please!

And in my state of muddlement, coffee has become an ever present companion. I got quite a kick out of the Parallel 49 Coffee Roasters! "Named after me!" Well not really, but I like to think so.  I whipped out the good ole hipstamatic to document the happy Parallel 49 mug.  I guess the coffee has become important in the ongoing investigation that is the muddlement. What does it all mean?

Really, I don't know. I suppose it's a possible state of anxiousness.  What will I do? Both in the ongoing saga of jobs and possible graduate schools, but also in the sunset on the most magical time of year.  I promised myself I wouldn't fret.  And on the subject of summer, it's still going strong. There's no need to worry - at least for the next few weeks if forecasts are right. But for now the investigation goes on.  And being the year of summer, both in the sense of warmth and of sunshine that I'm willing to continue all Fall and winter, and also in the state of mind I suppose I need not worry.  Maybe the muddlement is a good thing.  Maybe the muddlement is here to remind me.  To remind me to stop and soak it all in.  And maybe the muddlement is that soft fuzzy feeling of sunshine warming your cheeks.

10 comments:

  1. Warm coffee in a fun mug on a crisp autumn (sorry, really late summer for a couple more days) morning, reflecting on the triumphs of summer and planning some garden editing is some kind of wonderful! This time of year always elicits this kind of looking back and evaluating, looking forward and planning - another thing to love about fall!

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    1. If only the "f word" aka fall was always like it was today! It was hot and sunny! I just love it! You know its not so much this time of year that I fret. It's more the knowledge of January/February. I worked at Cedar Rim Nursery today and there was lots of fall plant shopping going on which was really happy to see. It kind of restored my hope that planting season is going strong!

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  2. That is stunning, so "palmy". The sunset even looks very subtropical, and all you need is a surfer dude and dudette walking by (too bad there's probably no surf in the harbor).

    Coffee w/ gardens - a necessity and not a luxury, Lat 49 or Lat 35.

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    1. I know! There would be paddle boarders!!!! I wish to join the paddle boarding crowd. The sunset picture was really blurry and grainy but I kind of thought it gave it a sense of legitimacy.

      Coffee and gardens are a way of living. They are like ying and yang.

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  3. So did they give you a mug for your very own? And that first palm pic, EPIC!

    I'm right there with you on the reflecting, this morning is unexpectedly cloudy and my mood is reflecting that. The blue skies and sunshine that has gone on for weeks (really...we've been so lucky) has to end at some point right? I'm trying very hard not to think about that but to enjoy every last second we have. This morning I read someone else on the blogosphere starting to plan for bringing in their tender succulents and for a few minutes I felt myself start to get depressed at the thought. Then I pushed that way and reminded myself to live in the moment...

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    1. I didn't get a mug! I WANT one though! maybe next time I'm out that way I'll buy one.

      Yes, live in the moment! It was a hot sunny afternoon up here. I actually had sweat on my brow. For me that says a lot. I'm one of those perpetual cold people. Don't worry, my succulents will be outside for quite some time still!! Most of my "tenders" are still zone 9 plants that can take light frost and that is off the radar for at least another month. It is STILL SUMMER!!!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!! think about that!

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  4. The first photo could have been taken in my neighborhood many miles from where you are. Love the last palm with sunset photo too.

    Nice they named the coffee place after your blog, you do need the mug. Graduate school south of the 49th with palms ands spiky plants?

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    1. Aww thanks! I love my big med. fan palm. It brings my heart so much joy!

      You're right, I do need the mug. I could get used to drinking my coffee out of it while I read all my favourite blogs! And I like your thinking about grad school. San Diego?!

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  5. Hey Louis! Sounds like you have a lot on your mind these days - I hear what you are saying. No matter where life takes you - you will always have the passion and joy that your garden and gardening brings you. I think a lot of people don't have a passion....or are still looking for it. On your most anxious day - you have a constant. Rock on Canadian friend. :)

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    1. Thank you very much Heather! Some days my mind does spin (especially the last few 13 hour days). Gardening does always lift the spirit. I really appreciate your kind words!

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