Good Night, Garden.
So. That sucked. Swine flu, that is. It took approximately two weeks of my life and managed to slam me right into fall. I’m serious. I have no idea what has gone on in life since my sister’s wedding. But, true to form, I’ve found a new metaphor for now, and its helping me wrap my arms around it all. Today, Owen and I put the garden to bed. 
In a way it’s only fitting that this summer end in a haze-it’s been an unanchored year where for the first time in my adult life I’ve really just existed in the now–no six month, one year, five year plan. Just how am I getting though this day, this week, this month. But fall and leading into winter doesn’t allow for that kind of self-indulgence. Fall is all about planning, and prepping, for the long winter ahead.
So these are the thoughts running through my head as Owen and I pull down fencing and pull up plants, one pile headed to garbage and the other to compost. We talk about the successes of the summer–over 100 tomatoes harvested, batches of pesto, delicate onions… and the failures–sprouts that held promise but never materialized, peppers colonized by those ambitious tomatoes— and I just cant help but see it all as a perfect little capsule for my year. I’ve had some significant successes–Care2 for starters (did I mention my strategy call on the PATRIOT Act with folks from the CATO Institute and The Economist? No? Oh. IT WAS FREAKIN’ UNREAL!) and work on another film, this time with some fantastic ladies at the helm, for starters. And there’s been plenty of setbacks- I’m still not writing enough (this site is proof positive of that) and I had a couple projects turn south because of failing to trust my instincts on folks.
But like the tomatoes and the peppers, I’m turning them both over to see what they bring in spring. My dad always says that gardening makes a person an eternal optimist, and I have to say I agree with Bruce. Optimism doesn’t come easy to me, but thanks to Owen and the garden, I’m learning. And for the first time since moving to Minnesota, I’m looking forward to the coming winter. I’m ready to settle in- I’ve got a freezer full of food from the summer- a garage full of firewood, and a head full of ideas. I can rest up from the year’s struggle and subsist on the year’s successes while I conjure up new sprouts for spring. I’ve never seen the romance of winter before, but there it is.
Gah. Sorry. But see what I mean??? The change of seasons has made me CONTEMPLATIVE. This is new for me- analytical yes, but contemplative? That’s a little emo. Maybe that’s the point of this last year–embracing my inner emo. Who knows, but on that note, good night garden. It was real.
October 10th, 2009 | 
Tags: Care2, emo, film, garden, metaphor, Minnesota, Owen, winter | Category: Care2.com, Mommy, The Family, The Garden |
2 comments | 
Comments 
Nice job of capturing the essence of the spirit of Fall, a time of ending and preparing for the Winter days and nights ahead. When you work the soil, whether for survival, profit, enjoyment, or perspective, you become aware of the seasons of your own soul while achieving a symbiosis with those who have gone before and will follow. The unity of that harmony,as the earth silently crumbles in your dirtied hands,devoid of meaningless chatter, fortifies the character for the adversities called “the human experience.” Thanks again for reminding all of us who are often too deafened by the cacophony of our own hubris.
nicely said and summed up jess. i just put away the wilted remains of my little garden, a couple of tomatoes, cukes and peppers….don had picked the savables while i was away in california. i dug up the garlic…something new for me and hope it will last at least part of the winter along with the dried tomatoes and a few jars of sauce.
minnesota winters are interesting, but i enjoy them…you know what to expect and learn to enjoy the quiet and the opportunity of new things and time to explore them.