When a flower is just a flower
The problem with seeing metaphors everywhere
This Spring, I’ve felt an incredible urge to garden. Being outside, the messiness of the dirt, and the relative lack of control of the plants coming up are a nice counterbalance to being stuck inside finishing my graphic novel.
I’ve never had much success with gardening and I think that’s because I haven’t invested enough in making sure there’s healthy soil. This is indeed a good metaphor for life—making sure your base is fertile.
For me, my “soil” has a lot to do with health. Making sure I’m sleeping well, seeing friends, eating well, and getting out in nature. All of these things are the basis for my creativity and productivity.
See? I can’t help myself finding metaphors everywhere. Even when they get peed on by my dog.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with gardening! Have you gotten better over time (as I aim to do)? Or admitted defeat? Or been lucky enough to inherit a green thumb from your grandparent?
Putting my design skills to use
While I may not have gardening skills, I do have design skills, so I decided to put those to use towards my garden. Although I’ve been using this Minnesota pollinator garden plan as a template, I had to make modifications based on the size of my space and the plants that were available at the nursery.
Since I couldn’t visualize how the plants would look together, I decided to hop into Adobe Illustrator and make a more visual plan.
I still have to keep the plants alive and the critters away, but this is a good start!
Leif love
Leif has been enjoying the Spring weather with runs in the woods full of critters. This morning we saw his first beaver, a wild turkey, and startled a duck that was sitting in the middle of the trail.
These photos were from the “Enchanted Forest Trail.” I love Enchanted Forests either in real life or books, especially when accompanied by my loyal steed, Leif!
Take care and keep creating everyone!
Oooh I love that garden plan!
I cannot keep indoor plants alive if my life depended on it, but I started outdoor veggie gardening about 4 years ago, and it's been very successful! And totally therapeutic. Also I think I like that there is a set time in the year for it - late spring and summer. By the end of the season, I welcome the break for winter/hibernation. (Totally a metaphor in there)