The Un-Contained Garden

Comparison is the death of joy.

~ Mark Twain

P

interest is an enabler. 

Every time I go on there, I am reminded of how messy and imperfect my life is.

A couple of weekends ago, some friends and I sat and re-wrote and discussed our writing projects under the shade of an apple tree. And we declared it good. Then I looked up gardens and entertaining in the garden and drooled over pictures and photographs of pristine English gardens.  And I declared my back yard a disaster. 

Standing several feet from my garden last weekend, it was undeniable.

Because the grass was so high after days of rain, that I was forced to stand several feet away or risk getting attacked by ticks or the very remote possibility of stepping on a copperhead.  (Haven’t seen one in years but it would just be my luck.)

I quickly became morose.  How was I ever going to make my ratty backyard look like something out of Downtown Abbey?  It would take a landscape designer, a mason, a construction crew, and a mountain of dirt and crushed gravel to make it happen.  Not to mention since we try to live as organically sustainable as possible, I would have to hunt down organic flower growers.

My vegetable garden | © Mikaela D’Eigh

And then the rain stopped, the lawn was mowed, and I was able to spend time digging in my gardens, weeding, transplanting, and getting dirt under my manicured nails. (Who says you can’t look pretty while getting down and dirty?) 

And standing on the freshly swept patio, looking at my herb garden and the orchard beyond, it struck me like the scent of a hay field after a storm: this is the view my heart needs.  

A proper English garden is lovely, yes.  But the confinement, and the straight lines, and trimmed hedges don’t fit my personality.  I’m all about curves mixed in with straight lines.  

And when my straight lines meander carelessly, I let them.

My patio would lose the open view of the side yard and orchard if I put up trellises and walls.  The view from the picture window in the kitchen would feel dark and dreary if we added a covering.  And paths are well and good, but what mysteries and views would I lose if I allowed a path to force me in a certain direction?

In that moment, I fell in love with my gardens and my yard for the first time all over again.  My beautiful land, with her lush curves and soft edges, is more French Impressionism then English River School. 

And that suits my un-contained heart just fine.

Oremus pro invicem,

~ Mikaela

Posts on La Belle are written with the following fonts: Georgia, Times New Roman, Vivaldi, Edwardian, and occasionally Baroque Script.

S is for Sustainable: Happy Earth Day!

Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.

~ Theodore Roosevelt

Back in January, I began the One Page a Day Challenge and immediately threw away my quill.  Now in April, I’m participating in the A to Z Blogging Challenge and prepping for a Wilderness Writers’ Retreat.  I need ink, a stiff drink and therapy.

H

appy Earth Day!

I’ve been gardening seriously for a couple of years now, dedicated to being organic and as sustainable as possible.

This means no chemicals, pesticides, no GMO seeds or compost.  Companion planting.  Respecting the seasons and plant cycles.

It’s difficult to be 100% sustainable without livestock to help provide manure, etc.  But I’m on the road.

At least to healing my little bit of earth.

S is for Sustainable

One of my farming heroes and role models is Joel Salatin.  Not only is he committed to sustainable farming and living, but he has an acerbic wit and way with words.  He wrote an article for Mother Earth News back in January that says it better than I could.

Healing the Earth

Happy Earth Day ~ hope you have a chance to get out there and imbibe some with Mother Nature!

Oremus pro invicem,

~ Mikaela

How did you celebrate Earth Day?

La Belle's Hobby Farm: Seed Packet Art by Ben Hatke

The art of gardening.  In this the artist who lays out the work, and devises a garment for a piece of ground, has the delight of seeing his work live and grow hour by hour; and, while it is growing, he is able to polish, to cut and carve, to fill up here and there, to hope, and to love.

~ Prince Albert

In December, I am continuing to participate in the Two Pages-a-Day writing challenge.  And trying desperately to get in the holiday mood.

I

‘m so excited!

My greatest accomplishment in the garden this year (besides a bumper crop of tommy toes, basil, and marigolds) was saving seeds to plant in the spring.

Of course, I gathered way more than I will ever use ~ ever see a field of marigolds?  And several friends who now have a “bit of earth” and the desire to garden, have asked for some seeds.

But I didn’t want to just give them the seeds in plastic baggies; I always forget what the seeds are when people give them to me. (Note to self: put seed gifts in jars with labels).

So I asked my friend Ben Hatke to come up with some seed packet art.  And boy did he deliver!

Image credit: Ben Hatke

Image credit: Ben Hatke

Image credit: Ben Hatke

You may recognize Ben's  name: he's the artist and master mind behind the Zita the Spacegirl books.  In which case, these beautiful watercolours will not surprise you, but they will make you smile.

What fun!  I get to support a friend and a talented artist and my friends get to enjoy organically grown seeds in a special package designed with them in mind!

Oremus pro invicem,

~ Mikaela

What gifts from your garden are you giving this year?