Thursday, March 26, 2020

Practicing social distancing ~ zen and the art of gardening



I was weeding the other day which I find very relaxing and zen-like (it is my favorite gardening activity) when I remembered the title of a long ago book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I don't have a motorcycle to maintain but I do maintain a garden that is full of weeds. I decided that a state of zen isn't a bad place to be right now, Hooray for weeds!


The crabapple allee along my driveway is just coming into bloom. I have never been able to capture how pretty it is with a photo. These trees are not supposed to do well in our area but so far they haven't found out...and I am not telling them!


My new gym.
 A couple of weeks ago when it became apparent that going to the gym was not a good idea I ordered a set of exercise bands from Amazon, now I think they are all sold out. I already had the weights. So now an area of my living room has now become the 'gym' where I can exercise and do yoga. When it gets warm enough I will move out to my deck, but for right now this is fine. 


 The white Lady Banks rose, Rosa banksiae 'Alba Plena' is covering the old greenhouse in blooms. The flowers are larger and a more typical rose form than the yellow and more common Lady Banks which lags a bit in its bloom time behind this one. I have both of them, to me they always say, "Spring in here".


Pasta has been completely sold out in our markets so yesterday on a lark I decided to get out my old pasta machine and make some. I can't remember when I did this last, and now I know why - it was a bit of a chore. However, it did turn out well and there is nothing better than fresh pasta. I put together a sauce from a couple of foraged tomatoes from a bush that had over-wintered in the garden. It really was quite a nice dinner. I vacuum packed and froze the rest (it made a huge amount) for later.


Lastly, I will leave you with this lovely yellow iris in bloom, I don't know it's name but it is extremely hardy, prolific, and repeat blooming. It is like a ray of sunshine and who doesn't need a ray of sunshine right now.


Thank you for visiting, I hope that you are following the guidelines and keeping safe. This is a very stressful and difficult time for our country but most people seem to be rising to the occasion and realizing how important the way they behave is effecting us all.

Take care and stay well

Adrienne 

11 comments:

  1. Love your beautiful garden. I do container gardening. My patio has always been full of flowers. This year I have not been able to get any. I broke my wrist right before new year's. It's better but now I can't go out. Please keep showing us your garden. It makes me happy.

    Renate

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, it will be so wonderful when we can all feel free to go out again.

      Take care and stay well.

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  2. I read that book years ago and found it very inspiring...
    I still use the pasta recipe that you kindly sent me years ago. Its is extra work but so delicious.
    They are rationing eggs, butter and flour in our local shops.

    Enjoy your peaceful weeding days...in your abundant garden.

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    Replies
    1. I made my weekly foray today and was able to get eggs, but no flour, little bread, no pasta, rice, paper goods, lunch meats, beans and hardly any meat. I feel like I am living in Russia during the cold war. Still I realize that all of these people working so hard in our markets are doing a tremendous, and right now hazardous job. That is the recipe I used, I had a little trouble remembering where it was but the light bulb went on and I found it. LOL I am so glad you have found it useful.

      Take care and stay well.

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  3. Your apple trees are beautiful! Since I normally visit the garden center about this time of the year and was not able to, I orders some tomato plants and basil plants online this year. They will be delivers around the third week of April. I am looking forward to some Zen gardening too!

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  4. Gardening is such a great way to find calmness and forget a bit what is going on in our world. I love to be out in the garden. Plus, it's such an exciting time with new growth pushing out of the ground and new leaves on the branches. Every day I find something new. Of course digging in the ground is also good exercise. Who needs a gym when you have a garden?

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  5. I don't mind weeding, my knees do bother me more now but have to push on.
    Your garden is just so beautiful. How I wish I could have roses look like yours. I love roses so much. They only look good here in early spring and in fall. Summer they are horrible looking. Well they were last year. Maybe this year will be different. Right now mulching azaleas. Trying to keep the roots close to the top covered.

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  6. Actually roses here are fairly dormant through our hot months too, just like tomatoes they seem to stop producing when it gets really warm. Spring of course is glorious!

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  7. Your garden is so beautiful and relaxing. My dear, little mother always found that time in her garden was the 'break' she needed from the busy world.
    ~Adrienne~

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  8. Thank you. I hope you are keeping safe and well.

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