Writing these articles takes place within the titular shed, and I consequently spend much time gazing out of the window at the ever-changing foliage in front of me. It’s not a huge garden, essentially a strip the width of a two-up two-down end of terrace, but the joy that I get from it is incalculable. This is, of course, all down to the efforts of Mrs H, who is permanently weeding, pruning, planting, and watering, along with the thousand other tasks required. For myself, I am rubbish at anything other than hard landscaping and clearance operations. I do occasionally mow the handkerchief, too.
So what is it that the garden does for me? It’s difficult to quantify, but throughout the day, there is a drip, drip of pleasure to be had. The deep intake of breath first thing in the morning as you step out and survey the kingdom. The changing hues of the seasons positively mark time as plants bloom and pass, being replaced by others. The sight and sound of sparrows darting between the gaps in the fence as they chase each other to the next juicy morsel. The long conversations to be had with the blackbird that sits atop my ladder every morning and every night. The sight of the hedgehog moving through as the day turns to dusk. And so much more. It’s a wonder I ever write anything.
Increasingly, I’m finding the shed and its view are a brilliant tonic from the relentless news cycle and its attached anxieties. I suppose it’s mindfulness, this living in the moment, but I suspect that it’s always been there, named or not, the unconscious understanding that taking the time to observe the wonder of life, that is all within easy reach, is an essential survival tool in today’s world and one I am very lucky to have.
This week’s sounds have included the brilliant Steady Habits (slightly muddy sound, but fabulous song with the word ‘Garden’ in the title!) and the fabulous Wednesday, both from albums that came out last week. The radio show was yet another blast, including Gordy Quist, Mia Wilson, Jeff Tweedy, Jonathan Peyton, and many more. As ever…
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