By Joan Whetzel
Last
weekend one of my cousins (Meg) shared on Facebook, that she had “a million
things” she was supposed to do last weekend. But instead, she decided to stay
home and work on her flowerbeds. Though the other activities may have proven
more interesting, the “gardening therapy” did far more for her soul than the
ones she rejected.
Suddenly
several other people joined the conversation with similar responses of having
done some sort of gardening therapy. My daughter, oldest granddaughter, and I
mowed and edged the yard and weeded a flower bed that Friday. And, though it’s
not gardening therapy, we washed our cars on Sunday.
The
general discourse around “gardening therapy” examined parallel themes of
enjoying the sunshine and pleasant temperatures (mid-80s for the highs here),
getting a little exercise (good for the body and the soul), and the fact that
it’s one of those therapies that’s way-ay-ay-ay more calming and way- ay-ay-ay cheaper
than shopping therapy. Yeah, that’s something I learned a long time ago. Though
I do dip my toes into the shopping therapy pool on occasion, I can’t afford it.
And besides, shopping therapy doesn’t feed my soul. It just leaves me with a
bunch stuff I can’t afford and don’t
usually want to take care of.
Gardening
Therapy, on the other hand, (includes mowing for me), not only makes me feel
physically better, it makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something
worthwhile. And when my daughter and I are done, we have something tangible to
show for our efforts – a yard that looks nice. Even though it tends to tire us
out, it’s funny how much that use of energy energizes us, and inspires us to
accomplish other tasks (like the car wash).
I
think the biggest thing about Gardening Therapy, is that it reminds me of the
Gardening Therapy my Grandma Pauken indulged in. No, my yard and my flowerbeds
will never look as grand, colorful, and beautiful as hers. But nowadays, I have
a much healthier appreciation for the time she spent puttering out in her yard.
Especially during when there’s nothing to do out in the yard. I kinda miss
working out in the yard then.
Snow???
I live in Southeast Texas. What is snow? Does shoveling snow count as Gardening
Therapy?
