philosophy 101

In response to an older post; Judi, I had no idea Ailanthus trees were invasive- I spent much of my childhood perched high in the branches of one of those, reading for hours and hours. There was a perfect grouping of branches where I could settle back just like I was in a recliner chair. When I wasn't up in it, you'd find me sitting on the grass under it, leaning against the trunk. Oh, how I loved that tree.

Never too much 'Lucifer'. I have one little patch of it and am lusting for more. It is such a pop of red.

Earlier in the spring, i couldn't get enough plants, now, I've slacked off. That is until I saw that a bulb co-op will be starting soon. When the spring bulbs bloomed, I had a lot of yellow, now I will need to fill in with more colors.

I have slacked off with weeding, too. What is that all about?

Okay, so what is going on here - hand is in the air for having run out of plant buying energy. Hmmmm. And like Katye, my 'let's make more beds' energy is on low go too - I go back to weed (yes, they do come back), and sort of dwaddle around, barely getting one barrow full, and even that wasn't brim-to-the-the-top-and-over- full - it was just at a full that allowed me to put my tools away. But having said that, last weekend I did, sort of, almost, scout out a possible maybe of one last bed in the wild area.

Hope springs, but for just now, I think I'll continue to dwaddle.

Oh, that's it, I garden so I can spend some time dwaddling. Permission received. Stamp approved.

So now I go back to my question - In an economy that is in a major slump and many people all over are struggling and barely making ends meet, excess of anything just does not feel good. And it seems a lot of us on DG have many many plants and that may not seem in excess to us, but are we becoming more sensitive to conditions beyond our own gardens and lives? Could that be why we (me included) are running out of plant buying energy? I am finding more pleasure in the dividing, moving, and taking cuttings of plants than buying. If we see reduced consumer spending on non-essentials and so many not being able to feed and shelter their families, is this being reflected in our gardening?

Yes, hope springs eternal, Laurie. A new bed - yippee

Possibly, Judi. We can continue to play around in our gardens by dividing and rearranging and taking cuttings without having to buy. Swaps are great for getting new things. Maybe also a shift to more edibles, which I'm planning for next year. We also are saving for a family get-away next August. Everytime I'm drawn to a plant, I think about next summer. However, there will be a co-op for bulbs starting soon and it will be tempting. I may get some pretties.

I am thinking more on the subliminal side.......

I am catching up on two months' worth of this thread & came to the same conclusion about the economy's effects just before getting to your post about it!

You all are such a thoughtful bunch.

My immediate neighbors view their yards & gardens as something to battle. Grass to cut, trees to trim, hedges to shear, leaves to burn, snakes & squirrels to kill. They are in a constant fight with all living things, it seems.

Provocative questions, Judi...and good for thorough consideration.

I view my property as something that was entrusted to my care: we worked hard to find a place that met our needs (location, services...), and had the amount of sun, air circulation (essential in a damp climate), a rich soil base & most importantly - a well. In short - a wise investment.
I take the issue of stewardship & responsibility very seriously, never forgetting that i have something that many do not. However, many people DON'T want this - they have no interest in it. No problem...

My scaling back has more to do with stewardship, and diminishing time/energy. I am getting older & recognize the limitations that will eventually set in, which is natural. I will most likely die in the garden, as I prefer to be outside above all else, LOL.

This land IS an essential part of my life - land has a rich history of importance to all cultures, which really hit home while living on an Island, where space is severely limited.
This is also my living canvas for "functional" art. I have tried to create something pleasant to see & be in, enrich the land by keeping the soil healthy, and grow fruit/veggies to eat. I am a collector of plants - I use them in the landscaping & grow them on to offer to others. These plants have several functions: pleasing to the eye/nose/touch as well as providing nutrients for the insects/birds, etc. I analyse my purchases, weighing them individually. I don't "do" trendy.

I feel no "guilt" associated with money spent on plants, because I don't spend money on lots of other things that most would consider "normal" purchases. Plus, I grow many things from seed.
My outward focus would be in the arena of encouraging others to experience both the labour & joy of growing plants, and the tending of whatever space one has to grow in. There is much to be learned in this endeavour; one I believe to be extremely rewarding as it forces us to a different perspective of the world in which we live and forges a bond to it.
In regards to consumer spending, i feel it is important to trade $ for products to keep the economy moving. I am a huge proponent of supporting the local businesses - this helps stabilize & strengthen the community.

Q's: what is the definition of "excess"? And where does one draw the line?
Is the situation as dire as portrayed in the Media, or, are our emotions being played upon?
What constitutes an extravagant purchase?
These are questions that everyone will answer differently depending on one's perspective.

I do not believe that the majority of people are emotionally equipped to deal with the vast amount of available knowledge, particularly that which is unpleasant. This knowledge produces angst, because it is overwhelming: deep down inside, we face the truth of not being able to correct it.

Something to chew on: if the objective is to equalize economic standing for all, what are you willing to give up/do without ?
Technology, Science, medicine, public transportation, infrastructure, choices, etc...?

Chewing......

Kayte, you have hit on the reason I don't bother watching cable TV, or any news shows at all. Too much I can do absolutely nothing about, even if I wanted to. Plus, the 'marketing' of news to the lowest common denominator in terms of human entertainment is just loathesome to me. I prefer to get my news via newspapers, radio,, and specific websites where I can 'titrate the dose' of human suffering I have to endure in order to be informed about the world.

Although the economy is certainly in a big slump that will likely go on for a few more years, I prefer to focus on the fact that in spite of record unemployement, most people are, in fact, still working. If we have 8% unemployment, that means we have 92% employed. I know that is small comfort to the many who are on unemployment insurance, or who are trying to find that first job or who are losing their homes, but I do think it's important to keep a perspective here. I, too, think it is important to support local businesses, but I also believe that the general idea of buying things just to keep the money moving in the economy is going to have to come to an end. That's how we got where we are. I like Kayte's idea of 'measuring' each purchase carefully. I wish I could say that I was better at that, but I am truly trying to be so.

I wish I could say that my slowing down on buying plants has something to do with the economy and people suffering, but I fear it does not. If it is a subliminal response it is buried very deeply. It has to do with only having 24 hours in a day and no staff in sight to work the garden for me - and also with my own physical suffering as at the end of a 12 hour gardening day I hurt pretty badly. I think it also has to do with changing tastes in gardening and wanting a cleaner look. This goes for the house as well. DH and I are getting very, very good at getting rid of junk we don't need or want. Hey, maybe that means we're getting ready for retirement!!

Here's a non-gardening photo for your enjoyment. I took this photo at the Chihuly Glass Bridge in Tacoma last week. That bridge has likely been photographed 10,000 times already.

That is one great picture. I am also winding down my life style and getting rid of junk. You truly should not leave a mess for your children to clean-up. My step-mom told me that years ago and now I believe it.

I read something funny the other day: "Who are you willing the margarine tubs to?"

That is funny.

Pix that's a wonderful photo. I have never heard about that bridge - another outing I need to plan!

Summerkid, that is funny!

I so relate to the 'margerine tub' quote!!! I have a thing about pots and containers. I'm always sure I will need all that I have plus many, many more at any given moment for ... something. They are like comfort food for me LOL The garden shed was full, the wood shed was full, one walk was full...Anyhoo I bit the bullet and started recycling and donating them this summer.

It is really hot here today, as I'm sure it is for a lot of you as well. The forecast is for more of the same for the next 5 days. Yesterday was beautiful and I spent the day "cleaning up" the garden. I think I have a control problem. As I walk through the neighborhood I admire the messy and overgrown gardens but when it comes to my own, I find myself trimming and weeding. Mind you, it is not all tidy and neat, but why can't I let just let it relax?

Judi, maybe because you are a newbie and just want to experience every part of gardening all the time. :) Possibly.

Judi's a newbie? So I can tell her any old thing?

Relatively speaking, but she is learning fast. I still think of myself as a newbie, compared to some. I'm learning a whole bunch of cool info here on DG.

:0 on the "telling her any old thing". I'd believe it, if it came from DG.

I just came inside from eating a tomato sandwich in the rain. I can't remember ever doing this before, but the sandwich was delicious & the rain felt good - I was hot from digging up sod the past 3 hours.
Dessert was blueberries in the orchard - yum. All done feels all wonderful!

Another perspective Judi would be that you desire to nurture what is yours, to maintain it, to show it at its best. What belongs to others is a visual salve for you, but the owners' responsibility to tend. I think this falls under the category of "editing" - we see other gardens, etc as a whole. But when its your responsibility to take care of your own - you see everything, including what you consider flaws.
Another aspect to this is that regular maintenance helps cut down the workload over time. This is what has driven me the past 2 years - I see the results of my labours: it is gratifying & encouraging. But I won't dismiss the fact that I feel so alive & "at home" among the plants. The wildlife is a plus, as well.
And the plants are happy campers, too!
Bonbini:

I should take pix of what happens to a newish-but-well-tended garden when the gardener thought she would be out of here by June. It's astounding!

Believe me, once the humans have died off, anyone visiting this planet would have no signs that we ever existed, by my reckoning.

Summerkid - that's a great mental image - vines and trees covering everything trace of our existence. Tall skyscrapers would be felled by enthusiastic plants and turned into big trellises.

Katye I think you are on to something, about seeing other gardens as a whole but seeing our own in more detail. But the flaws in the gardens of others seem charming and in mine, I see them magnified.

Question of the day - would you rather get new shoes or new plants? We seem to run out of space for both of these items, yet we seek more and more.......

This message was edited Jul 26, 2009 9:53 AM

When faced with such a question, I feel a decided pout coming on. Why must I choose between shoes and plants? I must have both. In terms of shoes, I no longer go for looks alone. I am always in search of the perfect comfort and arch support. In terms of plants, I am no longer spellbound by a pretty 'face' alone. I must live in my zone and have nice foliage. I am either getting harder to please or more discerning, depending on how one looks at it. I see a pattern here. I've decided that I will go for choice 'C': both. Oh, and also, I am getting very,, very good at getting rid of shoes, and also getting rid of plants when either of these things no longer fit my needs.

Katye, did you say rain? You got rain?

I am the only female on the planet immune to the whole shoe thing. I have maybe 6 pairs. BUT a new pair of Asics running shoes always catches my eye ...

I love me some big stompy boots. Hard to resist them. But I'd choose plants 99% of the time.

Barefeets are my fav shoes but I luv my big trusty gum boots for mucking about in the garden.

saturday i was blessed by a late thunderstorm-wanna-be. Big splatty drops - lasted about 20 minutes.Rain is not bad when it's 90° out...

Katye whatever rain dance you did please do another for the rest of us! It's soooo hot. I would head for the beach if I didn't have a doctor's appointment. By the way, is there is good beach town that allows dogs on the beach on the Washington coast?

http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/guides/beach/beachstateWA.shtml

I saw a pair of fleece lined clogs in a catalog that gave me the jitters. Haven't bought many plants this year.

oh that makes my feet hot just thinking about it!

Have been out of touch on this thread for a long time, but will chime in again here.

First of all, I am so jealous of those of you who got rain on Saturday. My employees that live close to work in Federal Way said that they got about a half an hour. We watched the clouds collect over the mountains, and the air got oppressive, but then it cleared up and just got hot as hades again.

Judy, I know exactly what you are saying about being able to overlook flaws in other gardens, but seeing them glaring at you in your own. I think that Katye is right, it has something to do with enjoying the overall effect of the garden of another, while feeling the need to "edit" our own so that the overall effect percieved by others is what we would like it to be.

As for shoes, my favorites have always been bare feet as well, but since I have moved out into the country and have to traverse an awful gravel driveway to get anywhere in the yard that is then full of stickers/splinters/other hazards, I have learned that good garden shoes are a must. I swear I used to be able to walk through anything barefoot, and now I do the "virgin foot dance" even stepping off of the deck to walk the dog.

Still would rather have plants than shoes, but am somewhat embarrased when I end up wearing my old tattered heels with a nice outfit if and when I ever get out!

Hot hot hot!! I am incredulous that it can actually be this warm here. I haven't really minded it, but I did have to create a bit of shade for my dahlias. They were burning! And the bergenia leaves are crispy. I cannot believe I am deliberately CREATING shade in my yard!

I yearn for a pair of the most beautiful high heels that I have ever seen - high, but not skyscrapers, they had dignity, the colour of fresh creamy coffee, hand made with leather that you just wanted to stroke, shoes to dance a steamy tango in (which I also can't do). Oh, to die for, and my feet would just be screaming in moments, if I ever managed to descend the stairs and traverse the polished floors. Risky. Alas, I was always 'tall' growing up, and being taller than the guy you wanted to date when a teen was a tremendous NO! (Why did we all believe that the flower power movement meant liberation for women! NO SUCH THING! I just remember it as being ditsy floaty sexist). Too late now to switch, I am a flattie, and I walk much too fast.

I have to go with the wellies, hiking boots, and the marvellous off road running shoes Inov8 - goodness they are brillant.

Plants. Love em. Books. Always. Hand tools. Yes! Groceries? Hmmmm, nuisance shopping. Laundry powder. Boring. So ends my shopping list.

Yes Pix it certainly is hot! 107 in Portland today and the same expected for tomorrow.

Laurie I have dreams about those high heels and I have a few pairs from my working days. Now they seem silly. Yes they got some glances (I admit to having decent legs) but at this point in my life they are just too tiresome - unless I have to show up somewhere an ex might be.

My order of things to acquire - food (love to cook), books, plants. Plants would take a higher position but my garden is pretty full. Always have room for more books.

When I was in the garden watering for the second time today I was thinking about how, no matter how valiant our efforts are, nature will win in the end. Some plants simply cannot survive extreme temperatures. We lost some to snow and now to this heat wave. I have tried so hard to keep everything alive but that is not to be. So - I have to learn to relinquish control. Oh so difficult.

My b'friend is a handsome 6'7" so when we're out for dinner or whatever I wear serious heels. Of course, they make me no more than 5'8" but we turn heads sashaying through a door together! If I don't wear the heels we still turn heads but in a "what's a giant doing with a midget" kind of way.

My trick is to buy a Size 9 boot so that I can wear thick socks & then they're relatively comfortable for me. My favorite is the Nine West Cuzzo or something like that, even though it's like putting on foot corsets with all the lacing & buckles ...

Foot corsets! Roflol! I think that sounds mighty painful. I used to be very into cute shoes, but now, in terms of shoes, I am into sporty and comfortable, except in the summertime. I have an embarrassment of pretty sandals and I'm always buying more. I have probably three pair of lime green sandals alone. Sandals with dangles on the front, leather flowers on the front, clicky heels, and, of course, gardening sandals. Now you all know my dirty little secret. I like to paint my toes (no pedicures, thanks, I don't like strange women touching my feet. or strange men either for that matter), wear toe rings, and ankle bracelets. I feel so very bohemian. Plus, in the summertime I actually wear skirts. That's right ladies. I wear skirts. Please take your jaws off the floor. Oh, and natural stone jewelry. Lots of that. I am a sucker for it. One of my friends recently made me the most beautiful turquoise and bead necklace. I love turquoise of all kinds. It makes me feel so earthy and desert-y. Plus, I love it that on the west coast I am not required to wear pantyhose with skirts. It's one of the reasons I live here. No pantyhose ever. So there is a nice amount of air movement and freedom under the skirt. It's about as close to naked as I can comfortably get without turning head in a bad way. And there's that swishy feeling as the skirt skims around the legs when I walk. No pencil skirts here. Only twirly skirts. Stamped and approved, I dare say.

Yes, after spending extended vacations in Europe, I came home vowing NEVER to stump around in sneakers, shorts & T-shirts like the vast majority of American women. Skirts & sundresses forever!

Long live skirts! I am now learning the fine art of dressing well from my daughter, of all people. Not that I really like to take the time as a general rule. I'm not the one who works for Nordstrom, after all. No one pays me to look good. If it's not completely easy and comfortable, it's trash as far as I'm concerned. But I'm a willing pupil! I can teach her a thing or two about skirts, though.

Definately stamped approved - I'm big on skirts, all times of the year - although, I've not taken to them for gardening (I quite like a pencil skirt in winter, long is, not too tight across the bum). For gardening I like jodphurs, not the microfibre ones, the real old fashion flair at the hip, end at the knee - tall socks in the winter, and sneaker height in summer. (I get the weirdest tan pattern on my legs - considering I'm a swimmer, I do look odd in my swimming togs).

Pixiedish if you don't wear pantyhose what do you tie your dahlias up with? ps I luv clicky heels too!