I am about to write a simple sentence that I have never put to paper before or stated in words. A revolution has taken place!
Today, the beginning of our three-day weekend in the country garden, was a magical, early Spring day. The sun sparkled with new, gentle warmth, the sky was as blue as it was painted in my childhood picture books and in my childish memory. The air was laden with perfume, sweet and heavy from the Jasmine, spicy and light from the Viburnums. As I put on my gumboots, took up my Dutch hoe and secateurs, I looked up and ahead at the garden, not down at the weeds. I stood still for a moment and breathed in the fresh air and then, I lay down my work tools [I kept on my gumboots] and walked slowly about the garden and looked with joy at what Spring had brought to me.
And now I will write it: The garden is truly beautiful
"So", I told myself, "You are becoming a real gardener at last."
You see, it is usual for me, as I walk through our garden, to find the weeds, the withered Camellia flowers, the seed heads on the Rhododendrons and the errant branches on the shrubs that I must remember to prune in late Autumn. I don't do it when I am visiting someone else's garden. I only recall the brilliant and exciting planting of the secret garden, the touch of humour around the pond, the wonderful perfumes captured in the courtyard. I never mind the weeds, the overgrown shrubbery or the garden of Petunias and Marigolds. I don't even see them, I only absorb the sensual reaction within myself of the joy of seeing the beautiful things in that stranger's garden
I reason with myself by remembering that we only have three days in a week to "attend" to our large garden, but that will not be my excuse. I recall that in the early days after purchasing the country property and before taking possession, I visited my favourite nursery man to purchase plants to furnish my dream garden. As I excitedly bubbled on about all my plans, my friend listened quietly to me. Then he firmly said to me "Listen to me well, Gay and remember this. You must take the time to enjoy your garden."
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