We’ve been taking advantage of a few dry days to catch up in the garden. One of the jobs that’s been on our garden ‘to do’ list finally reached the top – shredding. Among other branches was a pile of Rosemary that had been cut back a couple of weeks ago.
As these passed through the shredder, a beautiful scent filled the air. The oils of Rosemary being released by the shredder brought back a number of memories including a holiday in France where we saw hedges of Rosemary growing wild. A sprig that we brought back (wrapped in a wet flannel) was safely rooted and planted in our garden . Many cuttings have been taken , rooted and moved with us over the years.
Each plant that we have carries memories of people and places. When we moved to our current home there was already a well-established Rosemary which is growing beneath an equally elderly clematis and rampant ivy which cover an equally elderly fence. What memories they will have held for others in past years.
In these troubled times, being in the garden either planting out new flowers grown from seed or removing ‘thugs’ -weeds that are threatening to smother more delicate plants, it is all very therapeutic. Working in the fresh air with plants has a calming effect. the mind can be emptied of all worries when focussing on the simple jobs in hand. Having a Zen-like attitude ‘When you are raking a path, know you are raking a path’, is good for the soul.
Life's a Beach 