I got to the garden Saturday and the tomatoes were so overgrown that I could not see to pick the fruit. The vines were all tangled and were producing so many stems and leaves that air could not circulate. Not really problems, just the result of healthy plants doing what they do. So I set about to untangle and trim what was not needed, again.
Whew! Now I can see and it was like the plants took a long slow deep breath. I got about ten pounds of Tomatoes and three Eggplants. The grape ones are sweet like sugar. Perfect fruit produced within that tangled mess. It is kinda how I am feeling lately. I am busy reaching out to the artsy folk in our area. It is a different world for me. For the last 20 years or so I have worked as “Redneck Headshrink” in a rural county in Alabama. I do individual and family therapy. My multicultural specialities are crackheads, convicts, and Baptists. I am in private practice and contract with the Courts and Schools and Family/Child Services. Typically the referrals are abuse/neglect cases involving drugs, sex and/or rock and roll. I handle most of the domestic violence and drug cases related to children. The cool thing is that one can find perfect fruit growing, even there. But like with the tomatoes they can be easily missed if the overgrowth is not cleared frequently. I have been in that county now long enough that I am on the third generation of some of these families. Along with the ugliness and pain I have witnessed the miraculous in the power of life and hope to overcome what many only know about in theory or the Lifetime channel. These people have taught me poetry as I do it. I have always thought of poetry as the dire urgent need to bring some kind of order and beauty out of ugliness and chaos. I understand real therapy as entering into another’s world with my own imperfections and together creating some meaning, some hope, some beauty.
It is similar with my new jazzy experiments. Me and the guys have been getting together every week to explore our creative combinations. There are different people each week and every week it is different. There are so many different ways it can go. Like with growth in therapy or life in general there is always the ambiguity, anxiety, risk, and then discovering what is groovy, what works. There is a since of “yes” that is the truth. It feels right and alive. If one manages the anxiety then beauty emerges from the unknown, the chaotic on its own. It is not created, it is found or discovered. I am currently reminded to quit trying to figure it out and just go. Explore the unknown cause if the known contained what was needed there would already be rest. In that we still desire there is more to discover. The groove can not be predicted and planned only discovered as we go out not knowing.
One other little thing. Brace up and spend time on what is producing. The Eggplants and Peppers were leaning over because of all the fruit on them. What is working for you right now? Make sure and give it some attention and it will continue to produce in its season. Cut back the overgrowth. Let go of busyness and hangers on and that which is in the way. Remember that perfection may not look perfect and can emerge from what seems to be chaotic if given room to breathe. Tend your garden but remember ultimately there are powerful friendly forces at work which have plans for your good and not evil. Be Groovy!
It’s interesting how you say” the groove can not be predicted and planned only discovered as we go out not knowing,” I still do not know myself as I being told so many options by so many different people. I feel that I already know the answer the problem is I’m simply not ready.
Then wait friend. You are on no one’s timetable but your own. Be where you are and allow the anxiety of the not yet to fade.
I fear my anxiety may never fade that’s what’s bothering me most of all..
It will in time as you take one small step at a time towards it. I promise. IT will never completely go away but will become familiar, less foreign feeling, and better understood.
Wonderful words of wisdom. Great garden too:-)
“Perfect fruit from a tangled mess of vines” – that’s the astonishing side of creativity only the creative person can see. Striking image.
Hey friend. I hope your journey today is full and rich with wonder.
Gardening keeps you grounded. I have six feet tall tomatoes, but up north they’re green. Zucchini has out grown the corn. But fresh stuff from garden is awesome
Yes. Post some pictures. 🙂
I’ll go forth and produce. We’ll post a couple. Maybe a bug shot too
Beautiful story… I love your garden as well… It’s awesome to see the growth and your attention to the details. It’s really very beautiful <3
i like your new picture. It is always good to see you here.
Thank you… I’ve been feeling the need for change. I’m in a different place from when I started :-). Glad you like the new pic
I noticed the change.
I notice a change in you as well. Your writing seem alittle different…
This is sheer beauty… all the layers you uncover, all the truths you find, all the plants you keep from overgrowth… your facets are shining through in this story, so many talents you have, you combine, mix, see, recognize, weave a delicate tapestry with your words, you create a bigger picture, see the whole, and beyond.
I posted the Home thing. It should link to your post if I did it right. But I am a little slow with such things.
it worked. I like the new design of your site.
I was so ignorant about all of this it was funny. My kids got me started and I am slowly learning how to do the basics. The theme is Wirtr I think. It is simple enough for me to use. I like simple.
I love the way you can apply your gardening principles to life in general. Especially in this regard to how you can find good things growing amid the chaos in which you work. What a beautiful picture of what you’re talking about. It encourages one to look more closely at what one thinks might be a mess in their lives. 🙂 ” Remember that perfection may not look perfect and can emerge from what seems to be chaotic if given room to breathe.”
I have added that to my quote book! {{{PG}}}
Hey sweet.