Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Variations on a theme

Applying compost to the field; ploughing, milling; planting the first potatoes and kohlrabi; setting onions, sowing carrots, red radish, peas and basil, parsley, parsley root, savory and, of course, new natural arts :) ...


... this should be enough to keep oneself busy for a quarter of an hour, would you agree?

Quite. And isn't it wonderful?

Ah, I like doing things which are done in no time and thus don't keep me from doing things I do really like and want to do ... such as writing.

Ah, I like doing something really worthwhile which is, too, keeping me from doing fruitless things ... such as writing.

And as applying compost to the field, ploughing, milling, planting the first potatoes and kohlrabi, setting onions, sowing carrots, red radish, peas and basil, parsley, parsley root, savory and, of course, new natural arts :) ... is by far not able to keep me long enough from what I'd really like and want to do, I am passionately collecting filtred coffee that ...

.... together with eggshells, pulverised in a mortar ...

... I do peu à peu add while shifting ...

... one of the composters so that there will be excellent compost when next April it will be time again for applying compost to the field, ploughing, milling, planting the first potatoes and kohlrabi, setting onions, sowing carrots, red radish, peas and basil, parsley, parsley root, savory and, of course, new natural arts :) ...

And still, I can't get enough of things that are able to keep me from what deep in my heart I'd really desire to do ... such as writing.

Which is why I painted an 'ancient' manure tanker that once I found in the former chicken-garden, blue and put it on the meadow. Decorated with a nice flower(-pot) it will enjoy my eyes when during the coming months I shall be allowed to do many many things that keep me from fruitless things ... such as writing.



Mind you! Those things are to be done. And: It's wonderful to have a garden.

The most wonderful thing is that while
applying compost to the field, ploughing, milling, planting the first potatoes and kohlrabi, setting onions, sowing carrots, red radish, peas and basil, parsley, parsley root, savory and, of course, new natural arts :) one has lots of time to ponder about many many many things ... such as (not) writing.

The peace of the night
.

12 comments:

  1. Aha! now I know where you have been!

    Your garden will look wonderful in a few weeks... Please more pictures once everything you planted starts to come alive... :)

    I am too much of a city girl.... unfortunately gardening is not one of my strengths... but would love to sit in a beautiful garden and sip chai or red wine while having great conversation with friends...

    Enjoy your beautiful garden!

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  2. Really enjoyable post, Sean, and your garden looks great. I hope you spend many happy hours therein...

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  3. Thank you for your hard work. Those beautiful sceneries give me rest. I can smell the grass...and also the manure! :)))))))

    Your garden will always be alive through your inspired writing and 'natural arts' photos.

    Happy Summer at Seanhenge!:)

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  4. I've spent a lot of time not writing recently, staring at a computer screen waiting in vain for the words to come. I'd much rather be working in a garden and not long from now I will be (I hope).

    Without engaging in some activity it becomes harder to think and write, walking comes a poor second.

    I envy you and your garden.

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  5. Great gardening and great post, Sean! I hope you find plenty of time this summer for writing, not writing, and writing about not writing.

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  6. Nevin,
    :)

    (Almost) for sure, there will be more photos to document my hard life. :)

    I have no doubt at all that 'a city-girl' would love to sit here, enjoy the quietness, sip a most lovely red, and have great conversation with friends - while watching Sean being busy. :)

    Who knows, Nevin. One day ...

    D.E.,
    yes, half I was joking, half I did mean it. Somehow I seem to be a very ordinary human being - often longing for what I do not have / presently can't, instead of enjoying what I have / what I can.
    Thanks for your good wishes, my friend.

    Claudia,
    except of manure there's indeed much to smell. :)

    I could get used to your compliments; and as for your lovely wish: Thanks a lot.

    Chris,
    you are - as so often - right. As I told D.E., although knowing better, I can't deny that I am just a human being. :)
    Apropos: I remember an anecdote, in which Seneca is being asked how he could live in clover, with beautiful slaves feeding him with grapes etc., while at the same time he's promoting a humble life.
    Spake Seneca: 'Well, I know what would be the best way of living but, after all, - I am just a human being. :)

    Stan,
    wonderful wish!! Thanks a lot, my friend!

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  7. Sorry, Sean. Of course, I meant "compost", not manure. :)

    All the best!

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  8. Oh!! that is so lovely :-)

    Can I hire you to get my garden back in order?

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  9. Looking good Sean! I used to grow kohlrabi for a good friend of mine. His mother is from Euskirchen so has a liking for them with savory and probably Speck too!

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  10. Quite the gardener Sean. It will be worth all the effort in the long run.

    I think I am at that stage in my life when I would prefer to have a Japanese gardener, but not to get down to the writing, but rather the reading.

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  11. Claudia,
    there's no need for an excuse - manure is such a nice word, although when getting close to some, I am always glad that I don't have a thousand noses. :)

    CherryPie,
    you want keep me from writing, hm? :)

    Jams,
    I have not forgotten that once you told you love kohlrabi.
    That is why I am going to plant some more, this year.

    jmb,
    you are, of course, right but sometimes ach! there are beating two hearts in my chest. :)

    A Japanese gardener? Now, that sounds interesting.
    As for writing and reading: it would certainly be nice to find a proper way to combine both passions ... with one or two others.

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  12. Sean, I need to catch up on so much.

    Firstly you are an extraordinary talent. Your garden looks great, mine has been neglected. You have inspired me to brave the cold and start cleaning and pruning.
    This weekend I plan to plant some coriander and broad beans. :)

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