Moonflower Moments

    Years ago, I was struck by the phrase coined by Oprah Winfrey of “living your best life.” I have interpreted this to mean making the best out of my life situation everyday and incorporating at least one moment to reflect upon the simple abundance that surrounds me.   These moments primarily appear in the everchanging view of my garden.  There may be days that I struggle with the prevalence of bad news and negativity, but I still manage to find at least one moment of joy and make it mine.  I have had an incredible role model to reinforce this philosophy, my mother Mz Pat. 

 While she has struggled with loss, pain, and the daily inconveniences that we all face; she still manages to capture a positive moment and make it hers.  Most of the time, these moments happen in her garden.  Gardening is a major driver in her life’s journey and it only reinforces her faith in God to guide her.  Her garden is a part of her soul and she enjoys working in it every day that she is able to do so.  While gardening is rewarding, it can be physically challenging as our bodies age.  It is a pastime that many older people decide to let go of because of the aches and pains that our bodies endure as we age, but not Mz Pat.  She will be having a hip replacement this month.

   We live in an age where joint replacements are getting to be relatively common and many of us have joined this “not so exclusive club.”  I find myself engaged in conversations regarding hip or knee replacements among my friends at every social gathering as we discuss who is getting one or who is recovering from one.  The amazing thing about Mz Pat’s hip replacement is that she is 102 and wants to maintain her active lifestyle and continue to garden without pain.  She had her first hip replaced  in her late 60’s, when the procedure was not that common.  Over the years her other hip has gotten worse with wear and tear and she has now reached the tipping point of surgery or making drastic changes to her “best life” in the garden. 

    Since June is now “bustin’ out all over,” my garden is starting to put on its best colors and blossoms for a daily show.  In the early morning hours I begin my day by walking and observing what is taking place.  I will look for any issues that could become problematic such as weeds, pests, or signs of disease.  I gather flowers, herbs, and vegetables to make floral arrangements and add to meals later in the day. I then retreat to the fern house for a morning meditation and some stretching moves that help keep me limber enough to engage in whatever garden tasks I can conquer during the morning hours and then take a dip in the pool.

    I will be sharing one of my favorite garden books this month for the Writer’s Bench, The Lifelong Gardener by Toni Gattone.  Her book provides practical information on how to garden more effectively and safely as we age so that we can keep gardening.  I find it so much easier to utilize container gardening even if it does require me to be more vigilant about watering.  I also use  some of the tools recommended in the book that serve to make my gardening experience safer and more enjoyable. 

    My garden is constantly providing new gifts that surprise me.  So far this month, I have been gifted with fresh tomatoes, beautiful flowers, and a bunny. The bunny seems to have taken up residence under the fern house and likes to sit under the caladiums and snapdragons in the garden.  I guess that I have become an official Disney Princess in my golden years with wildlife finding me.

    I will be conducting video tours through the garden and show you what I plant and what I take with me to accomplish basic garden chores and protect myself while I do them.  One of my favorite garden areas is what I call “the pollinator garden.”  It is a bee-friendly area with plants that encourage them to hang out and pollinate more plants.  It has taken me a while to find peace with the bee population and to do my part to support them as they help to build our ecosystem. I will once again participate in the great pollinator count that is conducted in many states and will share resources for this important project later in the summer. 

    Living my best life includes gardening and writing and I am fortunate to be able to combine these two and find more “moonflower moments” to share with you on my journey.  What is your “best life?”  Drop me a line this month, sit awhile with me in the fern house and walk with me in the garden as I live mine.