Just a little report today on what has seemed like a big adventure, but was in fact something which in the normal course of days before the world changed, was an ultra ordinary thing for me to do. I am fortunate enough to live across the road from one of the best plant nurseries in the country, so I would wander across and browse around on a fairly regular basis.
To be honest, the days of complete lockdown didn't affect me that much; Life went on pretty much as it always had done at Autumn Cottage. Our routines didn't change much from what they had been previously, and I think we took things pretty much in our stride. But I've noticed that since things have opened up again, and we are able to visit our old haunts, that I find life somewhat more challenging, rather than less. We’re in what everybody calls ‘the new normal’ – but the uncanny resemblance to everything that we were used to but with many little factors not quite the same, disconcerts me. In some cases it’s very difficult to put one's finger on exactly what those differences are – but I think the realisation is slowly dawning that (rather like after 9/11) -the world really has changed for ever, particularly in the way we physically interact with others – and there is no going back.
In the case of the visit to the nursery, the plants are in the same places; the plants themselves are the same. But the ‘wandering around’ is not quite as casual; One way systems are in operation, and when one comes to pay, there are the ubiquitous transparent screens around places which one would approach in a very relaxed manner in the past. As much as possible is 'contactless' and after unavoidable contact, sanitising is in order, Although we were mostly outdoors, when other people gathered around, both the friend I was with and I chose to wear masks; It's such a simple thing to do and certainly causes no harm - so why not do it? But you cannot see another person smile - or other facial mobility - and I miss this more than I ever realised that I would.
The biggest effect of the current climate on both of us was that we felt absolutely duty bound to buy large quantities of plants - purely, you understand, in order to support a fragile economy! Joking apart, the horticultural industry has been hit very hard and it's certainly one area of the economy that I feel is very important to keep going.
Some of the good factors that everybody seems to agree upon that has come out of the pandemic measures are that those with gardens rode the storm mentally better than those without, there was an enormous increase in the way that people really started to interact with – and value - the natural world, and I believe it is also the case that in the now rising house market, owners of houses with gardens are now in premium positions when it comes to sell .
Well, I won't be going anywhere anytime soon, so I guess I'll just have to keep on wandering across the road and filling the car with essentials; it's amazing just how many you can squeeze in to the boot If you make a proper effort - all for the good of the economy, of course!
Journal prompt
What place does a garden have in your life? Do you actually own your own garden? big or small? indoors or outdoors? flowers or veg ? If you don't have a garden at all, do you have access to public space - community gardens? parks? allotments?
Did having - or not having - a garden make a difference to you during Lockdown? Have you changed your relationship to these spaces and the creatures within them? Having had the experiences of the last few months, what do you intend or hope for in your relationship with plants, animals and wild life spaces in the future?
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I have so enjoyed all these posts, Roz! This year we have grown a lot more of everything than previous years and that is saying a lot. Its been extra hot and dry here in western Pa but today is cooler and nice. We have worked harder but we have sat and enjoyed the flowers and the birds more since we have the time. The more time I spend with nature the better I feel.
Posted by: avis | Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 18:06