|
July 2008
The Duke of Hempstead
By: Brad Reed
Creative Writer
Money in the bank'. Some of you have plenty of it; many of 'us' don't. It's the safety net that sustains our lifestyle after we retire. 'Money can't by happiness' is another phrase we hear all of the time suggesting material things pale in relevance to rewards achieved without the help of the almighty dollar. Why am I collecting these two opposing thoughts here? I'm not sure, other than the fact that I've been tinkering in the yard more and more these past few years, perhaps banking my non-materialistic, 'money can't buy happiness' tokens for a later date as opposed to my non-existent 'money in the bank'.
As some of you know, I have several hobbies just like you. Cycling is one of them…cabinet making another. However, I realize that both of these hobbies will begin to erode as my years compound, thus leaving me high and dry in the fun things to do department...when I'm well along in years. Though my mind may argue, my physical abilities will just not be able to cooperate. I'm sure many of you know of someone who has had a successful life, retired, and now has no desire simply because they've overlooked an important part of life after work...hobbies suited to retirement.
As a hedge against me staring at the four walls of my home in the coming years, I've begun to take baby steps in the world of gardening. Yikes! Gardening! What in the world am I doing…this isn't a manly thing to do! I can't sit around with the 'boys', enjoying a few cold ones, describing how I planted the deep purple petunias around the yellow day lilies to accentuate the colors of each. EEEEEUUUUUUUU!
Well, believe it or not, that exactly what I'm doing. Although my wife Brenda is light years ahead of me in the knowledge of plants and their needs, I'm opening the closet door and stepping out into the world of living greenery. My first hurdle will be to overcome my impatience. I figure, if I plant it today, I want to look at it in all of its glory tomorrow. Well, you know it don't work this way. It takes time to develop a landscaping portrait you're proud of, many times rejecting the comingling of some plants you initially thought were no-brainers together.
And, of course, weather plays a major part in this venture too. Too hot; too cold; too wet; too dry…they all play their cards each season leaving you left alone to know the proper way adjust, thus saving your beautiful achievements for another season. You know, I vaguely remember Johnny Appleseed just tossing seeds around like they were from the endless 'Burpee' seed bag...it seemed too easy. Guess not, which is why I'm going back to school.
All in all, it's not too late to jump on board the gardening train…especially with the multitude of gardens we have here in New Town. Though we had the benefit of beautiful landscaping when we moved in, it's just the beginning for some of us…including me now. And don't forget the bird baths, the feeders, the benches, the stepping stones, the pergolas, and on, and on, and on...oops, I forgot, this requires money in the bank...something I didn't have. Back to plan B.
So grow, won't you!
|