My friend and I are very different. She grew into a lovely, glamorous young lady, with a high-flying career and fast paced lifestyle. She is always immaculately turned out, and somehow seems to be in on the things that are "happening" before they have even actually happened.
I am somewhat different. I work two days a week in the easiest job known to mankind, I am still studying at uni for some unknown reason, and I am a veritable grub who has dirt under her fingernails 24/7. I could cheerfully go out in my pyjamas if it were socially acceptable.
Nevertheless, none of this matters when we get together.
While I was talking to my friend on our first call for the year, for some reason or another I mentioned that I was writing a gardening blog. My friend almost spat out her coffee into the mouth piece and laughed, "is that the best you could come up with?", she said.
After I got off the phone I took a little wander around and had a think. I thought of all the hard work I have put into my blog, into taking the best photographs I can and into writing as well as I could. I thought of all the lovely blogging friends I have come to know, about how I am always eager to hear from them and their news.
And then I thought of the garden. I thought of the really hard work I have put into it, of how proud I have been of my small successes and how I have come to learn to accept the failures. I thought of my beautiful bananas, and our lovely chickens, and the beautiful garden beds that I am so smitten with.
And I thought to myself, actually, yes.
This is absolutely the best I could come up with.
27 comments:
You make me smile darl : ) always. I'm sad to hear your friend's comment, she is clearly not a gardener and lover of nature like us. And sadly she's not, like we are trying to teach our children, someone who is looking to encourage others and trying hard not to hurt other people's feelings.
You are right though.
You're in your element. The garden is such a place of peace, reflection, satisfaction, rejuvenation and hard work. Keep up the great work, including letting any comments like that just bounce off, love ya x
Good on yer, Ali! Who needs to be a High Flyer when you can have the simple pleasures?
[Food, Drink, Gardening, Family and Friends - not necessarily in that order].
You know what.....I love your blog, I love your funny posts, I love that you leave comments and encourage other gardeners...I love that you keep trying..thats what gardening is all about...I think our blogs are great because of the friendships that form and the encouragement we all get from each other..
I am a mum that hangs out at home, playing play doh with my two year old...fiddling in the garden, making a cake or two ( or three) that likes old stuff and comfy leggings with a hole in the knee.........and thats the BEST I can come up with, and it suits me fine...I write what I write and if people join me on my motherly/gardeney journey then they are welcome...and you should feel the same...xxx
Ali, hugs!!!!!! Your blog is beautiful and I'd much rather a kind, thoughtful, caring person than a high flying one any day!! x
From reading your blog, I can tell that you're a kind, caring person that is really dedicated to her family and garden. You're doing great! Perhaps your friend with the high-flying fast paced lifestyle is searching for what you already have found... peace and fulness of life. I hope she finds it as you have.
Bet your friend's not a gardener!
I'd rather read your blog than live in her world - keep up the good work :)
To me her comment sounded a lot like jealousy because your blog is pretty damn good and a reflection of you, your sense of humour, and what you enjoy doing. Maybe high flying is not as satisfying as family, garden and the simple pleasures of life.
I am thankful that in the middle of your busy life as a wife,mother,uni student,friend,daughter,sister(maybe u are?),etc that you take time to share your life with us...Personally I am pretty impressed with whatchu gotta ta offer so keep it comin sistah!
If people really knew the brain power a mother has to muster to compile one blog post they would be amazed....
Ali - what a lovely post. You are such a genuine person and it shines through. Your blog reflects this and your garden does too! Friends are funny aren't they, I'm sure you'll still be friends, its just that your paths are different. Your friends here are all thankful that we have found your blog and they mysteries within. Well done, keep going and inspiring us.
You're so well grounded, Ali!
Nowadays work is all about 'not dirtying your hands'. Gardening is the only antedote.
Don't give up on your "best you can do" it brings a smile to so many faces. Blogs are creative releases that are enjoyed by the writer and its great when others can enjoy them too.
Send her the link and ask her to just have a look at it. She might be surprised at your following.
In saying this I too have friends and family that think its a "big whoop" idea to garden and blog so I garden and blog for myself - my secret indulgence.
Dear Ali, well said. Absolutely and most definitely ... well said :) [mentally insert a "thumbs up" icon here]
Blogging is a two-way experience of friendship. Your natural wit is priceless Ali.
Your friend obviously doesn't realise it yet, but someday she too might need a garden ;-)
I can absolutely understand what you are feeling Ali! My Landscape Architecture friends think it is so nana to love gardening and to write a blog - just because its not sexy urban design or waterfront projects! (same as being grounded & loving life v’s high flying, type A, no life satisfaction)!
Blogging is a great way for us like minded green people to connect and share ideas in a supportive and collaborative way!
Your blog is fun, enjoyable and informative without being preachy.
I love seeing your posts pop up in my dashboard. Keep up the fabulous work!
Aww you are all so lovely, with such wonderful and supportive comments, how could I not love blogging?
I didn't mean to come across as upset about what my friend said, maybe I was stung a little for a second, but I know she lacks tact and this is a part of her that I try to accept and overlook. Lol, I'm sure she overlooks my dodgy qualities (I really don't have any you know :p) too.
I more meant to say how happy it makes me, I love being part of this fabulous online community and feel as though I have done something very right and positive in joining in on it.
Besides, anyone who doesn't enjoy a good garden is just plain nutso in my book :D
Ali I think you are a highflyer how many journalists would love to be read all over the world
I think someway her comments made you take a long hard look at your own life and you found it's everything you love to be and do
And as for your friend she doesn't know everything but who does
I really do think there is nothing better! If everyone had their own little garden the world would be a better place.
Your FRIEND??
even though I see you all the time - I look forward to checking your blog and what you might write about next or how those eggplants are doing or where the bananas are up to. you inspire garden envy in everyone, and are a gorgeous friend to boot. now if it was me writing about gardening - then you really would have something to complain about.
It is good, Ali, or we wouldn't be here following along with you. And the best bit of it is that it is the best for you.
Ooo Jacqui I feel like you are about to take up a sword and duel someone on my behalf :) Thank you so much for your lovely comments, and if you wrote about gardening it would be fabulous, someone with your talents could extend their hand to anything.
Cathy I had never thought of a blog in that way. I have an international audience! Goodness me, I'm going to drop that line in conversation sometime soon :)
I am a bit late, but I agree. Yours is one blog I never miss and I love it.
One day when you and your friend are old ladies, you may have cause to remind her what she said. It takes some people decades to acquire wisdom.
Oh lovely, lovely Hazel... your last comment there gave me a giggle, but it also made me think... it is true that the older I get the smarter my parents have become. I guess they too needed those few extra decades :p
I feel like snotting her on your behalf Ali! Your blog and garden are fantastic, gardening is a great pastime and the fact you are providing for your family and trying so many new things (despite knowing for years about the pumpkin shoots I still haven't done it lol) is wonderful to see!
While I don't 'follow' your blog (despite being a try hard geek, still don't quite get it) I check it every day to see what you have posted.
It is very hard to understand why more people don't garden, especially if they have children - to be able to explain exactly where food comes from and hopefully pass on a passion for growing things is a wonderful aspiration.
Lol, Donna you want to snot her? What exactly is snotting someone! This I have to see!
I know that we have it right Donna, who in their right mind wouldn't want a garden? While I am not quite providing for the family, it is my ultimate aim and I am having a whole lot of fun getting there.
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, and your support in general. I always know that if I have a tricky question that you or Elaine are there to rescue me :)
Already posted I know but I have been hoping you would explain what the photo was - What is it? Chilli?
ElsieMay I meant to say in the post what the plant was, but it didn't seem to fit anywhere, and so I was hoping someone would ask me so I could say it here! Then I just plain forgot.
It is a chilli, black opal it's called. I just have one that someone gave me but it seems to be doing well. It's very pretty, but I'm not sure how practical it will be, I think it's a fairly hot one, and I prefer the medium type.
I've just started reading your blog and I think it's the very best!
This post made me laugh and made me cry (and fly like a bird in the sky .. tra la).
I'm now following you and I can't wait for your next post.
That's just a lovely thing to say Little Blue Mouse, and thank you for following Mud Pie. Lovely poetry :D
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