In case you couldn’t tell, things are really busy here.
Just three days from now, F.’s Ph.D. defense will take place. Now, I’m not the one preparing for the defense (thank goodness), but I am taking up the slack for F. in the many areas of life he’s had to ignore in order to sustain a single-minded focus on this extremely important task. After all, it’s not every day that you present the culmination of six years of effort in your chosen field — and all in less than three hours.
So it’s a busy time.
Not to mention that it’s spring planting time, and yes, I’m working in the garden every chance I get because F. got a post-doc at the University that will take us all the way through the growing season!
Wonderful news, no?
I had already decided to go ahead with the garden before we got the news. The possibility of a wasted season seemed more painful to me than having to leave the bounty and beauty behind in full swing.
Besides, I’d already seen bees, butterflies, and birds returning to my virtually empty garden so early and in such numbers, almost as if they were confident, after only a couple of years, that the now-dormant landscape would soon be filled to overflowing with sustenance and opportunity. How could I disappoint them?
But since I lingered over the decision so long, I’m getting a late start on clearing the beds, weeding, adding compost, starting seedlings, transplanting, and all the rest of it. The weather has generally not been cooperative, either, with lots of rainstorms that keep me from working in my soil for days afterward (too much experience now of the disaster that results from disturbing waterlogged red clay).
So busy is the word of the day.
Also, I’m still tutoring, and M. is absolutely blossoming now, growing daily in an appreciation for her own mind and capabilities. Something *clicked* in the last two months, and her progress has been astonishing. In the most recent quarterly report, she was placed on the A/B honor roll for the first time in her life, and her joy knew no bounds. I feel privileged to be a part of her intellectual awakening.
I’ve recently become aware of just how much need there is in this community, how very many are subject to the twin disadvantages of ignorance and poverty. Of course, now I’m covetously eyeing the area’s population of imported senior citizens. So many well-educated retirees choose to come here to enjoy the natural beauty and outdoor sports the region affords, and in my daydream vision, at least, hordes of them are signing up to personally tutor a local youngster who needs that one-on-one attention and guidance to thrive in school — and in life.
For now, it’s just a kernel of an idea, a glint in my eye. I’ll let you know if anything comes of it.
Other ideas are doing more than glinting in my eye, which is one reason blogging has become difficult. I’m writing, and I find it difficult — even daunting sometimes — to switch back and forth between the longer essay format and the short and much more informal blog format. I’ve scrapped more than a few blog drafts over the last six weeks, until I finally decided to recognize my limitations.
An occasional post is all I’ll be able to manage for now, and I probably won’t have time to visit other blogs regularly or even respond to comments as I usually do. I feel guilty about that part. But still, I want to keep blogging — in a way that’s manageable given current circumstances. That may mean posts with more images and fewer words, for instance.
A big thank you to all of you who are still checking in, still looking and reading, and especially to those of you who’ve sent me thoughtful messages over the past six weeks. I’m touched that you keep me in your thoughts and that you’ve enjoyed The Enchanted Earth enough in the past to want it to keep going. I hope I’ll be able to bring it back to full strength one day soon.
Meanwhile, I wish you the joy of spring, wherever you are, in whatever season.
Namasté, y’all.
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Just wanted to say kudos to you for helping out and being aware of the endless possibilities we all have to do good in this world and inspire others to do so as well.
susie @newdaynewlesson´s last blog ..Marriage Is About the Journey
Hello dear Meredith
Lovely to hear that you are all doing well, if very busy! I hope all goes well for F, but with all that work already done, I’m sure it will!
I can certainly understand the need to strike a balance and get the most of the precious moments of each day (that ‘glinting’ project sounds wonderful!) but it will always be lovely to see a post from you, if even just from time to time!
GippyGardener´s last blog ..A stroll with a Blue-tongue lizard
A lot of exciting things are going on in your life, and I am glad you shared them, especially the senior citizens idea. Older people have so much knowledge to share and linking them with young people in need is a great idea–not sure who would benefit more!
Carolyn @ Carolyn’s Shade Gardens´s last blog ..Supporting Sustainable Living
Glad to hear you’re doing well, Meredith. Take care. We’ll be here when you return.
Good luck to F on his dissertation – exciting times. I’m glad you get to stick with this garden, Meredith – I know how much you love it.
Lynn´s last blog ..Midnight Train- best concert and most favorite
Hi Meredith, I totally get you. Reading your post here, yet again, I feel like we have so much in common. Aside from that I’m in graduate school too and get that time sink, I am a Big to a Little Sister in a local program here and it is a wonderful thing to see a child awakening to possibilities.
Anyhow, will be looking for your posts when they do come and do enjoy whatever gardening you can get done. What a great attitude.
Jess´s last blog ..When Wildlife Wont Stay Put
Busy times indeed. there will be plenty of time for blogging later, enjoy the planting seasion. Dont work too hard
Stone Art’s Blog´s last blog ..The amazing flowing stonework of Michael Eckerman
The post doc must be such a relief, and I’ll be thinking of your sweetie achieving this important milestone. Happy gardening Meredith!
Susan Tiner´s last blog ..41 Limerance
What a gift you are giving M. that must be so rewarding to see her blossom like that. I love that bleeding heart photo, so good to see you back, and that just fine to post whenever you can. Good luck with the defense – my daughter will be doing hers next year.
Gillian´s last blog ..Slash and drop
Add me to the list of those glad to hear you’re doing well, if rather busy. I know how you feel about combining blog posting with writing longer forms–I also write short articles for a website, so whenever something needs more than 600 words, I panic. I want to write longer essays and a book, so I need to learn how to write longer as well. It’s a different mindset, isn’t it? Good luck to F, and to you with your continued tutoring and all your projects!
Kathy´s last blog ..Low-Tech Pleasures in a High-Tech World
Meredith, I should have read this before I emailed you. I can’t tell you how much this post thrilled me, because I can feel your excitement about all that’s happening in your life. Reading about F’s preparations for his dissertation defense brought back memories of the time when I was trying to finish my dissertation (while teaching full time). I worked about 100 hours a week, staying in my office from early morning to late night. Friends took turns bringing me well-balanced meals that I could eat while I worked, and one friend did all my laundry for about 3 months! I don’t know how I would have gotten through it if they hadn’t all pitched in to pick up the slack for me. The postdoc is exciting news — and I think you’re right about those retirees as a gold mine just waiting to be tapped. Enjoy your new garden season. -Jean
Jean´s last blog ..New Growth
Merdith,
I’m just glad you share your photographs and your words with us when you can:~) What type of writing are you doing?
It sounds like you are a wonderful tutor and you’re right there is such a need for people to provide services like this. For ages, I tutored an ESL student from Korea. You make me realize how long it’s been since I did something like this. I really need to return to this.
Your garden sounds like it’s welcoming you back. Gardens can be finicky, but you’ve got a lovely green thumb and so, I imagine yours will forgive you for being a few minutes late:~)
Sara´s last blog ..Yellow Door- The Movie