Sunday, August 23, 2015

Planting forward




Call me hasty.

Hello, Hasty!

On the eve of my departure for another hemisphere, another continent, another season, I dug and pulled and lifted and fertilized and sowed.

I have little doubt that my fledgling fall crops (arugula, mache, mustard and a squash wild card - the fava beans and peas must wait till I return) will be overwhelmed with invigorated weed seeds by the time I return in mid September. But it had to be done.  Our house is still half-boxes, and the garden is just an idea, but I can't let weeks pass without some investment in the soil.

After a week and a day in residence we feel suddenly at peace after almost two years on eggshells. I had not expected such a sudden dialing down of tension. The nervous energy and uncertainty of our Harlem building have gone. Our new building is quiet. These streets are quiet. It is days between sirens. Our landlord is responsive and low key and a good man.

Thank you to everyone who has sent us messages of support during the upheaval of our move. The last few weeks have not been easy, but we are beginning to see the shape of things to come.

                                                    ___________________________
 
                           Book an Autumn Walk

22 comments:

  1. YES!!! I am so happy for your newfound peace at your newfound home. The street looks so dreamy.

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  2. Dear Marie,
    How wonderful! You feel that this right. I am so glad.
    Joan

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  3. Terra firma. Welcome to ground level. And of course you planted - those are essential roots.

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  4. How lovely you're feeling peaceful and connect to your new space! Hope your trip is very enjoyable and without some of the drama that goes with travel.

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  5. how wonderful to see seeds planted... have a good trip!

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  6. So happy for you, liking the shapes to come!

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  7. your urge to plant is a sign of a positive and sound settlement. we can feel the peace in your sentences

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  8. It feels that you have deeper roots in Brooklyn. I look forward to seeing your home and garden become something lovely for you. Safe travels.

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  9. So happy for you two to find peace and contentment in your new home!

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  10. Good to hear that you are settled and at peace. I was on eggshells too while you were living uptown! Looking forward to your fall crops (and mine too!). Have a good trip.
    xo

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  11. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh...
    How lovely to travel with all of this waiting for your return. Such anticipation!
    Godspeed.

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  12. Thank you for sharing all of this with us. Now we feel your peace.
    Safe travels.

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  13. I'm so glad this is feeling like a good place ~ a home! I wish you a safe and easy journey and hope your parents (dad esp) do not decline too quickly. I have been (my dad) and am (my mom) in that situation but at least am not a world away {{Marie}}

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  14. Your new home looks just beautiful, and you will make it even better. So happy for you and the Frenchman.

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  15. So glad to hear the new home is good. Safe travels...

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  16. Sub-title: Uptown Girl Comes Down to Earth.
    Bon voyage, Marie

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  17. What a wonderful post and I can completely relate to the peace that is found in a quiet home. It makes a tremendous difference in your daily well being - you are no longer waiting for the other shoe to drop.
    Safe travels and enjoy your time with your family.

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  18. I am glad for everything you wrote in this post. May your travelling go smoothly and your time with your parents be full of the strength of love, Leslie

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  19. I've been out of the loop on everything for the last three weeks dealing with out last parent. Sifting through sixty years of a married life is heartbreaking. Having lost two parents to dementia I feel for what you're dealing with. Your mother is especially in my thoughts. It is soooo heartrending.

    I guess you are back where you belong. How wonderful! Planting something before you left on a very difficult trip is a very hopeful thing to do. I'm so happy about your new place and the sense of peace you feel about it all. Can't wait to see what you do with the garden and look forward to pictures of your beautiful meals.

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  20. How wonderful. I just planted some mache and bok choy myself, maybe some mustard greens will go in some time soon. Now the peas and fava beans are intriguing. Can you really plant them in the fall, the way they do in Mediterranean climates?

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    1. I'm curious about the mache - we'll see. The peas and fava beans are for the greens, only - they won't have time to set pods. I grew pea greens on our Brooklyn rooftop in plenty of (all day, sigh) sun - and was still harvesting in December. They will have less sun here, and there lurks the spectre of snails...

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  21. Hi Marie,
    Love the look of your new outside space. I've just moved too. Old Victorian terrace with a tangled garden/jungle covered in brambles and bindweed. And I am loving the delight of discovery and the joy of allowing light and space back in. I hope you enjoy yours just the same.
    Happy new home to you both, much peace and light be yours, and maybe a new feline friend to share the adventure xx

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