My little red tether is my anchor in running with my friends. A beautiful guide dog has been my tether/anchor in mobility and independence for 17 years: 1. Pantera 2. Cricket, and now my beautiful 3. Georgina (Georgie). A life of family and friends is my joy and anchor in life.

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. CC Scott

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Dirt is Joyfully Grounding

Diggin' in the dirt is SO therapeutic for me (and Cricket). It is literally such a grounding activity for me. Last night after yoga as I waited for a friend to pick me up - we were going to go get something to eat and spend some time together and then heard on my messages that she couldn't, (this is usually an UNgrounding activity to feel stranded) I called Steve to come (love, love him) and pick me up.  As I got home, I just needed to get out and dig in the dirt for a few minutes. I was able to plant five more perennials.   Perennials are resilient and hang in there -- come back each year and each are so unique and amazing. 

I have found a little place outside our office that has become a fun place for young clients to dig in the dirt, pull some weeds and open up and talk with me.  Yesterday a young client that hadn't been willing to tell me much about her story opened up as we had our hands dirty.  Cricket loved the chance to be outside in the sunshine. 

The forecast finally says the temperatures are climbing -- can't wait to dig in the dirt and get my flower pots planted. Visualizing what and where to plant.  Dirt is indeed a grounding activity to me.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is incredibly grounding for me too. Perhaps that's what a huge driving force in my education choices (I have a B.S. in horticulture, an M.S. in agriculture -- plant nutrition and soil fertility).

I too look forward to this strange weather clearing so I can really get my garden started.

Becky Andrews said...

Your education choices sound delightful - probably would have been my second choice. How fun.

Beth and Alfie said...

Oh I just love the dirt too. Good dirt even smells good. Raising puppies has been rough on the backyard but I still enjoy my fenced-in veggie garden & a few native plants -- yes, perennials! - that attract birds, butterflies bees. :)

Karen said...

Do you remember Grandma Pickett? She came over one day when I was planting flowers and said "You can never have bad thoughts when you are digging in God's earth" I remember that and you are right dirt and work is therapeutic.

Jen said...

can't say I'm very good at gardening, and apart from digging in the sand at the beach, OJ isn't much of a digger either. They match us well!
Cheers for the email. My mail is being funny so I haven't had a chance to reply. Its exactly what I was looking for and well-written as usual. Just waiting on two more people to do their homework but hoping it will be posted next week.
Jen x

3 labs 4 me said...

I love gardening too. I enjoy getting my hands dirty & I can always count on Desma to be there by my side. She loves laying in the sunny spots.

Lacey said...

Love it too. I'm so excited to plant my flowers too. I bought them last week and can't wait for this cold spell to be over so that I can get my hands dirty and then enjoy seeing the beautiful flowers out my window.