And I Seem So Rational When You First Meet Me

[Gita]

Fourteen years ago, at a former house in the country, I started a garden. It went through many incarnations, as gardens do, but always, as a work in progress, it brought me joy.

Then I was forced to move, so I dug up dozens of beloveds -- some rare and heirloom --  and brought them to this house in the city to transplant in a kidney-shaped design at the corner of  our street. That was four years ago.

The garden has been admired by neighbors and passers-by, some of whom roll down their windows to wave and ask about this flower or that.

Today, I weed-whacked the whole damn thing down to stubble, and I could not tell you why.

[Teresa]

You know, some people shave their heads, cut themselves.  I think you chose the more rational "whacking".  This was an extreme pruning for new growth.  I think it's actually quite normal, especially when a person misses home.

[Mike Handley]

Sometimes it's necessary to Gesso (whitewash) an old canvas in order to create a new masterpiece, or perhaps to silence the things that compete for your attention now turned to writing these beautiful stories.

[Sandra Davies]

I suppose my first thought was better the garden than a person ... but I don't know.   A person could fight back, or tell you t stop.   (Sorry, just rambling)

[Bill Floyd]

Yeah, this one hurt.  Beautiful in its way, too.  Like Stephen says, sometimes the purge is a necessity.  Sharp, precise writing, which makes the themes that much harder to avoid.    

[Stephen Torelli]

Nice changeup. Sometimes it's necessary.   

[Cita]

Sometimes there is no why.  Just more questions. 

 

Odd that you wrote this today.  I am experiencing some homesickness, soulsickness myself.

[Angela]

Stunned.  Dumbfounded.  Almost grief-stricken.  Not exaggerating.