Well, between thunderstorms and hot, sticky afternoons, summer is in full swing here in Maryland. I’ve been spending mornings and evenings working on projects outside and staying inside for the heat of the day, working at the easel and writing. While I’m not a “summer person”, I do love the longer days and the slower rhythm of summer. I don’t have to get up early and rush the boys off to school, more of our evenings are free from obligations, and there seems to be a little more free time to enjoy. Believe it or not, I haven’t gotten in the pool yet for one reason or another, but I’m planning on enjoying it in the coming weeks as a treat after working outside.
Here are my four things – A rich spot of earth, more gardening, repairing failure, and summer rhythms.
what I’m reading
I’ve been reading A Rich Spot of Earth: Thomas Jefferson’s Revolutionary Garden at Monticello in the evenings, and when I needed to wait at appointments, it’s been more riveting than I expected! Riveting is perhaps the wrong word. I’m not eagerly turning my page, waiting to see if the terracing of the garden was completed in 1808, but it’s been a fascinating read.
I toured the gardens at Monticello in person in 2013 and, even though it was in November, there were still vegetables growing, and it was beautiful to stroll through.
In reading the book about the garden’s design and Jefferson’s pursuit of discovering his favorite vegetables to grow, I have a new appreciation for the work, innovation, and experimentation that went into this garden. Of course, a big part of the story of the garden is the work completed by enslaved people, like the massive earthworks project of terracing the land, which is a definite blemish. I appreciate that the book seeks to give credit to those who were not compensated or acknowledged in their lifetime.
I’ve enjoyed learning about history and gardening all in one read.
what I’m watching
I’ve been working in the yard most evenings this week, so that’s eaten into my usual evening TV-watching. Since I haven’t watched much, I don’t have a recommendation for this week. Now that I’m in full gardening swing, though, I plan to watch a few more episodes of Gardener’s World. I watch that show in spurts when I’m especially interested in learning more about gardening. If you haven’t seen it, it’s relaxing, informative, and entertaining.
what I’m loving
In A Rich Spot of Earth, the author shares a scan from Jefferson’s 1809 “Garden Book Kalendar,” which records twenty transplant failures on one page. The word “failed” is written repeatedly in one column. Jefferson famously said about a garden that, “The failure of one thing is repaired by the success of another.” Despite a large percentage of failures, Jefferson kept experimenting, kept gardening, and remained enthusiastic about new seeds and growing vegetables until the end of his life.
Here is the full quote…
“I have often thought that if heaven had given me choice of my position and calling, it should have been on a rich spot of earth, well watered, and near a good market for the productions of the garden. No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden. Such a variety of subjects, some one always coming to perfection, the failure of one thing repaired by the success of another, and instead of one harvest a continued one thro’ the year. Under a total want of demand except for our family table I am still devoted to the garden. But tho’ an old man, I am but a young gardener.“
I love that last line, too. But tho’ an old man, I am but a young gardener.
what I’m working on
I feel like the “what I’m working on” section of these four things posts will be repetitive throughout the summer. Gardening, home projects, writing, painting. Repeat. I’m not complaining about that at all. The work I’ve been doing lately, though, is not all that fun, and I will be happy when it’s behind me. I’m tackling the last side of the house that has been unchecked for years, and I’m finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. I have found a rhythm when it comes to removing the ivy, and I’m making some noticeable progress.
I was taking a picture of the front of the house this morning, which looked especially pretty in the early light, and a neighbor yelled out her car window at me. “It really is looking beautiful!” I know it’s been an amazing transformation, but it’s nice to know that other people are noticing the hard work as well.
What have you been reading, watching, loving, and working on this week?
12 Responses
I appreciate that you took the time to acknowledge the brutal work forced upon enslaved humans in this country, and on Juneteenth as well. People tend to forget (or perhaps were not taught) that the White House, Mount Vernon and many other national treasures were built on the backs of slaves. And as you pointed out, the stone hauling and quarrying was almost always part of the assignment.
I so agree with your comment! For so long there are many talents have been unacknowledged and I hope more will come for us too appreciate. To me gardening his therapy. It’s just a challenge to me living in warmer climate. We now have fell into some amazing videos on prime regarding regenerative farming. We are quite fascinated and are contemplating jumping in as long as our bodies hold out lol. We are in our 60s.
Dear, you make a difference by giving the garden in all its beauty to the neighbourhood. It is sad to see a house get overgrown by an old, untended garden. It must be so uplifting for your neighbours to see you all work so hard to make it beautiful. When I found my house, the garden was Bisschop weed, dead trees and plants. An older gentleman told me last year my gardens were beautiful, and he loved my Seagull rambler rose conquering the wall. It was nice to get the compliment. I love gardening, but like you, it is hard work. Rewarding though.
The best compliment of all. after toil in the garden, is from a neighbour. Kim
I love gardening. I’ve gotten so much from the work I’ve done outside. I’m glad you’re bringing your lovely house’s yard back to life! I love when I have the hard work done before the temps get oppressive in July-Aug. Then I can relax and weed and water. I’m enjoying my yard a lot this season.
Monticello is incredibly beautiful. About 30 years ago, a friend of mine visited there and a single hyacinth bean plant seed pod just “accidentally” fell into her pocket. She planted the 2 seeds from the pod in her St Louis garden the next season and a most magnificent vine grew from it with many seed pods. She shared a handful of seeds with me and I planted them the next year…again more magnificent vines. I shared the seeds with my father in Kansas and he planted some in his rich Kansas soil and the vine reached to the second story of his home on a string he attached to an upstairs window. We moved, my seeds were lost but the Monticello vine lived on through him for a number of years. He continued the sharing and soon many had the Monticello vine. He passed a number of years ago, but our daughter has had some of the magnificent vine. The deer eat ours so we are no longer successful with it. The beautiful little black and cream seeds have produced many a delightful plant. I have loved the story of our magic little smuggled seed pod and how it continued to bring joy to so many people. AND…yes I know…that seed pod should not have fallen into her pocket but for some reason, I feel like it was the little bean that was meant to be!
I love that story and, you know what, after reading this book, I can confidently say that Jefferson would’ve loved it, too. He once pocketed rice in Italy, an offense punishable by death, to smuggle home. He considered himself a “seed missionary” and loved exchanging seeds. I’m not sure if the garden staff currently carries on that sentiment, but it only seems fitting that some of Jefferson’s seeds traveled across a country he helped found.
I think the neighbor telling you she sees your hard work is a wonderful compensation. And yes please get in your pool! Marian, summer flies – enjoy the fruits of your labors. Life is so short to always be constantly working.
It made me very happy when so much of today’s post related to Jefferson. In my kitchen is a concrete piece engraved with the “Although an old man , I am a young gardener” post! This week I received my latest book from Monticello, Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. The photography is amazing. I’m sure your neighbors are VERY appreciative.
I have that book and it is wonderful!
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I too, visited Monticello about 7-8 years ago, and purchased that same book! It is one I have gone back to many times. Jefferson was a visionary in so many ways, and his love of the earth and gardening is evident on that beautiful land. I’m sure you were immensely inspired while there, as was I. The best compliment is your neighbor noticing you making a difference, that must have felt very gratifying. I just love seeing what you are up to, thank you for always sharing so openly.