After years of imagining and dreaming of a backyard garden, I finally got to work!
I could have been grading papers or working on a paper that needs revising, or working on another manuscript that won't let me rest, but instead, I decided to sow seeds - literally and figuratively.
Life in academia is rough. Beginning my career as a tenure-track professor being pregnant, on bed rest, and caring for a newborn, now toddler, exacerbates the struggle. I've spent the last month and a half trying to get back on track - establishing a productive writing routine, bouncing from conference to conference to conference. For someone who is very, very shy, attending conferences does a number on my spirit, and by "does a number," I mean makes me anxiety-ridden. It's hard putting yourself out there. Rubbing elbows and exchanging cards drains me. Walking up to strangers to share how their work impacts you is tough, especially when that person is looking
through you in search of a bigger name to flatter. Academia is one part rigor and
five two parts self-promotion. I've decided that I'm going to go hard for my career, but I'll have to do it in my own way, on my own terms. This ain't nobody else's race to run but my own, and I think I lost sight of that. This
article blessed me this morning. I have rockstar potential, but I'm going to let the work (and some strategic social engagement) be my calling card.
So this past weekend, in an effort to recalibrate and shake off the academic residue, my family and I sowed seeds - literally and figuratively.
I've dreamed of growing a garden for years. Maybe it's the southern girl in me. Maybe it's the inner-boho-Badu (as my husband would describe it). Either way, I've always had the desire to grow my own food. We planned on gardening last year, but moving into our house in mid-May pushed gardening way down on our list of priorities. After over a month of palm pressing and hobnobbing, and the cold weather FINALLY gone for good, Hubs and I decided it was time to get going.
Following the advice of every gardening site I read, I only planted what I knew we'd eat - lettuce, kale, cucumbers, red peppers, onion, and garlic. We also did some container gardening for a watermelon and some strawberries. I've still gotta plant the herbs, but we're up and running!
Things always happen when they are supposed to happen (Lord, why can't I hold onto this?!?). Starting our garden this year gave us the awesome opportunity to share the activity with Little Miss TJ. And, y'all, she took right to it.
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| Posted up and serious about the work |
As annoyed as I was that she was undoing our hard work at times, I was more grateful to watch her enjoy connecting with nature. She's a helpful kid by nature, so she was more than willing to make sure that everything was watered.
As y'all can see, she was serious about keeping the plants nice and hydrated. Let's pray she doesn't drown them.
As we worked on the yard, I realized I felt something that I hadn't felt in a while - RELAXED!
Tending to our little garden gave me a way to connect with my family. It also allowed us to do a little personal sowing. We sowed:
Seeds of Quality Time: Being outside with each other made my heart full. The joy on Little Miss TJ's face was priceless.
Seeds of Teamwork: We all came inside hot and tired, yet accomplished.
