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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (May 8, 2019)
Wednesday, May 8, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Of a certain AGE Sue Stafford Columnist I feel the most whole, cen- tered, and peaceful when I am out in my yard. The constant chatter in my mind is stilled, the to-do lists fall away, and my focus narrows in on the wondrous marvels of nature that occur each season, whether I am paying attention or not. My move to Sisters 15 years ago this month came at a time when I had been immersed in tending my gar- den in Kirkland, Washington, where everything grows eas- ily and profusely. Upon arrival at my new home, with the bare bones of a yard, mainly lawn and pon- derosa pine trees, my enthu- siastic gardener-self tackled the new challenge with great enthusiasm. I ripped up sec- tions of lawn and established new perennial beds full of iris, lilies, delphiniums, lav- ender, native grasses and scented geraniums. I planted aspens, autumn blaze maples, vine maples, flowering crabapples and a paper-bark birch. For the first eight or nine years, my garden brought me tremendous plea- sure. I could spend entire days weeding, transplanting, prun- ing 4 tending nature9s gifts. Of course, the deer were constant competitors for ten- der green shoots and color- ful blooms. Deer fencing and spraying foliage with repel- lent helped moderate their carnage. Additionally, I have been fortunate over the years to have several very capable gardeners to help with spring and fall cleanups, but dwin- dling finances have kept their visits to a minimum of late. With less help, more years on my body, and less ability to devote long hours, all the results of my devotion and care of the yard have slowly faded away. The birch appears to be dying, after reaching 30 feet in height. Last year some critter worked its way through a perennial bed, decimating all the flowers (they just dis- appeared) and devouring a majority of the roots on my favorite crabapple tree, which fell over with no anchor to hold it upright. The deer fencing had to be replaced every couple of years and I finally said <uncle= and just removed it. Consequently, I surrendered most of the remaining peren- nials and shrubs to the four- footeds. The iris, lavender, Lydia broom, and grasses have survived because they aren9t high on the menu of local deer. Last summer I spent almost no time in the yard, simply despairing and feel- ing defeated when I looked out on it. Besides, I had kept myself overly busy with the launch of a new organization and didn9t have time to spend in the yard. As I9ve mentioned in an earlier column, circumstances have conspired to encourage me to slow down, reduce my responsibilities, and focus on what is important in my life. Relationships with long- time friends and family have taken on a new immediacy. Quiet time to reflect on my life and what I want to do with the years left has given rise to a sense of peace. I feel a release of <shoulds= and <oughts= and <musts.= My thoughts have slowed down. The hustle is gone out of my daily rou- tine. My breath is slower and deeper. My sleep is sounder and more restorative. The piles of clutter are shrinking and, with each bag of recy- cled papers, I feel a release and lightening in my spirit. The sudden burst of reju- venating spring weather is perfectly timed with doors and windows thrown open wide. Each morning brings more green to the branches and shoots reaching toward the warming sun. The birds greet each new day, hopping from branch to branch, chirp- ing to announce the reprieve from a long, hard winter. I, too, am a tender shoot growing toward the sunlight. I have just finished having a thorough clean-up done in time for the annual spring yard waste collection this week. As I have relinquished 21 a busy schedule, my enthu- siasm for gardening has returned and I am eager to put shovel to soil and thought- fully restore the barren flower beds 4 perhaps with hardier, deer-resistant stock and fewer expectations. I know from years of my own experience, and that of my clients, that time spent connecting to the earth pro- motes a feeling of well-being laced with gratitude, hope, and a sense of place. Take the time to feel the sun on your shoulders, lis- ten to the birds chirping, and nurture a living thing, be it a simple flower in a pot or a yard bursting with new life. If you nurture nature, she will nurture you. We are all seeds stirring to live. HOME • GARDEN • FARM • PASTURE Mama J’s Organic Growth Spurt & Organic Digester-Plus Locally owned Soil Amendment since 2005! A natural organic soil & plant amendment. Improves plant growth, balances soil & helps eliminate toxins! BUDGET BLINDS 541-788-8918 Budget Blinds partners with all the top vendors to offer a vast and rich selection of window coverings for every budget. With Budget Blinds, you will get qual- ity at a good price, whether you’re putting blinds in a trailer or a million-dollar home. 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