I firmly believe the human race invented "clubs" because we have this intrinsic desire to be with like-minded people.
We need to be able to talk on and on about our own obsession and receive, in return, more of the same.
It is never as obvious as it is when visiting with another garden enthusiast. Gardeners are one of the most happy and welcoming groups and want to include instead of setting exclusive barriers.
A stranger that even hints of a gardening interest is immediately embraced (often literally) by a hard line gardener.
Gardeners are generous to a fault. The chance to share information, a seed, a cutting, a whole plant and we are happy people. If we are the beneficiary of said same, our gift receiving quota for the year is satisfactorily met.
Tell us there is no Santa Claus and I'm sure we can point to any number of instances when we have been given (as in free) some wonderful garden bounty that has continued to thrive and give us pleasure.
Mention a certain plant and you will receive many different variations of how to care, how to eradicate, propagate, pick, pull, plant, or pluck.
As an example, there is the wonderful garden information BLOG, Dave's Garden, which has grown into a world-wide discussion of all things garden. Today it has over 478,537 members and this past week 20,911 of them NEEDED to discuss something about gardening.
I've even heard the term "obsessive-compulsive" used around some of us gardeners. When used (usually by a non-gardening enthusiast) we tend to smile, look off in a distance, and mutter "yeah babe." We would probably high five but tend to not use large expansive moves in case we forget we have a shovel or other sharp instrument in our hand.
As with all club types, we are just sure we know something special about our own particular obsession and the world would be better off if they felt the same. In the gardeners’ case, we may feel the need to share with non-enthusiasts in the vain effort to convert. Surely, if they just knew what they were missing they would embrace it as we do! Oh, yes, I've seen many a non-enthusiast run at the first opportunity (often when we finally take a breath while expounding upon something like the benefit of the Danaus plexippus caterpillar.)
A friend is never as special as someone who shares our own idiosyncrasies and obsessions. I'm just sure if you've read this to the end, you may have the latent tendencies of a full blown garden enthusiast or are already so embroiled in this topic you are currently shouting "I'm with ya girl; gardeners RULE!"
I do appreciate gardening enthusiasts - be they from over the world, specific to the United States, only the Midwest, or simply my little corner of the world.
They bring a comforting moment in this world where things aren't always sunny. They take us to what might be on the 'morrow when today might be difficult. They bless us with beauty and positive observations when we are daily bombarded with negative and ugly. They help to improve this earth in the face of so many tearing it apart.
“Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees, takes off his shoes - The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.”- Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Yes, gardeners, our little corner of obsessive is generally for the good of mankind. I guess if we must use that human desire for being with like-minded enthusiasts, gardening and its many diverse topics is a pretty good place to settle our muddy boots.
We need to be able to talk on and on about our own obsession and receive, in return, more of the same.
It is never as obvious as it is when visiting with another garden enthusiast. Gardeners are one of the most happy and welcoming groups and want to include instead of setting exclusive barriers.
A stranger that even hints of a gardening interest is immediately embraced (often literally) by a hard line gardener.
Gardeners are generous to a fault. The chance to share information, a seed, a cutting, a whole plant and we are happy people. If we are the beneficiary of said same, our gift receiving quota for the year is satisfactorily met.
Tell us there is no Santa Claus and I'm sure we can point to any number of instances when we have been given (as in free) some wonderful garden bounty that has continued to thrive and give us pleasure.
Mention a certain plant and you will receive many different variations of how to care, how to eradicate, propagate, pick, pull, plant, or pluck.
As an example, there is the wonderful garden information BLOG, Dave's Garden, which has grown into a world-wide discussion of all things garden. Today it has over 478,537 members and this past week 20,911 of them NEEDED to discuss something about gardening.
I've even heard the term "obsessive-compulsive" used around some of us gardeners. When used (usually by a non-gardening enthusiast) we tend to smile, look off in a distance, and mutter "yeah babe." We would probably high five but tend to not use large expansive moves in case we forget we have a shovel or other sharp instrument in our hand.
As with all club types, we are just sure we know something special about our own particular obsession and the world would be better off if they felt the same. In the gardeners’ case, we may feel the need to share with non-enthusiasts in the vain effort to convert. Surely, if they just knew what they were missing they would embrace it as we do! Oh, yes, I've seen many a non-enthusiast run at the first opportunity (often when we finally take a breath while expounding upon something like the benefit of the Danaus plexippus caterpillar.)
A friend is never as special as someone who shares our own idiosyncrasies and obsessions. I'm just sure if you've read this to the end, you may have the latent tendencies of a full blown garden enthusiast or are already so embroiled in this topic you are currently shouting "I'm with ya girl; gardeners RULE!"
I do appreciate gardening enthusiasts - be they from over the world, specific to the United States, only the Midwest, or simply my little corner of the world.
They bring a comforting moment in this world where things aren't always sunny. They take us to what might be on the 'morrow when today might be difficult. They bless us with beauty and positive observations when we are daily bombarded with negative and ugly. They help to improve this earth in the face of so many tearing it apart.
“Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees, takes off his shoes - The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.”- Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Yes, gardeners, our little corner of obsessive is generally for the good of mankind. I guess if we must use that human desire for being with like-minded enthusiasts, gardening and its many diverse topics is a pretty good place to settle our muddy boots.
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