The Lure of the Garden

A post about following my instincts when they told me to spend the day in the garden instead of at my desk

On the day I should have been writing an article for a national website, an invisible force lured me into the garden and made me potter about there instead. This is what I did.

Bunting in my garden — Hung out the flags to celebrate summer

Troughs full of plants — Weeded the troughs to show off my new colour-changing solar lamps

Table and chairs on patio — Tidied the old patio and brought the sewing machine table and chairs back in from the lawn to create a nice seating area for morning coffee

Two money trees outside the back door — Gave some houseplants a summer holiday

row of cuttings in pots — Brought out the cuttings I’ve taken to give them some sunshine

My foot on the floor — Accidentally took a photo of my foot

Scented geraniums in troughs — Tried to teach some scented geraniums to climb

Tub of mint, geranium and flags — Hacked back the eau-de-cologne mint and added some patriotic planting in front

Honeysuckle in my garden — Admired the honeysuckle. Bliss.

Mug shaped like a pair of jeans, photographed in the garden — Thought about my lovely friend Aaren, whose birthday it was that day, and photographed the gift she gave me for my 16th birthday to put on Facebook with my birthday message to her

Butterfly or moth on statue of a hare — Discovered a mysterious and beautiful butterfly which my friend Clare later identified as a day-flying moth. Who knew?! The statue is a moon-gazing hare, by the way, an ancient fertility symbol. Maybe the butterfly/moth has family plans.

I refused to feel guilty for having such a blissfully fulfilling day in the sunshine, which I’m sure restored my spirits and equilibrium, as well as the garden.

Instead I got up at 6am the next day to write my by then overdue article, and I’m sure the article was so much better for my day in the garden. If you’re interested, you can read the finished article here on the Writers and Artists website.

Author: Debbie Young

English author of warm, witty novels including the popular Sophie Sayers Village Mysteries and the Staffroom at St Bride's School series, both set in the Cotswolds. Founder and director of the Hawkesbury Upton Literature Festival. UK Ambassador for the Alliance of Independent Authors and for the children's reading charity, Read for Good. Public speaker for the Type 1 Diabetes charity JDRF. View All Posts