Nature can have a dramatic effect on our mood. Plants and animals can calm our frayed nerves by giving us a very real connection to other living beings. They bring happiness. They bring companionship.
Planting seeds and watching the wonderous process of germination is something I will personally never tire of. Staring at trays of seeds on an hourly basis to check on their progress, calculating the percentage success rate of germination, and planning on which crops I could potentially have are all parts of this exciting cycle.
The Tortoise and the Hare
In the New Year, I was lucky enough to acquire one of 42 new allotment plots on the outskirts of our village in Lincolnshire, England—the equivalent of a community garden plot, each being a 33- by 33-foot parcel of land rented for the sole purpose of growing fruit, vegetables, and flowers. The field had laid fallow for several years following the demise of the much-loved village farmer, Roy, who had owned the land. It was a big commitment, but one which I thought would afford me the opportunity to connect with nature, grow food, get some much-needed exercise, and meet with likeminded people on a regular basis. So far, all my expectations have come true.
