Comments on: Garden Designers Roundtable Post – Plant a Garden, The Life You Save MIGHT Be Your Own

By: Nature Assassin

Nature Assassin — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:46:04 +0000

This post reaffirms my belief that gardening is truly a form of therapy! It’s not for everyone… but if you’ve got that nurturing, nature-loving temperament, it’s deeply powerful.

You know, you’d be surprised at the lack of real, empirical psychological research on horticultural therapy. Somebody needs to get that ball rolling.

By: jocelyn/the art garden

jocelyn/the art garden — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 19:44:14 +0000

Ivette, thanks for sharing your poignant story of “success,” despair, and renewal. The eternal cycle of nature’s renewal that gardeners become a part of/benefit from is very powerful indeed.

By: SHirley Bovshow

SHirley Bovshow — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 03:59:59 +0000

Ivette,
That’s a great story…I had no idea about your background in acting! I love how you found redemption and fulfillment in the garden. Now, you share from your abundance with others.
Shirley

By: germinatrix

germinatrix — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 23:41:45 +0000

Thank you all for being such lovely readers! ALL of you make me so happy I feel like I am glowing brighter than the pumpkin I carved last night!

Naomi – It is such a thrill that you joined us this round, and your insight into the topic is so valuable. Mine is one story of a garden changing a life, but to devote yourself to making these things happen where it is urgently needed – wow. Mad respect. Isn’t it funny that at crucial times in our lives, we found ourselves digging and growing? A valuable instinct. Hurray for your AHA!

Debbie! I totally want a dress in the color and stripe pattern of ‘Bengal Tiger’! A wrap dress, to the knee – wouldn’t that be great? And considering that I wear nothing but black, gray, navy, and brown, it would be a HUGE new look for me! I love what you said about looking “beyond the plants” – the issues we deal with are so wrapped up in aesthetics, but are also MUCH bigger. We are in total agreement.

Sweet One – see what I always say about us being Brain Twins? Even with our choice of ROES! It is undeniable. Thanks for say ing such nice things about the way I write – because the feeling is so mutual! You know it! XOXO!!!

Awww, Pam … Y’all are making me WEEPY!!! The pleasure I get from gardening and my garden world SO outstrips what acting gave me. I feel so lucky to have all of you awesome colleagues and friends in my life – SO much better than a bunch of dicky actors! NO CONTEST! We make real magic! Right!!! XOXO!

Loree!!!!!! (HA!) Yes – I think the exclamation mark makes my writing sound like my voice – which is really loud, and I am given to uncontrollable giggles and eruptions of laughter. Are you like that too? A period just doesn’t convey what I want to end with! We are infecting each other, garden friend (oh that sounds all sorts of wrong!) XO!

Robert, it is my pleasure to share the most miserable moment of my adult life – it paved the way for my current happiness! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Oh I LOOOOOVE neomarica! I have two, and they BARELY grow, but I cling to them. They are so glorious in bloom, and then easily fade into the background. Gorgeous AND graceful – a near perfect plant!

Gen, now I’m getting misty again! I will keep rocking if you rock with me!

Susan, no WAY I can give you perspective! Wow – that blows me away because you are the most discerning designer I know. But things are always different when we look at ourselves and our past. Thank YOU for your thoughtfulness and insight, always.

I love what you’ve expressed here, Kari – so true. The garden gets us in different ways, but if we are paying attention, it DOES get us. And get ready to be in the company of more and more garden pros – it’s in the cards!

By: Helen at Toronto Gardens

Helen at Toronto Gardens — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 03:20:29 +0000

Germi, I’m on the horns of a similar dilemma. Your post is very inspiring.

By: Kari Lønning

Kari Lønning — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:16:46 +0000

It seems I’ve always looked to the garden, and nature, for it’s quiet support. In grammar school, I used to take my books out to the pond nearby so I could study better. I was an OK student, but tended to get overwhelmed with words. When this happened, I’d look up and notice plant colors and textures, take a deep breathe and read some more. I hadn’t thought about that in decades! (It feels funny to be in the company of so many professionals, I think I was one of only 2 at the tweet-up at Margaret Roche’s.)

By: Susan aka Miss R

Susan aka Miss R — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 19:51:24 +0000

My garden saved my life too Germi, but in a very different way. I never thought about it the way you’ve expressed here. Thanks for giving me some perspective.

By: Genevieve

Genevieve — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 19:49:09 +0000

Ivette, what a lovely, touching story. You always manage to bring me right into the scene with you – a skill that an actor needs, yes, but a garden designer and writer – even more so, since an actor has props! You’ve obviously found your calling and your post made me cry all the way through it. Rock on, my friend.

By: Robert Webber

Robert Webber — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 04:32:03 +0000

Thanks for sharing a very personal and heart warming story.
Wot a great outcome.
Also you make a larger, in world terms, point along the lines of the butterfly and the hurricane – we could improve the world if everyone found this kind of restorative salvation!
Thanks for showing Neomarica -use to grow northiana, but inside over here of course. Not seen it for years!
Best Wishes
Robert

By: Loree / danger garden

Loree / danger garden — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 03:07:22 +0000

Great post Germi! So personal and true. While I of course never knew this acting side of you it does make perfect sense. After all I think you are the only blogger I know who uses more exclamation points than I do! So glad you found your calling and are so successful at it! Plus that means infecting others too, it’s all good!