The t-shirt reads, “Dirt Worshipper” and couldn’t be more fitting. The woman behind the clever piece of apparel loves her outdoor garden and considers it her sanctuary. Filled with flowering plants of every kind, she finds solitude in the depths of the jungley growth that sometimes takes over in the early springtime.
The act of becoming one with the earth is self-satisfying. As a person tills dirt in preparation of planting crops or flowers, he or she is transported to another time or place. Feeling a closeness with his or her ancestors, the gardener feels the calming effect of repetitive motion. The person is then rewarded by the fruits of his or her labor. A flower bed worthy of envy now lines the corner of a street once shrouded in dead grass. Fresh fruits and vegetables are ripe for the picking and nourish not only the body but the mind as well.
Gardening is an act of independence for some. Bogged down with the pressures of everyday living, the open sanctuary gives peace of mind to those individuals desiring a place of their own. Reflecting on the events of the days past, reading, writing, and meditating seem to be favorite activities of those people who are lucky enough to keep a garden of their own.
In great physical and emotional health, those with a green thumb suffer less in stressful situations. Able to take their creative energy and turn it into something beautiful, gardeners tend to be relatively happy people.
Small town gardens add beauty to every neighborhood. Unkempt lots can be turned into community efforts which serve a greater purpose by bringing people together and giving a city a facelift. Each member takes turn doing different tasks to keep the garden going. Everyone who assists with the effort is allowed to pick and keep the fruit and vegetables that they grow.