Wednesday Vignette: Starting to Bloom
I am often accused of being a positive person.
Today, a Master Gardener trainee in the answer clinic told me that I could find something positive to say about the dump. What she didn’t know, was that I was sitting there nervously waiting for a local reporter to come chat with me about an upcoming beneficial insect class in Camas. My hands were shaking and I kept putting them in my pockets to hide my nerves.
I had just stepped out of a meeting where we had assigned our first two volunteers to local school gardens as part of our new Garden Discovery program. This is the first small step after three plus months of brainstorming and planning how to provide more garden lessons to grade school students in Clark County. Next week, we’re building 10 lesson kits for our volunteers to check out and use in gardens. Change can be so painstakingly difficult.
One of my gardening mentors has warned me that I will fail. Just like that. I flipped her off inside my rain jacket pocket as I listened to her try and rain on my parade.
star magnolia flower bud
I’m at a point in my life where I feel like the only thing that I can do to help our future generations is to teach adults and children how to be good stewards of our planet, vote, buy local, and to grow organic veggies. Public speaking scares me. Speaking to reporters scares me. But, I do it anyways. My Master Gardener badge makes me bold and courageous and forces me outside my comfort zone.
The interview with the reporter went well, even though I managed to forget the word neonicotinoids. Doh! I dashed into the answer clinic and the mg trainee was delighted that she remembered the term as we printed a handout for the reporter. I could have hugged her.
Then I took the reporter out to the greenhouse for the photo shoot. My fellow volunteers playfully teased me as the reporter took my picture. “She’s going to be our local Cisco.” The reporter stared blankly back not understanding the reference. And just like it was over. I walked the reporter back to her car before I went back out to check on the milkweed in the greenhouse. They are thriving.
Now, I’m taking a week in my garden to recharge my batteries, before the next wave of presentations and classes. My life is beginning to bloom. I can feel it. Spring is here and I’m not afraid to fail.
Don't forget to visit our Wednesday Vignette hostess, Anna at Flutter and Hum, to view all of the Wednesday Vignettes.