SEEDS FROM PLOT 509

     This year in gardening, I looked forward to starting my newly acquired plot, expanding both the vegetable and perennials possibilities. However, synchronisticly, my very own body had become a garden itself. A spark of life had been ignited in my womb garden. But before this spark came to be, I had busied myself with the organizing of carefully measured garden beds, graphing out each detail as to which vegetable was to occupy which space and a timely manner to setting forth the planting schedule. I then became pregnant and found that nature could only allot a certain amount of energy for me in creation and that precious energy has been directed to the child-being in my womb garden.

     As spring progressed, lettuce greens sprouted and my belly swelled. I found that despite my struggle to act or feel as though I'm in control, there was a stronger force at work. It guided both my own body and the two garden plots I had begun. This force of nature had such great power that I basically had to humbly bow to her and thank her for her bountiful gifts she had bestowed on us: this child as well as the food that which grew despite my becoming so unorganized.

     I became aware of the drive of the force of nature though different examples in my garden. I started two tiny plants of muskmelons under plant lights early in the spring, and as I transplanted them out into one of my new beds, I didn't expect to get much if any fruit. But to my surprise we were blessed with six melons! I've been doubly blessed to have had seven healthy months thus far with this pregnancy as well.

     Tomatoes and other plants like kale and broccoli started off a bit on the sickly looking side, later becoming quite the producers of nutritious offerings. And this happened without too much effort. It was as if Mother Nature was putting in her handy work knowing I needed help, as I was busy growing this child-being in my womb garden.

     This fall we harvested from our gardens a new variety of pumpkins for my two young boys to enjoy for Halloween - white Luminare pumpkins. I also look forward to welcoming the newest addition to our family, perhaps a new variety of boy that will expand my expectations of maleness to which I've been exposed.

     By Aspen Marks