Do you garden? I expect we represent a spectrum from avid to reluctant gardening enthusiasts. Some of us are pressing massive zucchinis into the hands of everyone we know, and others of us were cheering on the single, solitary cherry tomato that made it through the season before the squirrel got it. We might have huge gardens, we might garden in community gardens or containers on our patio. But chances are, if we own or rent property, we have a plot of land that is technically within our care, and thus, whether or not we work that ground, we are caring for it - for better or for worse.
And if you were to design the garden of your dreams, what would it be like? Would it be vegetable heavy or more flower oriented? Would you choose hardy native plants, or tropical beauties that need to be taken inside to be shielded from the harsh Canadian winter? Maybe you prefer shrubs and grasses for steady, consistent shapes and colour. How much does your imagined garden overlap with the garden in your care?
Whether or not we work in a physical garden, we are gardeners. We have been entrusted with the care and keeping of a metaphorical garden - ourselves - our hearts and minds and bodies. These gardens are being shaped and formed by forces within us and outside of us, both chosen and bestowed upon us. As we get into the overall theme that will take us through this 16th season at Nexus, we’ll pay attention to who and what is shaping us, and how we’re being influenced. We will consider what we are becoming and why. What are we growing? How do we best cultivate our garden?
So let’s roll up our sleeves, grab a trowel, see what’s growing, and consider what we want to do about it. See you Sunday for great music, coffee and “How Does Your Garden Grow?”