The joyful and kind gardener

||| FROM LAURA WALKER for ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB |||

It’s that time of year when it’s easy to get carried away when surrounded by the beauty and variety of plants at a nursery. Guilty. I find it hard to resist the beautiful colors and textures. Just recently, I bought some uniquely beautiful annuals to add to my garden pallet. I am notorious for impulse buying of plants, and storing them outside my greenhouse door, indecisive about where to plant them. So, there they sit and wait patiently until I have time and feel brave enough to select a spot for them to live.

One day while pondering over where these plants should be located, I notice a fuzzy bodied bee fly, an awesome pollinator and predatory against aphids often confused for a bee, flitting from colorful blossom to blossom with nearly a temperament of irritation and dissatisfaction. I realized the colorful annuals that I was drawn to were for me, not the bee. Hmmm. Another learning moment!

Later the following week, a weary and darling little Bombus vosnesenskii or commonly known as a Yellowfaced Bumble Bee, trapped inside my greenhouse, bumped against the glass in frustration hoping to find an exit. I could tell it was tiring and it’s confidence fading. I always keep a couple of bee favorite perennials blooming outside my greenhouse door just for this occasion! I grabbed a stem with a fresh, open bloom with a nice landing platform and carefully targeted the little guy. Within a few moments, the creature took one wobbly step and then another and when most of his weight pitched onto the bloom and I carefully lift him to safety. I freed him into a space filled with lots of choices and I’m sure he was relieved. My heart sang a little.

And today, I noticed the graceful barn swallows, our acrobats as they swoop, dart and glide through the air. I always look forward to their return each year. I could tell they were intent on finding the ideal place to nest. Sadly, last year they attempted to put up a mud and twig nest on the side of our house with no support and their efforts were futile. This year, we put up a wooden nesting perch just inside the eave and to my delight, they’ve accepted it. It’s within view of an indoor window so we can stealthily enjoy their progress. I didn’t know that swallows actually prefer to nest near humans because they feel safe and protected from predators. It makes me so happy to know I’ve provided a spot where they can raise their hatchlings without fear.

And a pattern emerges. There are literal and subtle signs of kindness all over this island. Isn’t the “Be Kind” sign posted on the road a wonderful reminder to us all? It’s such a simple concept yet so powerful. It takes so little effort to help someone in need, smile at a stranger, cut a few flowers from your garden to give to your neighbor, offer advice on a painted rock and provide our wildlife a little help or a safe haven.

Being kind is not only beneficial for others, but it’s also a potent way to boost your own happiness and well-being. What do you plan to do to “Be Kind”? Enjoy this month’s content theme of joy.

Come find me, reach out and tell me how you’ve been being kind lately!