A Clueless Gardener in a real garden

Spring is in the air and the birds and bees doing what they need to do; as nature intended. There is a distinct sound of spring for me - people gardening, lawn mower going off somewhere, and chatter coming from neighbours nearby as they sit around in their porches.

As spring broke, I began to see the garden slowly come to life. It was a welcoming sight after a dreadful winter. Then I started worrying - what do I trim and what do I throw or pull out? I was still learning how to keep a garden back in Leesville and now I was suddenly thrown into a smorgasbord of flora (compared to what I had back home in my virgin garden). I was afraid I may pull out and discard the wrong plants. It was time to ask for help. I usually try not to bother the landlords because of my lack of fluency of the language (otherwise they would have had me hanging out in their apartment from the time we met in December). However, I did not worry so much when I found out that their son, their walking translator, was around. Eager to help me out, they were there the next day after I made that gardening-911 call.

The son took care of cleaning out some icky green stuff from the top of the pond while his parents showed me what needs trimming. Luckily, I sought their help. What I thought were weeds turned out to be a bed of beautiful tiny blue flowers.

The parents trimmed and threw away lots of weeds and dead leaves. I kept telling them that I will do the rest (with the help of Jochen, the interpreter) and just show me what I need to do and take care of. Either they did not trust this clueless gardener or they just loved what they were doing. Within two hours, they had done half the garden.

They left behind a green house too and initially I thought there were weeds taking over that place. It turned out to be parsley! I told you I was a clueless gardener. Anyway, suddenly the mother had a bright idea. She said "let's go shopping for some salad to plant." Jochen, of course, translated and went on to say that his mother would like take me to the store where we can get them. The father wanted to help me get my vegetable patch going. I thought Jochen was going to accompany us but learned that he will stay back and help his father clean up more. Just then, I panicked and wondered where is the thunderstorm when you need it. I could not avoid this trip to the store and did not want to offend her. So, I got into the car with her and off we went.

It wasn't too bad. I managed to speak some German. But boy! it took some effort. When we got to the store, it got a little easier. I was so captivated by the beauty around me. All I kept saying was "schoen" (beautiful). That alone killed some good minutes and saved me from struggling to form a sentence. After we bought what she needed, she paid (told me it was on her), we got in the car with our prized salads and headed home. When we arrived at the house, almost everything looked trimmed and clean. The biggest surprise - they got the fountain working. It was such a welcoming sight.

After four weeks of taking care of the rest (a little more pruning, trimming and mowing the lawn), I have this garden now. (If you are on my list in Facebook, you would have seen these already).

I am now going to sit in my porch and enjoy a cup of tea.

Home Sweet Home

It was 7:00pm. I looked out and was glad to finally see light at that hour - a sure sign we are moving into spring. Suddenly it brought back memories of my days when I worked in Kuala Lumpur. That was the hour I would be on my way home on the KTM commuter train, just about a halt or two before mine, Telok Gadong.

There was a sense of relief to be away from the maddening city crowd. Within an hour, I was in a much more easy-going atmosphere. The walk from the halt to my house took about 5 minutes - 5 minutes of getting in touch with local feel. From the sounds of the crows perched on the electrical lines and around the sundry shop/mini-market to the chatter of people in the restaurant having dinner.

Then, I finally arrive at my gate. Back then, it was safe that we did not need to lock it all day. Our dogs did the job of warding off strangers. So it saved me precious seconds that would take to unlock the gate. My specific memory of this hour was after my niece was born. My mum helped look after her during the day. I looked forward to returning everyday - not only to be in the comforts of home but to play with my niece. I remember how her face lighted up when she saw me at the door. When she started walking, it was such a delight to watch her use the rails to help her down two steps from the dining room. Once she had her footing in the living room, she would run over to me for a hug and kiss. Then, I would proceed to my mum's room, sit on the floor, chat with her for awhile and watch the little girl's antics. If my brothers were home, they would soon join us in the room.

When I first left Malaysia, those memories kept me going yet made me feel sad - I was missing home. These days, they just make me feel nostalgic for the days gone by. Just one memory of coming home at 7:00pm leads to other memories of simpler days.

Unexpected great moments

You may have seen this in your inbox before but I feel re-reading it gives us a gentle reminder about important lessons in life. I think there are several within this story and not just at the end which is the title of this post. Everyone picks up different lessons because we are unique individuals. There is no wrong answer because feelings are never wrong. What strikes you most?

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I arrived at the address where someone had requested a taxi. I honked but no one came out. I honked again, nothing. So I walked to the door and knocked.

'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, and then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.

'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated'..

'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice'.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.'

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. 'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up.. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

Image at: www.hayko.com/paintings.htm

'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

Celebrations of Life and Love

In about a week, the world celebrates Valentine's Day. I do not really have fond memories of this day as a teenager or in my early 20s because I was a late bloomer. When there was someone in my life, it was never around February (talk about luck, huh?). :D

I told myself that someday when I do have someone to share the day with, it will be special. Well, it was - a long distance relationship which led to marriage. The distance did not make the day any less special. We exchanged gifts and cards via post and chatted online.

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." -Helen Keller

Almost 10 years later, we have settled into an understanding that we will not make a big deal out of Valentine's Day. Frankly, it has becomes so commercialised (like Christmas) that sometimes the true meaning of the day is lost.

I rather celebrate my birthday (which falls four days before cupid makes his appearance) because everyday is Valentine's Day to me (except the days when the love of my life should be sleeping with one eye open). :P

"Young love is a flame; very pretty, often very hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. The love of the older and disciplined heart is as coals, deep-burning, unquenchable. " - Henry Ward Beecher

So, what do we do on my birthday? If it is a week day, he goes to work and I go shopping! I treat myself to something nice and buy a cake from the bakery and wait for the weekend to celebrate my birthday with a meal.

Now, what would it be like if I were living in Malaysia? Then, I think it would be slightly different - a not-so-quiet affair. Family and some faithful friends will insist on getting together. This was the norm when I was single. We had a special meal at home and then when the weekend came around, the old faithfuls would choose a spot in K.L. to make it an evening of food, cake and booze. No, I did not touch the booze because I was always the designated driver (birthday or otherwise). The times when I did drink were the nights when I was guaranteed a safe ride home.

So, coming back to Valentine's Day, did you know that 188 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine's Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion? (This total excludes packaged kids valentines for classroom exchanges.) (Source: Hallmark research)

You can find more interesting facts at http://www.history.com/content/valentine/did-you-know

Oh .. and if you are looking for the history of Valentine's Day, check it out here.

Happy Valentine's Day to all who are celebrating it and Happy Any-Day-Is-A-Good-Day Day for those who choose to celebrate it another day.

And for those who got married on Valentine's Day, Happy Anniversary.

"Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward in the same direction." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

This and that

You would have probably noticed by now that there is this weird weather system going on around the world. This is, by far, one of the coldest winters I have experienced. This makes me wonder, is there really global warming? I am no geological expert but my body certainly can tell it is not getting any warmer ... at least during this winter season. Sub-zero temperatures for more than a week is uncomfortable and unusual. And this comes from someone who is fortunate enough to be in a warm house (and grateful for it). I feel sorry for those who are homeless and those who have to work in horrendous icy temperatures because they do not have a choice.

On the positive side, I now have a huge freezer - my garden. If there is no place for food in the refrigerator, just put it out on the porch and it will be good the next day. I just need to make sure it is covered so that the neighbour's cat does not help himself to a frozen feast. Also, the garden looks pretty all white with snow (just ignore the plants that are trying to survive).

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Now, for a little walk down memory lane ... what were you doing in 1987? This only applies to those who remember 1987 for there is a possibility that some readers could have either been too young or too drunk to remember. :) One way I recall a piece of yesteryear is through music. Hearing a familiar song transports me back to a specific memory.

Here are a couple of Top 10s of 1987 that may jog your memory:

Billboard's Biggest Single

1. Faith by George Michael
2. Alone by Heart
3. I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston
4. C'est La Vie by Robbie Nevil
5. Shake You Down by Gregory Abbot
6. La Bamba by Los Lobos
7. Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
8. Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
9. Heaven is a Place On Earth by Belinda Carlisle
10. The Time Of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes

Most Watched TV Shows

1. The Cosby Show
2. A Different World
3. Cheers
4. The Golden Girls
5. Growing Pains
6. Who's The Boss
7. Night Court
8. 60 Minutes
9. Murder, She Wrote
10. Alf

Do any of these songs or TV shows bring back a specific memory?