A Garden Hymn
The Mindful Kitchen by Heidi Barr
This morning, in the waves of chilly air whistling in through the irresistible opening in the front window, I can hear birds chirping and frogs singing to each other. Life outside is in full swing as creatures of all sorts revel in the slowly warming temperatures–in celebration that everything is waking up. There are seed potatoes sprouting in a box by my feet, waiting to be planted and broccoli seedlings outside the back door getting used to the natural air before moving to their soil bed in the garden. Wildflowers of brilliant blue and bright white are popping up through old leaf cover in the woods. The great blue heron has made her homecoming to the shores of the lake. After a winter that lingered, spring has embraced the landscape again.
As I look out the front window, I see the section of field has been tilled under, eagerly awaiting those broccoli seedlings. They will get planted. We will water, mulch, compost and cultivate.. Plants will grow. Some plants will not. Some will get eaten by the resident deer or raccoons. Neighbors will stop by, and conversations will resume. Relationships will build. We will spend time outside no matter what the weather forecast says. We will harvest and preserve. We will nurture a sustainable way of living. We will press on, even if we don’t do it right some of the time or if it starts to feel harder than we hoped it would. We will add our voice to the community’s song in a way that harmonizes.
There are years when spring takes its time to come to full glory, but even in those years, eventually the landscape takes on tints of green, frogs resume their singing, and birdsong fills the air. We harvest wild ramps and nettles and the first of the asparagus. The beauty of new life springs up all around us, and even the quiet nights hum with possibility. With each passing moment, all of life is gathering strength for the season ahead.
Despite what can feel like dissonance as the earth endures more and more industrial progress, the ancient rhythms of nature persist at casting shadows that have the potential to create symphonies. By listening deeper than usual, we can hear the cadence that connects everything. Through the year, the rhythm of the garden keeps the song of life moving toward what matters. Each piece of creation, from fruit to flower to weed, adds a note to the hymn that is being written.
Here’s a very simple recipe, but one that adds a bright note to the song of the day.
Lemony Asparagus
Ingredients:
1 lb Asparagus, washed and trimmed
1 TB Olive oil
Juice of one lemon
Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper
Heat oil in a sauté pan. Add asparagus. Sauté for a few minutes, then add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan and cover. Cook until the asparagus is bright green and tender, but not mushy. Remove from heat and add the juice of the lemon.. Sprinkle with parmesan, salt, and pepper. To make a full meal, serve with a fried egg and toast.
Heidi Barr is a writer and wellness coach with over fifteen years of experience in health promotion. Her work is founded on a commitment to cultivating ways of being that are life-giving and sustainable for people, communities, and the planet. She is the author of two works of creative nonfiction: Woodland Manitou and What Comes Next; two poetry collections: Slouching toward Radiance and Cold Spring Hallelujah; and one cookbook: Prairie Grown: Stories and Recipes from a South Dakota Hillside. She is also the coauthor of 12 Tiny Things and is the managing editor of The Wayfarer Magazine and curator of “The Mindful Kitchen.” She lives with her family in Minnesota, where they tend a large vegetable garden, explore nature, and do their best to live simply. Collisions of Earth and Sky: Connecting with Nature for Nourishment, Reflection, and Transformation is now available. Learn more at heidibarr.com.