Due to decisions made by the State Legislature (who I don't think quite understand what they are doing) my job as a mentor for kids in foster care is eliminated as of the end of this month. You know, financial crisis and all....Due to impending doom, aka, job disappearing act, I have been searching for a new one...or two, etc.
Due to answering an advertisement online, and interviewing, I, Red Clover, have become an official gardener. As in, I am being paid to be someone's gardner. ! Please don't panic yet, until I explain.
Due to answering a phone call from my sister (landscape designer of beautiful, and usually rather large homes) minutes after becoming a "gardener", I was offered a second gardening job. 20 hours a week. At a beautiful home in the mountains of Park City, with a gorgeous landscape design (rivers, trails tucked away, a bridge, ponds, beautiful dry stack stone walls).
AHHHHHHHH!!!!!
This is hilarious. I mean, It's exciting that I am getting paid for doing what I love. I am not a professional, mind you. I scheduled to take a Master Gardener course in the spring/summer of next year, and am learning...but I really am in heaven!
Luckily at my first job I am doing things I've done before. Weeding their garden, forming rows, fertilizing, planting...clearing out flower beds, etc. I've suggested some ideas for developing their yard (I am not devoid of an artistic sense) and they really like them. So, when I answered an advertisement to mow a lawn they ended up hiring me to do everything but. I told them I was still learning, but that I was a hard worker. I started this week doing some long morning stints getting their garden in working order, and they seem pleased with the progress. I've hauled out 12 giant garbage bags of weeds out of that garden, and it's not that big! And after I finished up work, I washed off the tools, because Bob, a "Real Gardner" does that everyday. Are you proud of me, Sir. Bob?
I'll start the second job week after next, once my mentoring for the year is wrapped up. (I am being hired to continue working with one of my kids too, so that will be nice!) I'll make the hour drive Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. My sister, who does know what she is doing, will spend several sessions showing me what she needs me to do. A crew will take care of the lawn, etc. I am more of a detail gardner. Beds, paths, around the ponds, deadheading, etc. Really, I'm not quite sure yet. I am excited to learn as much as I can, and have progressed significantly this last year, but...Baptism by fire, here I come.
One comfort as I begin this summer venture is that my mind is ablaze with ideas, and a particle of instinct, as to what needs to/could be done, and I am willing to ask a lot of questions for all the things I don't know. It's refreshing, pleasing work. And possibly the start of something great.
~ Red Clover
P.S. My hamstring on my right leg is as sore as can be. It's my shovel leg.
8 comments:
Sounds like you should be paying them!! (Just kidding)
Congratulations! It is great you can be paid for something you enjoy.
Jennifer
Congrats on all the new jobs! How exciting to be paid to do something you clearly love so much.
Koestler said "Fortune favours the prepared mind" - fate has stepped in and pointed you in the right direction by the sound of things.
I agree with you that Bob is so meticulous with his gardening that it does make you want to clean all your tools every night. Enjoy your new jobs - summer is coming but sounds as thought the living won't be all that easy!
I am SO happy for you, one down turn has blessed you with something wonderful. But do be careful! Although movies always show gardeners plodding along, it is not a job to be taken lightly. The heat is increasing, the humidity also... but so are the flowers. ENJOY!!
Ha ha - I'm glad someone takes some notice of what I say! Anyway yes I am proud of you but the most important thing is that you will find your tools work better when shiny. Its not some ritual I do at the end of every day, I do it for good reason. By the way unless you use stainless steal tools be careful with the water as that in itself can cause them to go rusty if left wet over night. I usually wipe off the dirty with an old wrag or wire brush and then I have some oil in an old paint tin which I apply with an old paint brush. You don't need a lot, just the thinest covering possible is all it takes. Anyway good luck with the jobs, I'm sure you will do fine because gardening is as much about hard work and enthusiasm as it is knowledge. Hey - and isn't it great getting up in a morning knowing you get to spend the whole day in the garden, and get paid for it!!! Bob
Sounds so great - I would love to spend all day in the yard - or at least 2/3 of the day.
Sounds like loosing your job was a blessing in disguise. Now your doing a job you love and getting paid for it,,Enjoy your new job.
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