I don’t need to tell you how strange and challenging the recent months have been. The Covid 19 pandemic has shaken the whole world and affected every individual on the planet. We are no exception.
As my health and the new antibody treatment requires me to keep shielding from risks of any infection (which in layman terms means: avoiding people) for the time being. As consequence neither of us is able to take any contract work this summer or go away volunteering, or use public transport, eat out, visit family, hang out with our friends… You get the idea. A kind of forced ‘staycation’. Not quite a house arrest, but still, it’s quite restrictive. In the grand scheme of things though, it’s not a biggie. We’re both well, our families have been spared from the new illness so far. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. We count our blessings every single day.
Without diminishing the gravity of the situation and suffering that it has and still is causing around the globe, we decided to make a conscious effort at making it a time of growth. Both personally and professionally, we are using this opportunity to learn new skills and hone the ones we have already acquired. We’re learning new food preparation techniques, developing new eco friendly business processes and initiatives. Toby has become an prodigious road cyclist and a self taught carpenter, while I have discovered a strong passion for gardening. I would like to share a few thought about it with you, as i think everyone can benefit from a bit of growing.
Honestly, nothing beats the sense of accomplishment mixed with the feeling of humble gratefulness and spontaneous joy you get from growing your own food. I love the learning and attention it requires of us every day. Buzz of satisfaction from overcoming challenges, fighting bugs and illnesses with homemade organic treatments. The everyday garden lessons have been invaluable. Eating your first crops, from the plants you have grown from seed in the compost you have made has a profound philosophical value to us too. Making life a bit more sustainable, organic and circular every day gives us kicks, I won’t lie.
On family front, despite not being able to visit them in person, we are deepening our relationships with our grandmothers. The invaluable oracles of wisdom are sharing their sound old school methods of growing, storing and preparing food via daily video calls. They are sorceresses, I swear. If I can’t diagnose the problem or find the answer to a particularly baffling question on the internet; somehow there is always a book on the shelf they can reach and find the information I need.
There is a community aspect of it too. Exchanging bits of knowledge with other growers in the area and around the world over the channels of social media is refreshing and rewarding. Not forgetting the awesome feeling you get from sharing your crops with others. And that of course includes all of our winter guests, who will get to enjoy our delicious homemade preserves prepared from home grown and foraged fruit, vegetables and herbs. We are very excited about that part. We believe that sharing food, is sharing love. Simple as that.
Learning about the staggering complexity of all processes and variables involved growing food is a beautifully humbling experience. Discovering how different plants interact with each other: did you know that beans are not going to let beetroots grow near them? Or that marigolds will protect your cabbages from caterpillars? Exploring some of the simplest and most profound of truths, like that every tiny living thing will do its absolute best to stay alive, procreate and prosper; offers you an opportunity to look at life, however small and insignificant in a wholly different way. More connected, respectful and inspired by nature. It grounds you while giving you a sense of hope and belonging. Even in difficult times. So, if you haven’t yet: go out, start digging, get muddy and grow some food. It’s good for your body and for your soul. I promise.