I have, really been enjoying, working for an elderly lady, who lives on the same road as me. I've been working in her garden, pruning, strimming and some other odd jobs. She's ninety years of age and still active in her garden, she just needs someone who can do the heavier stuff and where you need to be quite agile. Her land is spread over two terraces, with quite a few rocky places that need to be navigated and climbed up onto. I go once a week, for 3 or 4 hours depending on what she needs doing.
I like to get there for 8 o clock in the morning, as it's already getting quite hot by 12. It's so important for me that I get up in the morning and become active. Get up and out, and do some physical activities, so getting to work doing gardening, is perfect for me. I'm outside, on the land, feeling the elements, using my body, the way it is meant to be used. It feels good, it leaves me feeling good, for the rest of the day.
The wonderful lady I work for, likes to work beside me sometimes. Which I also enjoy, as she likes to tell me, about the many adventures she has had over her life time. She has lived a very colourful life. Traveled to so many countries, going overland from Australia to Spain, to also travelling in America. She told me how Iraq, was one of the most beautiful countries she has visited, where the people were super welcoming and friendly.
I love to hear her stories, to see the twinkle in her eye, when she tells me them, especially her travelling stories. When she shares her life with me. I feel honored, to be honest, to get these little glimpses into her life. A life, that she got to share with the love of her life, her husband. He passed away 14 years ago, he got really ill and they had discussed going to Switzerland together, so that they could pass away together, but when she stepped out into her garden, she realised she wanted to live.
She has created the most beautiful garden, with a variety of fruit trees, citrus, avocado, and figs to name just a few. As well as a veggie patch, lots of colourful flowers, shrubs and herbs. It's such a lovely space to be in. All of it created with her hands, including two sheds and an outdoor covered, seated area. With rocks from the riverbed, that her land borders on and with canar, which is similar to bamboo. She is such an inspiration to me.
Today as I was putting up some extra shading for her, I showed her how I use round stones folded over into the edges, to create a solid place to tie the rope onto, so that we could hang it. She was quite impressed with my little tip. She even said I remind her, of herself, which was a huge compliment.
Feeling blessed, to be able to work at what I enjoy and get to spend time with some awesome people.
( I don't have any photos of her land, I would need to ask her first if I can take some, as she is so proud of what she has created and so she should be. So instead I will share some photos of other beautiful gardens. Which were taken by me,)
