It is a well worn cliché I most enjoy when used as a quip. But the fact of the matter is—it’s still true.
I have many hobbies. Some are fleeting, like my foray into bronze casting where I realized I neither have the patience nor craftsmanship to produce anything of true beauty. Others are sporadic, like my desire to play an instrument; I own two mandolins and a bass guitar. (I practice sometimes, I swear). And then there are the ones that stick: gardening, crafting, painting, reading and hiking. (Oh, and movie-going, chocolate-eating and wine-tasting, too.)
Hobbies are good for many reasons. You can take your own sweet time becoming an expert, or decide you just want to tinker. Next to eating well and exercise, it is the best thing you can do to lead a healthy life. I contend every human being is creative and hobbies provide an outlet. Therefore, whether you are in a creative field or not, it it important to do something independent from bosses, colleagues and—in some cases—family. Every human must have an activity that lets the mind run free, because what comes from that activity is the essence of our very souls. And, it feel good.
Sometimes, though, we find that our hobbies take on a life of their own and grow beyond the confines of our spare time. This happened with my gardening. I am especially fortunate to live in Phoenix where I cultivate flowering plants in every shape imaginable. I started eleven years ago when we moved into a new home and the yard was empty, save dead grass and one sad tree. I was thrilled to have a blank canvas on which to experiment. Over a decade later, and many stops and starts, I have one of the most talked about gardens in the neighborhood.
Now, my interest is blooming on the internet. A friend and I have created a webzine dedicated to xeriscape gardening in Phoenix. We talked about it for years, and now 2010 has brought with it all the ingredients for us to realize this dream.
Xeriscape Today (xeriscape-today.com) connects the Greater Phoenix gardening community with information that helps put xeriscape principles into action. We post articles about how to overcome the challenges of gardening in the scorching summer; We add to a growing list of plant sheets that give the gardener all the information they need to make smart decisions at the nursery and at home; And, we send out a monthly To-Do List with all the most pertinent information for success in your own garden. This hobby, pardon the pun and cliché, has taken on a life of its own.
Like our gardens, we have planted this seed in order to see how it will grow. We will let it develop organically, as time and information allow. And, like the rewards of gardening, we look forward to seeing what comes of our efforts.
