When I moved to Cambridge one of my favorite features of the apartment was the
little back yard. As a child my father always kept a garden and to this day,
every summer his garden is an oasis in my parent’s backyard. When I visit my
father, he always takes me for a walk around his backyard upon my arrival. He shows
me everything he has planted, telling me to taste this or smell this. I have
many fond memories of my father and this is one of them.
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| Backyard Bike, 2010 © Traverse Day Robinette |
With this new backyard it was now my turn to try my hand at
gardening. My first summer I didn't have a whole lot of time to commit besides
watering what was already growing. It was an interesting patch of land because
tenets before me had planted a variety of flowering perennials. Throughout the summer
each plant took its turn by becoming the center of attention in this backyard
jungle.
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| Summer White Flower, 2010 © Traverse Day Robinette |
A jungle is what I imagine my backyard to be every time I
went out to water or till the soil. I never knew what I would find under the
leaves of a plant or crawling in the soil.
Coming home after work and spending time in the garden
became a daily ritual for me. I quickly learned how relaxing it is to work with
the earth and getting dirty as you watch your efforts grow.
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| Garden Worm, 2011 © Traverse Day Robinette |
Needless to say by late summer, my overgrown garden was
truly a jungle. I didn’t do much weeding this first summer because so many of
the plants were new to me. If it started growing I gave it a chance and left it
alone. Most of the plants growing I had no clue what their proper names were.
Like most explorers, I called them by what the plant resembled. The Firework
Weed grew in abundance. I'm sure it is a weed but it became one of my favorite
plants in the jungle.
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| Firework Weed, 2010 © Traverse Day Robinette |
Summer came and went, so did the jungle. Winter has a way
clearing the canvas to my little piece of paradise. Of all the seasons’ winter
is by far my favorite. Because of winter and its bone chilling cold, it makes
warmer times that much more special. I love the crocus for the triumph it represents
to winter’s end as a sign to spring’s arrival and the warmer days to follow.
With this sign I know the jungle will soon return.
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| Crocus, 2011 © Traverse Day Robinette |
