Tangible earth

Emily and I don't pretend to have green thumbs, but we did have our hands in the dirt recently as we sliced and re-planted the roots of giant hosta plants. Those things are tough and I can understand how they're nearly impossible to destroy. Last fall we whacked the tops off, leaving only short stems and very substantial root systems.

I've always had an appreciation for work that produces immediate and tangible results, and despite my great interest in the abstract and theoretical, there is a much different satisfaction gained from exerting energy on a task, seeing every inch of progress--and every misstep--and knowing immediately what the outcome is. Force shovel into the earth...hear it slice past rocks and snap roots. Lift the roots and dirt...feel their weight and cold. Separate into four smaller, manageable pieces. Dig a new hole. Bury the smaller root systems. Pack the earth around them...see what once was one, now four, returned to the earth and still alive.

Ok...I'm not thinking about all of this as I stab and re-stab the shovel into the ground, trying to cut through the ridiculous and very effective anti-weed fabric. Truth be told, I'm focusing on not cutting the buried communication and electricity lines. But after the roots buried, the tools are put away and I'm inside, evidence of something accomplished still remains. It washes down the drain, hands now clean and ready for the next task.

Get some dirt under your nails. Happy Earth Day.