A Pandemic Garden
If there is an upside to the pandemic it would be the fire escape gardens in my community. We are a trio of buildings in the quaint neighborhood of Tuscany-Canterbury. Year after year, many of us take to the outdoors to beautify our neighborhood. However, this year was different.
This time around there was something more going on with our interest, which was born out of a restlessness. Some of us had too much time on our hands, while others, like me, are working from home.
As I watched neighbors create their gardens, I noticed they were a little larger than usual and more functional, too. A few are utilizing their outdoor space as an office, strategically placing colorful hanging baskets around them. It seems Victory Gardens have made a comeback. (For those who don’t know, during World War II, Victory Gardens were planted by families to help prevent a food shortage.)
As for my garden, I share a space with a neighbor, who is also a dear friend. We joined forces to create a lovely little oasis in the city. Our garden is a mishmash of many things – flowers, herbs, and vegetables. I also use this space as my outdoor office. It also comes in handy for yoga, meditating and reading.
What’s great about the fire escape garden, especially during a pandemic – it creates a nice buffer, allowing all of us to communicate, while practicing social distancing. We’ve even enjoyed a few happy hours, too. For the older neighbors in my building, these gardens have helped them feel a little less sad, providing them hope, especially when the news is unkind and too difficult to hear.
During this summer season, gardening took on a whole new meaning. It meant many things to many people. It kept a few of us from going insane. For others it relieved the boredom. It’s been a great coping mechanism. A few neighbors said it helped with their anxiety. Whatever reason, we can all agree that gardening kept us united, looking out for each other, because that’s what neighbors are supposed to do. That’s what good Americans are supposed to do.
There is so much going on in the world. At times it seems as if everything is falling apart. As we navigate these uncertain times, please, let’s remember to look out for each other. Kind words and smiles can accomplish miracles. – paerki
Additional Photos: Fire Escape Garden
This time around there was something more going on with our interest, which was born out of a restlessness. Some of us had too much time on our hands, while others, like me, are working from home.
As I watched neighbors create their gardens, I noticed they were a little larger than usual and more functional, too. A few are utilizing their outdoor space as an office, strategically placing colorful hanging baskets around them. It seems Victory Gardens have made a comeback. (For those who don’t know, during World War II, Victory Gardens were planted by families to help prevent a food shortage.)
As for my garden, I share a space with a neighbor, who is also a dear friend. We joined forces to create a lovely little oasis in the city. Our garden is a mishmash of many things – flowers, herbs, and vegetables. I also use this space as my outdoor office. It also comes in handy for yoga, meditating and reading.
What’s great about the fire escape garden, especially during a pandemic – it creates a nice buffer, allowing all of us to communicate, while practicing social distancing. We’ve even enjoyed a few happy hours, too. For the older neighbors in my building, these gardens have helped them feel a little less sad, providing them hope, especially when the news is unkind and too difficult to hear.
During this summer season, gardening took on a whole new meaning. It meant many things to many people. It kept a few of us from going insane. For others it relieved the boredom. It’s been a great coping mechanism. A few neighbors said it helped with their anxiety. Whatever reason, we can all agree that gardening kept us united, looking out for each other, because that’s what neighbors are supposed to do. That’s what good Americans are supposed to do.
There is so much going on in the world. At times it seems as if everything is falling apart. As we navigate these uncertain times, please, let’s remember to look out for each other. Kind words and smiles can accomplish miracles. – paerki
Additional Photos: Fire Escape Garden
