Meet Your Wild Neighbors

Perspective & Empathy in the Garden

I frequently use this space to write about the living creatures in my garden. Butterflies, bees, birds, and of course the lovely plants. Recently, however, I discovered a quote that stopped me in my tracks. I read it over and over. I wrote it down. I typed it up. I even shared it with friends, ignoring the clock as it brought clarity to a feeling I’ve long held inside.

"Learning the names of our many wild neighbors is an exercise in perspective and empathy, transforming the outdoors from a pastoral backdrop into a world of parallel societies inhabited by diverse creatures, each with its own character and career."

— Ferris Jabr

The modern me wants to be a hip urban curator of all things beautiful—the gadgets, the gizmos, the trends. But in my heart, I know I will always be the little girl playing in the woods along the Mississippi River, learning the "characters and careers" of my wild neighbors.

As a florist and a gardener, I am lucky. I get my hands dirty doing something I love, maintaining a connection rooted in my earliest memories. Today, I encourage you: set aside the cellphone. Don your parka and go outside, if only for a few minutes.

Listen to the birds—they are out there in the cold. Notice the seed heads from last year's bounty and the dormant buds ready for spring. Feel the awe of being part of something larger than yourself.

Have a beautiful day, and keep making natural connections.