Ten years ago, as accompanying programme to my photo exhibition in Beijing in 2014, I gave a talk called “Cities, countrysides and why all heavens are gardens”. I love gardens. not so much the orderly geometric type, but those growing out of a wilderness. And I took the chance to stop over in my Secret Garden for three days. It was humid summer and all the greens are lush and grew quite a bit. Happy to see that after a lot of previous planting did not survive the drought of summer 2023 …
In 2021 I decided to spend more time in the Netherlands and took a part time teaching position at Tilburg University. Immediately the question of housing came up. Tilburg in itself is a small university town and it is fair to say it has a housing crisis, which I did not want to add to. So when thinking through options, I started to look for boats. And this is how a three year semi-holiday in the Netherlands started …
As expected, two storms in a row, also left a bit of damage in the forest. So yesterday, I took my dog and a chain saw to sort out a few things. Following the trend of electrification, recently I ditched the petrol engine chain saw against a battery-powered model with the Bosch 18 V system. I found it so practical, that I carried it with me also while shopping and for paying at the fuel station. It did not go unnoticed while doing so, that people treated me more respectful and listened very carefully, not just to what I asked, but also to how I said it. And also they smiled more and set their words more carefully. Of course, I know that different dress codes can change the conversation. In Asia, for example, you are treated more respectful when you wear an expensive watch. But, trust me, just wearing my Casio watch and a chain saw completely changes social interaction. I am thinking of taking one into the next management meeting. I am sure, this would have a very positive effect on the way decisions are made. I am obviously not a career coach, but I can see the potential of a whole new category of “dress for success” advice.
By the way, no tree fell in the storm. They are mainly oaks and the storm just took out a few branches, which would have fallen anyway soon. Still, it is a good reminder, not to go into a forest during a storm, but they were cut to handy firewood in no time. Also, it is now time to start planting for the new year. I added 2 apple trees, one pear, three cherry trees and a large number of various forest berries. I am having a walnut tree, which strangely last year did not produce any nuts. Also, I broke open about 30 m² of land at a place with grey-brown podzolic soil, which I will turn into a vegetable garden during the coming weeks.
My work companion (not really working)
We are having what we call “April weather”, which is a quick change of sunny moments, followed by rain and even hailstorms. In the past, people said, it’s when summer fights winter for domination. And when you look at the isobar map, that’s what it is. Today, I was reminded that spring is coming by a picture shot by my hunting camera. It monitors the tool hut in my forest garden. This one, triggering the motion sensor, is not a thief but a welcome guest. I hope in the future many more will make themself feel at home.
