For many years Susie has found tranquility and joy while digging in the dirt and creating gardens. Upon retirement she was grieving the gradual loss of her parents to Alzheimers and dementia. Searching for consolation and peace she signed up for a Master Gardening class. She would leave these classes renewed and eager to begin serious gardening.
Her first challenge was to design and plant a very large garden area above her home in SW Portland. She began poring over garden designs, attending Hardy Plant Society meetings, visiting nurseries, attending garden tours, and talking with other enthusiastic gardeners. She was hooked! She found gardening not only addictive, but also an avenue to inner joy. She was excited when she witnessed nature unfold with its wondrous secrets. She was calmed by the rustle of wind in the trees and birds exchanging their calls. The garden became a place of peace, challenge, meditation, and reward.
Years passed and the big garden was left behind. Susie and her husband, Carl, moved to a townhouse with a very small courtyard garden and a deck to fill with potted plants. When they decided it was time to move to a CCRC, Susie knew she couldn’t be happy without at least a little strip of soil to nurture. Fortunately Rose Villa offered such a place. In her narrow side garden Susie now continues her love of gardening on a smaller scale. Though she tries to incorporate native plants throughout her garden, Susie still can’t resist planting some non natives with their bright colors and beguiling configurations. She hopes to continue digging in the dirt for many more years and assisting Carl in their community garden.
