How I did so enjoy your blog and I had to laugh at your youthful comments. Last birthday I turned 80. I have been gardening just like you for 55 years. Yesterday I moved a couple large rocks and got in a fair bit of winter veg. I love your work. Even at my age, I love reading and practicing your wisdom. Pam (from poultry).
Always enjoy reading your posts. We can all aim to fill our days with simple pleasures like taking time to smell the roses and noticing changes in our gardens.
I chuckle at your take on ageing at 45. My advice is to make the most of your 60's because the body goes downhill from then!
Yes, happy birthday. Making your writing personal allows us all to see ourselves, recognise those feelings, that longing, uncertainty, feel the significance of your pondering in our own lives. Well done. Being in the garden, allows us to witness the passing of time. We can grow to see that we are part of this miracle of life, and that it is all precious. We have no guarantees on how many seasons we (or the ones we love) will witness, so it seems wise to make the most of the one we are in.
You certainly nailed it! About to turn 80 and those thoughts are beginning to intrude on my gardening plans but then I dismiss them and still enjoy planting new fruit trees etc. Even if I don't get to enjoy their produce for long, if at all, I still get to enjoy the anticipation. I won't stop enjoying nature until my heart stops.
That was a great read. I like you lost my father when he was only 63, I'm now 73 so Ive beat him. All I can say Duncan is waith until you hit 60 then the body starts to notice lots of things unfortunately. I have AF and it was under control then 2 days ago I woke up with it again, now I cant even go out and clean up my pots, let alone work on my veggies. It is so frustrating, hoping to see the doctor soon for another electric shock to get it under control again. Until then I shall write a list of all my gardening chores.
Well done on your longevity. You're not the only one to mention the decline of the 60s. So I'll be sure to make the most of my next 15 years to set up my garden and make any time beyond that a bit easier on my body.
Best wishes for overcoming this current health hurdle. I hope you're back tending your garden very soon.
Love reading your posts. A very happy birthday Duncan. May today and everyday be blessed with health and happiness in the garden and beyond. Thank you for your passion and commitment.
Happy Birthday Duncan, Your life seems rich and full, regardless of how many more tomato seasons you witness. Just enjoy your family, and your kingfishers.
Happy Birthday, I have watched your progress since PDC & Fruit classes & this Blog made me laugh at the similarities our Life Paths are taking ( ok bit woosie for you, LOL) my Bday is in 4 weeks and males in my family don't get past 72 so i have 8 years to go in Apr it appears, recently I counted how many times I could possibly use my new Passport and if I can complete the transfer of 700 vars fruit trees to new farm ( thanks to Dean & Troy) I hope the paid writing is going well, my PDC days could be over so just teaching fruit classes and 2 days on PDC for Kushala but have got back to garden big time , hope to become the resident gardener & pool boy in my Twighlight years. cheers pete
Thanks for your support over the years Pete. The PDC and those fruit classes seem like a lifetime ago. Good luck with the 'twilight years'. I hope you manage many more than your anticipated 8. It sounds like you are going stronger than ever.
Happy Birthday and here's hoping that the future brings many more tomato seasons.
My younger brother still has an enormous crop on his 10 acres, with most having been planted only recently.....taking advantage of Melbourne's never-ending summer. He's got new tomatoes ripening as I type. And the cucumbers and zucchini, well they will come my way.
Keep writing and keep gardening. I can't think of a nicer way to round up a life well-lived like my Mother (88) and Father (93), both passed away, but their footprint on our family garden is never forgotten.
Writing and gardening are two of my greatest passions and indeed make up to a life well-lived. I'm currently working on a piece about memories and how gardening is a wonderful framework for capturing and storing them. In it I'll mention the footprints that others have left in my own gardens - many of them without actually setting foot in it.
I really like the way you worded that last sentence in your comment. It's beautiful.
Love your writing Duncan and happy birthday! My own dad died of a sudden heart attack at 45 and it's made me aware early on that we are only attached to this life by a thread 😏
Happy Birthday Duncan. What a lovely piece you’ve written today. I feel as if I’m getting to know you now! Thank you for all your wonderful articles, which are my most important source of gardening information here in central VIC
It's a fine balance between rambling on as me as a person and sharing enough of the knowledge that folks are after to grow their own food. I'm enjoying experimenting with pieces about my gardening journey and philosophy and sitting them alongside the more technical how to grow guides and the like. The personal pieces are great fun to write and I love the connection they foster with my readers. So feedback like yours is greatly appreciated. If you liked this piece you may may also like to read this one from last year which steps out my gardening journey over the last ten+ years: https://leafrootfruit.substack.com/p/happy-birthday-to-leaf-root-and-fruit
Feliz Cumpleaños! I think this is your best piece of writing yet. I hope there are many more seasons of growth for you. In saying this, your new perspective and desire to slow down and appreciate the little moments is wonderfully mature. I too lost my father early and have often thought if I live as long as him - I’m over half way through my time. I hope however many seasons any of us have left we make the most of them by doing the things that make our souls happy and fulfilled. Thank you for sharing such a personal piece of writing.
Thanks Jess, I'm glad that the piece resonated with you. I really enjoyed writing it and the wonderful feedback from, and connection with my readers. Our time is short and we need to make the most of it. Whether that be in the garden, spending time with our family or watching the clouds drift by.
How I did so enjoy your blog and I had to laugh at your youthful comments. Last birthday I turned 80. I have been gardening just like you for 55 years. Yesterday I moved a couple large rocks and got in a fair bit of winter veg. I love your work. Even at my age, I love reading and practicing your wisdom. Pam (from poultry).
Hi Pam,
Your active lifestyle of gardening and positive outlook on life probably has a lot to do with your longevity. I really hope I can emulate you.
Thanks for your support and kind words
Duncan
Always enjoy reading your posts. We can all aim to fill our days with simple pleasures like taking time to smell the roses and noticing changes in our gardens.
I chuckle at your take on ageing at 45. My advice is to make the most of your 60's because the body goes downhill from then!
Best wishes for many more years of growing.
Oh my, then I'm not looking forward to the downward slide in another 15 years. Best I make the most of my late forties!
Thanks for the kind wishes Gabriella and happy gardening.
Yes, happy birthday. Making your writing personal allows us all to see ourselves, recognise those feelings, that longing, uncertainty, feel the significance of your pondering in our own lives. Well done. Being in the garden, allows us to witness the passing of time. We can grow to see that we are part of this miracle of life, and that it is all precious. We have no guarantees on how many seasons we (or the ones we love) will witness, so it seems wise to make the most of the one we are in.
Thanks Mark,
I'm glad that you can relate to my writing. Time is short and gardens are a great way to mark the passage of time whilst enjoying the little things.
Enjoy the moment.
Duncan
You certainly nailed it! About to turn 80 and those thoughts are beginning to intrude on my gardening plans but then I dismiss them and still enjoy planting new fruit trees etc. Even if I don't get to enjoy their produce for long, if at all, I still get to enjoy the anticipation. I won't stop enjoying nature until my heart stops.
Thanks Kay, you have a wonderful approach to life. I hope that you enjoy watching those fruit trees establish for many years to come.
Happy gardening
Duncan
That was a great read. I like you lost my father when he was only 63, I'm now 73 so Ive beat him. All I can say Duncan is waith until you hit 60 then the body starts to notice lots of things unfortunately. I have AF and it was under control then 2 days ago I woke up with it again, now I cant even go out and clean up my pots, let alone work on my veggies. It is so frustrating, hoping to see the doctor soon for another electric shock to get it under control again. Until then I shall write a list of all my gardening chores.
Hi Christine,
Well done on your longevity. You're not the only one to mention the decline of the 60s. So I'll be sure to make the most of my next 15 years to set up my garden and make any time beyond that a bit easier on my body.
Best wishes for overcoming this current health hurdle. I hope you're back tending your garden very soon.
Thanks for your support
Duncan
Love reading your posts. A very happy birthday Duncan. May today and everyday be blessed with health and happiness in the garden and beyond. Thank you for your passion and commitment.
Thanks for the great feedback and well wishes Jos.
Happy gardening, happiness and good health to you too.
Duncan
Happy Birthday Duncan, Your life seems rich and full, regardless of how many more tomato seasons you witness. Just enjoy your family, and your kingfishers.
Thanks Helen, I sure will!
Happy Birthday, I have watched your progress since PDC & Fruit classes & this Blog made me laugh at the similarities our Life Paths are taking ( ok bit woosie for you, LOL) my Bday is in 4 weeks and males in my family don't get past 72 so i have 8 years to go in Apr it appears, recently I counted how many times I could possibly use my new Passport and if I can complete the transfer of 700 vars fruit trees to new farm ( thanks to Dean & Troy) I hope the paid writing is going well, my PDC days could be over so just teaching fruit classes and 2 days on PDC for Kushala but have got back to garden big time , hope to become the resident gardener & pool boy in my Twighlight years. cheers pete
Thanks for your support over the years Pete. The PDC and those fruit classes seem like a lifetime ago. Good luck with the 'twilight years'. I hope you manage many more than your anticipated 8. It sounds like you are going stronger than ever.
Best wishes
Duncan
Happy Birthday and here's hoping that the future brings many more tomato seasons.
My younger brother still has an enormous crop on his 10 acres, with most having been planted only recently.....taking advantage of Melbourne's never-ending summer. He's got new tomatoes ripening as I type. And the cucumbers and zucchini, well they will come my way.
Keep writing and keep gardening. I can't think of a nicer way to round up a life well-lived like my Mother (88) and Father (93), both passed away, but their footprint on our family garden is never forgotten.
Thanks Vicki,
Writing and gardening are two of my greatest passions and indeed make up to a life well-lived. I'm currently working on a piece about memories and how gardening is a wonderful framework for capturing and storing them. In it I'll mention the footprints that others have left in my own gardens - many of them without actually setting foot in it.
I really like the way you worded that last sentence in your comment. It's beautiful.
Thanks for your encouragement
Duncan
All the best to you on this special day. Happy Birthday Duncan. Have a wonderful day 💛
Thanks Doreen.
Love your writing Duncan and happy birthday! My own dad died of a sudden heart attack at 45 and it's made me aware early on that we are only attached to this life by a thread 😏
We are indeed Marie. Make the most of it while we can.
Happy gardening
Duncan
Beautiful piece mate, happy bday! Tim
Thanks Tim.
Happy birthday Duncan 🍅🎂
Thanks Corrina.
Happy birthday!
I read to the end and can relate to a lot of what you say. I have a few years on you!
I’m racing around doing as much as I can before I die. I now say I may only have ten springs left.
So be a good father and don’t wipe yourself out on the road.
My son said: “I don’t mind you dying Mum but I’ll be really angry if you are killed in a road accident.”
Thanks for writing.
And I learnt a lot at your early tree pruning day!
Thanks Margaret,
Indeed road fatalities are a horrible and avoidable waste. I'm a much more careful and considerate driver these days.
I'm glad that the piece resonated with you. Thanks for your support.
Duncan
Happy Birthday Duncan. What a lovely piece you’ve written today. I feel as if I’m getting to know you now! Thank you for all your wonderful articles, which are my most important source of gardening information here in central VIC
Hi Kate,
It's a fine balance between rambling on as me as a person and sharing enough of the knowledge that folks are after to grow their own food. I'm enjoying experimenting with pieces about my gardening journey and philosophy and sitting them alongside the more technical how to grow guides and the like. The personal pieces are great fun to write and I love the connection they foster with my readers. So feedback like yours is greatly appreciated. If you liked this piece you may may also like to read this one from last year which steps out my gardening journey over the last ten+ years: https://leafrootfruit.substack.com/p/happy-birthday-to-leaf-root-and-fruit
Thanks for your support and kind words.
Duncan
Feliz Cumpleaños! I think this is your best piece of writing yet. I hope there are many more seasons of growth for you. In saying this, your new perspective and desire to slow down and appreciate the little moments is wonderfully mature. I too lost my father early and have often thought if I live as long as him - I’m over half way through my time. I hope however many seasons any of us have left we make the most of them by doing the things that make our souls happy and fulfilled. Thank you for sharing such a personal piece of writing.
Thanks Jess, I'm glad that the piece resonated with you. I really enjoyed writing it and the wonderful feedback from, and connection with my readers. Our time is short and we need to make the most of it. Whether that be in the garden, spending time with our family or watching the clouds drift by.
Happy gardening.
Duncan