In my ongoing journey towards ecstatic happiness so intense that it can’t be measured with existing science, I decided to take up gardening. There were of course several obstacles to this endeavor.1) I do not own land 2) I do not understand how plants work and have never even owned a plant. 3) My apartment gets less than an hour of direct sunlight each day. This makes even patio container gardening impossible.
Fortunately, this is the year 2000 and 23. Where there is inclination and desire, there is a solution. So I purchased an Aerogarden. It doesn’t take up too much counter space. Looks appropriately sophistacated. And according to my friend Maggie uses hydroponics. I don’t know what hydroponics is, but I love that I am currently involved in it.
Day 1 of Gardening Fun 2023. The machine was set up. Water, plant food, and seed pods have been placed and the grow light is doing its thing.
I have enjoyed watching the plants grow but…well…umm…What the hell do I do with all the herbs?????? I’m not much of a cook. I would describe myself as someone who “prepares food.” I’ll heat sometyhing up. And I am willing to transfer something from its packaging to another dish then place it in the microwave. But chopping herbs is more instimidating than a virgin pitched a threeway.
I searched all my saved recipes and located a Creamy Dill Sauce for salmon. It was essentially foolproof. Season the salmon with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sear the fish. And the sauce was just white wine, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, fresh dill, and cream I substituted Greek yogurt for the cream because I had it, and I hate buying cream just to watch it spoil after I use only a little.
One of the few downsides of living alone is that when I cook something fantastic and delicious I can’t get confirmation from another person. But it tasted like something I’d be served in a restaurant. So it was probably pretty tasty.
I find myself still a bit overwhelmed by my crop. I was able to make a caprese salad with the bounty of basil. But there is mint. There is parsley, I have thyme! What on earth am I going to make other than a mess?
But I have no regrets regarding the Aerogarden. Although I fled the Midwest partially to avoid farming and gardening, I kind of see the appeal. I have recently read several books by BIPOC authors that suggest gardening as a way to find peace and connection. And I can’t say that there isn’t something to it.