Life's Balances

I am in the fortunate position of working on a casual basis in a library, and owning and working in a small plant nursery - and yes, we grow camellias. Sometimes I spend more time in a week working in the library and at others the nursery dominates my time.



There's nothing quite like getting up early on a spring morning and walking out into the freshness of the day and wandering through the rows of plants with the morning dew on them, seeing the new growth happening - different tones for different varieties - and wondering at the miracle of nature.



Then there are those days where there is just nothing for it but to get stuck into the weeding on the plant pads, full sun blazing and heat seeming to penetrate your very brain. Sunscreen, hats, protective clothing and lots of water just don't seem to have much impact.



A phone call will then see me head off to one of the library branches to do my shift amid the staff, customers, books, computers and general hub-bub which is the make-up of any library - not to mention the 'air conditioning'. The general atmosphere, the quiet, and sometimes the noise of a happy or upset child, all make up a wonderful environment which I love.



This is one of life's balances.