I ahould have known better than to read the Ta-Nehisi Coates book right after reading the Rolling Stone article on climate change. How do you cope in a situation where you feel powerless ? I don’t cope well.
Today I had three surprises that, somehow, have helped. When I fed the pond goldfish, as I do every day, the first surprise was perched on the pond rim: a small toad, about half an inch long. At first I thought it was an insect. Before it darted under the rocks that line the pond, I wanted to document this, so I grabbed my i-pad. When I came back a second, smaller yet, was waiting for me.
Next to the pond, after I weeded out the stray grasses and clover and violets, this lovely fern has come out of nowhere. Although I used to try to be in control of my gardens, I’ve come to appreciate the volunteers, and this one is promising.
Finally, this pink flower, which was promised to attract hummingbirds to the pond but has not yet drawn them away from the feeder, is in glorious bloom. I can see it from my kitchen, and from the screened porch.
There is little I can do about climate change, but I try. There is nothing I can do to change the truths that Coates describes so eloquently. I take some comfort and joy in the life that is flourishing in our backyard after 35 years of sporadic and mostly toxic-free growing.
What else can I do?