Thyme for Change
Doomscrolling. It’s a term that seems to have originated in the spring of 2020, because of-fucking-course it did. Many of the shittiest things that we, as a society, have experienced have been experienced within the last four years. The math is easy, I won’t bother to proceed down this path as I’ve already posted a political rant (and will likely post many more). Like everyone else who has been stuck working from home, my daily schedule usually starts with checking the headlines, i.e. catching up with the continual erosion of our democracy and a pandemic being ignored, if not actively denied, by an unnerving percentage our our fellow citizens. Doomscrolling is a miserable habit. It doesn’t provide solutions, answers, or even illumination, it just provides a fetid bath of venom in which you can stew. This is Facebook’s core operating principle. It has, however, pushed me outside into a new routine: finally taking an interest in our garden. I didn’t plant it, my wife did, but simple actions like watering, inspecting for pests, and digging out weeds have provided me with the therapy I apparently needed.
I’m fairly certain this inclination toward horticulture was inspired by a friend, Jennymarie Jemison. I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked with Jennymarie on a couple of projects since moving to Austin and she’s remained one of my favorite local actresses. Not to mention, as a graphic designer and creative director, she continually produces work around town that I’m always finding supremely inspirational. Well before this pandemic, I started to follow an Instagram account that she started devoted primarily to the construction and cultivation of her new garden. Gradually, she began to share tips and advice that she was putting into practice, as well as mistakes made. That’s what’s refreshing about her approach, it never feels like it’s coming from the perspective of a know-it-all. She exudes an air of someone who’s always loved something but never had an opportunity to master it. After a health scare last year, she started a newsletter to more effectively disseminate the lowdown on flower, herb, and food gardening and it became pretty clear there was more to come.
Naturally progressing to that next level, this summer she started a Stay Home Garden Club, an online guide for beginning gardeners specifically geared for our quarantine times, and her website, Joy Max Garden, (self-designed, naturally) has been built out with a storefront, and as a fan of merch, that’s what I’m personally excited about. Fine, I’m a design nerd, I’ll own that shit, but Jennymarie can do merch. That said, if all you’re interested in is seed packets, she’s got a Fall Collection that just sold out its Volume 1 presales. So get ready to jump on Volume 2.
And vote this fall. Vote like your life depends on it.