The Life Experience of a Holiday Farmer
Often gazing at the vegetable garden for an entire afternoon.
Text and images by Chen Chi-Hsiang. I enjoy being close to nature, appreciating its scenery, and even more so, interacting with plants. Art and nature make my life more complete; I often wander between them, finding great joy. After creating a small paradise—a vegetable garden—I no longer just observe. Beyond tilling the soil and physical labor, I have gained a deeper understanding of the land and environment. I frequently discover new aspects regarding soil preparation, turning, light, texture, planting, organic methods, flowers, vegetables, and fruits. Learning by doing, I have also learned how to plant and handle produce. The result of daily meticulous care is a bountiful harvest, bringing continuous surprises and delight. This feeling or state of mind is indescribable; I often gaze at the vegetable garden for an entire afternoon, entering a state of leisurely, self-forgetting meditation.