It's not pretty, is it? I don't mean my red cabbage which I think is beautiful despite the ravages of pests, but the feeling of envy. I've been experiencing quite a bit of envy and going green round the eyes over the last few days, and it's all because of other people's skills with growing and photographing things.
We watched Nigel Slater's Simple Suppers the other night and though I was very pleased to see that he has as many slugs and caterpillars attacking his veg as I do, I found myself horribly envious of his wonderful garden. It's a posh allotment in a way; a long, thin, urban plot with neat box borders and classical lines. It's a smart take on an old design, and I would give my eye teeth to have something similar beyond my back door.
On the subject of allotments, I was engulfed with more envy when Tom told me he and his 'A' Level art group were off to the local allotments to make sketches and take photographs. These are spectacular allotments enclosed by a high brick wall and securely locked at all times. I've driven past them for years and every time I have wished that I could go inside for a peek, so was very jealous of Tom's foray in this secret garden.
I was very touched when he showed me an 'aerial' view of rows of plants that he'd taken knowing it was my style and that it would appeal to me. But I was bowled over by the photos he took with his own eye - and by the fabulously eccentric and varied allotments that exist behind that high wall.
I had another surge of envy when I saw the organised chaos, the colours, the fruit and veg, the creativity and improvised structures.
For me, this is a suburban eden. Cue more envy.
But the greatest envy wave of envy came when I saw this photo in Tom's album (above - even better printed large on photographic paper). If there is one photo I wish I could have taken, it's this. It's a view of an allotment that I would never, ever see - and that, I think, is what good photography is all about. It makes you see things in a new way or shows you aspects of your world you'd never normally notice. I watched an excellent BBC Imagine programme about William Eggelston last week and was amazed by his photographs and could see that naturalness of vision is what it's all about. Damn it, I'm envious.
You are reminding me of Rapunzel's mother, with a yearning to get to the witches lettuces!
Posted by: lucy | September 13, 2009 at 13:42
Well, I am envious of your cabbages - they are much more robust and healthy looking than mine - my poor little dears are very small, and look as though they are made of green lace!
Pomona x
Posted by: Pomona | September 13, 2009 at 14:00
My brother is a young Franciscan Friar living in NYC. He has an eye for beauty in all forms. Recently while relaxing in Central Park he started chatting with a woman taking photographs. The woman commented to him that if you look, you will find beauty everywhere. My response was, well yes, in Central Park! I could tell by the silence on his end of the phone I had missed the point. Your Tom gets it, and the young Friar? He now has a camera and I can not wait to see the beauty of Manhattan through his eyes.
Posted by: kathe kramer | September 13, 2009 at 14:05
Great cabbage! :)
And I wish we had allotments here. I would love one!
Posted by: Emma | September 13, 2009 at 14:48
i'm well envious - the caterpillars have stripped my brussel sprouts bare!
Posted by: wonderwoman | September 13, 2009 at 15:46
I live next door to what are, possibly, the oldest allotments in England (we think). I have one of the most time-poor, untidiest plots, shared with a neighbour but it's a privilege to be part of such a community and to see the seasons up close every day of the year. If only I could come up with a use for couch grass, ground elder and bindweed I'd be a millionaire!
On the envy front, I read an article recently saying that envy can be a good thing - stimulating action and energy. Like everything, probably in small doses.
Posted by: Janice | September 13, 2009 at 16:19
feeling envy can, i think, be a good thing. wallowing in it, being engulfed by it less so. all hail the desire to emulate driven by envy, i feel sure it can lead to many new avenues being explored.
Posted by: trashalou | September 13, 2009 at 17:07
I love Tom's photographs. He does have an eye for photographing things that make you think and stare. I love photos that make me think and continue to look. Great job Tom!
Posted by: Carla (from Alabama) | September 13, 2009 at 20:57
I've just taken a walk around your blog for the first time. Your photography is wonderful.
Posted by: Thomas | September 13, 2009 at 21:36
I first saw Nigel Slater's garden a few years ago. I agree it looks wonderful, but those box hedges provide the perfect cover for the slugs/snails and other pesky pests. I remind myself of this every time I consider planting box around the vege patch and the envy subsides....
:)
Posted by: Cath W | September 14, 2009 at 06:37
Love the cabbage. I think red cabbages are so much more impressive than green ones. It gets even better when you cut them in half - all that red and white stripeyness
Posted by: Mary | September 14, 2009 at 10:17
There is so much in life to be envious of eh? But I'm sure it works in all ways and directions - I'm envious of your book writing and your photos too! I'd also love an allotment! Still, I tell myself, all in good time. You have to start somewhere - be it, taking a photography lesson, saving for a camera, beginning the initial words of a book - to putting your name down on the council list for your own veggy patch! :) xxx PS I love Nigel Slater -isn't he great? So talented and I really dig his values.
Posted by: The Curious Cat | September 14, 2009 at 11:43
Love Tom's photos of the plants... like your machine embroidered vegetables, or what!
Posted by: Angel Jem | September 14, 2009 at 14:58
I love Nigel too! Have you tried this recipe? It's the shizzle!
http://www.nigella.com/recipe/recipe_detail.aspx?rid=12544
Thanks for an ever gorgeous lovely blog, Ms Jane!
Posted by: Pip - Meet Me at Mike's | September 15, 2009 at 10:18