Gardening By Jim Sollecito
Planting for Body and Soul You don’t stop planting because you get old; you get old because you stop planting.
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55 PLUS - June / July 2014
I
had three great aunts who were triplets. Two were stay-at-home moms. Mary and Minnie were very nice ladies who watched a lot of television and cooked lovely meals. Both ended up with Alzheimer ’s disease and died no longer recognizing me. The third, Nellie, married but never had children. She worked into her ‘70s and was the sharpest tack in the family. If we wanted to know family history, she had total recall complete with names, dates, events, occupations and locations. Nellie hugged and greeted me by name, asking about Megan and our daughters until she died at age 92. Her cooking was adequate. She watched what she ate and stayed physically active. Not that she went to a health club, but she walked everywhere, including the steep set of stairs to her house in Amsterdam. Anywhere is walking distance if you’ve got the time. I was surprised to learn from a physician who works with Alzheimer’s patients that genetics factors into the situation as little as 5 percent. Good news for me. Those triplets pumped Sollecito blood. When I asked what might be the biggest factor, the physician said physical activity. Healthy heart, healthy head. It makes sense. Plus, people are living longer. I hope to be one of those people myself. I have long held the notion that when you are digging and planting into the soil, you are doing it not just for the tangible visual result, but for the way it makes you feel. There is
something fundamentally good about performing an act that proposes for the future. You may have been taught by your parents how to plant a garden, grow a shade tree or repair a lawn. We learned by observing. Then we watched as this investment in time and a few dollars grew in value over the years. I know of many trees planted by friends who have left this planet. Those thoughtful individuals left behind a living legacy. I am reminded of their presence whenever I look at a particular tree. Some folks stop planting when the birthday candles on their cakes are plentiful enough to illuminate a room. That’s a shame. A friend once observed that you don’t stop planting because you get old; you get old because you stopped planting. “We’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden” echoes inside my brain. Captain Kangaroo’s friend, Mr. Green Jeans, was one of my personal heroes. He was always planting, appeared to be in good shape and maintained a positive disposition. At some point in my life, I connected the dots. I wanted to be Mr. Green Jeans. Perhaps this is a good time to consider making a positive impact with plants that will make a lasting impression. You might just like how it feels. Jim Sollecito is the first lifetime senior certified landscape professional in NYS. He operates Sollecito Landscaping Nursery in Syracuse. Contact him at 468-1142 or at jim@sollecito.com.