The Learning Curve

I came to the realization today that a goat would be a more effective weed remover than I am (assuming it could be trained not to eat the blueberries). It wouldn’t get poison ivy or take so many breaks, and it would be cheaper to feed. So why am I out here dripping sweat onto the blueberries when a hairy horned herbivore could do my job, and probably do it better?

Well, for one thing, I do have opposable thumbs, and while weeding might be easier for a goat, fertilizing and putting tree shelters on baby blueberries might be a bit harder. But, in all seriousness, or at least more seriousness, why am I here? Am I actually doing service to the blueberry plants, on the smallest scale, and to the planet, on the largest scale? Well, I hope so, in part because there is a fair bit of money riding on me completing my “summer of service,” and if I conclude in my reflection that I haven’t done any service, then it’s a little harder to justify giving me that money.

In part, my frustration stems from the fact that I don’t have a great understanding of what I’m doing. I understand that weeds compete with blueberries, and need to be pulled. I understand that blueberries need water, so they should be provided with water. However, I don’t understand enough to act independently, which stops me from feeling like I’m truly being of service. If I have to ask for direction every half hour (the longest I can generally operate without running into some complication I haven’t run into before) then I’m not doing anyone any good, am I.

However, I am learning. I can now differentiate apple trees from other trees. I can identify baby blueberries, even if I don’t always spot them all. I know to try and pull up morning glory by the roots, as it comes back with a vengeance. Hopefully through learning these things, and more things, I can be of real service. I’ve served some blueberry plants (but I may have killed some others). Maybe someday I’ll be able to serve Momma Earth.