| Confessions of the Long-Suffering Partner of 13 Years |
| Thirteen years. One mad gardener. Still no parole. |
| For the past thirteen years, I’ve shared my life with a man who can turn the simplest thought into a full-scale project. Long before he became a professional gardener, I affectionately called him my mad Aspie. There were years of worms, compost and all manner of peculiar enterprises before gardening entered the picture, and somewhere along the way I discovered that living with Rory requires patience, a sense of humour and, preferably, somewhere quiet to hide when he announces, “Suze, I’ve been thinking.” Now, don’t misunderstand me. Rory is a wonderful man, although I would appreciate it if nobody told him I said that. He’s generous, enthusiastic, endlessly curious and completely incapable of switching off. He can spend an entire day gardening, come home and talk about gardening, then settle down to relax by thinking about the business. Occasionally, he disappears into his gaming or writing world, which provides a welcome period of domestic peace, although I’ve learned not to mistake silence for the absence of another grand idea. Thirteen years ago, I was rather more fashionable than I am today. These days, my preferred attire consists of ankle boots, shorts and an Earthen Wurmin hoodie, usually accompanied by an appearance suggesting I’ve recently been dragged backwards through a particularly determined hedge. Meanwhile, Rory seems convinced we live in a magical house where washing folds itself, floors mysteriously become clean, and his plants get watered through some unexplained natural phenomenon. I have yet to discover the identity of the household fairy responsible, although I have my suspicions. For years, Rory has encouraged me to start my own blog. Well, I’ve finally decided he’s right. A rare occurrence, admittedly, and one I shall endeavour not to make a habit of. My new blog, Living with a Mad Gardener, will begin with a humorous series of the same name, sharing some of the adventures, absurdities and occasional moments of sheer disbelief that come with living alongside a man whose mind seems permanently occupied by at least seventeen different things. But it won’t all be about Rory. I have my own passions, including an inherited allotment, organic living, sustainability and the environment. I’ll also be sharing my experiences of living with an Aspie, along with whatever else life throws in my direction. Some articles will be funny, some thoughtful, some practical and others perhaps a little outspoken. I make no promises about behaving myself, and I certainly won’t promise that Rory will emerge from every story with his dignity intact. The pilot episode of Living with a Mad Gardener is coming soon, ahead of the launch of my own blog, where I’ll continue telling the stories from my side of the garden fence. After thirteen years of listening to Rory’s ideas, I think I’ve earned the opportunity to share a few of my own. And as for Rory? I’ve informed him of my plans. Whether he’s fully appreciated the consequences is another matter entirely. Suze Long-suffering partner of 13 Years, Occasional Voice of Reason, and Apparently Head of Domestic Miracles. |
