The Benefit of Pursuing Happiness in the face of Tragedy

On coming face to face with climate change and a narrow mind

I’m a very big fan of the Hosta, that shade-loving plant that is admired more for it variegated, dark foliage and that seems to come in infinite varieties. I did not know I would admire this plant so much until, after moving up to Salem, Oregon, we had a yard that needed a little filling in.

On the east side of our yard, there is a large border area that is anchored by a mature, flowering plum. It’s flowering now, in fact. These flowering plums with their bright pink pedals are sure harbingers of spring and warmer weather. But upon arrival here, the ground beneath the plum was relatively bare. It’s a shady spot that gets morning sun then has the large plum tree to filter the hot afternoon sun. Perfect for hostas.

I planted nine or ten hostas in three different varieties. Being generous, giving and carefree plants, they took off and flourished. The next year, they were even larger and lusher than before.

In February of 2021, we had a weather event here in Salem that, I’m told, is a once in 20-year event: An ice storm. Growing up in Northern California, I’d never experienced a phenomenon in which trees, plants, grass, cars, wires, chairs, everything are covered in ice a good half-inch thick around. It really is a beautiful thing to see. However, all that ice adds weight. So much weight, in fact, that eight separate limbs from my beautiful, large, shade casting plumb tree were felled and had to be removed.

This was my first hand, up-close introduction to the potential impact of climate change. It’s not that the ice storm could be attributed to climate change. It’s that the little microclimate my beautiful hostas enjoyed was changed. They do not like their more exposed conditions. Last year they grew a little slower, their foliage was not as dark and lush, and they needed more water to be kept happy.

These are plants that can easily live 20 years if you tend them carefully, divide them every few years and make sure they have a hospitable place to grow. I considered taking down altogether my now pathetic-looking plum tree, which would have meant digging up those hostas and moving them. Instead, I’m keeping the tree and looking to reestablish that little microclimate for the sake of the hostas and the spot in my garden they fill in so well.

Climate change, how it will impact the great vineyards of the world, how growers are seeking to combat it, and which lands a warmer climate might make more welcoming for vinifera grapes is the subject matter of perhaps more wine stories than any other topic these days. I generally don’t read them.

Other more sympathetic and probably younger souls likely read these stories of how climate change will alter the wine landscape more frequently than me. If the climate of our earth heats up, melts the ice and heightens the oceans it will happen without my input or attention to detail. Moreover, the prospect is grim and I don’t particularly like to dwell on the grim. I have other, better things to dwell on such my family, my work, my garden, my handicap, my friends, my books, my kitchen, this newsletter.

My attitude toward climate change and the seemingly daily articles on how it will impact wine is not unlike my attitude toward Ukraine. It’s going to end, whether I expose myself to that particular horror or not. I’d rather find hope in the possibility of a plum tree in my back yard returning shade to carefully tended hostas.

I discussed this perspective with an acquaintance today. In return, I was labeled selfish and unjustifiably privileged. I took issue with the “unjustifiably” part. It’s taken some effort to obtain this little piece of land, accumulate the books and keep my handicap around 10 despite not getting much winter golf played.

The folks who can dwell so mightily on climate change and who drive the right car and who lessen their footprint on this earth and who consume article after article on how to maintain the great vineyards of the world by planting different varieties would benefit, I think, from broadening their interests while keeping up their anti-warming habits. No matter their level of wealth or education, no matter who their parents were, no matter where they grew up, no matter their shade of skin or the gender they were born with, they all deserve to indulge in the privilege of pursuing happiness in the face of tragedy.