Pink Slipped and I Don’t Care
Ever notice how there are weeks where your life becomes clearer (and conversely muddier). Sometimes, in the world of a writer, the words flow effortlessly, the thoughts are clear and life is sweet. And sometimes, it’s like pulling words from toffee. Each word comes away grudgingly and sticky sweet. You love each of the words but there’s only so many you can digest.
This morning is like that. It’s a pregnant morning. Full of sweet promise and a dream. And of a measure of uncertainty. I’m just not sure where the words are going to come from but I know they’re coming.
The important thing about this morning is that for the first time in 12 years, I’m not writing my gardening column. It seems to be a victim of the recession and the paper has confirmed that unless something changes in the next few weeks, I’ll disappear from the pages. I’ve written all remaining columns and they’re on the spike waiting to be published.
After the first bit of a shock after getting the pink-slip letter, and realizing that this small chunk of money was disappearing, I began to smile a lot. You see, I’ve been churning out 1000 word columns for over 12 years. Every week, every season, every topic you can think of and every which way but loose. I start my week by writing the column, it gets the writerly juices pumped up and the rest of the week flows from there. But I no longer have to do this. I can write what I damn well please. Or not.
At a deeper level, the column was one of the last remnants of my farm life. That life ended a few years ago in divorce and the column was one of the few things that continued on from that period. So while I miss the morning exercise, and the monthly cheque, I’m not missing that last link in the chain to that time. I no longer have to be the guy in the column, I can be pretty much whoever I want to be.
Ah! Responsibility. Even now, I’m starting my week off by writing something in the spirit of the column. I’d get to the office (coffee in hand) and see what popped up about gardening. See what was important in the gardening world, or what was blooming in my garden-life and then launch the week on that topic. So here I am, saying goodbye to that life. Goodbye to that period in my life. There are bittersweet memories in those goodbyes but I can honestly say that I’m more looking forward to the future than I am to the past.
You see, in my life every time something has happened that could be considered a negative, something else came along that was a great replacement. Often better (or different enough to seem better). My grandmother once said, “Doug could fall down a outhouse and come out smelling like a rose.” So I’m not sure where the rose is in this pink-slip but I know it’s coming my way as I write.
In some ways it’s like looking at a blank sheet of paper, an empty garden, an untouched block of sculpture wood and not having a friggin’ clue what’s going to emerge. And being able to laugh at that uncertainty because you just gotta know something good is around the corner. This morning is the uncertainty; the freedom to choose, the terror of choosing, the delight in the lack of boundaries and the wonder in trying to understand how it’s all going to turn out.
So what’s that got to do with you? My reader. Darned if I know. But this is a blog – I get to write what I want. 
And this was my declaration of column emancipation; who knows what that’s going to mean to the way I write, the things I see on Monday mornings or if it changes at all.
But I’m feeling pretty good about it so I thought I’d share it.
Well, congratulations! (I never thought I’d be congratulating someone for getting pink-slipped….)
I do know what you mean though about the uncertainty (and promise!) of what is going to come next. Undoubtedly, you’ll soon be onto your next great adventure
Colleen Vanderlindens last blog post..Made in Michigan: Lemon Verbena Soy Candles by Green Daffodil Soy Candleworks
I’m glad to see that you’re taking this in stride
I blogged about my layoff as well, and it actually gave me the time I needed to focus on my garden! *LOL*
Matts last blog post..My 15 Seconds Of Fame
Anyone who would pink slip you is out of their mind. Your writing is wry, funny, caustic, informed and interesting… I could go on.
That said, it’s funny how a paradigm shift can be energizing and liberating. I look forward to reading about your next chapter.
Kerry Michaelss last blog post..Growing Corn In Container Gardens
Doug: You know, life has a habit of giving us exactly what we need. So, this is probably a great opportunity for you to go off into a new direction with your writing. A time to get rid of the old to make room for the new…
Enjoyed your perspective and wish you all the best. Teresa
Seasonal Wisdoms last blog post..What’s Spring Without Radishes?
Well I am in the Congrats! camp (or garden
) From my own experience shaking off those last ties to an old life are only good. Enjoy the freedom, I expect only good writing will come of it. 
Sorry to hear the recession has reached another corner, but glad to hear your positive attitude about it. It can be pretty exciting to start a new chapter in life.
Sara Tambascios last blog post..It’s plant sample time
I have received pink slips twice in my life (at least that I can recall) and neither time was it very convenient. What I discovered is that when you have more space in your life for other things, you can attract what you desire. The pink slips lead to big changes which I might not have chosen to take otherwise. Inertia can sometimes get the best of me.
Since you live with a grateful attitude, you’ll be just fine. And keep on writing. This was a wonderful post. And I am grateful to you for sharing it.
Can’t wait to hear what comes next. Use your imagination to dream up something grand.
Jill, The Veggie Queens last blog post..The Veggie Queen Hears Jonah Raskin Speak on Farmers
I can’t even imagine how you found the time to write a 1,000 word column every week with all the other stuff that you have got going on. What paper did you write for Doug? I see here that you are on an island in Lake Ontario and I had somehow thought that you were located out west.
It seems more and more, with papers closing up shop left right and centre, that the “dead tree” form of weekly communication found in a newspaper is slowly disappearing, and this pink slip is only a reflection of that.
I have no doubt that it is only onward and upward for you.
Sarah from Toronto Gardenss last blog post..Open Gardens Toronto – June 2009
@Sarah from Toronto Gardens -
And there’s no doubt there are some pretty serious changes going on in the publishing world – right from the presses to the electrons.
I wrote for the Brockville Recorder and Times – one of the Sun Media papers. It was fun while it was.
@Jill, The Veggie Queen -
And yeah, I’m going to be just fine. My little gardening “empire” doesn’t depend on the paper and it’s still growing by leaps and bounds so all is good on that front.
I wonder if we should have a “rule” that pink-slips should be “convenient”?
@Sara Tambascio -
Big time exciting. Actually took an hour this morning to chat with the Princess about our future gardening plans and how they might fit into our “someday” attitude (this *is* someday for us)
@Katharine -
Oh – and now that I don’t have to watch what I say for my columns, my sense of humour is unleashed (word play is high on the list) 
Thanks – if “good writing will come of it” – does that mean there’s always been good writing or does that mean things will improve now.
@Seasonal Wisdom -
“enjoyed your perspective” – that’s past tense…. I’m still going to be here so don’t go away (although if you’re in Brockville, you may not read too much more).
@Colleen Vanderlinden – yeppers – had three great ideas this morning and trying to figure out how to get 32 hours a day from now on.
@Matt – Focus on the garden – hmmm. I may be doing some focussing on anything but the garden. It may be time to add some time to non-gardening adventures. But we’ll see.
@Kerry Michaels – Thanks Kerry – high praise indeed. The interesting thing of course is that the ability of the writer never come into play in this kind of baen-counter decision. It’s a blanket thing – no outside writers (I’m assuming they’ll have a syndicated version take over) so it’s not personal. At least I don’t see it as personal. There are far more talented writers than I to hit the block in the last 6 months and none for lack of talent.
I’m so sorry about this. I’ve been completely broke three times in life and it’s no fun but you’ve got the good sense to know how to rebuild. Big hugs and hoping for you only the best.
@Anna/Flowergardengirl -
Only three?
Good grief – I’ve been in the nursery industry almost all my life and have been broke almost the entire time.
And while this bit of income has disappeared – my writing career is far from putting me on the breadlines (so far any way) 
Thanks for the hug though – those I’ll take any time.
“You see, in my life every time something has happened that could be considered a negative, something else came along that was a great replacement.”
As Kramer tells Jerry on Seinfeld episode No. gazillion “you’re Even Steven!”
Pam J.s last blog post..Tickseed (or tickweed?) or coreopsis. Scientific name may be Coreopsis lanceolata (Asteraceae). I don’t yet "get" the classification system.
@Pam J. -
Hi Pam – not sure I want to be “even” – I’m more looking for “ahead of the game”. No sense finding an equal opportunity – I’m looking for a better one.
I love your attitude! It can be hard to see what’s ahead for us, but we will surely miss it if we aren’t looking for it.
Hi Doug: Great stuff: I felt the same way last year when Canadian Gardening magazine dropped my column. Liberated! It was and is great it be free to do something else and be my own publisher. Good luck to you with all those other irons in the fire.
Yvonne Cunningtons last blog post..The importance of just looking
Great attitude about the situation. Sometimes things happen in life that seem like crap at the time, but end up turning out to be the best thing that could have happened to you. It could open up more opportunities that you would have never gotten before.
pays to live greens last blog post..Green Web Hosting Comparison
@Yvonne Cunnington -
Irons in the fire? Me?
Doug, You will be just fine. ‘Out of the mud blooms the Lotus.’ Don’t know who said it, but it is soooooo true. Compost that darned old paper! You’ll be better every day!
@Audrey -
I love it – - “out of the mud blooms the lotus” (I’m going to have to tell Mayo she’s now living with a lotus) Hmmm…
Thanks, Doug, for making your “pink-slipped” blog available to me thru e-mail letter. I ave been pondering for the past week the parable of the “new cloth” and the “old garment”..one of your readers mentioned leaving “the old” to make way for “the new”..that’s when I realized it…this time, Doug, don’t make the mistake I have made in the past, finding a “new” thing and using it to “patch up” the old….rather make a brand-new garment out of the “whole cloth”..Now I am going back out to my yard/garden and think on this myself!
“So I’m not sure where the rose is in this pink-slip but I know it’s coming my way as I write.”
Maybe its time to plant some pink roses!
Hey, their loss, our gain. I live in Miami and don’t read that newspaper anyhow!
Lots of luck Doug, you are the BOMB!
@JonnieSue Allen -
It’s time to do some of the “someday” things I’ve always wanted to do. And this is the kick I needed to rethink an entire lifestyle (again – for the nth time my kids will tell you).
What a great summary of the conversation the Princess and I had the other night.
@Barbara -
Well as long as I don’t write “bombs” or my next book doesn’t “bomb” then we’re all good.
Thanks for reminding me to look east for the rising sun
Doug, I think you are awesome… I am a relatively new reader and have never sent you anything, but I want to say: your powers of observation and communication are truly gifts. I just read your blog about getting pink-slipped, and it’s GREAT. I’ve been forced to start over many (too) times in my long working life, and I wish I had read this piece the first time it happened! THANK YOU for sharing ~~ Cathy Cook
I’ll add my congrats,too – you’ll have more time to create and maybe start something that you’d never have the time for – ever think about writting a “garden mystery series” (like “Who planted Col. Mustard in the Greenhouse?”) …with your stellar writting skills, acerbic wit, and knowledge of all things green you could cook up a great murder mystery (a touch of Datura in the herb omlette maybe?). For a person like yourself, with a positive outlook, change is a good thing – keeps you from becoming pot-bound.
As a fellow newspaper columnist, garden writer and friend, I salute you.
I salute you for your gracious response to the loss of your column. I salute you for your incredible contributions to the gardening world and I salute you for looking to the future rather than wallowing in the past. (That outhouse business is nasty.)
I am confident the best is yet to come. Hope to see you and the Princess in North Carolina.
Nancy Szerlag
PS. While I still have a space in paper, send me a copy of your book for review.
Having been a avid reader of your site for many years. I applaud you. This pink slip has come at a time for you to renew yourself and you have done the beginning. The positive attitude you show will bring you great happiness and contentment. The loss hasn’t been yours alone but the many readers that look forward to your articles every week. It’s a shame greed on the papers part has hurt so many. One small step will forever change the world.
@Ann from upper NY state not the city -
The sites will continue to grow and I’ll keep writing this blog – but some things will indeed change – who knows? Fun stuff ahead tho
@Val from Wellsboro -
Or it me as it turns out LOL
Took a mystery writing course once – didn’t turn out to be something I was interested in.
@Nancy Szerlag -
Thanks for the great comments – have talked to the editor and a review copy is on the way.
@Cathy Cook -
My pleasure – thanks for your really flattering thoughts
Great post! Thank you!