IT TAKES ALL KINDS

RAKING: Hard Yakka, Addiction, Therapy or Art Form?

Having spent most of my adult life living in the inner city, where my gardening talents extended no further than the care of a few select court yard or balcony pots, in 1986 I found myself the keeper of nearly an acre of barely tamed jungle in the Dandenong Ranges. The tamed part of this property was a maze of garden paths and rocked staircases, which gave definition to this jungle cliff scape.

Not knowing where to start my new gardening career, and with plenty of work to do on my new dwelling, I decided to employ my usual strategy – when in doubt – do nothing. Within a few weeks I found that the safe arrival and departure to my dwelling was going to require me to rake.

I immediately purchased a cheap plastic leaf rake and commenced what I considered necessary hard yakka. On completion of my task, I was overcome with a sense of satisfaction and was compelled to sit outside and admire my work. Next morning, following an overnight summer northerly blow, I realized, that like sweeping or vacuuming, this was going to be a repetitive task. Quickly I became obsessed and included raking as part of my weekly regime. The feelings of satisfaction and admiration for the outcome of my labors also increased.

In early autumn, we experienced a wet spell. Raking was off. Weekend after weekend it rained. I found myself experiencing feelings of frustration and loss; a very bad case of cabin fever. The rake, which at this stage was worn to a scraper, lay idle.

Being professionally immersed in the study of addictive behavior, I had to ask – am I grieving the loss of my addiction – raking? Having found myself stating that what I needed was a good rake, I also needed to ask, what did raking do for me? The answer was early found – raking had become my relaxation therapy – time outside in fresh air, steady medium level activity with good muscle stretching and a pleasing rhythm, which led to unraveling of thoughts and emotions. All this combined with a very pleasing outcome, which offered the sense of a job well done.

I have now been raking for nearly 10 years and loving it. The purchasing of rakes has also held a great interest – the search for the perfect rake!

Nearly 5 years ago I was given the Rolls Royce of rakes as a birthday gift from dear friends who appreciated the positive role of raking in my life. This job has led to the next stage in the development of my raking career - creative raking.

The Japanese have developed raking to the level of art form, as they have with paper folding and bonsai. I can’t say that I have gone quite this far, but the use of patterned strokes, my favorites herringbone and circular sweeps, has added the important quality of creative expression to my pursuit.

So in summary I can say that my raking career has been a developmental process of great physical and psychological benefit, and one, which I hope to continue into very old age. I urge you to join me in this most pleasing pursuit.