The Daily Catch

After a Day Feeling Numb, Our Ukrainian Correspondent Tries a Mental Reboot in the Garden



Under sunny, blue skies, our Ukraine correspondent Pavel Kuljuk tried to lift his spirits by clearing away brush and old grass on land he will turn into a vegetable garden (photo by Pavel Kuljuk).

Editor’s Note: Pavel Kuljuk, our Ukraine correspondent, has begun to feel a connection to Daily Catch readers; eyes are upon him and he hopes to become a better version of himself as he navigates the war, soon to enter its fourth week. Today, he reports on how he tried to beat back the challenge of a grim mood.

Why is Kuljuk relevant for readers of The Daily Catch?


Yesterday I wrote that I don’t feel anything. And today, I thought about how such a statement must look in the eyes of Daily Catch readers. I became ashamed of my passivity. I need to live, even when life is not interesting. So, today, I started the growing season. This is my answer to depression, war, and (expletive deleted) politicians.

Today I went to check on my cat, Dora, as I do every few days. The weather was good. There were blue skies and lots of kids on the streets. I met a boy who was riding a scooter. Dora was very happy with me. She cried a lot when I arrived. I fed the cat but I realized I was not ready to go back. So, I took out the barn shovel, chopper, and rake. These are old but well-proven tools. I have been using them for almost 10 years.

Then I went to the garden, deciding to make beds for planting plants. I have not used this garden on Malataranovka for over seven years. I was rebuilding the house during this time, and I did not have the strength to engage in agriculture. But now, the renovation of the house is almost finished. So, I can take care of the garden. Before you dig up the ground with a shovel, you need to remove the grass, so I removed last year’s grass with a chopper. Later, I will burn this grass or compost it for fertilizer.

On Perepelitsa Street near his home in the tiny village of Malataranovka, Kuljuk encountered a boy riding a scooter (photo by Pavel Kuljuk).

I removed the grass on three small patches of land and created three patches, each 1 meter by 5 meters, for plants and vegetables. Soon, I will create more. Then I wanted to dig up the earth. A surprise awaited me. The earth was frozen! There was almost no heat in March. We have sub-zero temperatures even during the day. I was confused. After all, on the roads, the earth is not frozen. But the work was not in vain. I now have three plots vacated of grass. Then I’ll plant beans there. Beans are very satisfying and expensive to buy at the store. It makes sense to grow beans. What would you recommend that I plant?

Having finished working in the garden, I took Dora out for a walk. She has a special leash for walking. Of course, cats are not dogs. Cats walk on their own and do not like leashes. But I am determined for Dora to learn the area. Since she doesn’t know the surroundings, I fear she will run away if I let her outdoors alone. Dora liked the walk. She happily ran around the yard and listened to the birds chirping and the neighbor’s cats meowing. But, Dora soon began to shiver from the cold and begged me to return to the house. The cat was happy and so was I. My mood has changed.

Cat Dora is not familiar yet with her home in Malataranovka village, our correspondent says, so he took her out on a leash to enjoy the warmer temperatures (photo by Pavel Kuljuk).

War is here, but new life is coming. I began today to dream of warmth and summer. Then it would be possible to swim in the nearest lake, eat cherries, apples, cherries, apricots, and peaches. Then it will be warm, and surely then there will be peace. I managed to overcome a bad mood, a mood of inward thinking and lethargy, and reboot myself.

This is because I know the readers of The Daily Catch are looking closely at me and my life. If I share honestly, I must also know I may not appear to be all that I want to be in this world.

My thought for the day: Reboot yourself when the going gets tough.

With gratitude to the readers of The Red Hook Daily Catch,

Pavel


Read all of Kuljuk Pavel’s reports from Eastern Ukraine.

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8 responses to “After a Day Feeling Numb, Our Ukrainian Correspondent Tries a Mental Reboot in the Garden”

  1. Sarah Carlson says:

    These articles are an amazing diary of life in Ukraine right now. Thank you.

    • Pavlo Kuliuk says:

      Sarah Carlson, thank you very much for your attention. I’m very pleased. I hope my story helps you and makes you feel good.

  2. Claire Horst says:

    I was happy to hear that you started to work against that depression. I cannot even imagine what you and your wife are going through. Keeping you in my prayers…

    • Pavlo Kuliuk says:

      Claire Horst, thanks for your support. If it weren’t for you and the other Red Hook Daily Catch readers, I wouldn’t have been able to overcome my depression. I must win the war because you are watching me. I feel responsible that this is a common cause. Peace is better than war. God bless a peaceful and free USA.

  3. JULIA BARTON says:

    Спасибо за всё, Кульжук, Светлана и Дора 🙂 Очень интересно читать вашу переписку. Держитесь!

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