Havening explores, through the creative nonfiction genre, the life and work of horticulturist-philosopher Liberty Hyde Bailey, Jr. (1858-1854), the life experiences of the present author, and the small hometown of South Haven that they both share. It presents the tension of living a life that strives to balance academicism with creativity and energy, and pushes the question of Bailey's relevance as a voice for our time. This monograph is primarily an artwork, not a scholarly paper.