Exactly. I give more credits to linux, and it deserves this. I like your garden metaphor, yes my linux pc is like my garden and linux behaves to be, unlike windows.
You can install linux on a usb stick instead of your hard disk. i have done it before. But i don't really remember the steps. I have done it trial and error.
J.R.R. Tolkien - Lord of the Rings
Tom Robbins - Jitterbug Perfume
Can Toraman - Malik-i Mevt
Orhan Pamuk - Kara Kitap (Black Book)
Trevanian - Shibumi