Getting to Know You

We're spending an awful lot of time in the garden these days, but I guess you've guessed that already.  One of the pleasantest parts of the gardening day is the very beginning.  Whether we arrive by bicycle or truck, the first and foremost chore is roving the potato patch.  It reminds me of my days at the great Mammoth Cave when  in between tour after tour, I could sneak off to "rove trails", which basically meant getting paid to go hiking (picking up bits of trash along the way, answering visitors' questions, and reporting stuff that needed to be done.)  It's a way of getting to know the garden and of helping it help itself.

Mindful Monday

I meant to do my work today—

But a brown bird sang in the apple tree,

And a butterfly flitted across the field,

And all the leaves were calling me.

And the wind went sighing over the land

Tossing the grasses to and fro,

And a rainbow held out its shining hand—

So what could I do but laugh and go?

Richard LaGallienne

I Meant To Do My Work Today

Mindful Monday

I could cry for the time I've wasted,

But that's a waste of time and tears.

Willie Nelson

There's Nothing I Can Do About It Now

Whatcha Doin'?

Long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I found it very easy to call people up and chat.  No agenda, nothing important going on, no reason at all; I would just chat.  I'd even call people I knew in other countries, just to chit chat.  I don't know when this became difficult for me.  It may be connected to the periods of time when I have had no phone, but I don't think so.

Regardless of when it happened, I am solidly in a "not very chatty" phase.  Don't get me wrong, I actually still love to chat, I simply no longer instigate these opportunities the way I used to.  Part of it, I am sure, has to do with busy-ness.  I do have a lot on my plate these days. At the same time though, I ploughed through a 1001 New York Times crossword puzzles book (with the aid of my hubby) in about 6 months or so.  Definitely enough time for plenty of chatting there.

So then, I blame it on not knowing how busy others are and not wanting to interrupt their busy schedules with the trivialities of my life.  It gives me an easy out, sort of.

A similar principle holds true here, on my blog.  I run out of stuff to say, because to me, it seems like I will be repeating myself, over and over again.  I mean, writing about sustainability and living on a growing farm is bound to be that way.  For example:

Mindful Monday

Nothing is really work

unless you would rather be

doing something else.

James M. Barrie

Storm Warnings

For most folks, the idea of sustainable living begins with the big and the obvious.  This is a good thing. Shelter, heat, water, and food are clearly the most important items on the sustainability list. Obtaining each of these, and knowing that you can get by without outside assistance in these areas is a major accomplishment!  Sometimes I wish that was as far as I felt I needed to go.  After all, I've more or less achieved my goal of sustainability by that standard.

The trick is to pay attention, and notice the little things that could be barriers to my ability to get by.

Mindful Monday

With verdure the wide earth's overspread,

And trees adorned with blooms,

The paths in May bow sweet to tread,

Mid forests of perfume.

From the Farmers Almanac 2014