Planting Time

So I'm in the thrift store the other day and hear a man ask, "Hi Olga," (of course that wasn't her name, but I can't remember) "How's your garden doing?"

"Oh," says she, "not much going on yet."

To which he replies, "I've got lettuce about this big (holding his fingers an inch apart), ..."

That was enough for me. I didn't hear the rest, although he went on to mention other vegetables I hadn't even thought to seed yet. All I could think of was, "Yikes! I'm late!"

Now, a week later, it's still seasonally chilly and windy, and I still haven't gotten out there. Why is it that I don't get it? Some seeds actually like the chill in the soil and air. Me, not so much. And now I'm going away and it's going to be the same as every other year. May long weekend. Everything - cool loving or warm loving - gets put down. (Except for basil; it needs real heat before I set it out).

It's so sad that what we grow up with, we have a hard time diverting from. On the prairies, you darn well waited for the soil to warm before you planted (although my father seeded spinach in the fall).
Really, how long does it take to get out there and throw a few seeds in the ground?

I tend to overthink placement of vegetables. Will I try carrots again this year? They always have those pesky wire worms in them. I could cover them, to prevent that pesky rust fly, but how long? And don't they need moisture? You can't just put plastic over them until you harvest them...

I am thankful for my perennial crops that I only have to prune, fertilize and wait for: asparagus, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, grapes, kiwi, tayberries.

Every year I conduct one experiment. One year it was those mini squash, one year millet, and this year I'm going to try potatoes in my compost.

Through all the angst of planting, I'm grateful that I usually get a fair crop. I know what's gone into it, that it's been carefully and organically cared for, and that, when they're ready, I can pick the freshest veggies you can get.

Time to get out there!

Restart

For some reason, I'm back at this blog. I'm ashamed for having left it alone for so long. And yet, there is a question that niggles in the back of my mind. Why blog? Who will read? Who will care? 

I'm afraid of posting boring drivel. Last night in a dream, a publisher told me that I needed to 'pick up my game'. I was too sentimental - not 'edgy' enough. So, now, a bit of self-examination. Probably more than a little apprehension setting in. 

Time is often an issue, since I have multiple of passions vying for my attention. My definition of passion: strong enthusiasm for something that seemingly makes time stand still. If you are engaged in a passion, the clock has no effect. Before you know it, lunch has long since passed, it's time to think about making dinner, but you wish someone would lay out a nice meal for you instead (and if you think on it hard enough or ignore it long enough, maybe someone will - but don't hold your breath. Just sayin'). 

On any given day, I can be found in the garden, at my computer, my musical instruments or my easel. Which generates a serendipitous thought: if my definition of passion is true, if engaging in passions renders time inconsequential, perhaps I will be so occupied through eternity, where time is no more. How lovely! Meanwhile, here on earth...in space and time, it's another matter. Every day has only twenty-four hours, each week seven days. Deadlines loom, schedules must be adhered to.

You see my dilemma. Besides travelling, family, volunteering and day-to-day chores, I have all of these passions tugging at me. I've thought of labelling days - as does my husband. He has Mundane Monday (chores), Toy Tuesday (hobbies), Water Wednesday (RC boats), Thrifty Thursday (bargain hunting), Fun Friday (outings, whatever). And then, oh look! - it's the weekend:)

Perhaps this could be my week: Music Monday,  Task Tuesday (chores), Water Color Wednesday, Tending Thursday (garden, family, friends), Fun Friday (as above). Writing can't be done in just one day, so it would have to be integrated into each day - preferably for a minimum of two hours. Of course one also cannot tend garden one day in the week, as it's so weather-dependant. So perhaps one hour a day in the garden. I doubt I could stay at my tasks for a full day, or even get them done in one whole day, especially with special tasks like cleaning the fridge and washing windows thrown into the mix. 

Back to the drawing board.