Growing

One of the things I let go this summer was any illusion that I could do it all.  Whenever people asked me "How do you do it?" (in response to my schedule, which I'm sure sounded insane and manic to most people), I'd tell them that that my secret was to do everything poorly.  

I can only tell you that this is true and a terrible tactic.  After awhile you end up feeling incompetent and proud of very little.  Multitasking just isn't good for any living things in excess.  It started to erode my self confidence.  Something had to give. 

Unlike my mother, I've got a bit of a black thumb.  This year our rather huge square foot garden just seemed like it was too much for me.  Rather than being an exciting project, it just seemed like a heavy burden.  So, I gave away the garden.  

I surrended all but a few squares (green and herbs) to my friends John and Nina.  They transformed our garden from a patch of weeds (and my pathetic attempt at plantings) into a beautiful green oasis. It was a garden complete with sculpture, art, sunflowers over 6 feet tall and the most tomato hopefuls we've seen to date.  

I highly recommend this community garden tactic.  I got to look at all this planted beauty, see my buddies regularly, eat several bags of sugar snap peas, take full credit for the garden with unsuspecting visitors and (if my evil plan succeeds) I might even get a few tomatoes.  Thanks John and Nina!  You are great gardeners...and even better friends! XO

Thanks for lightening the load. 

Comments

[Nena Huston]

Let's hope the weather holds a bit longer, Charissa, or we will be making lots of green tomato salsa or fried green tomatoes (YUM!). Thanks so much for all the garden fun this summer. The pictures of John are some of the nicest I've ever seen. You're the BEST!! Say "hi" to the AOK girls. Nena and John