small things...

Growing stuff: June

Getting a garden plot in our Community Garden system happens through a lottery system.  In mid-March all the local folks who are hoping for some space gather at the Ecology Center and wait for their number to be called.  If your number is called you get to go up and choose your plot from the available sites.  This year my number was called!  And I got what I wanted – a small raised bed in the garden closest to my home.  The garden itself is the largest in town with 100+ odd plots available to community members.

I couldn’t wait to get my bed ready for planting and the first sign of warmish weather I filled it with dirt (dirt is heavy as hell, by the way).  And then, way before advisable, I put some plants in the ground!  A cabbage, kale, Swiss chard and beets.  I checked on them obsessively and walked the garden checking out everyone else’s plots anxiously awaiting everyone else to get started.  Well, it’s 6 weeks later and it’s been a very cool start to the season.  And my garden neighbors are just now starting to get their plots cleared and planted.  Luckily, none of my plants died and I’m already eating from my garden. 

The truth is – I don’t really know what I’m doing and don’t have a plan.  I am trusting that if I put something into the ground and keep it happy – it’ll grow.  So far that is working for me

 

Gah. It’s all just so pretty.  And stop lying to yourself if you don’t think that tiny broccoli head isn’t the cutest thing you’ve seen all day.  Okay, cutest cruciferous thing – maybe you have a baby puppy and he is probably way cuter.

Months 4 and 5 round up

I forgot to write-up a ‘Round Up’ from last month.  And then I realized…I didn’t do so much in April.  Let’s see what’s happened since

#2 Read 42 Books  - I’ve finished 18 out of 42 books. That’s 1 ahead of schedule!  If you’re on Goodreads you might be able to see all the books and the ratings I gave them here.  If we’re not friends on Goodreads – let’s remedy that!

#7 – Attend Plays – Specifically Book of Mormon – COMPLETE!

#13 – Try to get a community garden again (did that in March!) If so, grow veggies.  COMPLETE!

Check out the first picks of the season:

I plan to do a few posts on the community garden I’m a part of.  I’m enamored and want to share what I’m experiencing there. 

#21 See an Art Exhibit once a month ( I skipped April. Whatever, April)

I am lucky enough to live in town near a fancy college with a great arts program.  In May I went to see the latest exhibit a the Mary and Leigh Block Museum – The Last Supper

I found it moving to see the illustration of what would be potentially the last enjoyable thing in theses people’s lives.

There were plates depicting unexpected humanity.

There were plates where food was denied by the prisoner and plates were prisoner requests had been denied.

“Request: eat from a vending machine with family members”. 

The requests ranged from complete gluttony to the very simple; to, as depicted above, the realization that the meal was the least important thing.

If you find yourself in or near Northwestern University I would suggest taking a wander through this exhibit.

#38 – Have 4 parties.  I’ve reprised the Kentucky Derby party for the 3rd year in a row!  But I didn’t take any pics as evidence.  Here is the link from the first year

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Okay, plans for June….

• New restaurants – I’m falling behind!
• Photos in a photobooth
• Drive-in movie!
• Blow bubbles on Summer Solstice
• See some art and read some books