Whims and Promises

Some days are more planned than others around here.  This past Sunday was pretty set ahead of time- we had lots of errands to run, and squeezed in some bike riding (Miss Mox's first time on an actual bike in many years.)  It was fun, and it was a good day over all.

The previous Sunday, Mother's Day, was a bit more spontaneous.  I called my mom, of course. We couldn't go see her- she was at the beach.  So we stopped by Mama Mox's place and had a nice visit.  Thus ended the planned portion of the day.

We wanted brunch, an iffy prospect on any Sunday much less Mother's Day.  We ended up at a place near campus that neither of us had been to.  School was out so things weren't too busy in the area, and the food was great.  Sweetie picked up a flyer out front about an exhibit at the art museum, so on a whim we headed over there.  It was an exhibit of kettubahs, Jewish marriage contracts.  The artwork was impressive, but of course what drew us more was the history.  And the sentiments- there was some very cool stuff buried in those contracts.

There was a make-your-own table and we made one.  My sweetheart said she wasn't very artistic (and I know I'm not) but we ended up with a beautiful little card encapsulating our relationship- mostly drawn by her.  It touches on the foundations of our relationship.  She is artistic, and creative, in many ways.  And this is a whimsical, but important, expression of her creativity and our love.

We visited both places by chance.  We met by chance.  And yet, something drew us to those places, and drew us together.

Dirty Hands

We finally got the garden in.  Well, mostly in- the sweet potatoes need to wait for warmer weather.  We expanded quite a bit from last year.  We had tried out a sort of raised bed idea made with pallets.  It worked okay, but not spectacularly.  This year we added some soil amendments and tilled up about twice as big an area (maybe 5x30.)  Around Easter we put in cold stuff: broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, kale, collards, strawberries.  We already had chives (a plant I've had for 6 or 8 years, and which thrives on neglect.)  Later we added some herbs, tomatoes, carrots, leeks, garlic, and shallots.  Last week was the last big planting, with zucchini, cucumbers, green beans, and hot peppers.  We've had plenty of rain, and warm temperatures.
Gardening is probably genetic.  I remember my parents' garden, which seemed to take up half our backyard.  We always had corn and tomatoes, and I'm sure other veggies too.  My birthday party was almost a harvest celebration, with corn and brats.  My granddad had a garden out back, and there was one at the farm they shared with friends.  I can't say I have a green thumb, but I do okay, and as soon as Miss Mox and I moved in together we started planning a garden.  Well, it was second on the list, after the library.

We've had fun finding things to plant, and fun planting.  Weeding is never fun, but we'll get on it.  Some of the veggies will go in dog food.  Most we'll eat, hopefully all summer long.  There should be enough to give some to her parents; there are lots of kids to feed.

There are practical reasons for gardening, obviously.  And there are spiritual and historic ones.  It's a good feeling to plant a seed, or small plant, and see how with a little care and a lot of natural miracles, the earth brings forth new life, food for us, beauty and color for the world.  Knowing how much my brother loved plants means I think of him while doing it, and feel like I am continuing his legacy.  And in this structured, built-up high-tech world it is good to remember how our ancestors fed themselves.

A little beauty is nice, too, so we have small flower beds out front.  They are for us more than the neighborhood, though I hope they appreciate the way things look.  Let's hope it's a good summer and everyone's gardens do well.