Gardens Have No Mirrors

You might have seen her, the girl with the book and the silence.  The girl who didn't talk much except to sling a few zingers.  The girl who was pretty sure everyone had gotten an invitation and maybe she did too except now it was lost and she couldn't really be sure there was ever an invitation in the first place.  Ah, see how that happens?  At the beginning, the story is about you.  But now perspective has shifted and no one is sure who is remembering, who is dreaming.  A common theme in many lives--in many iterations of one life.

But I digress.

Here is what it takes to make something happen.  Find the three people inside you (or outside you, in which case you are looking for two)--the planner, the builder and the shlepper.  Add the right weather, a bottle of wine and a chicken.  If you've done it right and your team has not fallen into the trap of denial, defense and (unspoken) derision you will have created something.  In this case it was three box beds complete with compost (18 bags), peat moss (1 bag), herbs, tomatoes, jalopenos and a lot of marigolds.

I am particularly proud of this project because we did it ourselves--just the girls.  Carol came up with Elinor.  We went to Home Depot.  We got the wood, the brackets, the nails, the dirt and the plants.  Carol worked on her shawl and Sarah nailed.  Tess and Shania held the frames.  I lugged the compost and poured it in the frames over Elinor and Kaylah's feet.  Dancing in dirt makes every girl happy.  Everything we bought got planted.  And that is a wonderful feeling.

I am finding that much of gardening is solitary, silent but for bird song and distant traffic.  It is kneel and yank and scrape and dig.   Thinking is not required.  It is good work though.  It feels good to bury your hands in the cool dirt, to plant a seed, to give it a space to be whatever it can be with a little water, a little sun, a little luck.  (The luck is purely anthropomorphic.  I don't think the garden considers it.)

As a child I didn't garden much.  When I was in the 7th grade we planted zinnias but then we moved before they bloomed.  They are my favorite flowers and I have planted them every year for the past several summers.  I tried growing vegetables once or twice when the kids were small but after losing everything to the groundhogs more than once, I gave up.  My gardening devolved.  I might plant something if I got it as a gift or because someone was thinning something out and had extra.  But I live in a hazardous zone for plants.  Stewart would park on top of my beds or mow them over.  Or I would forget about it.  Or the clay soil would choke it.  I had a bed in the front yard that was all irises and yarrow and oregano and some bell flower plant that I really liked.  But neglect and sabotage killed almost everything.

I am smarter now.  I listen to Carol.  I border things with axle snapping rocks.  I use chicken wire.   If I am bored, I weed.  I move plants to better spaces if my first choice proves problematic.  With care plants survive.  Last year I canned tomatoes and peppers and beets all from my own garden.  I froze Swiss chard and kale and parsley and basil.  I have three large iris beds.  I even have some Siberian iris I got from Tiff.  It's blooming now.

This year I am hoping to do more.   I just need the beds.  I am working on it.  Gonna dig me up some dirt and plant something and watch it grow.  Along the way, I'll read a few books.  I think I'll lose the verbal darts though.  On reflection, they don't seem to belong in the garden.

The Bill of Rights :: Happy 4th of July!!!

Gotta love the Constitution!

The 4th Amendment The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

The 2nd Amendment A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

The 8th Amendment  Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

The 1st Amendment  Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The 5th Amendment No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

The 7th Amendment In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

The 3rd Amendment No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

The 9th Amendment The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. 

The 6th Amendment In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence. 

The 10th Amendment The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. 

Going Down...And Back Up Again

Having created a family blog, I am reminded of this one.  It doesn't have as firm a provenance but that just makes it more flexible.  Today was beautiful.  Warm and sunny.  The maple trees in my front yard are blazing red.  (Good sign?  Bad sign?).  It almost makes up for the darkness that is creeping closer and closer and closer.  Almost.  I rediscovered H.P. Lovecraft a few days ago.  For $1.99 paid to Barnes and Noble I was able to buy The Definitive H.P. Lovecraft as an ebook.  You gotta love the Nook.  This is 67 stories, over 1000 pages for 2 bucks and I didn't have to stand up!  I just clicked here and there and said okay and before you know it I was reading 'The Nameless City.'  My only problem so far with the whole ebook thang is not everything is an ebook.  I would love to re-read some old friends (Jo Clayton, C.J. Cherryh, Sharon Shinn) but the old titles just aren't available.  Sigh.  So I will dig up the paper book and enjoy them that way.

Let's move on to You Tube and my current favorite viral video wherein Hank Jackson expresses concern that Guam may capsize.  If you haven't seen this one, click here.  I don't know which is more hilarious.  Hank's fear that the island will capsize due to overpopulation or the respondent's answer that 'We don't anticipate that...."  OMG!  This guy was ELECTED!

Ricky the dog has no concerns for Guam.  He is standing guard over the closet.  It's hard to say what might be IN the closet that has sparked Ricky to alert attention.  Eventually he will let us know.  And speaking of dogs, let it be recorded that Lucy has got some odd habits.  Every night she jumps onto the bed.  She doesn't sleep at the foot of the bed like a Ricky (in this, a proper dog).  Oh no, Lucy sleeps under the blankets, all the way under.  I don't know how she gets enough air.  I've already noted that with Stewart, me and both dogs, that double bed is supporting more than 400 pounds.  I don't think we can add an oxygen bottle for Lucy.  Maybe I should drill holes in the blanket.  Probably you think this is overkill but I am worried about it.  After all, if you want to stay warm on a chilly fall night, stick a dog under your blank.  Go ahead.  Try it.

In other news, Elinor has acquired a back pack, Tess has a green streak in her hair and Zander drew me a picture and in it I was holding a black balloon.  Since he and Tess, who were also in the picture, were holding a yellow and a green balloon, I am not worried.  It's only fair, after all that I get the black balloon. 

We close with this quote from Ricky 'Aaaaaaiiiiieee eeeee eeee'.  No, he didn't assault nor was he assaulted by the threat in the closet.  Fred and Carla are here to visit. 

Trekkin'

Got a new idea. Go here and take whatever word pops up as the Theme4TheDay. Integrate that word into Twitter tweets and Facebook updates and of course, this epic work. See what happens.

I put my foot on the road of today around 8 this morning. Now it's 4 in the afternoon.

So far, I've been to the Country Smokehouse where I got blueberry jam and venison salami and some good bacon that's headed for a lovely bean soup.

I've traveled through the, still empty, cornfields and country roads between I96/Milford and US23/Plymouth. It was pretty virtual. I was Sarah's GPS. She got lost. I got the call.

I've been to Toronto (another virtual journey) while chatting with my cousin and I've been to Faerie to gather lilies for Izzy's birthday present.

I tried to go to Millford, Maryland when BNO tweeted about a problem there but no one else seems to know anything so I am left to wonder.

Right now I've wandered all the way back to the basement. The dogs are nappin' and the SciFi Channel is showing double B movies. I think I need a snack!

Waiting for Momer

You're almost here.  Not too many journeys these days can be measured in months but that's how long you've taken to get here.   Your mom and dad were so tickled to give the news of you to me for my birthday.  That was back in August.  I turned 50 on the same day I knew about you.

Since then we've talked about you whenever we've talked.

Your cousin Tess, she's sleeping upstairs right now, will be happy to hold you when you are tiny and dress you and read you stories.  She reads your brother stories right now.

Your big brother, he gave you your name, is pretty sure you can sit on the couch next to him but not so sure you will be allowed to watch movies with him.

Your Uncle Noah would just like to meet you.  It's not often we get a chance to meeting someone brand new.  His girlfriend Abby wants to meet you too.

Of course your Aunt Sarah can hardly wait to have a little girl to take shopping.  Don't ask her to dye your hair though.  That's off limits for both you and Tess until you graduate from high school.  (Which is the same deal I made with Sarah a long time ago.)

Your Grandpa is sleeping on the couch right now or I'd ask him what he will say to you.  Probably something totally unsentimental and silly.  You'll like him if you sit still enough to figure him out.

Your Aunt Day is probably reading or on facebook.  Your cousin Izzy is sleeping, I hope.  She just broke her arm playing on some piece of equipment.  That makes three broken arms so far.  I think we can stop now.  I am sure your Uncle Pete is where he needs to be and so are Zoli and Matt.

Your beautiful mom has knit you everything you need...a blanket and a sweater and tiny shoes and even a soaker.  Your dad fixed everything up just right in yours and Zannie's bedroom.  Tess helped hammer the pegs in Zannie's dresser so you could have the one he was using.

We have lots of animals for you to play with.  There's Lucy and Ricky and Gizmo and Franklin who live in my house and Uly and Zoot and Kujo who live in your house.  Abby has a cat but I don't know its name.  Oh and Tess has a fish named Scully.  Izzy has a dog named Luna (Uly is staying with her right now) and chicken and a cat.

On this day, the day when you were almost here, I went to work and your Grandpa went up north with his friend Gary.  Your Aunt Sarah is a little sick with a cold and Tess was a great help around the house.  (This does not always happen but Tess really wants Congress to approve her promotion from Puerto Rico to DC.  Zander is still somewhere around Guam.)  Your Uncle Noah and Aunt Abby are in San Francisco doing their best to be late for your arrival.  Your Aunt Day posted a link about Shakespeare's new image. Your mom and dad waited and waited and waited.  If you were coming by train or plane or bus, they would be the two with their noses pressed against the window.

For you, Momer, we gather the family (which is the title to my favorite song) and welcome you home.  

Here's a kiss from me to you, Momer.  

Love,

Grandma

The Last Time I Saw Alice

Alice lives in the hole in my brain. She pops out every now and then to remind me that once upon I time I believed in Once Upon a Time. She says 'Jump in. The water's fine!' But enough of that. I have to give her props every now and then so she doesn't go squirrely on me. That would not be good.

Prince Zander and Princess Tessa are great pals with Alice. She tells them secrets. She tells them where the treasure is. She whispers secrets.

Princess Tessa says "I don't need a coat." But Grandma makes her wear one.

Prince Zander says "I want to play with cars!" But the cars are in the house and Grandma won't go get them.

Alice keeps the memory of this day. It was chilly, but not too cold, to throw rocks in the lake. Prince Zander's fingers are red but he still wants to pick up snow. He might even have taken a few bites. Alice isn't talking about that.

It's a sunny afternoon. So nice to be outside and not hustling to get somewhere warmer. This is all before Princess Momer was dreamed. The bikes were ridden for a while but the lure of the water proved stronger than laps around the driveway.

I remember. I remember laughing and trying to keep them both out of the water and thinking what a great day.

Princess Tess and Prince Zander Help the Peepers

One day, Princess Tess and Prince Zander went outside into the garden.  They were supposed to be cleaning up but instead they were making wishes.  Well, Princess Tess was actually making the wishes.  Prince Zander was watching.  His job, the way he saw it, was to catch the wishes before they got away.

Princess Tess said "Stop popping my wishes!  They aren't for you!"

Prince Zander said "Who are they for?"

Princess Tess said "Well, the peepers having been complaining a lot about their pond.  It's been shrinking because there isn't hasn't been a lot of rain lately."

Prince Zander said "You're wishing for rain!  You're not supposed to do that.  You know your mom told you no weather wishes."

Princess Tess, who had in fact been wishing for rain, quickly sucked back her breath, choked on a half-formed bit of desire and stuck her magic wand back in the wishing solution.  "I would"-cough-"never do that!"

"Then what are you wishing for?"

"Well,"  Princess Tess blew another stream of wishes and thought hard, "I'm wishing for....um....water fairies.  Yep.  That's it.  Water fairies."

"Aren't they the same as water sprites?  'Cause if they are, you can't wish them either.  My mom told you no mythological creature conjures.  And water sprites are so vain, they'll never be bothered to save frogs!"

"Where did you learn a word like mythological?  You can't even spell your own name."

Prince Zander looked smug.  "I can make wishes too."

"Uh huh.  Or maybe you've been playing on spellkids.org when you're supposed to be in bed."

"You better not tell!"

"Oh keep your crown on.  I'm not going to tell anybody anything and neither are you."

"As long as you don't get us in trouble."

Princess Tess and Prince Zander shook on it.

"So how are you going to get the water fairies to help the peepers without conjuring?"

Princess Tess stirred and stirred and stirred and stirred some more.  Finally she said, "Well, the peepers need water.  We can't make it rain and we can't conjure a water fairy, but we can make the frogs' home someplace a water fairy come to see, and bring a bit of water for the privilege.  Here's what we're going to do."

Sometime later, Grandma came outside to tell Princess Tess and Prince Zander it was time to come in for dinner.

What she saw made her stop.  "Oh my!" she said.

"Grandma!  Grandma!"  Prince Zander came running over.  "We're saving the peepers!  We're saving the peepers!"

Grandma looked from the full pond to the line of water fairies fluttering in line in front of a shimmering booth.  The line snaked around the entire garden and off into the treeline.  Each sprite was carrying what appeared to be a thimbleful of water.

Princess Tess stood in front of the line.  As each fairy approached, she carefully took the thimble of water and poured it into white tube leading to the center of the pond.  Behind her head, Grandma could see Princess Tess had set her bubble machine on automatic.  It was pumping thousands of wishes into the air and as far as Grandma could tell each wish was the same as the sign on the booth.

"What do you think of my plan, Grandma"  Princess Tessa asked.

The sign on the booth read "Latest!  Greatest!  One day only SALE!  Straight from the Orient!  New treatment guaranteed to enhance your natural beauty!"

Grandma watched the latest fairy, a tiny perfect creature with silver green wings pay her thimble of water and flit to the center of the booth where an equally tiny frog waited on a red velvet pillow.  Ever so gently, the fairy kissed the frog right between the eyes then quick as a wink darted to the right where a jewelled mirror hung.

"Did it work!  Am I more beautiful than ever?" the fairy asked.  

"Indeed," sang the mirror.  "You are the most beautiful you that has ever been."

"Well," sighed Grandma.  "It looks like your plan worked but did you have to give my best pillow to the frog?"