Running Around Like a Chicken

I always think of my Granny, who is Hungarian, and has a great knack for translating slang into her own personal language. "Running around like a chicken with his head cut off" is simply to her "Running around like a chicken." This phrase sums up the total of my life right now. I can live in this spiralling vortex and actually pull it off for a while. I can put up a pretty good fight. I've had years and years of experience. But, what I've mainly learned from all that experience is that it can only last so long. The human body can only give so much. The human brain is capable of snapping under too much (laundry) pressure. Ask my children, they can literally describe what a conniption fit looks like.

It is so much more desirable to stop and smell the roses. And, maybe if I weren't the one that has to plant the roses, water the roses after thawing out the hoses that were left out all winter, threaten Prince Lawn Gnome with his life if the weed eater gets too close to the roses, mourn for the roses when he does weedwack them to death because he can't be bothered to take an appropriate amount of time around them when there is playtime to be had, collect the remaining roses and arrange them in a beautiful vase that I will proudly display on a table after I clean that off... well, then maybe I could just enjoy a stroll through the yard and enjoy smelling the roses.

So, truly, the spiralling vortex principle applies to EVERY area of my life right now. Even a simple task is not so simple. Add the bathroom remodel, that is taking forever, into the mix and the house is less than desirable. Of course, this is the time that an old friend would decide to stop in for a few days. Doesn't the threat of no running water at any given time mean anything to anyone anymore? I thought that was a rather pointed clue, that no, this isn't a good time for us, apparently not pointed enough. Guilt from not promptly returning her phone calls of late kept me from just outright saying "Are you kidding me? Absolutely not." Instead, I heard myself say, "Oh, great. I'm so looking forward to having some time to visit, just us." Hope she doesn't mind spending hours in the garden reclaiming it for spring or actually tiling the bathroom floor. Both items are on the agenda and CANNOT be put off further. Just add it to the vortex!

Oh, yes, and the daily vortex is still churning around work, homeschool, bible study, youth group an upcoming vacation weekend, and yes, another set of relatives coming to visit. Yes, that will about take care of March.

The garden

It started innocently enough, the desire for the taste of a few homegrown tomatoes. Somehow though, it turned into more. The sad thing is that I am an all or nothing personality, but I didn't realize how much until the garden. Why would I think about it now in December? I picked up a book with a very catchy title, "The $64 Tomato" by William Alexander. My hubby often teased me that we had two $200 salads, instantly, I could relate. Oddly enough, I thought the garden would save us money. Ha! That is lie. At this rate it will take years.

I think it worth mentioning that I am not a fit person. In fact, my winter activities mostly resemble that of a grizzly bear. So, the shear fact that I squatted, I kneeled, I lifted, I shoveled, I weeded, and down right nearly died in the garden should render pause and reflection. Is it worth it? Will I be so crazy as to try again? I did lose one jeans size, but I found it again.

Or how about the fact that I mistakenly pulled out all the pepper plants and watered poisonous weeds. They grew and grew and I was so proud. I thought the pepper crop was going to be amazing! I started googling recipes for hot sauce. It was a sad day when the neighbor behind us broke the news.

The truth is, I have to try again if out of nothing but pure stubbornness. All that work, I can't let it be for naught. And truly the tomatoes are amazing, even if they do cost nearly $64 each. I am determined to do better, determined to arm myself with more knowledge over the winter.

Call me crazy but I also love the the peace and quiet. I enjoy digging in the dirt. I love lifting my face to feel the warmth of the sun. Never before have a fully appreciated the curse of the land on Adam or the plight of the farmer. Oh, how I covet success. My New Year's Resolution: to garden with more wisdom and fervor, to enjoy the fruit/vegies of my labor and not to cultivate weeds.