Surviving and Thriving in Bethabara Farms

The starts are growing very quickly and appear to be adjusting well to life outside the disposal...

Okay, I've been known to try some pretty unique ways of doing things...but this is ridiculous... As I came in from outside, I spotted the little sprout poking its little head out of the garbage disposal. My first thought was, "Oh Lord, please don't let that be a snake poking out of my sink". I crept up close to it and gave it a little tug and the whole mess came popping right out. I think it's got to be spaghetti squash inards that apparently didn't get disposalized ( I love making up new words) properly. Being the psychotic gardener I am, I promptly planted the whole mess of sprouts in the garden. I don't know how it'll work, but I've always been up for a fun experiment. I'm a little worried about Curby the Squash (yes, I'm aware I am a total dork). It's pretty hot outside but it can't be worse than the inside of a garbage disposal...

I am on a mission. A very important mission. I will rid my yard of an enemy. An enemy that is sneaky, overwhelmingly destructive and quite frankly, extremely smelly. I have sworn to rid my environment of the disgusting squash bug! I have discovered that if I give my squash plants a quick but thorough soak with the hose, wait a few seconds and they crawl up to the tops of the leaves to dry off. Then they are swiftly but gently removed from the plant and whacked or if you prefer... sent to sleep with the fishes, bought the farm, pushing up daisies or kicked the bucket. Whatever, I don't care what you call it but they are smitherines! I need to do a quick disclaimer here to reassure you that I have not completely lost my mind and become a crazy bug killer. I was actually slightly momentarily concerned about my obsession but when I did a search online I found quotes like, " Satan is that nasty squash bug. Not only does he want what he can't have and hasn't earned, he wants...

Jayden decided that he needed to take a sunflower home with him. Good thing there are plenty...

What a beautiful day! Spent some time this afternoon working in the yard and then read and enjoyed the birds while the birds discovered the new birdseed and sunflowers. I'm reading a fiction book about forgiveness and valuing the people in our lives. It's an interesting concept--A plane crashed (fabulous, I have to fly later this month) into the water outside Tampa Bay, Florida and a woman finds a note with the words, "Dear T~ All is forgiven. I love you, Dad" in a ziplock bag floating in the debris. There are no survivors. She gives the note to a reporter who attempts to find the intended recipient. I was sitting in my garden thinking about what I would need to say to people if my time on earth were coming to a quick, dramatic end. I know it sorta sounds morbid but it's really wasn't. Why not think of what I would want to say and say it now? Why wait and never get the chance? I suppose I am afraid of feeling silly, thinking that it's not the right time......

Today is my grandparent's anniversary. Even though they passed away years ago, they are a constant in my daily life. Their humor, their wisdom and their love have made an impact on me and everyone who knew them. They loved each other so much and today I will celebrate.