Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Growing


That, readers, is a tomato.

One afternoon not so long ago, Laurie was bored, and a little sad. We rejected the idea of increased caloric intake and batted around a few alternatives. Then gardening came up. Suddenly, we found ourselves perusing the garden center for pea plants. And bell pepper. And basil. And zucchini. And yellow squash. And thyme. And two kinds of tomatoes (little ones for salad, big ones for sandwiches!)

We returned home, my lap and Laurie's back seat smelling of dirt and green. That was only the beginning. Laurie and I transplanted the little plants into our new, long pots (amid gunshot-like shrieks and "LAURIE! You CAN'T freak out like that when there's a spider!"). I loved getting dirt on my hands and researching how to take care of the little guys. I felt like I'd adopted a baby.

Laurie remembers to water them, thank goodness. I spent about an hour today staking the pea plants (they don't look very healthy with so many dried out leaves, but the little searching tendrils and tiny buds totally attest to their growth). I've also grown tomatoes before -- thank you, Dad -- so I knew that the little flower that was there when we bought the plant meant we'd have a tomato soon. It's the one pictured above.

I was skeptical when Laurie and I bought these plants. If it wasn't for Cindy, who is marvelous at plants, I would have killed many a houseplant. I just don't remember to water the darn things. I thought I was born for cacti, but not so. The wonderful thing about a real garden is once you get the darn thing started, you get attached. "Is that tomato ripe yet?" "I thought I saw a bud on that pepper plant..." "The basil plant is just PRETTY." You remember it more.

I know the whole my-life-as-a-garden thing has been done about a million times. But I really hope that in watching this garden grow with very little help from me, I can learn to step back and let good things happen, rather than assuming they won't happen unless I force them.

I kinda want to name my plants. Too bad I have two tomato plants. They can't both be Bob.

Friday, June 11, 2010

GMH

I love knowing that if I ever felt like trying to be a good person, or life in general, was too much work, an entire mob of people would appear to offer their love.

Friendship gives me hope.

www.givesmehope.com

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Things I'm Grateful for Today:

Callie. She came over at about 6 and we had dinner and dessert and just talked and talked and talked until almost 10. After a week without a single familiar face, she saved my life today. It was sooo good to see her, and fun to talk about my trip to Europe and her trip to Canada. And about Doctor Who. And Rexburg. And life. Just what I needed.

My new residence. It's a cute house all by itself, blue with a little yard. But it's also got a nice back yard, and a firepit, and a swing, and a grill. Let's not forget that it's in a cute quiet neighborhood with a little park. Or that Winco, Cafe Rio, and Kohls are practically in walking distance. And downtown Salt Lake is only 20 minutes away. I can't believe I get all this for only $350 a month. Blessings, what??

Facebook. I know, I know. But for the time being, facebook is my primary method of contact with the people I love most. It's nice to have that connection, as tenuous as it is.