May 9, 2020

I have watched and wondered at the commotion around whether to hold graduation ceremonies.  I might think differently If it was my graduation, but I do not think so.  I recall my older brother being “punished” for not cutting his hair for his graduation.  The principal refused to let him walk. When he asked if he would still graduate, he was told he would.  His response to the demand was, “OK, I guess you can send it by mail.”  This was the early 70’s and attitudes toward authority were different.

I did not attend Prom either my Junior or Senior years in High School and the reason I attended graduation both years was because I was part of the program.  I missed three of my four college graduations.  The first time it was rained out, but the second I did not bother to attend.  My third graduation was with a small class and I was informed if I did not show they would not give me my diploma.  My parents also showed so I was sort of obligated.  The final time was with a college I completed as satellite classes.  I could have gone back for a weekend of celebration with my cohort, but it was 2000 miles away and I choose to spare the expense and stay home.

Amid the pandemic all kinds of celebrations are being held virtually.  I have heard of Zoom call graduations complete with cap and gown.  Others are graduating seniors and planning to hold ceremonies during the summer.  Another is planning a drive through graduation with seniors lined up in cars to be handed their diploma.  Similar ways are devised for other celebrations.  I saw two families celebrating birthdays at the lake where I fished yesterday.  They seemed to ignore any of the social distancing requirements except to hold the event outside.  My granddaughter’s birthday was last week, and their decision was to hold a “drive by” birthday party.  All her five-year-old friends were driven by the house at a certain time to wish her a happy birthday.  Although she does not yet have a lot of experience with birthdays, my son told me she exclaimed, “This is the best birthday ever!”

THOUGHTS:  Melissa and I received good news on Friday, and she wanted to celebrate.  During normal times we would have gone out to eat.  While restaurants have been cleared to open at 25% capacity in our state, most are refusing to put their workers at risk.  I decided to cook up a pot of beans, make potato salad, and grill hamburgers outside.  When she arrived home from work, we went out on the patio and spent a relaxing evening enjoying the nice weather.  We lit a fire as it got darker and Melissa exclaimed, “Thank you for making this celebration special!”   Perhaps the key to special celebrations is who you spend them with.  If it is possible, Stay home. Stay safe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 8, 2020

Today is Friday and every Friday my mind rolls around to TGIF, the acronym for “Thank God it’s Friday”. This is used to express the joy one feels in knowing that the work week has officially ended and that they have two days off to enjoy.  This is a phrase that was popularized by the restaurant T.G.I. Friday’s in 1965.  The restaurant chain T.G.I. Friday’s asserts that it stands for “Thank Goodness It’s Friday”.  It is the partiers of the 70’s and 80’s that gave it the more emphatic name.

The term was rephrased in 1989 with the launch of “Thank Goodness It’s Funny”.  ABC started this Friday night programming and it ran until the year 2000. This block of TV was full of family friendly comedy shows.  This is represented by shows like Full House and later Family Matters.  I admit I was not a fan and cannot remember watching any of this fare, but I was aware of their popularity.

What the phrase TGIF means to me is “Thank God I Fish”.  The great part of making this transition is that I am not longer confined to a single day.  I can fish on any day of the week and still proudly declare, TGIF!  My fishing time has been curtailed lately.  I have gone back to work part time and my garden needs daily tending.  I enjoy what I do but it is a people-oriented task, something hard during our time of closure and social distancing.  Today is Friday.  Maybe this is a good day to put a line in the water.

THOUGHTS:  I find it interesting the different ways we are all affected by the current crisis.  We have 33 million people who are out of work and living on unemployment.  This ranges from low paid restaurant staff to high paid jobs in the travel industry.   Depending on states, we have sectors of jobs that are closed and others operating at 25-33% capacity.  I have gotten so I do not like to even write the name.  We will reopen eventually; I just hope we do not get stir crazy and force it too soon.  If it is possible, Stay home. Stay safe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 7, 2020

While I was watering this morning, I noticed two tiny buds on one of my pepper plants.  These are the beginning of the first fruits of the work that has gone into my vegetables.  Even though they are barely big enough to see they give me hope for a productive summer crop.  I have noticed Melissa is just as excited about the plants as I am.  One of the first things she does after changing her clothes in the evening is to go out and see how the plants have grown.

The buds are on a plant called a Mexibelle Spicy Bell Pepper.  The picture shows both green and red fruit and the tag says this produces a spicy bell pepper, hence the name.  I had never heard of this type of pepper before, but I am interested in my first taste.  We eat a lot of green bell peppers, but they always seem a little bland.  Both Melissa and I eat a lot of jalapenos (and we have two different varieties of those growing along with a Tabasco pepper plant) so this seems like a good fit.

The first fruits, or the first yield from a plant, is an exciting time.  With our current food chain, we are isolated from the farms that produce our food and we do not experience the joy of raising our own vegetables.  Most are not even grown locally but come from California or Mexico.  During the present crisis, these vegetables are becoming scarcer.  The pickers are no longer working and the truckers to move the goods are harder to find.  I have seen photos of ripe vegetables piled up and rotting in the field.  I am glad I have a potential supply in my containers.

THOUGHTS:  I am not sure why, but home-grown food seems to taste better.  I am not one who frets over organic or pesticide free labels and let price guide my eating habits.  When I do buy the organic, I cannot tell any difference in the taste.  I guess I think the pesticides are the price of having enough food to eat.  Now we are finding another price for food.  The cost to produce, process and ship our food comes down to people willing to risk their own safety.  Sometimes the price is too high, and the food is left to rot, even as people in the cities are going hungry.  Even as I grow my own vegetables, I know there are other things I eat as well.  As always, these come at a price.  If it is possible, Stay home. Stay safe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 6, 2020

Last night was the coincidence of two of my favorite traditions.  Taco Tuesday fell on Cinco de Mayo.  That meant it was a great time to serve up some Tex-Mex fare.  I prepared the fixings for the tacos and the required side dishes, the guacamole, chips, and refried beans, and these were ready for Melissa when she got home from work.  My preparation of dinner is not unusual, but it has become part of our new normal.  We used to watch the news and then decide what we wanted to eat.  The conversation generally wrapped around, “No, I asked you what you want to eat.”  With her new job Melissa now texts me as she leaves work and I know I have about an hour and a half to get something ready.

My new role as chief cook and bottle washer gives me the opportunity to try new dishes.  These are also from the food supply or staples we already have on hand.  I have been looking at recipes to get new ideas for different meals.  I have never been good at cooking by a recipe.  I usually just think what might go well together and make the meal.  This rarely comes out bad, but it does have its drawbacks.  Several times Melissa has really liked what I made and asked me to make it again.  Then I must confess I do not remember what I put in the dish.

Even though tacos are a go-to meal at our house, I felt sort of sheepish about the limited menu.  I got sidetracked and did not even put out the salsa, lettuce, and tomatoes I usually serve to dress them up.  I never even thought of it until after I had already eaten my first taco.  The real reason I felt sheepish is because of the meal provided by Melissa’s work.  They had ordered takeout from a local Mexican restaurant and Melissa sent a picture of the fajitas she ordered.  They really looked good and Melissa said they were excellent.  I was told my tacos were good as well, but I had to wonder.

THOUGHTS:  As the world changes around us it is good to hold onto our traditions.  Some traditions have been in our families for many years.   Others are things we have started to help bond together.  Making tacos is one of the ways Melissa and I have found to gather around the table.  Another tradition is to attend an IMAX movie on Christmas day.  We no longer live in a town with this format, but there is one in the area.  Whether our traditions are time-honored or derived recently, they serve the purpose of bringing us closer together.  I hope we will be able to create new traditions and honor the old ones as we move forward.  If it is possible, Stay home. Stay safe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 5, 2020

Just as I thought, my cantaloupe did not make it.  It started strong but never took well to the replanting.  I planted it the same way I did my other vegetables.  I prepared the soil by loosening the dirt.  I put in the same amount of plant food.  I planted it the appropriate depth.  I spread new potting soil over the top of the area around the plant.  Still, it did not make it.  I guess I should be surprised more of my plantings did not fail rather than begrudging the loss of one, but each was planted with great expectation.

I have been on several Zoom calls and a few of the callers have had cool backdrops rather than a view of their office or kitchen wall.  I learned one of the features offered provided a variety of backdrops for your location.  The only requirement is to use a greenscreen behind your visage.  The cameras on newer computers even allow these backdrops without a greenscreen.  I tried this application and my camera did not make the grade.  One of the callers who used this feature for work mentioned they had used a green tablecloth attached to the wall behind them.

Melissa went to the store for groceries on her way home several days ago and bought a plastic tablecloth for me to create a greenscreen.  I took my mask yesterday and went to the local hardware store for pvc.  I have used pvc pipe for a variety of projects and knew this could be the foundation for my screen.  I purchased three 10’ lengths, four elbow joints, and a pipe cutter.  Taping the tablecloth to the cut lengths of pipe proved harder than I expected, but the project is finished, and my screen works.  While I was at the store, I purchased another bag of potting soil and some musk melon (cantaloupe) plants.  Once again, they only came in a six-pack tray.  I guess I had better get them in the ground before they die as well.

THOUGHTS:  While making the greenscreen for my Zoom calls was the excuse I used to get outside, the real reason was to find another plant to replace my lost cantaloupe.  The labeling as musk melon threw Melissa for a bit, but then she realized what it was.  I knew the original plant would not make it by the second day.   It went from hardy and robust to limp and wilted.  Some of the things we try in life are a success, but others do not work out.  Like my cantaloupe, they are all begun with great expectation.  I have learned from all my trials, but it seems better to live my success than to analyze my failures.  The ultimate lesson I learned is to keep trying.  Failure only wins when it makes you stop.  If it is possible, Stay home. Stay safe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 4, 2020

Melissa’s mom always liked the birds who hung out at the house.  Her favorites were the hummingbirds and the cardinals.  I find it interesting since these two species could not be more different.  Cardinals are large birds with big beaks for breaking open seeds.  Hummingbirds are tiny with long beaks for drinking nectar from the fluted flowers.  While cardinals spend time perched on the fence the hummingbirds are always hovering.  I have seen a hummingbird perched in a bush, but I only remember this once in all my years.  Even being so different I can understand why they were her favorites.  They are mine as well.

While cleaning the back porch I not only found a bird feeder I also found three hummingbird feeders.  I previously mentioned putting seed in the bird feeder for the cardinals and the nesting wrens.  Today my project was to fill the hummingbird feeders and hang them in the back yard.  Melissa got me some red syrup and I filled them up.  There were hangers along the fence, so I placed them around the yard.  I am hoping my favorite birds will find these feeding stations and frequent the yard often.

Over the weekend we had a constant bird fight in our back yard.  We have a bird house along the fence and a pair of wrens have kept a constant vigil to protect it for the last two years.  They have been busy going in and out and I am sure they are sitting on a nest.  The trouble started with the magpie.  Last year the magpie built a nest in the snowball bush in the front yard and would dive bomb Bella every time she went outside, presumably protecting a nest.  It was not until the leaves dropped that we even knew a nest was there.  Saturday, the bird decided a squirrel was to close and pestered it unmercifully.  Next the magpie decided to attack the wrens.  The opening to the house is too small for the magpie to enter but she perched on the fence just outside and flew at the wrens whenever they peeked their heads out.  While these wars were going on, several other birds got involved in a chase as well.  The bird world was in turmoil.  Maybe they are tired of being asked to stay home.

THOUGHTS:  I have found having favorites changes my attitude.   I put out food for the birds I like.  I hope the wrens and cardinals enjoy the seed and the hummingbirds find the nectar.  I know other birds will find the stash as well, but it is not there for them.  I do not like the magpie because of how it treated Bella and even found myself feeling sorry for the squirrel who also liked to tease Bella by staying just out of reach.  These birds are acting as instinct tells them, but some I like and others I do not.   It is easy to forgive the wrens and cardinals because I like them.  It is easy to get angry with the magpie because I have decided not to like it.  I need to be thoughtful when I deal with people, lest I find myself treating them the same way.  If it is possible, Stay home. Stay safe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 2, 2020

I am done, at least with the initial planting.  I fixed the last two containers and planted one side with beans and the other with peas.  Both containers had trellis’ in them so I thought they would be perfect for these climbing vines.  I used the proper spacing advised on the seed packages.  The directions suggest it will take 6-7 days for them to sprout.  I had asked Melissa to buy small packets of seed as I knew the containers were small.  Even so, I probably have enough seed left over for the next several years., that is if they stay viable that long.  I wonder because the front of the packs claim they are both packaged for 2020.   I think at least I will be able to plant for a second harvest in the fall.

Even as I put the seed into the ground I marveled at the growth of my other plants.  All eight of my potato plants have sprouted and about half of my onion sets are up.  My tomatoes and peppers are doing well, and the cilantro has exploded.  This rapid growth has made it fun to water as I can see a difference daily.  The only plant I worry about is my cantaloupe.  It is looking sort of peaked and I worry it may not make it.  If it is going to fail, I hope it does so quickly to allow me time to get back to the coop for another one.

Part of the joy I find in gardening is watching the development of the plants.  I realize I am in it for the long haul.  The peas and beans are the quickest to produce and they are 55-60 days out.  Most of the others are around 85-90 days.  That means even though I got the others in the ground a week earlier, the beans and peas will still be my first harvest.  I am not good at waiting, even though I know I have too.  I am determined to let ALL my plants mature and not rush them.  Maybe I should harvest some of the cilantro for guacamole this evening.

THOUGHTS:  Planting my garden has let me reflect on life.  Just like my different plants, each of us are unique.  We have different rates of growth and even when mature, we produce different fruit.  Some are like my cantaloupe and struggle to get a start in life while others seem to move effortlessly through life’s stages.  Our uniqueness is a good thing, how boring it would be if we were all the same!  However, our differences mean I need to deal with others based on their uniqueness.  I consider myself eclectic when it comes to philosophy, and with people.  This does not mean I cannot make up my mind, it means I hold each perspective as having value.  This also means I need to invest in others in order to see their potential to produce fruit.  If it is possible, Stay home. Stay safe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 1, 2020

We have had a lot of rain lately and when I went out to water this morning the soil was still very wet.  I decided not to water but did some weeding in the front Hosta bed.  Even though I did not water, I still had to play with the watering system.  Melissa constructed a watering system that covers the entire yard.  It was built to water the flower beds in both the front and back yards, as well as a drip system for the hanging baskets that used to flourish on the screened porch.  It had not been used for the last years by her mom or dad.  When we moved in two years ago, I turned it on to see if it still worked.  There are parts that need refurbishing, but most sections work.  This was not a priority, so I let it go.

The first year at the house we concentrated on the interior and did not do anything to the outside except mow.  Last year we stepped it up a notch and weeded, mulched the beds and added a few flowers, but little else.  This seems to be the “big push” year.  We added the garden and planted more flowers.  The additional vegetation means additional time spent on upkeep.  The hose I use to water the container garden is not well sealed and when I water it sprays through the screens and waters the porch.  Again, not a priority, so I let it go.

It happens we have a brand new four-hose connector to attach to the faucet.   We have had it for a while but since we did not use the watering system, I had not gotten around to replacing the old one. Since the porch is now Melissa’s succulent potting area, she asked me to make the change.  This was not a big deal.  It only took five minutes to switch it out.  Now that the new one is installed; I no longer worry about spraying Melissa’s cuttings.  Maybe I should fix the rest of the watering system as well.

THOUGHTS:  There are areas of my life that could use a little work.  We have begun to eat better but I am still spotty on the exercise.  I could spend time reading but find myself on the computer working or taking care of “essential” business.  When Melissa comes home from work, we eat dinner and then usually collapse on the couch (yes, even working from home can be exhausting).   It is not that I do not have time to change these habits, it is that I choose not to change.  It is not even like these are long held habits.  Most of what I do now was not being done six weeks ago.  The problem is they are not a priority.  Maybe in our new normal this is a good time to change.  If it is possible, Stay home. Stay safe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 30, 2020

Over the last few days I have begun a new routine.   I have mentioned how I get up and read the paper, but I have added a new wrinkle to my old routine.  Two things have forced me to change.  The first is because I no longer sleep in like I used to.  Melissa began a new job on Monday and she leaves the house around six in the morning to get to work.   She tries not to wake me but I do wake up.  When she leaves she gives me a kiss goodbye and I fall back to sleep, but only for a little while.  I get up around 7:30 and start my day.   The other change comes from the garden I planted.  I worked in a nursery in college and know plants should only be watered in the morning or late afternoon.  Otherwise the heat of the daily sun tends to suck the water out of the plant rather than let it absorb into the soil.  My new routine is to get up, water, and then read my paper.

Another thing I have found is before I water I need to check the beds for weeds.  Weeds are a constant nemesis for a garden, whether vegetables or flowers.  I am not good at weeding, but I am determined to give my garden every chance it can have.  This morning I discovered I can weed and water at the same time (I know, it’s not rocket science).  That reduces the boredom of both tasks.  I always believe in win/win situations and this is definitely one.  I have also found it is a lot easier to keep the garden weeded than to weed to be able to plant the garden.  That is why I try to weed and water daily.

As I reallocate my time it reminds me of a conversation I had in college with a friend.  We were sitting on her front porch and watched as an old man (probably my age!) mowed and tended his lawn.  I commented, “I hope I never get to the point where that is the highlight of my day!”  Forty-five years later I find that priorities change.  Tending my garden and mowing my lawn may not be the highlight of my day, but I do find them enjoyable.  They give me a sense of purpose and allow me to reflect on my priorities for the rest of the day.  I think I will go read my paper.

THOUGHTS:  Just as our situation in life changes so do our priorities.  Some of those situations, like Melissa’s job, are beyond our control and we are forced to adapt.  Others, like my garden, are brought on by changes we make on our own.  Either way, these changes cause us to adapt to the new normal.  Adaptation might mean doing something in a whole new way, or like my routine it might just add to what we are already doing.  I find myself becoming more adaptable as I navigate these new times.  I like this new me and hope I will be able to continue adapting after the crisis is over.  If it is possible, Stay home. Stay safe.

 

 

 

 

 

April 29, 2020

Just my luck.  I have spent the last few days getting my peppers and tomatoes in containers, my melons in the ground, and my potatoes and onions have sprouted.  I admit I was feeling good about all the potential food I am going to have in about 90 days.  I did not water my plants yesterday because we were expecting rain.  I thought I would just let nature take its course.  Well, it certainly did.  The storms that rolled through last night brought tornadoes to nearby towns.  We were not hit but when the front came it brought 75 mile an hour shear winds and a brief hail shower.  It was too dark to see much outside, so I just hoped for the best.

When I got up this morning, I went out to inspect the damage.  While several items had been blown around the yard all my containers were intact.  It is probably a good thing I put a brick in the bottom of each of them.  I would not have thought of it but when I was cleaning the pots to transfer my vegetables, I noticed Melissa’s mom had done this before.  Since she was a master gardener, I decided to follow suit and it seems to work.

Now that my plants survival was assured, I thought about the other creatures who inhabit our yard.  We have a bird feeder on the porch, so I put it on a hangar at the back fence and filled it with the seed mix I had purchased earlier.  The mix contained black sunflower seeds that I know are a favorite of the cardinals who frequent our yard.  It has smaller grains so the other birds can feed as well.  I got a comment on my post about the strawberries asking if these were not mock strawberries.  I got an identification app online and clicked on the plants.  They were mock strawberries, not real ones.  When I told Melissa she responded, “Maybe the bunnies and turtles will enjoy them.”  When the ground dries out, I think will just mow.

THOUGHTS:  One of my great joys has been watching the power and energy displayed as the thunderstorms roll across the Kansas sky.  The storm took on a different meaning last night as I feared for the survival of my new garden.  I can only imagine the terror the early settlers must have felt when the storms and tornadoes ripped across the prairies.  Their sod houses offered little shelter.  Luckily for some, the root cellars dug into the ground to preserve the stored vegetables allowed both to survive.  After the crisis was over, they emerged to a new day.  I hope the same will be true as we survive our present crisis.  If it is possible, Stay home. Stay safe.