I have been greatly enjoying my time of transition from my last job to whatever the next one will be. To tell the truth, I have been more productive in the last month right here at home getting more satisfying work done than I ever did at that last job.
Anyway, it’s Spring!
Time to plant things.
Time to grow things.
I’ve been doing just that. Hubby diligently tilled up the soil in our 3 garden beds a few weeks ago. We laid down some amendments, let them soak in with a few good rainfalls we’ve had. We laid down the landscaping cloth and burned a few holes for planting. They are filled with spinach, onions, green beans, and corn. At the moment. More holes await and seedlings of tomatoes, cucumbers, and, of course, a few Mystery Plants because I smoke way too much dope. I always say I’m going to remember. I don’t. I tried writing it on the pots but the marker wouldn’t stick. In any case, two of them have been transplanted to large pots on the deck. I think they’re pumpkins, maybe watermelons. Maybe squash.
We’ll find out.
I always love a good surprise.
I got out there and dug the crap out of my herb garden. I got rid of all the dead lemon thyme and the chocolate mint that was taking over everything. Mint always does that. I wish I could find a nice place for it so I put the rooted clumps down back where we dump out brush and hoped for the best. I dug out a big patch around the boat out front and then dug up the lupines in the boat hoping with all my heart they would survive the transplant while reminding myself they really were growing happy and healthy in the wrong spot. For several days it appeared my efforts would be in vain as all those lovely newly transplanted lupines just laid in the dirt. But today, they seem to be perking up so maybe it was a success.
Either way, I did buy 4 hollyhocks and 1 purple coneflower at Family Dollar yesterday when I went to find a new nozzle for my hose. They will look very nice growing tall behind the old boat.
I moved the lemon trees, Ficus, and yes I’m going to plant it this year cherry tree, out to the deck and moved them around so they didn’t take up that one corner again this year. The Callas are shooting up all over the place so I dragged them outside to take their place on the deck for the season. I rearranged the deck a bit. I moved the purple table from the front of the house to the deck and the four old white chairs with two matching glass tables to the front deck.
All of my efforts took place over the course of a single day.
I am 58.
My ass ached for days! All that digging.
OMG! The pain was really something.
It’s gone now so I’ve been putzing about out there again.
Today, I found myself in need of some materials and planning a short jaunt to Ocean State Job Lot (I got it, right! Those of you who know me, know I always call it ‘Odd Job’.) I told my oldest I was going and what for and she said; “Why don’t you look on Amazon for the bird seed? They’ll bring you a big bag you won’t pick up in the store for free.”
I thought; Oh, that’s an awesome idea! WTF didn’t I think of that earlier?
So I sat down, opened my Amazon app and started looking for bird seed. I found some that was in a good size (I have learned the hard way to check the amount/size/dimension! WTFEver! Before clicking ‘add to cart’.) Then I looked at potting soil which was also on my list.
Amazon was pushing this two pack of Miracle Gro as a ‘best seller’ and whatever. I kept looking at it and looking at it until I finally opened my Home Depot app to be sure I was being heavily ripped off if I clicked ‘add to cart’ on that one.
I was.
Amazon wanted me to buy a total of 16oz of Miracle Gro potting soil for $16.00!
I sighed. I’ll have to go to Odd Job afterall.
My Home Depot app smiled at me as it winked ‘free delivery’.
Seriously? I mean, I know they deliver big stuff…duh…but some potting soil, bird seed, and floor cleaner? At better than Amazon prices?
Well, what a nice day it is!
I got everything I wanted in the sizes I would never buy because I’m 58 years old with a bad back and wobbly knees. That shit is heavy. I don’t want to put in the cart, take it out of the cart for check out, put it back in the cart. wheel it out to the parking lot, take it out of the cart put in the cart, drive home, take it out of the car to its final resting place.
So I buy small bags of stuff.
Home Depot is bringing me, today, 50qts of Miracle Gro potting soil (for $15.00! I double triple checked that, I swear!), 20lbs of bird seed, and 1 gallon of floor cleaner for what I would have easily paid at Odd Job if they had bird seed which I am unsure about. AND, this kept me from Impulse Buying any plants Odd Job might have sitting outside.
All I have to do is drag this stuff from the from door, through the first floor, and out the back door. That’s it. I don’t even have to pick it up not once!
My back thanks me.
I thank my daughter for her brilliant idea.
A little later today or maybe tomorrow, I’ll be back at playing in the dirt.
Lisa Beth Darling 