In contemplating my recent exhaustion, I realized lately that both Josh and I are each running our own businesses and each an integral part in the running of a nonprofit organization. That's not to mention additional regular volunteering, then the tasks of keeping house and occasionally showing a face to friends and family so that they know you still like them. I think I've given up on trying to be the perfect aunt to seven nieces and nephews, the perfect daughter to the ever present or holder of high expectations parents (if you don't have kids then it is your job to serve those who do), the perfect friend to the demanding and dramatic or to the silent and strong (whom I miss!), the perfect resident of this small mountain community who each pitch in and do their part, save me it seems. I figure this much: if they do not know how I love them and that at their request I would drop all twenty seven balls I'm juggling to assist them when in need, then perhaps there's not much more I can do to try to prove anything. On top of these messy people things, we value travel and spontaneity. So what then can we do to get away from the responsibilities we've undertaken? How do we steal momentary release until the "someday*" of rest comes? Well, by workin' of course. (*my imaginary "someday" includes a test year as a mute hermit, once I have my own space in which to do so)

The garden provides much more than a nagging feeling that you've got work yet to do, you see. It's a place to get away for a few minutes and battle the weeds when they're growing better than those little green things we started from seed in February. It's also a place to share with others because life's tumbles are put into perspective when watching literal growth take place. Most of our veggies come from seeds we purchase from seedsavers.org. Around May we tend to get some plants from my mother and like magic we have a full garden. I am still pursuing my aims to become a gentleman farmer. Here now, witness my garden of victory:

Photos taken from same vantage point installation day before & after 5/7, 5/21, 6/3 (in which I think Josh is dancing because I told him to stay still or get out of the frame), 6/10, 6/22.

The gothic arches we made to decorate the stone ruin walls (to make bank barn become woodland church) at our wedding are again serving well as pea trellises. 5/7, 5/21, 6/3, 6/21

Here are just a bunch of pictures from yesterday:

We haven't lost any total of one crop yet. While we have additional plants up by the house (why put cherry tomatoes so far away from salad bowls?) that aren't considered here, the contents of this year's lower garden include (veggie [number of different varieties]):Lettuce (mix)
peas (3)
green beans (1)
pumpkin (1)
swiss chard (1)
lima bean (1)
sweet and hot peppers (5)
tomatoes (4)
onions (2)
carrots (2)
cucumber (2)
beets (1)
eggplant (3)
squash (2)
sweet potato (1)
some parts of the garden are lined with marigold and basil

Anyone up for a trip to the garden?