When queried on his many attempts at constructing a working light bulb, Thomas Edison replied by describing them not as failures but as learning so many ways how not to make a light bulb. With this in mind, my gardens would have to be considered fairly successful.
Once again things got away from me. Although I believe I got farther along this year than in those past. Each test shows me more and more things that can be applied in years to come. At some point you have to use what you have and/or know and get on with the process. I think next year will be a productive one. I intend to use what I’ve learned in the majority of the garden and limit my testing to smaller venues. It’s time to get something out of all this.
But, as what seems to happen every five to tens years, a fork in the road appears. Just when I thought I had a clear direction and plans were all laid out, things change. After the death of my mother on October 9th, 2008, I decided to invite my father to consider building a place here on the farm. The past couple of months changed my late season work with the garden. So many things that had been planned didn’t happen. The gardens got filled with weeds. The barn is down but did not get cleaned up yet. I’ve only got one side of siding on the house so far. The winter wheat is still sitting in the bag while the gardens haven’t even been cleared yet. But, there is still time to work on these things. Between my sister and me, we’ve gotten my father on a good path after some really bad ups and down. Taking things step by step with him has gotten us on a clear path again. Now we can move forward again.
My plans are still pretty much the same as far as gardening and farm marketing. The work load has simply increased. I’m getting used to it. I think it’s rather funny that, now that I’m really getting some work done on the house, we now have plans to add an en suite for my father this spring. It’s a good thing I haven’t sided that particular part of the house yet.
Although I thought I would have another installment or two in this series, it’s time to close it out. I think my energy has to be placed elsewhere. Even as I write this, my mind is racing with scheduling lists of things to do, new directions at work, weather closing in, hunkering down in these strange economic times, etc. It has been an interesting season here on GT. Maybe next year I can blog about a more successful year.
-- arborial reconfiguration specialist......Zone out....(USA 5)
8 comments so far
Bon
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1826 posts in 324 days
hardiness zone 5a
posted 74 days ago
Catspaw I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother.My condolances.Gardens don’t matter when family needs you.I think it is really good of you to invite your father to stay with you.I hope everything works out and that you can find time to relax real soon.
-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more
jroot
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1121 posts in 174 days
hardiness zone 5a
posted 74 days ago
I have brought my mother and father here, in spirit. They have both passed away, but I did bring some plants from their ( our ) home, and set them into the garden at my former house. When I moved, I brought them with me to use as foundations for the garden. Not much work at all, just pleasant memories.
-- jroot
GrandmaT
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3334 posts in 422 days
hardiness zone 5
posted 74 days ago
Please accept my condolences on the passing of your mom. I am so sorry for your loss.
Glad to hear dad is on a good path now and will be moving in with you and your family.
I hope you can everything done … our thoughts are sure with ya!!
-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI
dini
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801 posts in 261 days
hardiness zone 5
posted 74 days ago
My condolences on the loss of your mother. Glad to hear that you and your sis pulled your Dad thru it. It’s hard. Hopefully it will be a good thing having him with you.
-- the day you quit learning is the day you quit living.
MsDebbieP
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3957 posts in 544 days
hardiness zone 5b
posted 74 days ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you.
I hope things move quickly back into a “rhythm” for you and your family as you make your way through the times to come.
And I hope we get to hear about the progress & successes of your 2009 gardens.
-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)
Catspaw
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172 posts in 341 days
posted 73 days ago
Thanks for the condolences. Right now GT is one of the few things I get to do “for myself”. Everything else is about work. Even now I’m only taking a break from setting the floor substrate for under the new wood burning stove. So, even with winter closing in, I imagine I’ll still poke around here.
Between retro-installing the wood burning system, I’ve been out harvesting the luffahs. Pretty good batch this year. But, I still have to go out and plow the gardens today. Fortunately, the weather is at least sunny and not cold, but, windy. Next weekend looks like it will hold up for seeding the wheat.
Speaking of which, I better get the plow hooked up….I’m burnin’ daylight.
-- arborial reconfiguration specialist......Zone out....(USA 5)
GrandmaT
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3334 posts in 422 days
hardiness zone 5
posted 73 days ago
I am, and I am sure everyone else is … pleased to hear you “will still poke around here”. Too bad we can’t all somehow “just appear” over at your place to lend a helpin’ hand. Where is “Elizabeth Montgomery of Bewitched” when you need her twitching nose??!! ;-)
-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI
MsDebbieP
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3957 posts in 544 days
hardiness zone 5b
posted 73 days ago
my luffahs didn’t grow :(
I’m glad that you get a moment or two to just relax. Sounds like a pretty hectic time in your life
-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)