Rural Gardening: Adventures on Dirt Rich Farm (City goes Country), 1 by Hineni

Hineni wrote:
Sequee: How do I do it...hmmm. Well, I *have* had my 'what-in-the-world-was-I-thinking' days ;) Right now the enthusiasm and excitement of having a dream come true keeps me going. Besides, I sit at my office desk and watch hummers less than five feet from me; I have a song sparrow that hangs upside down at the window daily and sings her little heart out; I have a cardinal pair that frequents the tree by the window; and a pair of thrashers that do worm and bug hunting in the same area, for starters - waking up with the windows open at dawn and smelling hundreds of butterfly weed flowers and just pure clean air each and every day wakes me up with a smile. Then there is the nightly firefly show up on the forest ridge just after sunset while I'm sitting in a swing under the beechnut tree with happy pups wrestling at my feet. Or it could be the river sounds from the rapids about 500 feet from the front porch, and quiet so still that you can actually hear it. So quiet that I know when a hummer is coming in for a feed long before I can see him. I have no television or even radio, so my time is spent out of doors most nights until dark. So much beauty, so much...LIFE...is present everywhere. I do get tired, and I do get sore :) But, it just doesn't seem that important in the whole scheme of things. For the first time in my life I have very tangible evidence of what I do during each day - rather than some blue-tinged computer screen that doesn't really measure progress except in dollars and cents and an electronic time card punch.
I pray that I'll never take it for granted, and that enthusiam and excitement will blossom into pride and love.

I wish you were closer too, as I'd love to have you visit, although right now it's in embarassing stages...lol!

As to the stinging nettles, I actually bought some transplants so that I could grow my own tea and compost components. Now I just have to figure out where to put them to keep everyone safe :)

Joan, love your term 'zumpkin'! Maybe I have squahini, or zumpkins, or my endearing term of sasquash. I think I will take the advice and pick the two hanging ones; I just have to let the pumpkin impersonator continue though.

G_M: we have no washer and dryer here - so currently it's by necessity (as I'm also carless while J is in GA). I like it though. Not so sure if I'll like it in winter, but we will see. I just need a more efficient way to tackle the dirt I'm generating...LOL! I priced a new wringer at Lehmans...yeow! Their double tub w/stand and wringer cost more than a used electric washer and dryer. So I'm hunting for used stuff.

Paul: The house has electric heat. But we plan on purchasing a wood stove, as it's already set up with hearth and chimney. I think this house would be very costly to heat via electric methods, and wood is free :)

I'm going to start a 2nd thread the next time I post anything of worth; as this may be getting ponderous for those on slower connections, especially with the photos!