I like dirt

April 14, 2025

This past Saturday and Sunday, son John and I worked on the garden area at their house. Grandson Aero mostly spent his time playing with his trucks in the yard, but also helped with various things when we called him over. The weather was excellent to be getting started, with the temperatures reaching the upper 80s. Of course, John complains when things get sweaty ... and I'm the one who lives for anything above 80°. Yes, I'm that person. Jerry, too. We've gone fishing in 100° temps and been very comfortable and happy.

John pulled out the tiller and long extension cords. I'd bought the tiller years ago at Lowes for about $100 - back when we all had money (remember those times?). I wanted to make getting a garden started easier. I grew up in the time we all used shovels to turn the dirt in preparation for the growing season. I built up quite the arm and back muscles as a teenager helping my dad, and then in my own gardens as an adult. But now I'm older ... things aren't quite as easy.

I'd already spent a couple days last week taking apart the fencing, posts, plant cages and the like. Moving things out of the way. Searching for the "hiddens" ... pieces of old discarded VCP (vitrified clay pipe), broken glass, rocks, etc. that would ruin the tiller. I don't know why, but every place I or my kids have ever lived has had it's share of dump items.

I pulled my white plastic lawn chair out of the winter-stacked pile, cleaned it off and sat in the shade as John tilled. You can tell it was getting on to evening time by the fence shadow, so it was a wee bit steamy by then. As he went along an area, I started using my long-handled claw rake (which was my mama's in the 1960s/70s) to pull the tilled weeds and grass into a pile for the dumpster. Afterward, John used my bow rake (aka garden rake) to do some more. He pulled it all into a line. We were pretty much worn out by then.

Aero asked if we were going to finish pulling out those weeds and grass. We said we were tired. He wanted to do it with me and was so insistent, I gave up part of my Sunday (after I watched church online) to go back over and he helped me finish that up. Aero used my short garden rake to get the job done.

Jupiter just had to be right where his boy was, inspecting everything as Aero worked. Aero did such an excellent job. I'll pay him for his hard work next weekend. He asked why he had to wait until then. His dad said, "because that's your payday," and Aero accepted that answer. John is teaching him how to handle money, so I'm sticking to the same payday idea.

You can see there is fencing lying on the grass (left in photo). We (John, Aero, and I) went to Tractor Supply to get 6 more fence posts before starting the tilling. Tomorrow I'll go over and work on getting the fence put together. Then I have to find a gate. I think I have an extra behind the shed over at DIL Amanda's. I would have done it today, but it's cold and windy. Yuck. It'll be better tomorrow.

Jerry has his usual wound care appointment on Wednesday. Sure wish that thing would hurry up and be done. But, this is the way it always is when it opens ... the last little bit takes the longest to close up completely.

John and Katelyn will be out-of-town this coming Friday and Saturday. I'll be sharing Aero time with my ex. I'll have Aero for three hours on Friday, then drop him at George's where he'll spend the rest of that day and night. I'll get Aero on Saturday and have him till late that night. He has his usual soccer game on Saturday. He's doing so well this year. This year he's in the Youth Soccer league (instead of "Lil Kickers"), so it's more advanced. His concentration has clearly improved, as he's made some goals and gets right in there, making great moves to help his team.

Granddaughter Kara has asked me to help her paint her bedroom this week, so I'll be doing that besides everything else. I would rather be busy than nothing to do as during the winter when I'm stuck inside.

Thank you, Lord, for the seasons of Spring and Summer!

"In gardens where flowers bloom bright, a flash of color, sheer delight ... a hummingbird in joyful flight, nature's own sparkling delight."

Hope you all have a blessed week!

 Always,

Diana 🌻