When we owned our home in Shelton, I had a farm. We didn’t have much land, but I had a real garden that I dug by hand and chickens. I loved that garden so much. I grew every vegetable that I love and they were all successful. I worked so many hours in my garden, planting, watering and weeding. Back when I had all the resources, I made so much food from scratch. At that point I was working 4 hours a day and had the time to give this passion. I canned food, made all sorts of meals from scratch and had a beautifully stocked pantry with fresh eggs from the chickens.
But then we lost our home when the economy dropped out, and had to move to the city and I lost all desire to have a farm. It wasn’t the same and I was sad. We’ve lived her for 6 years now, and when the pandemic hit I decided it was a good time to start a good pantry, and a garden again. To be as self sufficient as possible when you live in the middle of a small city in a complex is complex. I planted lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes and green beans all around my house. They are all thriving like I had never dreamed. Everything is unbelievably huge, like living under a power line huge. I half expect them to grow legs and take over the world! Yesterday I found tiny little black bug on one of my 4 zucchini plants. No way I am letting my babies go down like that! I rushed to the store and bought ladybugs. I didn’t think it was working, but I have been watching them all day and they are in ladybug heaven. They’ve eaten at least half the little black bugs! Such good little icky ladybugs. Have I mentioned I am terrified of ladybugs? Yeah. They’re still a bug. Call them lady all you want.
Lately I have felt I am lacking something in my life. The structure that I desire. Gardening has made me feel like I have given back to the earth, and given myself a healthy hobbie. Now I want to get back to baking and cooking. That is the hard part! I want to sit down and find new recipes and cook real meals and get back to my “roots”. Maybe that is one of the reasons I started this blog. I want to journal my accomplishments, and this garden has been a great one for me. A good start to the person I want to be. John (husband) and I are going to buy a house again soon, and I will make the space in my yard one of my top priorities. To have a year round garden and to be at one with the earth.
Super Cori 