This little hellebore from our deadly garden is blooming about four months ahead of time. Perhaps it has the religious holiday seasons mixed up, as hellebore typically blooms when Lent begins, not during Advent.
Friday Five: Anxious Feelings
I don't usually admit to being fearful. I'm the over-confident one, eager to offer advice and assistance. But truly, the month of May has me feeling a little anxious. Here's what I'm worried about:
- Pecha Kucha - On Thursday the 12th, I will present my ideas about 'When You Know Your Food' to a crowd, possibly a very large crowd. The facebook invite has over 350 RSVPs and the last event had between 600-700 audience members. Whoa.You can watch how I perform under fire for a small donation of $2. There will be free beer, food carts, screen printing and a photo booth to entertain us.
- Weather - The sunshine yesterday and this morning should have me in a pretty good mood. The potential happiness is overshadowed, however, by a forecast for more rain and chilly temperatures. Everything is less fun when it is raining: chickens are more squawky, children more obnoxious and gardening more difficult.
- BlogHer Food - I'm going to Atlanta May 19-22 for the BlogHer Food conference. I'm flying by myself, staying in a hotel by myself, and volunteering as a mic wrangler during most sessions. Lil will be shuffled around a bit because Alex is also traveling for part of that time. I'm concerned about what to wear, how many business cards to bring, how the volunteer job will go, whether the conference is a good use of money, etc.
- Garden - My garden looks like a bunch of caged soil right now. I planted out seedlings but they are mere specks of green on a dirt brown expanse. The dogs are being particularly nosy this year, so most beds are surrounded by chicken wire. Some even have bird netting over the top to protect the peas from sparrows. I worry every year around this time that my garden will not produce, though I have to remind myself that I always end up with a jungle by June.
- Lil's Food - The eating habits of my five year old are driving me batty. She likes approximately five healthy things at any given moment, and these change regularly. She asks for treats all the time and we argue when I suggest real food alternatives. I know that Lil will very likely eat whole foods as an adult but right now she wastes an awful lot of quality ingredients. I hope this phase ends soon because it is squeezing the enjoyment out of my very favorite activities: cooking and eating.
And yet, I feel ashamed about my anxiety when I remember that thousands of people are still suffering from earthquake, tsunami, and tornado damage. My worries are not a drop in the bucket compared to those who are without homes, living in war-torn areas, and suffering from illness, joblessness, or hunger.
Listing my concerns about my wants when all my needs are generously met makes me a little ill at myself. But, blah, that's how I'm feeling. How are you doing today?
PS. I am genuinely looking forward to assisting Joseph of Swainway Urban Farm at the Clintonville Farmer's Market tomorrow morning. Come say hi!
Flooding - bad for the gardener, worse for the farmer
Weather has not been nice for vegetable growers this year. First, the temperatures rose so quickly in early spring that many greens bolted and bittered far before their time. Now tens of inches of rain are flooding fields. The lack of sunlight leaves fruits unripened and rotting. Those of us who don't use pesticides are inundated with weeds. I have remarked more than once recently that I am glad I'm not a farmer. I feel anxious about my own harvest but I know I can always buy what I need if my vegetables don't turn out. Farmers do not have such a luxury: when their crops fail, their whole livelihood suffers.
The Wayward Seed farmers faced reality yesterday and suspended vegetable CSA shares for at least one week. In an email to shareholders, Jaime Moore wrote "Quality and service are of the utmost importance to us, and we will work tirelessly until we are able to once again resume delivery of vegetables to our members. We would rather suspend shares in the short term than give you anything that does not meet our standards of cleanliness and quality." Jaime invited CSA participants to own their share and help weed the fields.
Though I only purchase a fruit share from Wayward Seed, I want to see their fields thrive. I will be volunteering my time this Thursday morning. I plan to be at the farm in London at 10 am. If you can spare some time, please join me!