Future

You know how sometimes when you look forward to something and it finally occurs it can disappointing because of the hype?  I have been looking forward to some changes occurring at my office that I thought would change my attitude and career forever.  This morning the announcement was made, the person I have blamed for my stagnancy is relocating.  I should be jumping for joy right? Now I have to take full responsibility for what happens and that is terrifying.  It was easier to blame someone else than own the fact that I give just enough to get by just like everyone else.  Unfortunately the state employee system does not foster hard work or originality so it’s easy to be lethargic.  See there I go again blaming.  The next several weeks will be exciting and I have decided will  determine the direction of my future dramatically. 

I am sure you are thinking how is this sad little carrot dramatic?  Let me tell you.  Dad and I were cleaning up the garden and preparing for the roto-tiller and 12 cubic yards of dirt (yes 12 cubic yards of dirt) and I found this carrot.  I was amazed because I did not get any carrots last year thanks to my friend Bambi eating off all the tops.   I knew that I had to include it in this post and it was going to be the star.  There were actually two and after a long day of yard work, I forgot them on the trunk of my car Saturday evening.  On Sunday I ventured out to the lake for VISA recommissioning, still not remembering where I left them.  This one survived the trip and was rescued by my dad.  So not only did it survive a winter in the garden it survived 55 miles on my trunk.  What determination to be famous right?

Zorba the Greek

I have a new found respect for those of you that have a blog that you keep updated.   I promised myself that even after the garden was covered in leaves and then snow that I would find something else to write about, well I didn't.  I was pleasantly reminded why while watching Jeopardy the other night when this quote was an answer to one of the questions.

"All those who actually live the mysteries of life haven't the time to write, and all those who have the time don't live them! D'you see?” 
― Nikos Kazantzakis, Zorba the Greek

So that is my explanation for being unable to keep up with a simple blog.  It also helps that spring has finally arrived (I hope!) and the gardening season along with it.  

My attempt for this year is to use all organic, non-GMO seeds and gardening products.  I ordered all of my seeds from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.  As my brother and I am sure many other people have taken on the attitude to pay the farmer rather than the doctor.

I started simple with potatoes...









and Kale...

For those that have been following battle bamboo this year has not been without little victories.  The picture below is only a small portion of the work dad has done to keep the bamboo at bay.

One last update for this post.  Last weekend I completed my third 5k!   Definitely excited about the warm weather for that hobby too!

Vacation

Another important lesson learned.  Don't go on vacation in late August without spraying your garden for bugs.  I was not going to spray anything but while I was away some sort of flying creature that looks alot like the stinkbug took over by garden and ate almost everything.  I am glad to give back to God's creatures but I wish they had left me at least one watermelon, I am sure they were delicious.  
 But with views like these who can complain....

These are a couple of warriors that survived the battle.

Tomorrow I will be back to the daily grind.  Nothing like a week in paradise to motivate healthy eating.  I even restarted the Couch to 5K program while I was gone and should be on track for Run for Their Lives on October 20th.

How could any day be bad that starts with this?

Well friends as the garden is tilled under there will be less gardening to blog about.  I hope that you will stick around to see what other awesome things are happening in my life!

Ripe

This title was inspired by the message at Brentwood Church.  When I started this project I wanted to share my gardening experience and I have found that I want to write about more experiences because they are all interwoven.  Today's message was about choosing joy.  It really spoke to me that we have a choice to choose joy over sadness and that is really what God wants us to do.  This project has helped to me to that.  I have experienced joy though the achievements and the relationships that have been cultivated along with the plants.  When life starts to beat me down I can look at this small patch of space that used to be barren and now is producing new life and find hope.

I am winning the battle with the groundhogs on the cucumbers and might get to eat a couple before the season is over.  Anxiously awaiting the beautiful watermelons, pumpkins and cantaloupes.   As the zucchini and squash wrap up their season I am preparing for the winter by freezing pounds of zucchini.

I couldn't help but take a couple of pictures of last night's dinner.  Everything was grown in my yard.

Let the eating begin......

This is my favorite part of the garden so far.  The vegetables are plentiful and delicious.   I have been able to make meals for friends and family.  I've even given veggie baskets as birthday gifts!

Just because I am enjoying the fruits (or vegetables) of my labors the work is far from over.  I am still battling  nature and by that I mean all the animals that think I am growing food for them.  I can't figure out if it is deer or groundhogs or bugs or all of the above.  As all of you are also experiencing it has also been a very dry summer and the rain barrel has been empty.  So an unanticipated expense of a higher water bill has been an adjustment to my budget.  Don't get me wrong it has all been worth it.  I learn something new almost every week and am already laying the plans for next year.

There have been some newcomers to the party.....

watermelon

cantaloupe 

It's been amazing to watch everything start from a tiny seed and then become a plant and begin to bear fruit which also starts small and will hopefully grow enormous and delicious.   

Derecho

I'm sure some of you have been thinking ok great thanks for the vaca update but what about the garden?  Well here it is.  I don't need to say too much except that most survived Derecho the tomatoes were pretty sad and so was I being without power in my office all week (insert sarcastic comment).  After assistance from the support team (mom and dad) for allowing Yoshi and I to stay with them for a couple of days and two attempts to upright the tomato plants we all seem to be getting along just fine.  

remarkable recovery

I can't wait to eat you......

As for the couch to 5K it did not survive the Derecho.  The record setting temperatures and stress associated with temporary relocation are not conducive to new exercise program.  I haven't given up, just taken a break.  I appreciate the supportive emails and facebook message.  Keep them coming and don't hesitate to comment here too....

Florida

For those of you that know the Keely's we love to take vacations but are not good at relaxing.  It seemed fitting that I took a week of vacation and spent half of it in a car driving across the country and the other working.  Not the kind of work I do all day but more of I enjoy and what inspired me to start this gardening project.  Good old-fashion hard work.  The goal of second half of this trip was to prepare my brother's house in Pensacola for new renters.  He didn't realize he brought along a professional.  In his words, I was a machine.  We cleaned everything from floor to ceiling replacing all the light bulbs, (who steals light bulbs?) drawer pulls and fixing leaky toilets.  We even flew in our support team (Dad) from Roanoke.  After two full days of work and some help from my sister in-law's sisters husband James (again I should just stick with calling them what they are...family) and many trips to Lowes and Home Depot we were able to make the place livable again.  We even had time for a quick outing on the bay on Saturday.  I wish there were pictures of that event.  I can only say that it if were not for the quick thinking of James we might be at the bottom of that bay.
Note to others:  Don't overload an already infirm pontoon boat without the expectation of getting a little wet and maybe heading bow first into shark infested waters.