Monday Musings

It is all about me.

I am going through a true reality check.

Gardening on the crazy scale may be too much for this 70 year old. I can handle one day of hard work.

And then ……

I pop an elephant-sized dose of ibuprofen. My legs ache. My back aches. And I can't sleep because my arthritic hands are froze into the shape of claw … and refuse to relax.

I am almost useless the next day.

It is early in the season.

And I can't move.

I don't have my gardening legs yet. And 23 years after I started this farm … it seems to take longer and longer to get into shape.

But … these show up and I get that rush of energy that says … Grow all the plants!

The daffodils have extremely short stems this year. And unlike tulips, their stems do not continue to grow after cut. Only tulips do that.

I think we will have tulips late this week. I have a few to pick for myself but the true flush of blooms will be later.

Spring is finally here. And … like always …. I am all in.

FarmHers Market Update …. Okay, I super excited about the way this is coming together.

First of all … the oilcloth tablecloths arrived and I am so thrilled.

Nine lengths of fabric … all in incredible vintage charm.

Connie decided the first logo just wouldn't work. So she created a new one!

We may not be perfect but we do have really fun style!

Stressed … this is for all you that think I am living your dream life.

Early in April, we realized that we didn't have enough plants for our Blossom Boxes.

That is not unusual. We are trying to grow very specific plants for approximately 125 people.

Germination fails are truly a thing. The seed packet doesn’t say ….

“Hey, I know you planted me EXACTLY like I told you to. The soil depth is perfect. Heat and water are perfect. You may be perfect but I am NOT going to grow for you.”

The End.

Now … if these failures were just ours, we would say “No Ageratum for you!” and not worry if the said flowers were not in our gardens this year.

But we can't. These are for you.

So I juggled the broker’s catalog, looking for ageratum and Goldilocks/double petaled rudbeckia.

And juggle I do.

I need a box that contains three flats of flowers on a certain date worth a certain amount of money.

And I can’t get them from the same place on the same date … until the first of June. 🤦‍♀️

Too late.

Last Monday, Connie and I drove 2.5 hours to pick up rudbeckia. Which somehow became rudbeckia, foxglove, lavender, delphiniums and verbena.

Approximately 275 of each.

Again. 🤦‍♀️

I found the ageratum … in New Jersey.

Great wholesaler … I have used them before. Except. They changed their shipping policy.

East of the Mississippi River … they have a 2 day truck delivery policy. Roughly $50 shipping for that box.

West of the Mississippi River … air freight delivery. Approximately $150 shipping. I never really got a written-in-stone quote. It varied from $130-160.

Now … I live 16 miles from the east side of the Mississippi River.

Again. 🤦‍♀️

So I bribed friends to use their front porch and their east side of Mississippi River address.

Following tracking number .… the box was suppose to arrive on Thursday between 9:30-11:30.

Then Thursday between 9:30-1:30.

Then end of day Thursday.

The box was a no-show.

Friday arrives with notification of delivery 9:30 - 1:30. When they don’t arrive by 1:30 …. panic sets in.

Maybe hyperventilating.

I am working in the garden with the team as I am pleading, begging and almost crying to the broker’s sales representative.

Which just so happens to be the president of company's .. wife.

Always talk to the woman in charge.

Fortunately … I am not alone in my panic. Lauren worked hard with me to get this juggling act put together. Having plants in a warehouse for an entire weekend, is not good for their company either.

She gave me her number so I could call on Saturday.

But 45 minutes later on Friday afternoon, I find out ..We have plants!

Whew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And you want to know why I drink???

Oh .. and there is this.

3690 plants. All in one day!!!

Again. 🤦‍♀️

Listening …. I am still trying to devour as many books as I can from Libby.

I love using Libby …. the free digital sharing app from the public libraries. The Institute of Museums and Library Services is the federal agency that handles Libby, Overdrive and Kanopy.

The MuskRat in Chief and the Orange Tyrant eliminated/closed IMLS and laid-off all 75 employees.

Obviously it is part of their attack on education and intelligence. They want to control what we see, what we read and what we learn.

I am proud that the Big Ten is working on ways to withstand 47’s attack on education.

I am proud to know that Alan Garber, the President of Harvard, grew up in Rock Island with similar Midwestern values as mine.

Midwesterners don't like bullies.

But until Musk leaves DC and #47 is impeached/convicted/removed … I am reading and using Libby as much as I can.

Since last we talked, I read ….

Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery.

Light, Malibu beachy 30-something dating book. It's okay. Not great. Not bad.

3 stars

After We Do by Taylor Reid Jenkins. One of her earlier books. Not as strong as her later ones. Still good.

4 stars

The Last Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland

Okay. I really enjoyed this. But if you watched the series on Prime Video … the ending is totally different. I liked it.

4.5 stars

This Summer Will be Different by Carley Fortune

I swore this was going to be DNF (did not finish) while reading the first chapter. But then ….. I couldn't turn it off!

I haven’t finished it yet. But when I learn she wants to be a flower farmer and is given a copy of Floret’s first book …. I am all in. That was in the second half of the book.

The character development is really good. And the characters are really likeable without being sappy.

I am hooked.

It is a bit steamy. Let’s call it … for mature audiences.

I will wait till I finish it to rate it.

Next up will be Louise Penny's 6th book in the Inspector Gamache series …. Bury Your Dead.

I understand that this book really sets the stage for the rest of the series. I should start it today or Tuesday.

Mood … It is easy to get depressed with the current political climate.

To stay strong, remember we need to take care of ourselves and our community.

Hang out with your friends.

Eat good food.

Create … draw a picture, bake a loaf of bread, knit a dishcloth, plant a garden or sing a song.

Drink a cup of coffee on the porch and watch the sunrise. Take a hike in a park. Walk barefoot in the grass.

Our strength will come from our empathy and our love of humanity. All we do … we do for others. It sets us apart from the oligarchs.

It is our super power..

Have a great week.

I will talk to you later.

Cathy

www.buymeacoffee.com/misseffie