We (correction, Eli & David) have been working on a deer fence. Last week was spring break which meant all of us were home and ridiculously busy. I'd expected to get quite a bit done and in retrospect, I didn't get nearly as much done as I'd wanted. But Eli & David did make quite a bit of progress on the deer fence. Last summer the deer were a problem. Just a tiny problem until we made our yearly trek to Michigan. While we were away they ate an entire bed of okra plants, swiss chard, and all the cow peas just when they were full of pods and perfect. It was upsetting to say the least. This year, we're gonna have a fence. So ... David & Eli spent two days last week sinking posts. And David has been back two afternoons this week building the most beautiful gates you've ever seen. Seriously...these gates are amazing....just super sturdy and way better than what I'd envisioned. We are putting in four of these bad boys, all of which are built and ready. All that is left is to sink and concrete in the wooden posts for these gates. Then we can hang the gates and finish stapling up the deer netting. I do want to run the tiller around the perimeter of the garden to create a narrow flower bed all the way around...this will serve as a "stop here" warning for the kids. The deer netting is super hard to see and I've visions of a kid running right thru it.
In addition to the deer fence, I made a run to the farmers market to buy plants. I did this with all the kids in tow (to get them out from under daddy & papa's feet). I've no clue what I purchased. One of these years I'm going to leave the children at home and make that trip alone so I can THINK about what I'm doing. So dear customers, blame my children as you are making yet another cherry tomato salad this summer. Imagine baby Ward squirming and whining in his stroller, Isabel and Flora poking each other and being entirely too rambunctious while I painstakingly fill a tray with two packs of Mr. Stripey's followed by two packs of Sungold and so forth while being glared at by the owner of said plants (who did not care for the rambunctious children). In addition to those plants, Alistar brought over some of the seedlings he'd started. So we've done quite a bit of planting. One whole side of the garden in planted and the other side is in progress.
I'm starting to get anxious about mulching. I'm hoping I can get a truck load tomorrow. This week has been too busy (3 nights of soccer so far and Eli is in DC with his students today). I'm also anxious to get some organic fertilizer out...hoping we can work our horse farm connections and find some composted and free of fire ants.
Ward, Isabel & I have all been dealing with colds this week. It's made life harder than usual. Ward had to go get a shot last week and picked up this lovely strain in the doctor's office. I have to take him back next week for another shot and since this is the THIRD time we've gotten sick this way, I've decided I'm putting him in the Kozy and standing in the middle of the office so that he can't touch anything for this next visit. Ward has dealt with his discomfort by nursing non-stop and all night long. Mama is tired. Ordinarily, I'd probably opt out of the class field trip that Isabel is going on today. But, I've decided I have to go because the class is going to the Eno to a offering by the SchoolHouse of Wonder. I've heard so many good things about this group and I'm excited to see what they do. Their whole premise, or so I understand, is helping kids make connections to the natural world. I think all kids should be comfortable picking up worms, catching frogs, and turning compost. I've got a geekly excitement about tagging along today. I know it's going to be fun.
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