Sunday, March 18, 2012

The Turtle Garden

Every once in a while the thought of returning to a small farm is enough to put the house up for sale! I realize that working a small family farm is probably too much for just one person so I put away the idea. So, I often think of how to turn my small yard into that farm that I so miss?

This year I have a few new ideas to keep me from searching the list of farms for sale. I am thinking of a new herb garden, adding asparagus and rhubarb to the garden mainstays and how about a few raised beds? Without sufficient building knowledge I looked around my yard to see what I already had.

Hmmm....the turtle sandbox caught my eye. I bought this when Matthew and Jonah were small. They have spent lots of hours with neighborhood children playing in this tiny sandbox. Holly and Brianna only visit in the winter, so they never even enjoyed it!

On Saturday we took a neighborhood vote...can we get rid of the sandbox for a raised bed?? It was unanimous to turn it into a giant tossed salad!

With the help of the kids I transformed the small play area into a great big turtle garden! We took out the sand, cut holes in the bottom for drainage, filled it up with good manure and top soil, and planted lettuce and spinach.

We were just in time as the soft gentle spring rain came this morning.

In the weeks to come, I will keep you posted on this interesting success.

Maybe you have an old kid's swimming pool you could convert as well. I say we grow as much food as we can this summer and save a few $$$$ at the grocery store. Of course, supporting our local farmer's market is the next best way!

Here are a few photos of our project!



Saturday, March 17, 2012

This week's column...Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Piper Mark Gropp and me!
Jonah learning the pipes!

Matthew helping out with the concertina!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Spring in Northern Indiana


The most gentle and beautiful of the spring flowers have arrived at my house. It is a welcome site even though we really don't deserve it after such a mild winter.
This daffodil is from my garden.




The above crocuses are from Karen's garden. It is so beautiful and so surprising to see these gems of color right outside our doors.

Windows are open, sheets on the line, words flow as if the well has thawed and everything comes easier now.

This spring I am focusing on Emily Dickinson and the gardens she tended in Amherst, Massachusetts.


New feet within my garden go
New fingers stir the sod,
A Troubadour open the elm
Betrays the solitude.


New Children play upon the green,
New Weary sleep below,
And still the pensive Spring returns,
And still the punctual snow!

Emily Dickinson


Wednesday, March 14, 2012

So, two holidays to celebrate!

Today we (or some of us) celebrate two national holidays. OK, I know the banks aren't closed, and there are really no decorations to hang or special twinkle lights in the window, but fun to celebrate anyway.


It is National Spider Day. I biked over to Aaron and Karen's early this morning to walk to the boys to school and announced it proudly. They have a pet tarantula which they proudly took out of the cage and took a photo.




I actually had to pet it as well. I think Karen is going to take it into school now that it is warm outside. As I was walking the boys to school Jonah proudly announced that now he wants a pet armadillo. (Did I mention that we live in northern Indiana?) This past week he wrote 15 poems about armadillos.

I think that quest will be up to the parents.

It is also National PI Day. Here is a fun video to spice up your day! Enjoy!

Please click on the video for all the credits and lots more songs to choose from!
Anyway, enjoy this wonderful day and sing up a storm and don't sweep up the spiders!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

The most astounding fact about the Universe.


My Saturday column has created a wonderful buzz in my small town. I love getting your comments and emails! What is most interesting is how each one of you are "Saving the World" in your own ways.

You talk about kindness...bouquets of flowers...smiles...writing...cooking...
well, the list goes on and on.

The discussions have taken place at my dining room table, at the Spring Expo, and in the home of Carolyn and Elten.

On Saturday evening several of us were invited to a dinner party. We viewed a spectacular sunset out their windows overlooking the prairie. After dinner we gathered in the living room for Carolyn's events. With a fire going and friends circled around me, I was asked to read my column. Following that we watched the above video and then went out into the night air to view the sky. With the moon beginning to wane, the sky was brilliant with stars and planets. I hope you have been watching Venus and Mars this past month. Simply spectacular.

We all came back into the house with quiet reverence and awe.

Saving the world means saving ourselves as well.


night of moonless glow
glittering drops of stardust
illuminates souls


Monday, March 12, 2012

Art Out My Window



This photo was taken in Indianapolis last fall. I was driving to Ellen's and actually had to pull into a subdivision to get the shot. I didn't have time to put down my window or get out of the car. By the time I did so, the rainbow was faded and gone.

When my father was alive he would always tell me that we carry our rainbows with us and that we are the pot of gold. His words of wisdom have carried me through many trials in this life and continue to do so.

I miss him every day, especially when it rains and poetry fills my heart as it does today. Thank you to my daddy, I wish you were here with me today.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Saving the world one story at a time!

Click here for this week's column on How To Save the World!

As always, thank you for reading my blog. I know leaving a comment appears to be difficult, but give it a try, I would love to hear from you!
Lou Ann