Green Beans - part of the bountiful harvest from our city-dwelling.
So, I wanted to give the kids something to observe this summer as we come and go about our daily activities of swimming, bicycling, playing in the park, running to catch the “Ice-Cream-Man,” etc. I wanted them to observe the phenomenon of gardening - of actual edible produce stemming from the dirt! Nicholas has some memories of the years we lived in the country and the large vegetable garden that I worked out there. But for the past 7 years, since we moved into the city, we haven’t had any kind of vegetable garden at all. Jennifer and I have worked steadily and increasingly at our annual and perennial landscaping around the house from day 1. But I really missed my vegetables, and I wanted the kids to experience the miracle, too. So, one day, early in the spring, I purchased 4 large pots from WalMart and filled them with potting soil. I had the kids help me distribute seeds of carrots, green peppers and green beans. Then, we cut up some of the sprouting potatoes from the kitchen and buried them in one of the pots. These pots sit along our driveway and get about half a day of full sun. Also, along the back of the building that borders our backyard, we planted pumpkins and sunflowers. Everything is coming up perfectly! We have already gleaned green beans and eaten them right off the vine! The kids thought that was COOL! Yesterday, I reached down into the pot of carrots (which I never thinned as they were sprouting) to pull a couple and see how they were progressing. Just as I hoped, we had half-inch long, Q-tip sized orange morsels growing perfectly! We all took bites! They were warm and sweet and the kids were so impressed. So the lesson is, you can plant vegetables ANYWHERE! This reality was impressed upon me when I was pumping gas recently and I observed several zucchini vines on the fuel island which had been planted in 5-gallon pails. Try it! Get a couple of old pots or buckets and fill them with everyday dirt. Plant a few of your favorite veggies. You’ll have fun! Presently, I’m scouting some areas on the outskirts of our property where I may be able to sneak a few rows of sweet corn. (Won’t the neighbors be surprised?!)
Colin and I have had some wonderful days together! Jennifer and the other 3 children have been practicing feverishly for a local production of Peter Pan. Their practice schedules have demanded every evening for the past 2 weeks, and most of this entire past weekend. During this time, Colin and I have had lots of opportunities to “hang-out.” We’ve been to the park, been bike riding, walked the puppy a lot, drive past the airport to watch the planes land, eaten at all the fun joints like Tully’s, Applebees, Dunkin Donuts, etc. But this afternoon, after we dropped the family off for practice, we just drove around, and we talked about what to go see. After we swang by the airport to view a touch-and-go, the thought occurred to me that we haven’t seen “Trishie” in a while. Great Aunt Trish is in the nursing home and is doing her best attempt at rehab. I realized that Colin hadn’t seen her since Christmas and that he has never been in a nursing home. I nearly drove home, knowing that nursing homes can be scary places for young people. But I decided that maybe HE should make that decision instead of me. So we drove to the Village Green where Trishie is staying. When we first walked in, Colin was startled by the gaggle of elderly ladies in wheelchairs, squealing at the sight of a new youngling on their premises. But we just waved, said “hello” and walked toward Trishie’s room. Trish was so delighted to see us that she, too, squealed. Colin ran up and gave her a hug and immediately started sharing his Burger King french fries. (he must REALLY love her!) Colin explored all of the drawers and closets while Trishie and I talked. We had a fine visit, and Colin remarked on the way out, “can we come back again sometime, dad?”
