Which Way Is It?

  I often wonder about the logic of things.  Is there always a certain method...a precise order...a definite logic behind everything or are some things pure happenstance?  Yep, being left alone on the Bayou for too long can, indeed, mess with the brain and make one ponder far too many things.  The thoughts come flying out of the dusty corners of the brain and flop together in no certain order or in perfect synchronization.  I do ponder things while out doing chores or wandering the marsh line.  Today's ponderance?  Why do certain things happen when, where and how they do when there is nothing that set them in motion other than serendipity.  (And, on another note...serendipity...is not the best word ever?  Seems to me that we should all live serendipitously!  Love it!)

  What brought this mishmash of thoughts in action was the sight of a lovely jonquil.  This was the first jonquil of the season and brought such happiness.  The thought that spring is here (or, at least, near) is a happy thought for the gardens.  The jonquil bloom, itself, was not that thought provoking but rather where the happy, little blossom decided to bloom made me start pondering.  The yellow flower was in the midst of the cabbage patch.  (Yes, I have cabbage patches this year.  There are no organized rows...only plants here and there.)  Back to our jonquil...did the jonquil grow in the cabbage patch or was it the other way around?  Are the cabbages in the jonquil bed?  Apparently, they get along well and have no problems sharing the little patch of ground.  I did plant the cabbages there but do not recall ever having jonquil bulbs in this spot.  Just happenstance?  Pure serendipity?  Or forgetfulness?  Take your choice.  I shall enjoy my jonquil AND the cabbage!  Life is good when there is no one to tell you that your quirky thoughts are not acceptable. 

Cabbages and Chilly Weather!

   Old Man Winter has decided to pay a visit to the Bayou.  While our "right at" freezing temperatures may pale in comparison to those a bit further north, they are cold enough for me.  As I age, I realize that I now "feel" the cold a whole lot more than in the past.  In fact, I just cannot seem to get warm.  The old wood-burning stove chugs away happily but I am still shaking in my boots.  Age and health gets in the way of feeling good, I suppose.

  For the past two mornings, the temperatures hovered just about at the freezing mark.  This laid a fine frost upon the hillside and caused a bit of concern about the garden patch.  I needn't have fretted, though, as greens of most types seem to do better when it is a bit chilly.  When I went out to check, the cabbages seemed none the worse for wear.  The caterpillars that were munching on a few leaves did not look so good, however, which is all the better for the cabbages!

  Cabbages are some of those odd plants that are pretty cold hardy and that makes growing a winter garden a lot easier.  All of the tropical potted plants have to be toted into the (now makeshift) greenhouse and have heat lamps to protect them while the cabbages and mustard greens sit right out in the garden with the icy winds whipping about them.  Seriously, I would do far better to do away with the silly tropical plants.  Life would be easier and it is getting to the point where I need to think about that aspect.  

  Tomorrow's forecast is rain!  Perhaps it will be a grand time to get a few things done inside and take a break from laboring so on the yard-work.  This hurricane cleanup is taking much longer than it has in the past.  

Of Cabbages and Hurricanes!

   Mentally, it was important for me to take a few moments break from hurricane cleanup.  This is going to take several months with only Son and me doing the work.  Both mentally and physically, it is exhausting work.  Mark will be back working and won't be able to help.  Son and I will work as a team and do it but breaks now and again help us regain the gusto that will help us win.  Yesterday's break came in the form of clearing the small vegetable plot. Yes, it was still clearing hurricane debris but, at least, this had a different motive.  I wanted to check on my little plants.  Just days before Zeta hit our area, I planted broccoli, cauliflower, cabbages and mustard greens.  I was not even sure if the plants were still there or if the seeds had sprouted.  Limbs and debris totally filled the small garden.

  After removing the large limbs and some roofing from the greenhouse, I was ready to start searching for my little plants. Carefully raking between (what I thought were) the rows, I started finding plants!  Green, green plants had survived the onslaught!  It was almost overwhelming to find something living since we have been dealing with a lot of death lately in the form of dead plants and animals.  Now!  Green! 

  After my afternoon's work, I finally have the garden space somewhat cleared and I am overjoyed that only one cabbage plant was gone.  Life is good.

Of Cabbages and...Good Intentions

   I spent the morning shoveling in the garden.  The place was a mess with all of the waning pepper plants and eggplants plus a ton of leaves dropped by the recent storm to hit the Bayou.  After pulling up all the spent plants, I started turning the soil.  Afterward, I made several nice, straight rows and felt good about my "cardio" workout!  I, also, had good intentions of letting it sit for a few days before attempting to plant a fall garden.  That did not happen.  Before I knew what was happening, Son was pouring fertilizer in the open rows.  Well, there was nothing to do but start stirring that into the soil.  Well now!!  The garden did, indeed, look better!  My rows were made and ready for plants in a few days!  Nope. It did not happen that way at all!

  Mark is still going a bit stir crazy from his recent quarantine.  Two weeks was far too much for this man! Since he came home, he wanted out!  So, he headed to the plant department of the local lumber yard.  "Get me 30 cabbage plants, a packet of mustard green seeds and a packet of broccoli seeds." That was my strict shopping list!  This man has a knack for purchasing far more than I need so I put "numbers" on the items!  Nope.  It did not happen.  Today was turning into a "Nope" day.

  The man came home with 72 cabbage plants and no seeds!  It seems that the garden center does not sell seeds after August!  What??  Whatever happened to fall gardening?  I was appalled!  He did, however, manage to pick up ALL those cabbage plants.  I guess he thought to grab them while they were still there just in case I decided to send him back for more.  Well, my grand ideas of a variety of plants in the garden does not look like it is to be.  The good intentions of planting later in the week did not happen, either.  After supper, there was still enough daylight for me to plant 32 of the 72 cabbages in the nice rows.  Now, I will have to scrounge in my saved seed supply to find if I saved any mustard or broccoli seeds.  I think...maybe...if those darn rats that invaded the greenhouse did not eat them!  I do have cabbages, though.  Lots and lots of cabbages!