Will There Ever Be A "The End"?

Who would have guessed that nearly nine weeks after we received the Summer writing prompt for The Story I’ll Tell group, that I would still be singing to my first edible garden?  Granted I do not actually physically go out and stand in it every morning, as I sometimes sing to it from our bathroom window.

I want to offer a giant thank you to Shernice Martin, the group’s facilitator, who gave us aspiring writers two big summer prompts. I think of her each time I step into my garden and harvest some lettuce leaves for my daily lunch of ham and cheese lettuce wraps.  Her first assignment inspired this garden that is thriving wonderfully in my backyard next to the well house. We have already noticed a small grocery savings!  For this reason, it already seems worth the hard work.

This project required more time and steps than I fully considered:

Step 1.) Build the garden's enclosure.
Step 2.) Plant the seeds and seedlings.
Steps 3 and 4.) Water and tend to them daily.
Step 5.) Remove the weeds.
Step 6.) Harvest the "first vegetables of our labor".  Pun intended.  

The inspiration that began on Memorial Day Weekend with the hammering of posts into cement blocks, has now become a permanent feature in our yard.  Gardens will keep growing as long as they are cared for and because of this, there does not seem to be a natural time to conclude this particular writing assignment.  Will there ever be a "The End"?  Who wants to keep reading updates about this particular garden anyway?

I have been writing about this garden since the beginning of Summer and sometimes it feels like is has been a lot longer. In an earlier blog, I mentioned that my friend Bill told me not to expect too much from the garden in its first year.  He said the plants would test my resolve and that I may find myself questioning whether to try again next year.  I wouldn't say that this experience necessarily tested my resolve. For me, I have been pretty lucky, and it has been smooth sailing, in part because I married a good and experienced gardening partner.  

I imagined that I would be more involved in the daily tending of these first plants, but alas, my attention has waned a bit.  The romance of creating something new has lost its original intrigue, and I no longer feel the daily morning urge to meditate near the garden.  I suppose this reduced focus and lack of attention can be attributed to the brain injury.  In the past, whenever I started reading a new book or planning a work project, I would complete it with great zeal and enthusiasm.  Now, I find it can be difficult to remember to do basic chores, much less new ones.  The summer heat doesn’t encourage me to go outside either.

It is still too early at this point to say whether I will try again next year, but no matter what there is a lovely permanent structure built in our backyard. I asked Augustus once this assignment officially concludes, and I no longer have the motivating encouragement of capturing words on a page, what he thinks will happen to the garden?  He replied he is happy to tend it, as this used to be a regular chore for him years ago.  Augustus explained that one does not become a gardener overnight, and very few people who actually have gardens love the work that is involved.  Rather, many do what they have to do in order to grow a few vegetables.

I actually purchased a Vegetable Gardening For Dummies book, but honestly, I have not even cracked it open yet.  It will be there on the shelf standing by with its answers should we ever need to consult it. I am grateful Augustus adds a level of experience that is very beneficial for this first-time gardener.  

Summer usually brings lots of precipitation to these mountains.  I likely won’t be going outside much for the next stretch of days as the weather forecast shows the Blue Ridge will receive lots of rain. 

During this rain break, I'd like to revisit Shernice's original prompt: did planting this garden create change in me?  My honest answer is I do not know yet, I have been a bit distracted by summer vacation travel.  I am still discovering if I can balance the joys of gardening with the reality of everyday life.  That reality includes meetings, phone calls, emails, and some days even hailstorms like the one that occurred a few days ago.  After it passed, I was nearly heartbroken to discover nearly all the giant squash leaves are now scarred with small tears. 

Maybe I did not inherit the famous Tucker Green Thumb, I supposed only time will tell.  Maybe Shernice and other writer group members will be able to visit our garden!  Or if not, at least I can fantasize about harvesting a big fresh delicious salad for our first meal together.  With that image or taste of crunchy lettuce leaves in your mind, I guess I can finally say… THE END.

Taking a bite out of my garden!