From My Own Hands

2009. The year of my awakening. The year I decided there was something more to life than the horse industry. Admittedly I had a lot of help from, so I therefore should acknowledge, the economic bust the US is experiencing. Without this I may still have a business. But that is a different topic. Those who have followed my mutterings and ramblings over the past couple of years may remember that last year I planted my first vegetable garden. I planted some garlic last fall and Thursday I dug it up. As well as some shallots. It's not a lot, but it came from my own effort. I am oddly pleased by this.

My life was so consumed by my business that I had no time or interest for much of anything else. Growing my own food was very low on my list of priorities. Sometimes it is easy to realize the connection of one event to another. I had slowly become someone who relied upon processed food. It was so easy to put something frozen in the microwave at the end of a very long, tough day. This moved from an occasional meal to most meals as my herd and clientele grew.

Remember when gas prices were flirting with $5.00 a gallon? Only a few years ago. Food prices moved up as the price of fuel rose. I decided it was becoming too expensive to indulge in convenience. This was my reawakening about food. I am not new to cooking, I guess I took a long vacation. As is my way, when I made the decision to pass on processed, I passed entirely. The next logical step came last year with the garden. I have always grown herbs and tomatoes, but now I grow more of them, as well as zucchini, eggplant and artichokes. Fennel and sweet peppers. Not to forget the lettuce and spinach. And garlic. And onions and shallots. It's small, I know. But it is by my own hands. It is clean food.

I never intended to join a movement, I was simply taking a step toward my own well-being. But there is a movement of people who are thinking about what they put into their bodies. I know I feel better. 

A few mid-summer scenes on the farm. Summer sprung upon us when we weren't looking.

Nasturtium have always seemed to be happy to me.

I am having a hard time keeping up with the lettuce and spinach. I feel rather self-satisfied that I planted and have grown this, my little bit of produce. When my tomatoes begin to ripen my salads will be a taste of heaven.

A riot of color.

Amazing zucchini. I will be picking them in a couple of days. I love zucchini.

Perky petunias in a rotting barrel. I believe there is a metaphor in there.

My new garden from last year. I think the plants are happy here.

This is a half wild spot. Right outside the screened porch, it is a lovely sight with the profusion of mis-matched colors and lack of order.

Somehow the tomatoes got ahead of me. I will need to get them supported. I have a lot of them.

From my own hands. Hands that will stake tomatoes and pick zucchini. Hands which make rhubarb pie. Gnarled hands, but hands that still work, regardless.