...my new and tiny garden...
I always took it for granted that my dad was a farmer...
...and since he knows everything (as far as I am concerned) there is to know about farming...plowing...planting...fertilizing...watering...
...cultivating...and finally harvesting...
...only to begin the process all over again each season....
my dad is the farmer in my life...
my dad is the farmer in my life...
Besides his farm of 1,000 acres or so, the garden behind the house encompassed at least 1/2 an acre and we, as his children, were blessed (in retrospect) to work in it and receive the benefits from it...
My mom is a farmer, too...
she set a great example of hard work and nurturing in the garden...
she set a great example of hard work and nurturing in the garden...
Throughout my adult life,
I have tried to emulate the garden...
...not in size but in principle and quality...
Each home we have lived in over the years had a designated 'area' to plant our seeds and bedding plants and
we reaped the harvest of our labors..
...some of the crops failed
- the Arizona sun is a brutal entity to deal with -
but we tried, we learned , and for the most part
the results were edible...
...of course, the kids were always a big help...
(I think they at least developed a small interest in gardening...
well, maybe some of them did...)
Some gardens were bigger than others and had different watering systems but each attempt was met with added knowledge and experience for the next one...
When I had questions, I turned to my dad for advice...he would humbly make suggestions and I always respected everything he said...
Parenthood is alot like gardening...there is something to be said for planting a seed - nurturing it - watching it grow into maturity - and reaping the benefits that come with each relationship that has been cultivated...
...mistakes are made...but the efforts are continuous and laced with love... I felt that love and I hope my children and my garden feel it, too...
I hope I am becoming a better farmer and a nurturing gardener in each 'area' of my life and...
...I'm proud to be the farmer's daughter...
...the broken toe...a painful reminder of choosing to work barefoot...
Hey!! I'm a Farmer's daughter too! And.. I too cannot measure up to my dad's gift!! A few years ago Frank and I tried a "square foot garden." We did it in upside old peach bins! We were so proud of our garden! I brought your mom over to "check it out." Looking back on it, I can only imagine what she thought! "These poor kids have no clue what they are doing!!" But of course, she was kind and had some nice things to say! With all the expense and tender loving care, we only produced a couple of carrots and some radishes! A big FRACASO, that garden was!! We only have Strawberries in our garden this year! And I can handle that! And they are doing VERY well, I might add! Did you REALLY break your toe in the garden! Broken toes are soooo painful !! I'm really sorry!!
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