Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Sometimes a Writer Has to Plant

The other day, my little guy was taking a nap on the couch when my daughter arrived home from school. He'd been asleep less than ten minutes and it would have been the perfect moment to grab my laptop and head to my office for some quality writing but the outdoors beckoned.

Like the angel sitting on my shoulder, my daughter said, "Shouldn't you be taking this time to write?" She had a point. But another angel sat on the other shoulder pointing out the perfection of the day- not too hot, not too breezy, the ground was damp and I had seeds which needed to be in the ground.

As much as I enjoy writing, I enjoy getting my hands dirty. Plus, when I'm outside digging, planting, weeding and hauling the ideas sprout. Solutions to holes in my plot become apparent while transplanting. Relationships between characters become clearer when I'm deciding what vegetables compliment each other. Unnecessary scenes are easier to toss while on hands and knees weeding.

The best part is I get alone time and room to think because my family flees at the mere mention of yard work. I can barricade myself in my office threatening extreme torture to anyone daring to interrupt and I am assured of constant interruptions. Put me out in the yard clad in overalls, bandana, insect repellant and no one dares to intrude for fear I'll enlist them in weeding, clearing rocks, turning the compost or some equally terrifying task. I've devised dastardly yard chores designed to give me my creative solitude. That's why this writer just has to plant.

Project 365 #85

Traffic

Now this is my kind of traffic jam. The ladies couldn't wait to get across to their pasture.

Project 365 # 84

I'm a little behind in my posts and I know this is cheating a bit since I didn't take this photo today but I had to share. While driving to meet some friends, this balloon began its descent right in front of me. Somehow I managed to stay on the road and snap this shot.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Project 365 #83

Seedlings Emerge

I love planting radish seeds. They are instant gratification for the gardener. You pop them in the ground, wait two or three days and you have sprouts. These will be Plum Purple Radishes and some of them might actually make it into a salad or two. There is nothing more tasty than fresh radishes straight from the ground.