Fellow Muser Suzanne de Montigny, author of the wonderful tween novel The Shadow of the Unicorn: The Legacy, was gracious enough to interview me on her blog today. Stop by and leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Elixir Bound.
April started off with an afternoon rain shower. Do you think that bodes well for May flowers or it was an April Fools’ joke and just means a rainy spring? Either way, the crocus are blooming, a bluejay has been spotted in the backyard, and the peas have been planted. It’s definitely spring in New England.
While I was out gardening yesterday, I realized I’ve been planting and harvesting crops since, well, since I can remember. My parents have always had a garden and I can remember going to Joseph’s house to pick strawberries. My dad had somehow befriended Joseph–who used a walker and seemed like he was the oldest man I’d ever seen, but was really not nearly as old as I thought.
He had a big strawberry patch in his yard and we’d go every summer to pick them. My older sisters would run around the yard and I’d chase after them, keeping up as best as I could. Seems I spent a good part of my childhood trying to keep up with my older sisters. Joseph always kept flying saucer ice cream sandwiches in the freezer for us. What a treat!
Funny how a little digging in the dirt can drudge up old memories I didn’t even know I had. I hope The Boy ends up with fond memories of gardening. He’s already been strawberry and apple picking, and I think he’s old enough to start working in our garden.
The mercury may only be in the 30’s this morning, but the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. Yup, it’s definitely spring!
I can’t wait until strawberry season! I’m still looking at snow outside.
I’m like you. My mind always wanders off to days gone by while I’m tending to my garden.
The snow is finally gone here, except for a few lingering piles in parking lots. I haven’t done as much gardening the last two years, but I’m looking froward to getting back into it this year.
What a lovely memory. I just loved reading this.
Thanks, Suzanne. I originally had a very different post about gardening planned and this one just flowed out of me.
Lovely memories!
I always remember the violets and grape hyacinth blooming next to the back steps as one of the early signs of spring in CT. Now, here in Oregon, it’s crocuses in March.
I love the way hyacinth are so fragrant. I don’t think I have any of those in the yard. Maybe I’ll have to plant some.
Back in the days when I had to have an answer to “what’s your favorite food? ” it was STRAWBERRIES. (I don’t have an answer to “favorites” now)- but these^ and your post send me back!
My mouth waters when I think of biting into a freshly picked sun-warmed strawberry….mmmmmm.
I think it’s absolutely awesome that you garden! My mom always kept one, and we’ve tried it at a few of the places we’ve lived. Looking forward to planting a few things here once it warms up a touch 🙂 Though, maybe I’m just procrastinating–it was almost 70 here today, yippee!!
70! I’m jealous…we’ve had a cool start to spring here.