Hurry Up and Wait

How many of us set goals, and then race through our days striving to reach those goals so that we can set newer, better goals toward which we can strive?

I used to be very goal oriented. I truly thought I could accomplish anything, 1 - 2 - 3. Next!

Then life showed me how it really goes. Moved to Texas. Married. Had children. I was 30 before I finished my first book, 40 before I completed my Master Gardner certification, and 50 before I had the time to put in my first honest-to-gosh kitchen garden.

Gardening has taught me a new outlook on life. I have to wait for everything. Wait for the seed catalogs to be posted. Wait to make up my mind what kind of vegetables to plant. Wait for the seed to come in the mail. Wait for the seeds to sprout. Wait for the seedlings to be robust enough to plant outside. Wait for the plant to fruit. Wait for morning to come so I can pick the vegetables and fruit at just the peak of flavor...then wait all day for my husband to get home so that we can cook dinner together. (Getting a few weeds and new pages for the work-in-progress out of the way while I wait...Blogging occasionally when volunteer duties allow.)

Philosophy of the second half of my life: Wait to hurry rather than hurry up and wait.

Where Art Thou, Free Water from the Sky?

The temps here in southern Texas have reached the high 90's and we know Summer is upon us. I confess I don't enjoy this part of our weather. In addition, the humidity is high, although not as high as it might be -- no rain for four weeks helps in that respect. The garden, however, needs water. So I've rigged up a water catchment system off the barn roof. Thus far I can catch 100 gallons per one inch of rainfall in the spare horse trough I have placed under one of the four downspouts. In addition, I have a 50 gallon barrel under the eves of the house. I use three gallon cat litter jugs to empty as much of the water between rainfalls. This makes me feel very good about the water I'm using on the garden. Let happy, however, about the amount of busy work involved in this. I had explored a water catchment system over a year ago, but never got it built. I can see that time -- and my tricky shoulder -- demands that I get to this project.

Here are the links to the plans...hope to have pictures sooner rather than later. For those who don't feel like exploring a 500 gallon system, look at this system which is a bit more attainable.

Happy Gardening!