Improvisation...hay!

I attended Jackson Elementary school for kindergarten through 4th grade. The principal at that time was Mr. Krejcarek. I remember him as a very kind man with warm eyes. I also remember that we celebrated the first Earth Day in 1970 while I was there. We had a parade around the block and I made a sandwich board that I wore. On one side it gave examples of pollution. On the other I wrote, "We have to remember Earth Day if we want our birthday' or something like that. I suspect that got thrown out, er, recycled. Years later we took our children to the local historical village to learn about Depression Era toys and games. Mr. Krejcarek was there to share what it was like growing up in the Depression. He talked about the phrase, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!" This seems to be a concept that we have lost as a society.

I thought of this just recently when my rototiller broke. I've had it for close to 20 years and from wear and tear the weld broke on the handle. This is a horrible time to lose the tiller's services. Now if you know me, you know that generally I am all thumbs. Sometimes my thumb is green but I'm not very adept at putting things together. I do excel at taking them apart, however! I don't know how to weld so I had to improvise. My grandfather Larsen also lived during the Depression and I always marveled how he could craft things from what was found here and there. It was with this in mind that I attempted to fix my tiller with wood, clamps and, of course, duct tape. My first version, while looking rather unsightly and pathetic, was functional. I'm sure my grandpa or Mr. Krejcarek would have found a better way but I was actually able to use the tiller for a bit before my design made a flaw apparent to me. Obviously, I am motivated more by function than by form! I now have an idea for version 2.0.

More improvisation is necessary when one has a garden so far from her home. Yesterday we received the hay order at the community garden where I share a couple plots with Linda and Laura. We had eight bales that were dropped off on the far side of the garden. I could have used the wheelbarrow but instead, I chose to carry them by hand. (Last year Linda tranported them with her bike as the hay arrived

when I was away.) I have learned that it is best to get the bales quickly as some seem to disappear. I carried a couple bales at a time until it became to heavy. Then I set one down and walked with one until that became too heavy. Then I went back for more and repeated the process. Essentially, I leap-frogged our hay bales to our plot. I ended up walking 6,652 steps to move the eight bales of hay. This morning, I scattered the hay to cover unplanted area. This is where the improvisation comes in: I don't have time and the soil is a bit cold / damp to work. The hay will, hopefully, slow or choke out the weeds so when the time is right, we can work the soil and plant the rest of our crops. That being said, I did plant six tomato plants. I decided that the definition of optimism is someone who plants tomatoes in her garden on

May 6th. Generally, the last frost date around these parts is May 15th. However, in looking at the forecast for the week ahead, I may be okay. I planted my newest favorite cherry tomato, Sun Gold. Prolific and tasty! I also planted Black Beauty, Stupice, Roma, Opalka Paste, and Pasta Paste. I will either have to replant in a couple weeks or I'll have some delicious bounty to enjoy in late July! I know the adage is, "Make hay while the sunshines." My adaptation is, spread hay before the sunshines. Today is a busy day so I biked to the garden just as the sun was rising. Enjoy the day and be kind to the earth.