In the Garden

I have always been a "foodie". My mother was a great cook. When I was growing up we always had a big garden. You may recall one of my blog postings last year about a tomato. Well, this is the first year in Colorado that I actually have some really large beefsteak tomatoes growing. I can't wait until they ripen and I can gorge myself. But there are some other troubling things about the growing season this year, in Colorado and elsewhere.

I was talking to my brother recently about my garden. He lives in Charlotte and his wife has a bunch of tomato plants growing but no tomatoes. There was an article in the Charlotte Observer about the fact that the bees aren't around to pollinate the tomatoes. The article gave instructions to shake the plants to pollinate them if there are no pollinators (bees) present. I got to thinking about my tomatoes. They get shaken up a lot because I am out there a lot poking around, moving the stakes and messing around with them. So I wondered if I was pollinating instead of the bees. Then it occurred to me that it must be my action around the plants because my zucchini's are a completely different story.

Last year I had so many zucchini I could not keep up with them. This year started out well but just as the plants were hitting their stride in blooms the fruit production stopped. I realized that the female blooms are not getting pollinated. It has been 3 weeks. I have plenty of blooms but no new zucchini.

This isn't an isolated problem. As I searched the internet I found that it is happening all over the place. It is a problem that is only getting limited play in the MSM but rest assured it is a serious problem. Without the bees we will lose many of our vegetable, fruit and nut crops. In the US most of the articles say there is no consensus on what is causing the loss of the bees - known as Colony Collapse Disorder. Research in France indicates that it is related to widespread pesticide use. Of course, there will never be a consensus because competing interests never agree.

I am suggesting that you do your own research and get involved.

Transition - existing in the Void

Yesterday was fairly warm and sunny. Today I woke up to about 8 inches of snow. In a way the reluctance of spring to arrive reminds me of my current state of transition. Transitions are not easy. For a time you exist in a state of void - who are you, who are you going to be? You aren't what you used to be and yet you aren't something new yet. It reminds me of the weather this year. It seems like the landscape is turning to something new and then the snow comes again and its back to winter.

I think this is a reminder to slow down and just let things be - the next, right thing will come when the time is right. No need to rush it.

I am reading this book called "The Way of Transition". It talks about how most creative ideas come out of existing in the void where anything is possible.

So here I sit, existing in the void. Its really hard for me. I have had a job since I was 12 years old - one right after the other. I have never even taken a two week vacation between jobs. I don't know many people who've been that nuts. Having been that way for so long, I have to say that it is really hard to let go of the work persona. Even for a little while. But believe it is something I need to do.

If you've ever been through a major transition and have some advise, I would love to hear it.

Martha

Long time no post

I haven't felt much like reading or writing since my father died. Perhaps it is time to get back to this exericise. I have been running around chasing ideas for something to do for a living for the past month or so and running back and forth to Kentucky to take care of my Dad's business and pack up the house. In fact, I am headed back there tomorrow for my 5th trip this year.

I got some advise last week to slow down/sit down and answer a few questions.

How much money do I have to/need to make?

How much do I want to make?

How much do I want to work?

What excites me? or what do I enjoy?

So I have been thinking about those things.

Election 2008 - the new generation

This election is the first election in which my daughter is eligble to vote. I have to say how impressed I am with her and her generation. This past week she sat for three hours and watched the debates for both parties while answering survey questions on facebook. I have to say how impressed I am with her and her friends for listening and being informed about the candidates.

I remember my first election - it was 1980 and Ronald Reagan was my candidate. Honestly, I didn't listen to a single debate and I can't recall reading much about details of anybody's positions on anything. I just remember that I was not for any entitlement programs and I got in argument with my roomate about social security and whether or not people who didn't need the money should get benefits. I thought no - I still think no. I would be perfectly fine giving up my social security benefits. I would want a reduction in my payroll taxes - not all of them but maybe half which I would use to fund my own retirement. I think those benefits should only go to people who are really in need.

Anyway, I think there is a lot of promise in this generation of young people that many people underestimate. They are bright and informed and they will make things happen. I am so impressed with my daughter. She's really something.