Growing Time

I am trying to map out my veggie garden in my head today. I need to plant all of my carefully nurtured seedlings this weekend, this is for certain. It is the placing of my plants that needs the careful thought. I hope this years crop is even better than the last.

I will be planting squash and beans, greens, onions and tomatoes, lettuce and spinach, just like last year. My cucumbers, eggplant and a few of my fancy heirloom tomatoes did not fair well last year and so I am replacing them with other veggie delicacies. All of my seeds are heirloom and I grow everything organically. I am SO ready to eat food from my own garden! There's just nothing like it and it saves me so much $$ at the store, too.

This year, I will be adding to my herb garden a few extra types of basil & oregano and maybe even a few more healing herbs....I have quite a bit that has surprisingly survived the winter and so I'll wait and see how much more I need to plant. I think I will plant fragrant herbs (like Chamomile, Lavender and Lemon Balm) in my inside yard close to the front entrance and try the tiny Feverfew seeds that I received from a friend. My Mint has jumped from my planter and is growing nicely on the slope near my drive, which is a good place for it to grow.

I am going to try sugar peas and sweet corn this year, for the first time, too. I hope it grows well in the place I have prepared for it. I also have a few fruit trees and lots of berries that grow without much fuss. I have strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, cherry trees and an apple tree....my peach tree has not weathered the winter storms well and is probably dying but my pear tree looks as if it will recover very nicely.

This year, a new fruit will be introduced to my property; Blueberries! I love to eat blueberries and so I figured I might as well grow my own and freeze the leftovers (if there are any, heheh).

I am so totally pumped for this years growing season. I just hope I can keep up the energy I'll need to keep the food growing all season long.

Just Wondering

Wondering…..

What to fix for dinner tonight, making a mental list of groceries to buy for the next week.

What I can pay this week and what I should hold off paying (without causing myself any grief).

If I can hold out just a little longer before making appointments to see my doctor & my dentist – I just can’t spare the money this week, either.

Where I can scrape up the money for my son to get his eyes examined & to get the pair of glasses he desperately needs.

If I can make it to the bank in time to pay my very late mortgage payment.

How much later I can be on paying my property taxes.

Not only if I have enough gas to get to work for two more days, but if my badly worn tires will hold out for at least another month.

If I’ll even have a job to come to next week with the economy the way it is.

Wondering so many more things that it will be a wonder if I’ll get any sleep at all tonight…

Hello,

It’s nice to meet you. I’ll be the one to take care of things for you today. I will help you to schedule your meetings and greet your customers. I am the one that will serve you breakfast, lunch and even your dinner, if you’d like. I’ve worked all night to clean your office and even the restrooms.

It’s because of my hard work that your company runs smoothly and makes you a profit. I also deliver your flowers and parcels and watch your children while you are away at work. I make sure your hotel room is clean and the beds made with crisp clean sheets, just the way you like them.

If you need a few items like groceries or toiletries, you can rest assure that I will help you check these items out and bag them up for you so you are able take them home safely. I’ll even carry your parcels out and load them in your car, if you prefer. Whatever you need I’ll be there to take care of it for you, so that your life runs just a little smoother.

I’ve heard it said that you think of me as lazy even though I work very long hours. You say I have no motivation to be something more, when it’s all I can do to pay my bills and put food on the table. You say I just don’t care enough but that’s a lie – I care very much about my life and the life of my family and I take pride in the work that I do for you.

Yet, I find myself struggling to pay for things that my family should not have to do without and still sometimes, they have to be without them. Things such as medical or dental checkups or nice warm clothes, coats & boots and things like fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats – they are just not always possible with my stretched-to-the-limit budget…and so, all too often we do without.

I sincerely wish I weren’t so extremely tired and worn out all the time but I’ll still try to make time at the end of the day, to help (as much as I can) with homework and to hug my little ones and . . . if there’s time, read them a book before bedtime. Please do not doubt the fact that I love my family as much as you love yours and want the best for them, too.

I sure hope you will remember my face the next time you see me taking care of your needs. I don’t want your pity or a handout from you, I have my pride and I’ve always worked hard for what I have. I just want to be paid a fair wage so that I can live a better life and I’d like healthcare that even I can afford.

Remember me,

I am the Working Poor.