Getting Dirty: Memorial Day Style

I’m not your average girl when it comes to domesticity. I’d rather install the dishwasher than load it. Give me a power tool over a pile of laundry any day of the week.

 

Even before Bob died, things like electrical and plumbing chores usually fell into my hands because I knew how to do them or he was travelling or I just didn’t have the patience to wait for someone else to do it or, and ladies listen to me here, I wanted to do it myself because I LIKED DOING IT. Power tools and stripping wires and building things = pretty fucking awesome in my book.

Laundry, however? Oh. My. God. Washing the same t-shirt over and over? Makes my head hurt from a philosophical standpoint. Pain on a cosmic level. Like, hey, Mr. t-shirt? Haven’t we met before? Don’t you know how to do this by yourself yet? I’m just not wired for it. I do it because I have to, but there’s no joy there for me.

So, yesterday was power-tool day. My friend, Karyn, and I built some serious stuff in my backyard. We’re calling it our Grandpa Memorial Garden in honor of our farming grandfathers. Check out our hard work.

Even the kiddos pitched in.

 

Today, we plant.

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Comments

[Jay Cosnett]

GAWD, but you rock! I've got a garden to put in if it takes me all summer, goddamnit! And a chicken tractor to build. Wanna help? ;-)

[Anne]

I can't wait to see it when it's starting to grow!! :-)

[Lynda M Otvos]

I love your spirit.

and those hats. I too wear big hats cuz I can.

[Amanda]

Teach me Yoda.Greg was an engineer and farmboy and did ALL the "boy jobs" in our house because he was so good at them.... seriously, I'd just point at a problem and it would be fixed. So now I congratulate myself even when I cahnge a tap washer.Now PLANTING ... thats MY thing. What are you going to grow?

[Zip n Tizzy]

Love me some power tools.

I've decided that this year I'm giving myself permission not to garden however. I've tried it the last few years, spent a fortune in water and nothing grew.

Look forward to watching yours vicariously!

[Steph]

I love to build things as well but I'm technically and artistically challenged so they always turn out wrong! Doesn't keep me from trying though! Also? I put together furniture and stuff like a mad woman. I love it. My MIL asks my husband to put together everything she buys. I find it freeing to be able to do it myself.

[califmom]

We're planting a little bit of everything: tomatoes, squash, peppers, melons, beans, peas, pumpkins, berries, corn, potatoes, onions, cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and a wide variety of herbs. Some of those things won't go in the raised beds, though, either because they're invasive or just not compatible with the other plants. They'll go in the ground or in containers. Oh, and I'm hoping to get an espaliered fruit tree with a variety of stone fruits planted either this year or next that will go along the fence.

[karen]

Wow Leah! U rock!!! U just taught me something!! I was going to dig up the backyard to plant a garden..I love the boxes!!!!

[Laurie White]

I am the same way. I always feel like a loser because household chores aren't my thing but I love building things and digging and yard work. HATE laundry.

Thanks for making this make more sense -- love seeing your garden come to life.