May long was a race: Last one scratching in the field is a byword to his neighbours. Farmer commented that he was last.
Problems with the plow, lengthy parts hunt, then fixing, proved a marathon. Special quote of the day? Farmer’s instructions for locating washers in his shop: “By the window in that thing people keep stuff in.”
Later, in full view of the highway, his tractor got stuck in a low spot. On days like this Farmer talks auction sale.
Between helping Farmer and other chores I worked in the garden, trying to avoid last year’s mistakes, a discussion with my sister had me reviewing last year’s key question: is Delila sustainable? Weeding and watering took their toll once the sky shut off last summer. This year, black plastic, garden fabric mulch and row covers are taking time to put down but may deliver exponentially in weed and pest control.
Carefully placed soaker hoses and an irrigation system superior to last year’s constant hose dragging may also save water. But like Farmer, my garden is far from “in” just yet.
During this marathon I paid the kids for little jobs in an attempt to teach work ethic. We planted the last of the potatoes and cabbage family and even managed a campfire but the biggest thrill for them was Godzilla’s arrival.
A chance visit to a neighbour’s yard yielded an orphaned lamb. Princess was thrilled and promptly named him after herself.
“But Princess is a girl’s name. This is a boy!” my son insisted.
Still Princess clung to her name sake, insisting on: “Princess Boy,” at which her older brother was deeply concerned. He cleverly managed to convince her “Godzilla” was a girl’s name and Princess finally agreed, though she had trouble both recalling and pronouncing the name.
When a year’s worth of seed preparation is packed into a weekend and Farmer is back to work Tuesday, facing threatening clouds, panic sets in and we can all share it. Godzilla brought fun on his arrival and we relaxed with him; no accident that the lamb is a symbol for peace.
Godzilla gives kisses that make us giggle. He follows us about the yard, nibbling on grass and gravel alike and calls for us when we lock him in his pen. Fed four times a day, curious and affectionate; Godzilla was just what we needed.
