8.21.2009

come grow in our garden, we will kill you


Here is my ode to our family's summer garden. Looking out the window into the sweet little box flanking our porch, it is painfully obvious that our family has not yet reached the level of gardening skill that I hoped we would have by now. In fact, we've violently regressed. I think we've grown a grand total of maybe 8 cherry tomatoes, and just one, gigantic, prickly zucchini that frightens the children. And me. Which is why I still haven't picked it and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger and scarier and scarier.

I do happily have the excuse of horrid morning sickness, which is the bright side of all of our dead vegetable plants.

And, our school's new parent-led art program! I am very excited about this. When I wasn't laying on the couch feeling next to death this summer - or trying desperately to do something fun with my poor children despite the death-feeling, I worked on compiling and revising art lesson plans for our school. Happily, it turns out that our principal, and also many parents, are anxious to make sure that art is part of our children's education. I had to do a presentation at Back to School Night about my master plan (which was scary for me. Doesn't master plan sound sinister?) - but now that's over, and we have lots of parent "art docents" signed up - as well as a Parent Art Committee - who are excited to get started leading art presentations in their children's classes.

Before this, I think I honestly felt a little abandoned by our public school system, worried that creativity and the ideals of teaching our children to appreciate beauty and gain cultural literacy were being pushed out by test scores and tiny budgets. But this experience has really opened my eyes to the wonderful people who work in schools, trying to stretch the little money they get - as well as to the power of parents getting involved. We're willing to step up when we have to, to fill needs and start programs with volunteer hours and donated money that small budgets just can't support.

(On a totally unrelated note: my good friend Liz is de-stashing and selling a bunch of her fabric here, for great prices! If you have fall sewing plans you should check out her site.)

27 comments:

Inoureyes said...

I love the title of this post. Totally my garden but its more of "we will dehydrate you and let the chooks eat you" Good luck with the art program it sounds exciting. Thanks for the link, I bought a heap!

Becca said...

We had two (pathetic) cherry tomatoes, so take comfort there!

Congrats on the little bebe and the arts program. As a graduate of an elementary school parent cooperative, I can confidently say that parents DID make all the difference in my early education. Way to go!

liz said...

thanks lynne ;)

mrs boo radley said...

This is a hilarious post! For some reason our tomato crop was small this year too...

Sarah said...

It is reassuring to see I'm not the only one who struggles with her little veggie patch! Your post made me laugh because it rung so true. And I think the art program you're working on is wonderful, the presence of the arts in schools is so vital, well done for taking the initiative to ensure your kids and others have access to it.

lera said...

Lynne! Congratulations!

We are garden-killers here, too. It's just too far from the house and too mosquito-y down there in the back of the yard. (Okay, it's not too far from the house to walk, but it feels like it's the outer darkness of our backyard.) I have learned to plant a few extra-special things in my "herb" garden that includes heirloom tomatoes that I can personally hawk over.

Tanya said...

We have grown ONE tomato --- my husband called it the $100 tomato because that is how much $$ we spent building our so called garden. I think I see a lonely cucumber sprouting so that will bring the tomato down to $50 right?

Anonymous said...

congratulations!!

Prue said...

Either this isn't the first we've heard of it (and I've missed it earlier) or many of the readers here have missed the fact that you are pregnant! Congratulations!

At least you are able to grow and look after babies, even if your garden doesn't get quite the same treatment! : )

Anonymous said...

I like cherry tomatoes and i have two, and i'm comfortable with this.


RITA

Cash Online Get Easy cash at your door step

melissa said...

Oh I've missed your posts Lynne. You always make me laugh out loud. I'm completely inspired by your art in the classroom program and would love to see more. I'm moving more in the direction of French in the classroom; though I think mine will be taught from home...

melissa said...

Yes Lynne, Congratulations on your pregnancy! And Tanya, I laughed at your comment as we too had a $100 tomato in our garden!

house on hill road said...

a baby? fantastic!
and congrats on the school art program. i applaud you for your efforts there.

Inoureyes said...

Congrats on the pregnancy!

Larissa Holland said...

Oh, a baby! Congratulations. I hope you get your sealegs soon. Sorry about the garden. If plants had legs they would run from me.

tammy said...

I'm happy to hear you've received so much help. Art has always been a loved thign of my kids and if it were torn away I don't know what they would do.

As for your garden...hang in there...You'll make it!!! You are growing you're own little garden in your tummy...you can't watch all the gardens at once!!!

joy said...

Lynne! Congrats on the babe! So excited for you! (and the projects he/she will inspire)
Did you ever get your hair cut? Dying to see. I found a new short cut I hope to try soon.
Keep posting...

secret cake said...

Congrats! (And, who can blame you for not nurturing your garden-- you're busy nurturing other things!)

We are moving into a home with some raised beds, of which I am equal parts excited and terrified..!

Unknown said...

Woohoo for art!!!
Your garden post is hilarious!!!

jill said...

This is seriously one of the best gardening posts I've read all summer. Thanks for the laugh.

Fifty2pickup said...

I laughed out loud! Yesterday we were on a beautiful farm, oohing and aahing at the bounty, today we looked at our 1 tomato and I listened as my daughter wondered why our plants were crunchy! I've been making myself feel better, with 'well I'm keeping some things alive ie: my kids, my cats....' Thanks.

Liz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Liz said...

Congrats on your pregnancy! Those first several weeks can be very hard, but totally worth it! :)

alexandra said...

Hilarious, Lynne. Also, I remain jealous of your wonderful handwriting.

Anonymous said...

It was rather interesting for me to read this post. Thank you for it. I like such topics and everything connected to this matter. I would like to read a bit more soon.

Judi Bola said...

I think more updates and will be returning. I have filtered for qualified edifying substance of this calibre all through the past various hours. Casino Sbobet Ibcbet

Berita Arsenal said...

Hello, i am glad to read the whole content of this blog and am very excited and happy to say that the webmaster has done a very good job here to put all the information content and information at one place.