Planting the garden

This past week, Dena and I went to the garden to plant a few seeds. She wanted to plant the corn as she said, "I love it!". I made very straight rows of trenches and gave Dena a handful of corn seed at a time but she still insisted on going here and there to plant her corn. First one row, then another spot in another row to bury her treasure. I tried to keep up with her and fill in where she skipped and push the seed into the trench where she "missed" but I may be transplanting the seedlings once they come up. Have you ever tried to keep up with a 2-year-old?
Next, we proceeded to cover the seeds up. Dena had a hand shovel and did her best to cover up the trenches. Sometimes she actually scooped the seed out of the trench but Grandma came along behind and did the best she could to keep things in rows, covered with dirt. I was able to convince her she would enjoy digging in the dirt while I planted a few other types of vegetables.
Finally, it was time to water. I did have to help her squeeze the sprayer handle on the hose but we managed to get some water on the seeds...and it has rained a little...so hopefully our seeds will germinate. There are even little signs on the corn that read "Corn by Dena" just in case some of the big time master gardeners notice how crooked my rows are. They do appreciate children taking an interest in gardening so I hope whatever happens will bring smiles to their faces.
It was just a sunny, dirty, watery, fun day for both Dena and me.

It must be Spring

Dick and I just spent part of Saturday and Sunday morning working on our Organic Garden at the community gardens in Lake Oswego. It was perfect, sunny weather. Not too hot and not too cold. Dick had put together three 4X8 boxes this year so we leveled them onto the plot and semi-filled them with soil. Dick had already weeded the plot and Liz and Brett have been trying to keep it clean, also. Next, we laid down cardboard and some bark to make pathways through our garden plot so we can reach the vegetables as they grow. We put cardboard down at the bottom of our boxes, too, before we added soil. All very biodegradeable vs. plastic. This week I am hoping to plant some seeds to get things started in the non-boxed areas. Corn, squashes, cucumbers and maybe tomato plants. Brett, Liz, Allison and Jason are in line to add some new soil to the boxes in the near future and then we will be ready to roll. The boxes will house the lettuce, onions, beans, peas, etc. More updates on the garden as we head into the growing season. It was just a very earthy day!

A Sunny Day at the Beach

As Mr. Lincoln and I settled into our deck chairs to do a little reading this sunny day, 2 nice looking, younger couples made their way down the beach to set up "camp". We watched as they pitched a tent, lay a blanket in front of it's door and arranged a cooler and bags for their rare day in the Oregon sunshine. After they checked out the rocks and waves, Linc and I set to work reading about the Japanese in WWII here in Oregon and the couples went on their way for a nice walk down the beach towards Kyllo's.

A little later I heard yelling and saw one of the couples running back our way while the other was yelling. I checked the waterline for an emergency situation but everything looked calm. The running couple turned up the speed and headed our way...only more towards their tent/campsite. As I looked down, you could hardly see the blue and white tent. It was covered with seagulls. First, an EMPTY potato chip bag, then an EMPTY bread bag and finally all sorts of EMPTY bags blew off in the breeze as the couple sped towards their picnic. I did rush in the house to grab my camera but by the time I got back, the gulls had dispersed because of the human intervention. The people were very disappointed that their picnic had been invaded and devoured. The rest of the afternoon they had to take turns guarding the place as the seagulls continued to surround the tent just waiting for another chance. I'm not sure much was left but if that was my tent, I'd be protecting the beer for sure.

So the pictures are of a dejected picnicker and then someone in front of the tent on guard while the gulls stand in wait to capture the beer!

We don't have bears like camping in the woods, but those seagulls can sure behave like a scene out of "The Birds" and ruin a good picnic. Good thing for sunshine! It's just the right kind of day to eat out in a restaurant.

Ocean View

Ocean View by Eliana Kaufman
Age 9 Spring Break 2009

White waves, blue sea
Sunny sky, you and me.
Always moving towards the shore,
Puts me to sleep and then I snore.
Watch the ocean, you and me,
Watch the boats sail out to sea.
Many birds down on the sand,
Swoop down from above before they land.
Tide goes out and rocks appear,
We climb on them, far and near.
Trees surround the rocky bank,
We imagine walking the plank.