I’m so tired of winter.  Yeah, I know…it was “mild”.  It was still cold.  We’re renting a big old (drafty) Victorian home.  We also had snow.  This was taken in October, from our front window.  We look out over an old burial ground.  The kids like it.  At least when the sun is out.We are looking to buy a home, but, it will almost certainly be a “fixer-upper”.  My hubby loves a good project. I always said never again, but still…maybe.  It’s kind of like pregnancy.  It sounds like such a good idea until that first wave of nausea hits.  But that’s only about home repair (and pregnancy); I’m all for a good gardening project!

Being in a rental has some drawbacks.  I’d really love to turn over the entire acre and plant vegetables, herbs and flowers.  I’d love to build a coop and have my own fat hens wandering while I’m out playing in the dirt.  Beyond the practical problems of investing that much time and effort into a home we don’t own, there is the landlord to take into consideration.  I do think we have the best landlord in the world.  She’s so kind and tolerant.   And we’re not easy.  We have 2 dogs, for whom we’ve installed an electric fence.  And a cat, who we described as being a good mouser.  Lately, she isn’t living up to the description. Well, she does catch mice.  Last week, however she went to the barn next door and caught one, gently carrying the dear little mouse (or little deer mouse) inside and releasing it into my kitchen.

As cute as they are, we really don’t need any more indoor pets.  I also can’t reasonably expect that our landlord will welcome a request for chickens or a major agricultural project.

This leaves me with very little to do in welcoming spring. Hubby built me one raised bed.  I’ve raided the recycle station at the local dump to collect containers.  I’m waiting for the ground to warm just a bit more before I plant the peas, beans and spinach.  I’ve started some tomato and melon seeds. They’re under fluorescent lights in the living room.  I’m planning to start some peppers and eggplant soon.  In the meantime, like an expectant mother, I spend time each day hovering over my soon-to-erupt seedlings. Because it’s the first meaningful sign of spring.  Wait- Is that a speck of green?!!