Even though it doesn't really look like it in the above picture, that was back when we were going through a real dry spell. Even though the garden looks good in this picture, all was not well in paradise (it almost never is). The deer were starting to eat the corn and the green beans were being attacked by two villains; deer and bugs.
Cucumbers are also looking good. This is another crop that historically I've had trouble growing. But I just may have figured it out. Well, actually I didn't really figure it out - my mother-in-law, Anna, told me years ago that some vegetable plants do not do well with walnut trees close by and yes, you guessed it, I have a very big walnut tree close to my garden. I've noticed through the years that some plants (tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and raspberries) have done better when they are on the upper end of the garden rather than on the lower end which is closer to the walnut tree. Coincidence? Thats kind of what I thought until I "googled" it. And according to my extremely modest research it appears that Anna was right all along - and she didn't even "google" it.
HAPPIEST AT HOME
That idea, of being "happiest at home" got me to thinking. I'm willing to bet a lot of money that there are A TON of other people who are also "happiest at home". Problem is our culture encourages us to look for happiness anyplace but home. We are told in a myriad of ways that happiness can be bought (or at least put on a credit card). The two primary places that happiness can be had (we are told) is at a high paying office job (making a lot of money with little physical exertion) or at the mall (spending a lot of money). So we do whatever it takes to earn the bucks to buy the stuff. And most of the time we can earn more bucks at a job away from home so thats what we do. We slowly wither and die on the vine, because our heart is really at home, but hey, we got a lotta stuff ! !
I know I'm not the only one who feels this way because my daughter-in-law discovered that she is "happiest at home" as well. While she was on maternity leave from her banking job she was promoted to assistant manager of her local branch office. She was flattered and proud and rightfully so, as any of us would be at a promotion. Upon her return to work (outside the home) she too had tears in her eyes many days. After two weeks of being away from her new son every day she couldn't take any more and gave her two week notice. She too found that she is "happiest at home". Bless you Honey!! So proud of you for going home ! !
Happy to be Home,
Todd