As long as I have to work for someone, I choose to work for my current employers. I enjoy what I do, and I feel privileged to work for two men I admire so much. I realize this makes me one very lucky lady, and don't think I don't know it. BUT, if I hit the Powerball tomorrow, and never had to work for someone else another day in my life, I would choose a worthy successor for my current position and go home to become the ultimate Domestic Goddess. I'd experiment with new recipes, taxi the kids around, finally decorate the house the way I've always wanted and weather permitting-I'd garden my little heart out.
I'll say one thing about living in Minnesota, you certainly appreciate the warmer months a lot more after enduring a winter of hibernation. I've long loved to garden, but for the first time in my life I find myself with the time to indulge my hobby, and accommodating soil to work with. The weather this spring has been ideal for growing and I purchase more and more plants and garden accessories everywhere I go. It's an addiction-an aesthetically and aromatically pleasant addiction-but an expensive obsession nonetheless.
I work two blocks north of one of my favorite nurseries, and it's difficult to refrain from popping in and checking out their newest stock.
(you try and resist the WALL OF COLOR)
Every grocery in the Twin Cities has a makeshift nursery in the parking lot, and I tell myself as I run in for a gallon for milk that "I'll just look around, it doesn't hurt to see what they've got," and the next thing you know, there's three more pots in my truck. I went into TJ Maxx the other night to buy swim trunks for Alex and walked out with a mini birdbath and two hose guides to match the three I already had. Whoever made the executive decision at Target to incorporate Smith & Hawken merchandise into their inventory is brilliant-an evil genius where my wallet is concerned. Wal Mart isn't safe, they have a formidable garden center and when that little smiley face starts showing up on markdowns, I'm helpless. Sam's Club? Plants can be purchased in bulk too, as it turns out. Home Depot? I just send Steve-I can't be trusted over there either.
(I get lightheaded just looking at this)
The only thing that's saving me is that the catalog people haven't found me. When I lived in Atlanta, I was on the mailing list for every seed, plant and heirloom gardening propaganda out there. It's tempting to go online and sign up, but let's be honest, most of the bookmarks on my computer are for pure horticultural porn.
Fortunately, my passion doesn't go unappreciated. Steve made it very clear when we moved into our house that he had absolutely no interest in yard work. I assured him that keeping up with the landscape would always be my pleasure, never a chore. He has pulled into the driveway more than a few evenings and told me that we have the nicest yard in the neighborhood. A friend came over last summer and told me that "It's like heaven," walking from the driveway to the front door thanks to the profusion of blooms I've planted. I complimented my next door neighbor on his lawn recently, and his wife volunteered that my flowers were still the best. Everytime I put out new plants one of my other neighbors wanders over to see what's going in next and what my reviews are on performance. And even though I may tour the property and look at vacant spaces and think about what to fill them with, I know that I've already got everything I always wanted.
(Almost everything-I saw these alongside a road last week. I simply must have vivid poppies like this in my garden. They make you feel warm and happy just looking at them, don't they?)
