One Step Closer

Happy Monday, dear reader. I hope your weekend was enjoyable. The Bean, Jenna, Janet, and I went to NYC over the weekend. That was an experience, but more on that later. Tonight is our second literary club meeting. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. A lot is going on in my generally uneventful little world.

However, that is not the most exciting news. Three big boxes of sunflower seeds arrived via UPS, and I can't wait to begin planning and planting the maze. I have asked The Bibbed Wonder to design the maze because he has a mathematical brain. I consider maze designing a geometry thing...I don't even know the proper term for that geometry thing. I do know, my little math nerd loves geometry, tells me frequently that he loves geometry, and does not like non-Euclidean geometry. I, on the other hand, do not even know the difference between Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometry. However, I can spell it without a dictionary or Google. We all have our strengths. Wink. 

Anyhow, I have asked Eric to incorporate five different rooms in the maze. I am envisioning little surprises that you come upon, like lovely little jewel boxes scattered throughout the maze where you can rest, take photos, and perhaps learn a little something about sunflowers, pollinators, and farming. However, everything else is his design. I believe he will do an amazing job. 

Patience is not a virtue I possess. I am chomping at the bit, as my dad used to say, to get started on the design and planting. However, the planting is at least a month out, so there is no real rush on the design. Of course, my little brain is bursting with ideas for the rooms in the maze. I'm not going to give you hints because I want you to be surprised. However, don't be shocked if musical instruments are involved. (Clapping and maniacal giggling ensues). 

With the brief window we will have in bloom time, I am also planning a few different events to supplement the maze. In our little town, there isn't a lot for kids, adults, or families to do. So, I am trying to do things that are unique, fun, and friendly to all. I am asking various age groups for feedback to gauge what people will like. Of course, there is some push back from one bib overall wearing nay-sayer. He fusses about insurance, timing, doing too much, overwhelming myself, and burning myself out. We should have about a month of bloom time, so I need to make the most of it. I can crash in October. 

My biggest worries are timing, deer, and weather. Unfortunately for this introverted control freak, all of those things are beyond my control. I already have a SUNFLOWERS notebook in place with a plan B for August, should the sunflowers bloom early while we are at Shaker Woods. My main concern is that we're in Shaker, and the flowers bloom. I hope to time it just right, have the flowers bloom in September, have everything for the maze completed before we go to Shaker Woods, and come home, hitting the ground running for the maze. There is a lot of planning, preparation, and detail to iron out, but I am trying to accept that I will face pitfalls and that there will be a learning curve. 

As for concerns about the deer, I met two women at the Grace conference who know a thing or two about deer control. There are programs and options available to help with feeding solutions to keep them away from the fields. There is also a program that will harvest the deer, process them, and give them to families in need around the area. Although not my first choice, it is better than some random person with a red tag coming onto the property, taking a gut shot, and leaving them to suffer; that I will not do. We will make an educated and conscientious decision before we act. 

My concerns about the weather, I feel, are valid. We have had such strange weather the past few years. When the straight winds blew through last May and took down trees in their path, I was astounded. To my knowledge, we have never experienced anything like that. Anymore, I find our spring weather to be more worrisome than winter weather. However, weather concerns are a big part of farming and something all farmers must contend with in their daily lives. We are indeed at Mother Nature's mercy. 

This year will be a learning experience for sure. If we can successfully grow the flowers, get the timing just right, and prepare for roadblocks, it will be a welcome addition to the community and another diverse layer to our farming venture. Honestly, I just want to do something beautiful that people can come and enjoy. We need more joy and beauty in our lives.  

On this April Monday, stay safe, be smart, believe in good things, and keep washing your hands.