Last month Reed decided that a few of the trees lining our stream had to go. He and Rigel spent the day felling trees, and in Rigel’s case running for his life in fear of be squashed by a tree or two.
I hate to see any tree cut down. But the reality was that these trees were cutting off much needed sunshine from a large section of our garden, rendering it useless.
To add insult to injury, the parts of the trees that were still alive sent millions of tiny seedlings down into our garden, creating hours of work to weed them out before they overtook the more important plants.
The branches and smaller parts went through the chipper to create mulch.
And the mulch was then roto-tilled into our garden by Reed, with his Dad’s roto-tiller. I have no doubt that the hours spent tilling were filled with memories of his Dad and the years he spent tilling new life into the hundreds of gardens tended by his hand.
While the mulch decomposes, enriching our garden soil, it will also serve to keep down weeds and help to keep moisture in the ground longer, allowing us to water less and forgo the need of chemicals.
Trying to find a balance between living simply and sustainably while tending to the needs of a medically fragile child with special needs was at first overwhelming. Truth be told the first two gardening seasons with Parker were more on the line of throwing the seeds out and allowing them to fend for themselves. I won’t go into detail how we watched any fruits rot as we simply didn’t have the energy needed to deal with them.
Yet living simply and finding balance is crucial to a life such as ours.
I began by purging my home of things not being used. Then I fine tuned the purge to the point where I kept only things that were truly loved. And I’m fine tuning my fine tuning.
Eyebrows were raised at many items I found new homes for, but if you haven’t used a bread machine in the three years you have owned it, why exactly is it still setting on your kitchen counter?
Slowly I’ve branched out into other areas in my quest to find balance. I’ve read several books in order to see what others have done who share my same goal.
One that I’ve just finished reading, and is by far my favorite, is Living The Good Life.
How one family changed their world from their own backyard.
Linda’s engaging writing has inspired me to realized that it isn’t about doing it all, it’s about doing what you can. It’s about setting goals to reach your life’s dream. It’s about empowering yourself to no longer care what the Jones’ next door are doing. It’s about being happier and in your own unique way delighting in the simple things.
During my reading I experienced Aha! moments too many to count. And I’d like to pass the positive impact this book has had on my life to someone else.
If you find yourself on this same journey , leave me a note in the comment section below and I’ll choose one of you to send this book to. Just know that is wasn’t new when I received it, and that it will come to you dog-eared and well loved.
Happy Earth Day
Oh, I hope you pick me!! Looks like a lovely book!
Omgosh you should see the stuff we tossed yesterday girl! Have a box started for a rummage sale and have organized and sorted more medical supplies than most hospitals keep in storage! LOL…….I’m such a simple gal too……My favorite thing to do is have a weenie roast in our back yard in the dark of course……Make smores/star gaze then watch movies on the side of the house all snuggled on and under blankets strewn all over the grass…….Ahhhhh…..My FAV! There ya go now ya have 2 entrants…
I still have these extra supplies plus the link you asked for.I sent the info to the new email you sent my way…..If your still interested please let me know that way I can either send them your way or pass them along to someone else……Have a good one ;0)
Trina and Jophie
It’s so funny that you talk about that because I’ve been feeling that way for several months. Thinking about what is best for my family and not comparing ourselves to anyone else. Doing what I can and what is important for my family. Getting rid of the clutter. Been doing that a lot lately!! And getting back to simpler things…it’s a good thing!!
Happy Earth Day, Hodsons!
I’m going to read that book even if I don’t win it…sounds really great.
And I’m glad to hear you cut down trees to gain more sun…we are in that same situation right now, and wrestling with the guilt. Now I know I’m not the only one!
Looks like a terrific book. I’m facing being a full-time sahm for the first time now – trying to figure out how to combat the isolation and the overwhelming feeling of incompetence I’m feeling right now! I’ve been reading books on simplifying life, and I think I’d enjoy this one.
I could really use some inspiration right now! I’m a working momma now for the past 1 1/2 years and my home is suffering a lot. I don’t have TIME for the things I used to and I’m sick of surviving my schedule and committments to home, work, church and family. I’ve got to stop treading water and start making headway if you know what I mean?
We’re working hard to pay down the medical bills (I know you’re familiar with them!) and my children are all school-aged so it makes sense that I help where I can. I’m definitely overwhelmed though. I think I’m still in SAHM mode, trying to juggle everything I used to and not forget the special things I loved to do for my family. Sounds like I need to step back and do some purging of my own I think. I like your phrase of fine-tuning the fine-turning.
I just made myself cry…dang it.
I need some help in that area. I can’t seem to let things go, no matter how much I think I want to. We’re getting ready to plant the garden, and hope we don’t fizzle out again this year.
Looks like a good book.
I am on the same mission. This year our garden is 5 times the size it was last year and even has a deer-fence protecting it. (No more salad bar for the deer!) I have my own compost pile, the ability to pull water from the pond to water the plants and the desire to feed my family fresh, homegrown foods. Only time will tell how successful I am, though!
I don’t know how you ever found balance! Kailey is 6 now, and between her needs and the needs of 3 other healthy children I don’t have one bit of balance in my life. Its constant chaos, paranoia about Kailey’s health, and extreme effort to make our sense of “normal” as normal as possible.
Im trying a garden this year and hoping to be a success..Im going to can too!!! Wish me luck, ofcourse this book would help:)
Tho you may have given it away anyways…maybe you could post helps with garden too along with everything else you do..lol