29th Birthday: Part 2

My 29th birthday was full of productivity. My poor parents got used and abused. 

Yesterday was the day we put in the garden! 

This is the sad state it was in before. The collards and the weeds. So many weeds. 

After a trip to Lowe's and Wal-Mart, the work began. 

Dad shoveled and tilled, mom trimmed hedges - lots and lots of unruly hedges. And I, well I... supervised?

Actually, I pulled so many weeds my hands are raw and I did help with some of those bushes. 

We transplanted my collard greens to the other side and tried to put them closer together. They look sad now...I think they liked the other side. Poor little guys. 

After moving the greens (sorry greenies) the planting continued. And now, it looks like this!

Hmm. 

That's not very compelling. Maybe you had to be there...

Alas, don't despair! The close-ups are riveting! 

Squash!

 Tomatoes! Loads of tomatoes!

Something else!... Red pepper? 

Heavenly smelling herbs. Basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and cilantro!

Not pictured are zucchini, a cherry tomato, cucumbers, banana peppers (or maybe that was pictured?), and a lone hot banana pepper.

Now I say a little prayer, cross my fingers, do a rain dance, and sacrifice a student to the plant gods. (The plant gods are funny like that. They like students. Particularly the lazy ones. Who am I to question them?)

Oh, by the way, while dad and I were planting, mom was mowing my yard. Yep. The day before, dad sharpened my kitchen knives. I'm so lucky, spoiled, blessed. 

OK, OK - perhaps a teensy bit spoiled.   


Thank you, wonderful family, for making my birthday so fulfilling and special.