July 18, 2008

I learned something remarkably quirky about myself today - I actually enjoy sweating.  A good thing to know given it is 125 degrees in the shade here today and double that in the Green Hills Farm Garden.

I decided to take my power walk early today given the predicted heat warnings.  You cannot miss me walking through this development. I am the one with the oversized t-shirts that leave me feeling less restricted AND the long sweatpants. Just cannot walk in shorts. Ladies, are you with me here? You get hot and sticky and the shorts just ride up your legs. ACK!!! When did my thighs start growing so close together?

I was out only about 10 minutes when the first drips hit me, rolling down my forehead and straight into my eyes, burning like crazy. Which I find rather daunting given that our eyes like salt. I trudged onward, handy microfiber kitchen towel in left hand to wipe my face every so often. Within 20 minutes, I was drenched. It felt good. Cooling. Body functioning as it should. Gotta be just losing toxins like crazy. Kept me going the full hour when I was thinking only of a long drink of water and air conditioning. Why is it that the real sweat comes when we get indoors? I think my office chair is still soaked from me plopping down to check e-mails.

Off to farm. No air conditioning in the home of our beloved Green Hills Farm - no central air, at least. 2 high powered units I got as TSVs on QVC a few weeks ago, but by the time we get indoors from working outside all day, sun is going down and we do not turn them on.  I do my best not to be a whiner, but sometimes, a girl in the mercy of menopause needs a blasting a/c unit with a fan kicker in front of it! 

It was the hottest day EVER at the farm today. Driving down the long lane in I spied the long grass that needed mowing first. Ack. Side hills needed weeding. Ack. Perennial beds needed dead heading. Ack. Nary a breeze in sight. The house was remarkably cool inside. We have about 20 container gardens that needed a drink and both hummingbird feeders were dry. I was on my own today with Andy catering a wedding this evening.

I always triage first - figure out what needs watering the most and fill up my cans from the garage and carry them out. One by one. And I curse Andy for not letting me have a hose and I plan how I will get a full blown irrigation system installed for next year :).

We had about 30 grape tomatoes. A few huge zucchini - green and yellow. I picked 2 heads of napa cabbage and one red. Bunches of cucumbers, sad to see the vines wilting a bit, probably from beetles. I ate a handful of golden raspberries and carefully lifted leaves to spy for more baby fruits. We have at least 5 watermelon, a bunch of pumpkins, large and small.  By the time I got done picking the last few Walla Walla Onions, I was drenched again. I have to force myself to drink water, and with my recent bout of kidney stones, it is a must.

It was only a few hours of work today and off I took the bounty to Andy at work. His lucky guests at the wedding tonight are going to get organic produce.

Off to run for the night. On at 5 a.m. tomorrow. That means to bed by 8 p.m. and up at 3 a.m. A new job for me - Newport Desserts Cream Bars. They are so good I actually ordered them on auto-delivery BEFORE I was asked to be the relief guest if Chef Paul cannot make it from California. I am sure he is relieved to not have to get on a plane.

Thanks for stopping by. I am going to enjoy a quiet weekend. Not on again until next Wednesday at midnight. ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Make it a great one.

ml