Friday, July 29, 2011

The Horse that Threw Me

Sometimes not having posted in a while becomes its own bar to restarting the writing process.  My unannounced retreat from blogging began when two unexpected deaths coincided.  My profoundly mentally and physically disabled cousin died the same day our cat Lucy was hit by a car.  Needless to say, it was a tough time for us and for my extended family.  The memorial service for my cousin took me out of state for a few days, and after that I just needed some downtime. 

Left to my own devices I probably would have hibernated, but prior commitments meant that I've been consistently busy hosting and working with WWOOF volunteers through most of this month.  Occupation is therapy of a sort, I realize, but it left little mental room for posting here.  There's plenty to write about however.  We've gotten some new critters and had the usual mix of successes and failures in the garden.  I'm doing my best to shake off the summer garden blahs that seem to hit me every July.  We're behind schedule with the biggest project of the year, the mini-hoop house.  Deadlines for other projects are on the horizon as well.  I blame it on the outrageous high temperatures we've had and my husband's heavy travel schedule for work.  I beat back my garden doldrums enough to start new seedlings for the yet to be built hoop house, so we're going to have to knuckle down and get it built within the next month.  Besides, the tomatoes are about to come in in earnest.  Tomato crops give no quarter to the unmotivated nor the unprepared.  So I'm going to have to get back on that horse.

While I've been neglecting my own blog, I've also been neglecting many of the blogs I usually read and profit from.  I'm playing catchup with many of your blogs as time allows.  I suspect next week I'll have time and space enough to do some catching up with my own posting.  Hope summer is going well for all of you!

18 comments:

Pomona said...

I am so sorry for you - my best friend's husband died recently - very young, with young children. It really does knock you for six, and I hope that you are bearing up.

I know what you mean about the garden - I find it a struggle at this time of year. So much time picking and preserving, and not enough time on maintaining.

Pomona x

Tovar@AMindfulCarnivore said...

Sorry to hear of your losses. But it's good to hear from you here, nonetheless.

Jennifer Montero said...

Oh Kate, you post when you're ready. As long as you know none of us have forgotten about you.

And a heavy tomato crop is sure to help you ketchup...

Sorry. It slipped out.

Moonstonemama said...

I'm sorry to hear about your losses. Take the time for healing that you need.

denimflyz said...

My heart goes out to you on your losses also. Please take the time you need to heal, and get vision back into perspective.
Take care

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear about both of your losses. It's good you took time to just grieve. I think we (mostly meaning me!) think that if we don't post regularly, everyone will disappear. The fact is, we all blog and read blogs when life allows; or at least that's as it should be.

Funny thing, I get to doldrums every August. Since the garden is actually slower at this time of year, I've decided to get away for two short camping trips. Sept. and Oct. will be my canning months since our season is later than everyone else and I need to start homeschooling at that time, so a little get away will hopefully curb my slump!

Unknown said...

We're so sorry to hear about your losses. Very sad.

It's good to see you writing again. Meg and I were just talking about the two of you the other day. As things settle down, at both your place and ours, we'll have to have you over for dinner.

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear about the loss of loved ones.Totally understand you not blogging for a while.

Hugs SFT X

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about your losses. It's never easy to grieve.

I check your blog every day, and had hoped your absence was due to a very busy gardening season, and not something bad. So sorry!

Your blog is my one-stop daily visit, since in addition to your writing, you have links to some of my other favorite blogs.

Marie

Paula said...

good one Jen.

Don't worry about us; you just take care of what you need to take care of, especially yourself.

I am having trouble motivating myself to get the fall garden going, and I have no reason for it like you do. Other than going back to work full time and just have a lot less time...

take care Kate...

Vera said...

I empathize with you with all of what you have written in your blog - just to say that I staying in that saddle can be mighty hard work sometimes.

fae said...

I'm glad to know you're okay, at least. I was getting concerned!

ThiftedBliss said...

So sorry to hear about your losses. Looking forward to getting caught up on all your activity since you last posted. Missed you! Karen from CT

Anonymous said...

Life, wheels, grief, harvest. Around and around. My thoughts are with you.

Tamar@StarvingofftheLand said...

Kate, welcome back, albeit under less-than-ideal circumstances.

Death just sucks. Tomatoes, though, are excellent. May there be less of the former and more of the latter in your future.

Kate said...

Thanks for the good wishes, everyone. I'm climbing back in that saddle!

timfromohio said...

I'm very sorry about both of your losses! Hang in there. I've been checking your blog weekly to find out about the potatoes, hoop house, etc and am glad you're back.

Wendy said...

I'm so sorry, Kate, but it's good to see that you're climbing back up there. Take your time, and know that we'll still be around.