Digging In.

It was the first weekend in May and after a morning online in the studio, it was time to get our boots on the ground. The weeding, turning and edging tasks were assigned and we set out to work the gardens for the first time this season. Lauryn knows I can get carried away and reminded me, “Edging, yes. Expanding, you better not”. With the bulk of the work done, Lauryn tidied up the walk way and I exchanged my tool in the shed for the lawn mower. Checked the oil, gassed it up, hit the prime four times and prayed. I packed my shoulder, used my “Hupp” and with one pull and a few reluctant barks from the carburetor, all systems were ready for the first cut of the season. Soon enough, we will be watching on our porch as peonies, daisies and sunflowers strengthen their roots then take their turns showcasing their blooms. 

Before we can sit porch side we need to prepare the beds and reinforce the perimeter of our vegetable garden. The rhubarb, sorrel and garlic are already growing and adding colour to the straw topped beds. Lauryn describes my tasks in the garden similar to the “Bush Hog”. I will dig trenches, slash weeds and knock down last years overgrowth. By mid season I will petition my boss for a machete and maybe the weeds will start growing towards the neighbours in retreat. Lauryn extracts the weeds on the interior with her own version of the machete, the “Yankee Weeder”. After a few hours in the yard we will finish for the day. Next week we will bike to pick up supplies and we will be ready for more fun and work outdoors.
 

Biking, gardening and “porching” at a distance will help us connect with our friends and families this month. We will bike the Kissing Bridge Trail to Elmira and visit my grandparents. With more preparations and endurance building rides we plan to bike to Lauryn’s cottage with our dads. Stay tuned for more of our bicycle adventures in June.

Dig into your own seasonal pleasures this month. Enjoy the outdoors with moments of activity and relaxation. We look forward to seeing you in class online, on the trails outside or from our porch at a distance.

We will see you on Douglas Street soon.

Best,

Ian and Lauryn