I had a fun opportunity to help a neighbor over the weekend! At landlord’s request, we’re supposed to padlock our yard gates externally. This means if you accidentally lock your back door, you are trapped in your yard. I just took my locks off after a close call, but she hadn’t on her side—so I walked outside to water the garden yesterday and she was sitting on her back porch across the fence, locked out. I was able to hand her water and my phone over the wall so that she could call the leasing office and ask to be let back in (and given a spare key). It took about half an hour, so I felt slightly ridiculous walking out onto my porch every few minutes in my pajamas asking if she wanted toast or if I could drive over to the office for her, but she was very good-humored about it all.

I still haven’t made the jump from “putting things in the ground” to “thriving garden” in this state—I wasn’t made for the high desert! But my lettuce seeds are turning into lettuce seedlings, my pea vines are vining, and all of my cheap pansy annuals are thriving. I’m also seeing corn stalks come up, which is new and exciting. I just keep feeling like everything is slow and late for the season. I’m just glad to be out there in the dirt. Congratulations on your thriving lavender!!!

Ooh, congratulations! I’ve had a few ladybugs around my yard, but I’m mostly overrun with false chitbugs instead of aphids, and they don’t seem to be making a dent. Hope your buggy community keeps thriving!

What a wonderful sentiment! Your friends are lucky to have someone supportive in their lives, even from a distance—it’s an honor to be able to provide that to loved ones (but also sometimes feels like a big challenge to live up to).