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Sunday, May 24, 2009

No, Really! Having Worms Is A Good Thing!

I spent the majority of Saturday in my yard, sitting on the ground, wrist-deep in dirt and talking to worms.

No, it wasn’t the day of my annual Summer Party (so named as to distinguish it from the, uh, Winter Party), although I appreciate your imagination.

No, Saturday was the planting of the flowers, also known as I Spent 98 Dollars on Things Found Growing on Their Own Day.

Crazy, huh? Well, since our house is a duplex, the cost of keeping the place looking great is tax deductible, right? Anyway, it’s a matter of civic pride, like lipstick or anti-fungal creams. Sometimes one simply must spend a dollar to keep up appearances.

Anyway, a long line of farmers, women with green thumbs, and the good luck to have been born to a land that, at least when not frozen, is productive and rich has ensured the good earth in my veins.

The flower boxes have been filled (asparagus ferns and red double impatiens), the hanging baskets and big pots are done (pink petunias, sweet potato vines, and red geraniums), the gardens’ perennials have been supplemented with annual color, my nails have been packed with dirt, and a full day in the sun have my freckles dancing.

I do believe we have the prettiest house on the block.

Saturday afternoon? Baby, my work here is done.

30 comments:

KMcJoseph said...

I saved a worm yesterday.

I think I saved him...

Maybe I just stopped him from getting a suntan.

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

Now that I live in the desert, I am living my gardeners life vicariously through others. I miss the worms.

Beth said...

Really, worms ARE a good thing! Which reminds me that I want a worm habitat. It is a great way to get use scraps and get great dirt for the plants. Now if only I could convince the husband...

anon said...

I always feel like a bully when I cut a worm in half in my garden.
I also curse at the birds when I see them yanking the poor unsuspecting little buggers out of my garden.
Those are MY worms!

anon said...

Ps.
I'm off to the garden centre myself this morning to purchase some instant gratification in the form of already flowering annuals.
I love that shit!

Patricia said...

I learned at the MN Zoo that most earthworms are non-native to the US and actually hurt our hardwood forests. Who knew? I googled and found this:

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialanimals/earthworms/index.html

I'm living vicariously thru you, P. Post photos of your lovely plantings so I might die of envy. All I have planted this year is a clamatis and some marigolds. And I don't see that changing anytime soon.

Kristine said...

How about cicadas? I dug up two of those badboys the other day. Actually, I dug up one, the other I accidentally chopped in half. It was gooey. I squealed a little.

Kavi said...

Your titles are perspective building. 'Having worms is a good thing' is a title that is loaded with hope, promise and future !

Really !

:)

Kim said...

Feel free to visit Ohio to make my house the prettiest street on the block!

Pearl said...

KMcJ, I love your comments. :-D

Giantspeckledchihuahua, I imagine that’s quite a difference, not having worms! I’ve never lived in the desert. Visited once for a week and my lungs really did not enjoy it. I coughed a lot.

Beth, you know, I just saw one of those at a garage sale! What an excellent idea!!

Powdergirl, birds have so little respect for property. A quick look at our car will show you that! And you and I are in wild agreement re: the instant gratification of a couple pallets of annuals. I don’t know that anyone enjoys summer as much as those with four proper seasons. MAN but I love the fact that stuff is growing outside!!

Patricia, is that you, Ms. Zoo Season Ticket Holder?
Seriously? Worms are not indigenous to North America? How weird is that? I mean, I knew about those damn zebra mussels and about the carp (the Germans brought ‘em! Ha ha!) but WORMS? Hot damn.
I need to get a new battery for my digital camera. Have I posted yet on how much I miss film? Anyway, I envy you your clematis – I’ve planted two in two years and they just disappear. But I will definitely take pics of the front of the house (flower boxes) and the pots and whatnot – perhaps with me in the shot enjoying a margarita. (And you know, the more I think about it, the more mythical that margarita becomes. Will it live up to my tangy, salty dreams?)

Kristine, ooh! I’d squeal, too! Yep, dug up a cicada yesterday, as well as some tightly curled little bugger that played dead. Also found a number of snail shells and a ring that Willie insists may be a diamond but I’m sure is a zircon. What else is buried in my tiny yard?!

Kavi, would you believe I put a lot of thought into the title? :-D I write that last.

Under the Influence, but of course, the opinion that my house is the prettiest is both just my opinion and based primarily on the flowers. :-D How often do I mention how much I love Northeast Minneapolis?!!! Great houses interspersed with fixer-uppers. I do need to post pics. I know I don’t do that much, and really, there’s no reason for it other than my own laziness around learning that lousy digital camera.

Unknown said...

Forget David Sedaris, Pearl I need you to come and help me. The worms are getting airlifted. Send help now...

Peace - Rene

darsden said...

Congratulations Mrs. Green Thumbs, now be sure to take some pictures when they grow...and tell us about them..but NEVER post the pictures.. LOL maybe now you will...UHMMM we are still waiting for the Christmas party pictures in your prudy dress Pearl!! ;-) do I know you or what!

Cygnus MacLlyr said...

Only makes sense that the prettiest lady WOULD have the prettiest house...

Glad you got the weather, and inclination, to get down w/ the worms...

Cygnus MacLlyr said...

Um, Pearl? I'll volunteer to be the "help" that Not the Rockefellers Lady needs.
Can I can I huh huh huh???

Warty Mammal said...

Happy planting day!

Pearl said...

Hold, tight, Rene! I’m coming!!

Darsden, you know me too well. :-D

Cygnus, oh you flatterer you. :-D And Rene, are you reading this? Cygnus has offered to drop in and help you!

Warty Mammal, it’s a beautiful day!

SweetPeaSurry said...

That sounds like a lovely day!!! I've been doing a bit of planting myself. Obviously, due to the fact that I'm in an apartment it's all container gardening ... but that's okay, I'm learning!!!

blessings!

Pearl said...

SweetPea, even those of us with tiny yards embrace the potted plants! What a relief that summer is finally here!

The Retired One said...

Ahhh. A woman of my own heart. I LOVE digging in the fresh dirt and planting my flowers! I love seeing the worms too...they are my garden's little helpers!
I bet your yard looks great! Thanks for making the world more beautiful!

Cygnus MacLlyr said...

Ever at the ready, Ma'am...

Unknown said...

Now Sir Cyg..What are your intentions?
Are they honorable? :)

Everyday Goddess said...

It's Miller Time! Or maybe Prosecco? Whichever, you deserve it!

Gadjo Dilo said...

Hurrah! I too have spent the entire weekend grovelling around in the dirt in my garden. Mrs Dilo's mother is most disappointed - she dragged her family out of the village to the town, and then to a better part of town, only for her only daughter to then marry this filthy peasant...

Pearl said...

Retired One, there’s nothing more satisfying, is there?

Cygnus, a helpful and altruistic man!

Rene, a big question!

Comedy Goddess, good advice – something I always take. :-D

Gadjo Dilo, filthy? Perhaps. A peasant? I must look that word up again, as you have not yet appeared to be a peasant (although I suspect you harbor peasant sympathies. :-D)

Joanna Jenkins said...

Ahhh, your yard sounds lovely. It's great to spruce up the garden after winter and watch the flowers grow. As for worms-- They, like their big brothers-- snakes, scare the daylight out of me. Too wiggly for me :-) Love your blog! Thanks for stopping by mine. i'll be back.

Pearl said...

Joanna, me, I don't mind the worms. Nightcrawlers? Another story!

Cygnus MacLlyr said...

My intents are the bestest tomato containers with the biggest, juciest, earthiest wormiest-- er--WORMS-- you ever seen, M'Ladies!

And a bed of lilacs not ever to be forgotten, but forever to be envied by all the (not-so-prettiest-on-the-block) others.

Um, beyond that, I can only asks... "define 'honorable!'"

Really, gals! Only the best of harvests should we strive for!
I just wanna help with the proper seed sowing.. I SWEAR!!!

Judy said...

I bet your flowers are beautiful. Sounds like you have a variety. Hope you are having a good rest of the weekend. Thanks for stopping by.

Unknown said...

Well, then, gentleman farmer, proceed...(cautious but curious face)

or is that pro-seed....

Pearl it's getting very Harlequin around here..are ya feelin' it?

Peace- Rene

Pearl said...

Cygnus and Rene, the double entendres are flying. I think I shall swoon. ;-D