Okay, not really but it is kind of fun to look around our apartment and see things sprouting in almost every windowsill and on top of our dresser.
We are now under a “safer at home” directive in our county, which means that all non-essential businesses have been asked to close for at least 7 days. My Target gig sent out a memo saying that we were still being allowed to service our stores but could opt out without any repercussions if we did not feel safe going into them. Right now, I feel okay about it; however, my sister was sent by her employer to be tested yesterday. She works in a grocery store and they have reason to believe she may have been exposed (and she is exhibiting symptoms similar to bronchitis). The doctor advised her to stay home for 4 days while she awaits the test results. Right now, she’s in good spirits, just relaxing and watching Netflix. (In case you’re wondering, my sister lives an hour and a half away and we have not seen her since February 10th – so we’re good here.)
In a lot of ways, we aren’t really feeling the impact of having to stay home. We pretty much stay home anyway. But we are missing our niece and nephew. They are too little to understand what’s going on and just want Meme and Monkey (that’s what our niece calls Angie) to take them to the playground.
Why does she call Angie Monkey?? Because it was the first word Angie taught her so she has always associated the name with Angie. And also because Angie LOVES monkeys (and bananas). Plus, it probably didn’t help that we (the adults) all liked it so much that we started calling her Monkey too – just maybe not in public. ๐
In the meantime, we’ve been building a playground of sorts in the backyard – a playground for plants that is. A few weeks ago, we built a raised bed next to our blackberry bushes and garlic. Over the weekend, we finished the space (or at least finished what we can right now).
A lot of the materials for this project were sourced from the creek. You see, last fall, Angie and I decided to clean up the creek that runs behind my mom’s house. The creek does not belong to us but we do have to look at it (and we figured that the factory that now owns the property probably cared less about it than we do) so we adopted it. We pulled out all sorts of trash, cut branches and barbed wire, and removed a lot of old cattle panels that had fallen across the creek bed and were collecting trash. We saved the cattle panels to use as trellises and we started removing some of the rocks to allow the water to flow better. The result – we now have a tiny waterfall!!

We used the rocks as a border for our new garden area and filled in the walkways with mulch that we bought in “busted bags” for half price at Lowe’s. When the garlic is harvested in June, we plan to mulch the rest of the space and add a couple of tubs for growing potatoes. The area with the small trellis is for our peas.
If all goes well weather-wise tomorrow, we’re going to put our cool weather crops in the raised bed – onions, radishes, kale, and spinach.
Have you started your seeds or garden projects yet? How are you adjusting to staying home (if you are also under a safer at home advisory)?
Since I rarely go out either, I’m mostly ok. Hubs and I did go on 2 car rides this week. We have a new thing- lockdown starting Fri night till Mon morning. Not happy!! But, doesn’t really affect me either. I just DO NOT like being mandated to do it. Your garden is beautiful!!! That waterfall is precious!
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Thank you!! I’m with you – I can do just fine staying at home when it’s my choice but the first time that someone tells me that I have to, it’s almost like that non-conformist rebel child in me comes out and I don’t want to do anything I’m told. Of course, I will because I’m an adult and all but I don’t like it either ๐
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Right, have to control my inner teen! lol
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I live in NYC and am so grateful for my very tiny yard that we just removed the cement from last fall. Since we’re not supposed to leave our houses, it’s my only outside time. I bought a baby fig tree the week before this broke and ordered all kinds of seeds.
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That’s so cool! I love figs and hope to have a couple of trees one day too.
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We are hoping to plant onions and tomatoes next week. Since we are “safer at home”, it’s just a matter of doing it. We’ve had weird, wet, cool weather here for a while – it’s made staying in easier!
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True! It’s a bright sunny day today and I’m dying to go for a hike BUT not only is there that little matter of trying to stay home but our state park is closed due to flooding.
Good luck with the onions and tomatoes!
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Thanks! Most parks (local, state, and federal) are closed here because too many people are showing up and not practicing social distancing.
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I feel like that’s going to be the next step for us too.
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You got a lot done!! It looks great!! I love being at home so this safer at home order isnโt bothering me… yet lol!
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Thank you! Right now, we’re pretty happy at home too. There are lots of projects we can do. Hopefully it’s all over with before it does start to get to us though ๐
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