busconews.com

by Bob Smith

Hi there.

We are really having a sunny, hot start of summer, aren’t we!  There have been terrible floods and fires going on for long periods around the country, but our area’s farm fields and gardens seem to be doing fine.  We are anxiously and eagerly waiting for our first ripe red tomato sandwich, and we hope to have a good tomato canning season.  Summer is wonderful for gardening, but it is more enjoyable at about 75 or 80 degrees.

I hope you remember that I ordered more Crocus bulbs than I planned to plant, and I would like to have a contest to award the writer of the best letter written to this paper by August 11, my birthday.  Crocus are usually the first blossom to appear as winter leaves, the bulbs are usually planted in mid August for the following spring’s blossom time to occur. I would like the letters to discuss gardening, or Churubusco, or good neighbors you have known, or your youth on a farm with a garden .  Write a Letter to the Editor by August 1. I would like permission to print the winner’s letter in this paper, and I know that Crocuses will brighten your property for years to come.

The Editor will provide the judging, the winner’s letter will appear in the paper, and I (or Judy) will mail the Crocus bulbs to the selected winner, because I hopefully will have an operation on my spine by then, and I have been told the operation to properly align and secure my wandering vertebrae, and the recovery may be difficult.  We have met the surgeon Dr. Willyard recommended, and we really like him, and Orthopedics Northeast, where he works.  Both Judy and I have several assorted joints that have been successfully replaced by surgeons who work there.

My hip problem is caused by Spondylolisthesis/Retrolist-esis (the expert nurses told me they have to say it fast!), but I can neither pronounce it nor type it without expert medical personnel helping.  It is apparently caused by a large amount of bone being removed during a long ago operation, that has gotten tired of staying in position, and seems to enjoy scraping into the nerves that go from my right leg to my brain.  I use a cane mostly, my back and right leg are very painful, and I often use (then forget where I left it!) 

Bending over is almost as painful as getting up, and if Judy didn’t live here, we would be buried in weeds by fall. Bending over should be almost pleasurable (at least when you arise!) to accomplish gardening. I find it difficult to even think while sitting up, and I deeply regret that I have decided to take a vacation until I can garden, and write more interestingly about gardening,  and I don’t think it will be too long - although time is passing very slowly and painfully until then.

Growing plants need about one inch of water per week.  Our rainfall this year, as usual, is not exactly providing that every week.  There are information sites available that will tell you in general about how much rainfall hit our area, there are rain gauges you can purchase, that remain accurate only if you check and empty them regularly, or you can place an open topped can or other waterproof container where you can easily observe and empty it daily.

Of course, removing unwanted weeds from your garden area requires some regularity, some knowledge, and some work – but it results in wonderful exercise and food – and our Heirloom Brandywine tomatoes will soon be ripe and ready for sandwiches, salads, and canning.  I leave you with great anticipation!  Good gardening . . .