20 Minute Gardening

Our weeds are flourishing in the garden. My eyes see the beauty of the Pansies, and then I grimace when I see the purple Henbit blowing in the breeze. Henbit first became my nemesis when we lived in Kansas, and our garden under the mailbox turned purple every year.  

The mailman once explained to me that the pioneers enjoyed the Henbit for its food and beauty. I replied that I really did not plan to eat it any time soon.  Shortly after that discussion Jack and I were driving down country roads on a warm spring day gazing at the shades of green growing crops, when suddenly a massive field a purple exploded on the horizon. My jaw dropped in awe. Imagine the wagons driving over these hills of central of Kansas and seeing purple from hill to hill. 

For an informative blog on eating Henbit check out Henbit uses.

However, I digress. I will enjoy purple weeds at the park from now on but not in my garden.  Consequently, I hit upon the idea of twenty minute weed pulling this spring. I know that I tend to overdue projects and end up straining my back and hamstrings.  

That is why I have adopted the 20 Minute Gardening idea. First, assemble the supplies: a plastic table cloth for throwing weeds into; gloves to protect my tender hands (from washing and cleaning the house with Clorox and water); digging tools; knee pad; plus set a timer on the phone for 20 minutes. In the beginning, I returned all items used to their place in the garage, but now I've found it saves time to keep them together in a bucket or wrapped in the cloth. Most importantly for me is to select a small area where I can make a difference visually. I will tend to the hidden weeds last. 

Start the timer and dig away. Twenty minutes did not take me to the end of the entrance, but I stayed with the timer and felt no pain afterwards. 






The next project I learned a most valuable lesson. Since I am not able to attend the Yoga and Tai Chi classes during this temporary stay at home mode, I realized that I need to stretch every chance I get.

Henbit in a rose garden. 

I thought this small garden offered a better view of what can be done in twenty minutes. I see this garden every day out the kitchen window and can't wait to see the iris and yellow rose bushes in bloom.

With this twenty minute gardening project I added stretching during the dig and then plenty afterwards. So allow at least ten to twenty minutes for back health.

The most relaxing stretch for me when I am on my hands and knees is to practice cat/cow, a yoga stretch.  How to move like a cat and cow properly. 

When I stand to move to another location I now bend at the hips to touch my toes and pretend that my back-end is up against a wall. I can touch my toes only because I have been stretching for years. Do not push yourself to touch the toes if it hurts. Hurt is not good at any time.

I also like to walk like the turtle doves in heat walk on our fence (my explanation for this bizarre walk). I can hear them gurgle and chuckle in my ears. 

https://literallyletty.blogspot.com/2019/01/younger-longer-finding-balance.html

It is simple: place one leg in front heel down, bend at the waist like while reaching for your toes, take the step, and gently pull up with the core muscles tight then step forward with the other leg, repeat the turtle dove love walk until the hamstrings are refreshed. 

Just imagine getting fit and healthy while weeding the garden.  

Volcanic Panic

The HEADLINES nearly read: Woman Erupts at Sam's;

     After searching her local Sam's Club store for toilet tissue and paper towels, the gray headed lady asked a nearby employee where they kept their toiletries.  The man appeared not to understand her question. In her frustration the woman began to speak louder, "Where do you keep the TOILET TISSUE?"

     "We don't have any toilet tissue." the young man responded.

     "Seriously, you don't have toilet tissue! Where might I find paper towels?" she inquired.

     "See them empty shelves from floor to ceiling," the young man pointed to two empty rows of metal shelving. "We haven't had any toilet tissue or paper towels  in two days, and I don't know when we will get 'em in."

     When the older woman's voice sprang from alto to soprano and the cement floor began to quiver with anxiety and frustration, a smiling lady appeared in her Sam's vest, decorated with pins and charms. "Mam, can I help you?"

     The gray headed lady later explained to this reporter, that in that instant she realized that no form of sanitizes or aerosols would be available either, her mind felt like it would erupt over the panic set in from the Corona Virus, especially since she wasn't concerned about the damn virus. Instead, her panic came from the fact that she had no toilet tissue at home.
   
     "When will you have toilet tissue on your shelves?"  She replied slowly and clearly in a monotone word by word question.

     "Mam, they told us yesterday that all of our shipments were going to Nashville and we do not know when we will have tissues, paper towels, alcohol, or hand sanitizers."

     Before the volcano could erupt the disaster was averted The gray headed lady bowed her head as face turned flush. Through her tears she whispered, "I am sorry. I am so sorry." The unknown woman turned walking away from the crowded rows of people.

Lucky, for me there was no reporter. What I realized on the drive from Sam's Club to Target was the ability of the mind to scan, create scenes, multiply emotions, and tell a story in the heartbeat of a nano moment. Before I understood that the materials were diverted to Nashville I felt anger at our population of people who were collecting and hoarding items that the rest of us would not have access to. Isn't this how we felt when Russia threatened us with missiles? Before a second breath could be taken the word Nashville turned my mind to the horrific damage from the tornado last week, and the lives lost, hearts broken, community torn apart by a storm. My emotions dropped to sudden sadness and humility. Who was I to think that I was the only one who needed toilet tissue. 

By the time I walked into Target expecting the same result, my mind had gone so far back to remember when my parents told stories of living through the depression and World War II. Would we now begin standing in line for basic supplies? Could we even begin the phantom the sacrifices our parents and grandparents made? My heart and chest sunk when I realized that I was the spoiled American. Easy to look around and think "they" could not live without their cell phones, Starbucks, fancy cars......Well, I wouldn't like it either.

I braced for defeat walking into Target. Much to my surprise I found their shelves filled with toilet tissue, paper towels, and Kleenex.

However, the search for rubbing alcohol proved to be futile. The pharmacy told me that when they did receive a supply of alcohol it was gone in ten minutes, and the same held true for hand sanitizer.
They did however, have six  bottles of little girl sparkly hand sanitizer left. I fell in full blown laughter by then. I didn't even have sanitizer on the list, but now my curiosity was aroused. I had to see the bottle.

Won't I look cute with clean sparkly hands now.