It’s probably a good thing we live where we do, upstate NY, cold zone 5. I am a short attention span gardener, always excited to get things planted in the spring, always thrilled when we have an early frost and I can quit garden maintenance in the fall. I’m not much of one for preserving the bounty, what appeals to me is the freshly picked produce all summer long - designing meals around whatever needs harvesting. Last summer, we ate green beans for weeks. I hated green beans growing up, but green beans never tasted like this - fresh and crisp when quickly sautéed. I have to shoo the dog out of the garden or he helps himself - he loves them too.

Yesterday, as part of the Hunkering, I decided to take advantage of the sunshine and clean up the garden. I’ve offered half the space to a friend in the city with two young children and they came out to help. The Teen was told that she would be helping as well, and we all set to work pulling out dead vegetation, weeds that survive any and everything, leaves trapped in the surrounding fence. We turned soil and I carted some of our single sheep’s manure to turn into one of the beds.

Industry is good for your sanity.

Also yesterday, a friend on Facebook requested that people offer up what their kids were doing during the day and call them “coworkers.” The commentary was pretty hilarious.

I got one coworker sitting in his office playing Van Halen on his electric guitar, and the other sight reading 80's music on the piano. I'm the only employee doing actual work, yet the office manager yelled at ME for wearing boots in the office. Day 3 starts now.
My coworker climbed on the table after being told multiple times that it was time to get in the van for our next meeting.
My coworker threw a tantrum when Paw Patrol was not on. He was sent to HR as I don’t get paid to deal with that; it’s above my pay grade.
I made my coworkers strip down so I could do tick checks.
One of my coworkers pooped his pants during our coffee break. When confronted he vehemently denied having done so.
My coworker kept presenting me slobbery toys, then proceeded to lick my feet. Should I call HR? (My coworker has 4 feet and is covered in fur.)
Another contractor on site is attempting to convince me that he is the only one effectively managing staff.
I fired mine, I quit and am about to take a nap
My coworker laid on the couch all day and insisted he was “still on vacation”

My own coworker insisted that gardening was above her pay grade. It was unfortunate that I had to drag her into HR and tell her that the supervisors actually decide what is included in her job description.

There might have been tears.

It’s raining today, so her workload will look a little different.

The Help