Now, as to Gourdzilla's name, it is true that gourds and squash are both fruits in the Cucurbitaceae family, though they are typically grown and used for different purposes. Squash are eaten, while gourds are made into utensils or decorations. To my thinking, however, Squashzilla does not have quite the same ring to it as Gourdzilla, and so Gourdzilla shall remain the name of the most amazing squash vine I have ever had the pleasure to encounter.

I suppose that I’ll need to fine tune or maybe even reprogram my computing machine. After I swept out my wood shop and closed the door, we headed on out to the grocery store. I imagined I’d spend the next day hard at work in the garden, pulling weeds set in dry cement. As we pushed our cart up and down the aisles, I mulled over the concept of computer error.

We left early in the morning, when the creek valley air was still cool. With the El Camino's windows down and the cozy wings turned in, it was almost too cold, but I felt wonderful. We were heading east in a line of old cars, with our old car friends, driving along the winding road that followed the Ohio River. I looked out the window at the river's water flowing smoothly past small towns and under bridges. It was a beautiful day.

The old fisherman no longer fishes the creek. I cannot tell him that I understand, but I believe that he knew that one day I would.

I am now glad to report that almost two months have passed since my scattering, and that every single one of those thousands of seeds has sprouted and happily grown. My old friends now comprise what is assuredly the most dense patch of marigolds you could ever imagine.

This work was work that we would have been doing anyway, but not necessarily all done with the goal of getting everything in tip top shape in a timely fashion, so that we could share our world with 37 teachers who were stopping by for a visit.

Hay days finally came to the creek valley. The rain stopped, and even though the hay was past its prime, it was better late than never.

This past week, I started a new adventure, serving as a docent at General Ulysses S. Grant's boyhood home, located in Georgetown, the small town just a few miles up the road from our farm. As soon as I stepped through the door, I realized how little I knew about the man who led the Union Army to victory in 1865, and went on to become the 18th president of the United States.

I remember the room so well. It was covered in wallpaper adorned with big bright flowers. A tall white metal framed bed was up against one wall. The bed was so tall I had to do a running belly flop to jump up into it.

The saying used to be "April showers bring May flowers." I believe that the past few years it has been more like "Rain in May, once again today." 

I have just learned these 13 easy steps to successfully plant a vegetable garden with a puppy dog. I am glad to share them with you on the chance that you might someday find yourself in such a predicament.

Perhaps the question should not have been about chickens, but rather an inquiry as to why the turtle crossed the road. We all know that the chicken crossed the road to get to the other side, but how often does one actually encounter a chicken crossing? 

​​​​​​​My father's mother was a magical woman. She was really more like a fairy godmother than a grandmother. Her name was Catharine, but we all called her Kitty. 

We would all likely agree that it is nice to be able to get something for nothing. I must confess, however, that I often feel a lingering doubt as to whether a particular something really is free for the taking, no strings attached. 

I have always loved birds. When I was a city child, pigeons were really the only birds I knew. I loved to watch them gather on the park paths, but mostly I remember how special it was to visit them at the rooftop home of the pigeon man.