Salad Days

First weeks back are never easy, and this past week was no exception.  The school just learned that we have a septic tank system not connected with the city by having the septic tank explode all over the place.  We are having record breaking temperatures, and school is not called off even though I teach in a portable building about a quarter-mile away from the bathroom (that just exploded - the other one is considerably farther off,) and my daughter is getting used to a new sitter.  My laundry is getting out of control, my kitchen really needs some re-organization, and my husband has been spending most of his time in frigid temperatures outside working on his studio, so this has been a stressful week; still, I something amazing has begun, and I can't wait to share.

Last year a friend of my husbands commented that he belongs to a garden share.  I have been wanting to join one for years, but I was under the impression that they are usually hard to get into.  I am pleased to say that my assumption was wrong, and I joined one, and got my first batch of veggies this week.

I have not had food that tasted so real since I ate the food off my grandmother's farm.  The tangerines are sweeter, the carrots much more vibrant, and lettuce so much more... well, lettucier.  Also, I got vegetables that I never would have picked out (partially because I have no idea what it actually is,) but all of it tastes so good.  I have never picked out radishes.  I don't think I have had one since Mom forced me to eat one when I was a little kid, but now I love them.  I embrace the radishes, fennel, green onions, and variety of other things I am now using in salads because it would be a real shame to cook them.

The baby-weight is still not gone, and she is 6 months old.  I went jogging the other day, and I realized that, wow, I really am getting nearer and nearer to 30, and that this does make a difference.  I know that eating a huge salad is not the only thing I need to be doing, but this has been the easiest New Year's resolution I have ever made.