Friday, April 8, 2011

I am an ungrateful wretch...

...

The reason I know this is Mr. Jenny told me so.

Oh sure, he didn't come right out and say it, but I could see the look in his eyes and I totally knew what he was thinking.

There I was, sitting at the kitchen table, minding my own business...

And innocently looking through seed catalogs and writing down all the seed varieties I NEED to order...


...when Mr. Jenny snuck up behind me. I quickly tried to hide the legal pad I'd been writing on, but he saw it.

"Ahem," he said, "Isn't the garden already planted?"

I explained to him very sweetly, "Listen. How many times do I have to tell you. Geez, Louise. Don't you ever listen to me? I have to plant my garden like four times every year. You know? Do you have a vague recollection of this exact same conversation three times a year for the past ten years?"

He looked at my list pretty carefully.

"Isn't this enough seeds to plant an acre at least?"

I demurred to answer on the grounds it could incriminate me, so I just ignored him.

He didn't leave.

I assumed that meant he wanted to see each and every plant I had selected for the garden.

After about 19 seconds his eyes glazed over. (I swear that man has an incredibly short attention span). "Aren't all those flowers the same? Why are there four varieties of red ones? Why are you ordering three varieties of winter squash? You don't even like squash. And it isn't even winter?"

I ignored him for a little longer and he finally took the hint and left.

Thank heavens. Now I have enough time to find two more varieties of red zinnias, and another kind of green beans, and maybe a packet of spaghetti squash.

And...

Perhaps, just perhaps...

There is enough seeds to plant an acre.

I haven't told him yet, but I'm thinking about plowing up the front yard.

I just have to tell him my brilliant idea when he's sound asleep so he'll agree with me.

Ungrateful wretch?

I think not. I am just trying to save the poor guy on our grocery bills.

Geez.

Some good deeds are just not appreciated.

Sigh...

PS. Please send me some farmland if you have any to spare. I just might need some when my seed order comes in!

post signature

33 comments:

Martha said...

Too funny, love it! I want some farm land too :-)

Jocelyn said...

Oh Mr. Jenny....you just do not get the importance of this!!!

I will donate a large part of my backyard.....just let me know what you need and I will start plowing!!!


Wishing you a great one sweet friend!!!! :-)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

You... an ungrateful wretch??? Tosh! (That's a British word I learned from Eddie Bluelights, and I just hope it's the right one!)

Mr. Jenny, you have got to get with the girly program here. K? Listen to her and know she will lead you into the enlightenment of the female mind which is superior to the infinitely more practical male brain.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Sharon said...

All too typical I'm afraid! We have similar conversations several times each year at our house, too. Have you seen the purple smudge tomatoes?

Terra said...

It would be fun to have all the room to plant all we wanted to, once anyway...then it would likely become too much work...

Maybe not.

La said...

Be sure to leave yourself a little room in the front yard to build Matlock's Farmers Market.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I can't believe he doesn't see the big picture: lower grocery bills and less lawn to mow. Men!

Leslie Morgan said...

It's all a part of their physiology. They simply don't get it. Oh, I don't think they necessarily TRY to be difficult, and Mr. Jenny seems as amiable one as exists. Nevertheless, he is simply what he is. This year, for the first time in many, many years, I am going to turn my hand to tomatoes in long narrow containers, as the pool and spa eat up nearly all the back yard. We shall see . . maybe some flower seeds and bulb plants in the fall.

Deb said...

oh I'm sure he will come around...once he sees the bounties of your gardens...

Vicki/Jake said...

Soon as the snow melts, I'll grab the shovel and send you some acreage:) But then you gotta send me some flowers!

NanE said...

LOL, LOL, LOL, this just cracked me up this morning Jenny! I can't wait to see pics of your garden. Happy planting, Nan
PS: Did you ever find the garden hose and nozzle at Target?

Ames said...

Don't you just love those buy on get one for a penny sales? You just gotta take advantage of those BOGO sales.
The hubby and I are thinking about a raised veggie garden. I said we're thinking. If we keep thinking much longer we'll think ourselves right out of the idea.:)~Ames

summersundays-jw said...

I ALWAYS have leftover seeds but I have such good intentions. We're just starting our gardens in Mo. I'd be more then happy to send some rocks but I can't spare any of my precious dirt. Happy diggin'. Jan

Jessica B said...

I am so with you Jenny! Don't you just love those catalogs? I want a BIG garden this year. :)

Maude Lynn said...

They just don't appreciate our efforts, do they?

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

Jenny,

Have I got a deal for you! I have 30 acres of land sitting right behind my house...

Well, it's practically straight up and down and well, there isn't very much water and well, the growing season here is about 20 minutes, but if you want to come and pretend to be a mountain goat and plant it, I'd love it! We could drink wine out on the deck after you finished planting and barbecue...

Think how much fun we'd have!!!

Susan Anderson said...

One of our neighbors has actually done that. She's turned her front yard into a farm. Not everyone is happy about the look, I might add...

;)

PS. Seems like you are to seeds as I am to smelly candles and soaps. And my husband has the same reaction!

Pondside said...

I just know I'm going to see your photo in one of those contests as the winner of the 'biggest squash' or 'rare five-headed carrot'. Your garden couldn't help but be extraordinary. Tell Mr Jenny that he can make lots of money from the Garden Tours that you'll be arranging.

Lorrie said...

I always end up with many more seeds than can fit in my garden. I think it's hormonal.

Bossy Betty said...

But those seed catalogs are so wonderful! I understand completely....

Cathy Kennedy said...

Do you plant a big garden, Jenny? You know my in-laws and grandparents use to do this all the time, but now they don't because something called age has forced them to retire from this task. Stupid age thing, right?

There is nothing better than fresh garden veggies, though. Mmm, that's some kind of good! And, what about all the gorgeous flowers? I love lots of color in the landscape. Honestly, my green thumb is anything, but green. It's more like...black, the kiss of death. Oh bother!

Enjoy your planning and planting and harvesting and...how do find time to write? Gee, that's a mystery to me.

Have a good weekend!

~Cathy Kennedy, Children's Author
The Tale of Ole Green Eyes

Check out…
Confused? Annoyed? Me, too!
What’s in Your Wallet?
Z is for...{Alphabe-Thursday Meme}

Anonymous said...

Jenny I wish we were neighbors,you could plant till your hearts content,we have oodle's of land here on Loblolly Ln,Georgia.
Shucks just send me all your seed packets for re-plant and I'll scratch 'em in for you.hehehe
~Jo
LazyonLoblolly

Wanda..... said...

I have an acre you can have, Jenny...long commute though!

Splendid Little Stars said...

Yes, yes! Plow up the front yard! That will show him! (won't it?)
There is just nothing, nothing, like the possibility of a variety of gorgeous plants growing within one's reach!

wheatgerm said...

lets all start farming

Brenda said...

Oh my gosh you just reminded me I have not order our favorite green bean seeds. Bother. I need to get that done. I have not made even one seed order yet this year. The snow just melted this week and we cannot plant until the end of May here so I finally decided not to get so far ahead and now I am getting behind. Thanks for the reminder! We have 10 acres but it comes with a lot of trees.

Unknown said...

Men! They just don't get it, do they?

Stef said...

He doesn't appreciate your obsession. Men.
What I need to do is send you a picture of the area in my yard that I want to turn into a flower garden. I do not know flowers enough to know which ones should go in front, which should go in the back. Help me!!

Ms. A said...

It may not be over seeds, but I get that same look for several things around here. Wretch, however, isn't the same word used.

Dapoppins said...

Frankly,Jenny, I am too lazy to garden, but one just has to admire your devious mind.

Moore Minutes said...

Ok! I really would love to see you two in person...I think I would be laughing all the time. My favorite things to read about on your blog are the interactions between you and your husband. ;) You inspire me with how much joy you put into life.

Thank you for the info on the Martha Stewart stuff. I will look into it. It sounds fun! You always encourage me in the perfect ways too. Thank you Jenny.

Willoughby said...

I get carried away planning the flower beds and gardens, too, but I have good reason to overbuy. I assume that at least half of what I plant will be eaten by the rabbits and squirrels, so I have to buy extra! Sounds logical to me, anyway!

Busy Bee Suz said...

I wish you could transform a few of my acres!!!!!!
You garden well, so you should garden the WHOLE thing!