Be Counted

Just a few words about the Census. As I picked up my form today to fill it out I could not help but think about the census records I have immersed myself in while doing family research. I think of Harmon P. Marble, census enumerator, who, on the 20th of June, 1900 knocked on my great grandparents' door in Humboldt, NE where my 9 year old grandfather lived and made note of all the people living in that house.At its core the Census is an exercise in democracy. It is the way we have to apportion our representation in Congress. But underneath it are the stories of all of us who have lived here and been counted.Today ... for this the TWENTY-THIRD CENSUS OF THE UNITED STATES ... I am the enumerator.

If you haven't already done so, please, send in your census today.

Return to Gardening Thoughts

After weeks of being in winter wonderlands in New England and Colorado, I returned home to all sorts of signs of spring. First there were the amaryllis that have been reluctantly making their way into the world since mid-December.
The next signs of spring could be found in the yardAnd then finally, right here on my kitchen counter ... the compost bucket has emerged from winter hibernation.Ever hopeful, I have started my artichoke seeds. This year I am growing Emerald and Green Globe. I scored the seed cases with a knife and then set them in wet paper towels on a heating mat for two days. I planted them yesterday in warmed starting mix. I planted a dozen of each variety and will consider myslef lucky if 6 of each make it into the garden.