Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Would John Wayne leave the garden and go sit down?

We've had such beautiful weather the past two days and of course I can't keep Mac from going out in that garden and about killing himself. I have begged, pleaded and just about threatened malice most foul to make him take a break. The problem is he just flat loves it in that garden. I think it makes him feel almost Godlike to plant those seeds and watch them struggle through the rich earth he's prepared for them. We started this back in January, when he weeded and ran the tiller to keep the earth soft. It was just a couple of days a week then, being too cold to plant. Then in February it was three or four days, just a couple of hours a day, working in the compost and planting his seeds in little pots...by the way we've sworn off peat pots forever...they dry out to fast and the roots die of thirst. By March we have little seedlings in the nursery and he's just like an over protective mother, won't let me help (though I'm quite free with the "we" as in "look what we grew." By April he's going full tilt out there, rows laid out and young plants now in their new home. Where before, we were in "urgent care" now we are in constant care. Last night he was so tired, I told him he was overdoing it again, to take a few hours in the afternoon and rest up, then go back out at six and work a bit. "Would John Wayne take a few hours off to go laze around in the house?" is his reply. Of course his constant refrain has always been "would John Wayne" whatever it was I wanted him to do that might not be in his schedule of things planned. So, today I had a lovely visit from Evil Sister who said she had the same problem with her husband. He just overworks himself. We keep trying to tell them the old grey mule ain't what he used to be, but no one pays us any mind. It's now 1:53 and he has seven minutes to be in this house. I told him when he went back out after lunch that I'd call him when it was 2. So he says "I'll bet the Duke's wife didn't make him come in for a nap at 2 o'clock." I looked at him sadly, shaking my head..."you do know that John Wayne won't be coming in from the garden anymore, right?" I asked him. He gave me one of those "what are you talking about now" looks...You know I almost hated to break the news to him.
ps
here's the latest picture of the baby. We have been calling her Brat...you want to talk spoiled? Her official name is Lady Wellington lol

35 comments:

Love Bears All Things said...

That is a good one about the duke not coming in from the garden.

I know what you mean though. We go out to the garden room to have happy hour and before we even sit down, Honey Bear has seen something he needs to do right away. I feel like putting him on a leash(well you know what I mean-just can't seem to spell it).
Mama Bear

Vee said...

Ahhhh, Lady Wellington is such a fine name and she really does look more the lady than the brat.

Can't you offer him something better than a nap at 2? I mean, use your imagination, Sandi! :D

Oh I do wish that he was not overdoing it because it's making you stew. Do you think he could make a little smaller garden next year? I know! How about those raised beds that you don't even have to kneel down for? They hold onto the water ever so much better, too.

Have a wonderful day, however you spend it and I'll just go back to praying that your beloved has wings like eagles to mix metaphors all over the place. Maybe not, John Wayne was an eagle, wasn't he?

Angela @ Cottage Magpie said...

I'm wincing at how close this describes *me*! If I could spend every minute out there this time of year I would. Even to the point of exhaustion. In fact, last weekend I did just that! But I'll do it again this weekend, too. Great post.
~Angela :-)

Anonymous said...

Lady Wellington AKA Brat, is a wonderful name.

Merisi said...

Lady Welly,
how lovely!
And a brat too? *sternLook*
So where's Wayne NOW???

Jeanne said...

Umm does he realize John's not with us anymore so hmmm. The Brat is looking very healthy, you must be treating her good.

Anonymous said...

So did I win the "name the kitty" contest? huh? huh? Hi Sandi, Sorry Mac is giving you a fit. I liked Vee's suggestion. hee hee xo Lynn

Carol said...

I know those looks too....can't get me in, once I am in full flow, unless you are offering a G&T!
That kitty looks like trouble to me, but a very pretty one.
Carol xx

Lee said...

LW looks so cute, Sandi! It was a little hard to tell from the photo but is her fur at all calico colored?

I'm with Vee. Stand in the door and signal something enticing. I'm sure he'll run right over if you misspell anything. :D

Hugs!

merry weather said...

Bless him! What a lovely description, I can just imagine his reluctance - and your anxiety. Still, he's doing much better than John Wayne surely - all that guy ever did was stride around in dust! Whereas you both seem to have made a haven there.

Terri Steffes said...

Same for my husband... and then he complains about his back.... we won't go there.

Anonymous said...

Well,I know the Duke had to rest and get his water in. Having a lovely lady was always the Dukes way hehe.That he has a woman that cares for him.
Tell him take care.

Justabeachkat said...

Oh girl...you've got me picturing Mac out there in that blazing sun with his John Wayne cowboy hat on and you and the brat watching from the window as you mutter about "that man". LOL

Hugs!
Kat

Jeni said...

Here it is -2:20 in the morning, the house is full of people sleeping -except me and the only sound is the tv droning in the background. That is, until I read your post and then, couldn't hold back the cackle and chuckle -out loud, no less! Which comment got me? Well of course, the one about John Wayne not coming in for dinner. Too doggone funny, my friend! And by the way, someone should remind you -and your "evil sister" too that men rarely do listen to much of anything the women have to say. Especially with respect to time, rest, food, medicine and such! That's always been my findings but what do I know -I've been divorced for 28 years now. So much for thinking maybe men changed their ways though.

Adla said...

The brat aka Lady wellignton is such a cutie! Ooooo Sandi , your love for Mac is so sweet, perhaps you should resort to an indoor garden that might keep him inside :)

david mcmahon said...

Say G'day to John, er, Mac for me!!

Just Between Us Girls said...

I love you man's attitude ...mine has the same but I still make him rest sometimes. Taking a break is a good idea for everyone...you can really over do this time of year especially in the garden. Sounds like you will have a spectacular garden and it is so fun to see those little seeds grow. Love your little kitty...just darling.
Have a wonderful day. It is raining here today..no gardening...even John Wayne came in out of the rain.
Pat

Sandy McTier Designs said...

Sweet Lady Wellington! Sounds better than Brat!hehehe
You DH sounds like my father in law. Although he's 80 and still loves to tend to his garden like he's done for the past 40 years on his farm. Each year he says he's gonna cut back but went ahead and planted another 2acres of veggies this year. Not complaining though - we get to reap the rewards of his passion - fresh fabulous veggies.
Have a fabulous day.
Sandy :)

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

My husband is a big John Wayne fan too - lol. Great story!

Lady Wellington looks like a real melt your heart cutie...
Hugs,
Penny

Everything Stops for Tea said...

Right that's it, I'm on my way over to give Mr Mac a kicking!!! Naughty, Naughty man!

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

My husband is the same way about the things he loves to do outside,,,Mary

Jan said...

I'm pretty much prone to letting my John Wayne stay wherever he wants to stay! LOL! Whatever he loves and makes him happy! But I understand that you don't want him wearing himself out. Men!
Brat...appropriate name for that kitty, I bet! She looks so very happy and healthy!

Jan

Mima said...

Oh Sandi, sorry that you are having difficulties keeping Mac in check, and I'm afraid that I don't have any useful suggestions as to how to manage the problem either! Brat is a great name for the kitty as I'm sure that she is up to all sorts of mischief.

Merisi said...

How does Mac like you humming "The Summer Wind"? Weather must be gorgeous in your part of the world - gosh what I give for an evening walk along your shores!

holly said...

your husband does stuff you tell him to? how does that work then? is there a pill you give them? a course you send them on? i have yet to figure it out.

but i don't have the problem of him being out in the garden. like...ever.

Anonymous said...

Hey again Sandi, About your mock orange. Those plants can tolerate full sun, part sun or shade and are pretty soil tolerant too. So I don't know why yours doesn't bloom. It's a pity because they smell divine. I had a snowball bush that never bloomed and I dug it up and planted it somewhere else with pretty much the same conditions. It bloomed after that. Try that. ~ Lynn

PAT said...

Sandi, it's the same at this house. J was told by the surgeon no lifting...until the next check up...he's been working in the yard a good part of this afternoon. I keep trying to think of distracting things, but it's not working. He finally came in at around 7. He loves it!

Pat

Tess Kincaid said...

Hi Sandi, thanks for stopping by my blog today!

We like the Duke here at Willow Manor and are always asking would he do this or that. I didn't realize there were others as silly as we are.

Wanda @ Just Vintage said...

Did we marry the same guy?? Ricky loves it in the yard, too. I'm so glad, since I don't. He tends to work too hard just like Mac. Only he tries to blame me for it saying I don't understand he just can do what he used to do. Huh? I'm the one trying to get him not to work so hard. He's the one who doesn't get it.

Susie Q said...

I love that you call kitty Lady Wellington!! She is sweet Wellie!! Just like Lynn said!


Vee's suggestion tickled me so!!


Poor Mac...but I think even the Duke napped. OH yeah. I know he did.

Love,
Sue

Jamie Dawn said...

Lady Wellington - great name!

Mac needs a good slappin'.
Shall you do it or shall I?

:-)

Country Cottage Chic said...

ROTFL! You do make me laugh Sandi! Baby Brat is looking very cute!

LivingTheLife said...

So does Mac quote John Wayne, too...cos, I think I can just hear him now..."we're burning daylight, here!"...oh! I used to hate that line...it was used on me one time too many!! As for men and them listening...girl, I just don't think it is in their genetic makeup...along with a few other traits.

As for what Vee suggested (I'm still rolling on the floor with that one...love it!!)...it's worth a try! Using your imagination is a "good" thing! lol

Lady Wellington is a doll...I would come steal her away...if you lived closer!!

Blessings...
Teresa

Cath said...

This has made me laugh on two counts -
one is that I am the gardener and I can fully understand his passion and need. I also am the "sick" one who is told I am doing "too much".

- the other is the John Wayne connection. My other half is John Wayne mad. You have now given me the perfect answers to being told to come in and sit down! lol

Over from David's - glad I did.

Cath said...

PS. Lady Wellington is GORGEOUS!!!