We’ve been dreaming of a peaceful beach vacation! The kind with fruity drinks, no responsibilities, and maybe some light toe-in-sand existential reflection. Leaving behind two high-maintenance dogs and a garden that rivals the Amazon Rainforest takes time and thought and it takes Team Winterpast to keep things going during our absence.
Three weeks ago, HHH looked out at our backyard jungle and said, “It’ll be fine. The plants are automatically watered and Oliver and Wookie will be at the kennel. All will be fine. Don’t worry about a thing.”
Last week, we walked through our garden to assess the situation. It was like walking through a therapy session with every plant we’ve ever neglected. Everything in the garden is at a critical time in their life cycle right now. With blooming tomatoes and baby zucchini, the new irrigation system needs to be supplemented with AM and PM watering.
Realizing we’d need to hire a botanist or perform a detailed rain dance, we did the next best thing by making a detailed care schedule. Last night, we handed off the plans to Ninja Neighbor, who will happily water for us in exchange for some cherries! Win! Win! for both sides of the fence.
In an hour, I’ll be off on a two-hour tour to drop the dogs at Puppy Camp for the week. Oliver is a 30-pound Standard Wire-Haired dachshund who resembles Valcor from “A Never Ending Story”. Wookie is a miniature Aussie-Doodle who lost her miniature side sometime ago. Between the two of them, there is never-ending drama. The person who makes all this work is our wonderful friend Michelle at Puppy Palace. We only need to mention her name, and the two dogs lose their mind. Little do they know that they are only half as excited as HHH and I.
This week, packing for myself only took 45 minutes, as I carefully selected clothing for a different climate. On the other hand, HHH assures me that his packing will take 5-10 minutes on the morning we leave. I’ve seen him in action. It’s a thing a beauty when someone can remember everything they need to take and fill their suitcase with speed and grace.
While I’m gone to drop the dogs off at Puppy Palace, HHH will be meeting with a new landscaper to get an estimate for work in the front yard. It’s better that I’m not there to complicate things with extra little jobs.
While on vacation, I won’t be worried about blogging, gardening, or playing ball with Oliver and Wookie. We plan to put our feet up and relax for the entire week, as we find respite from the demands of retirement here on the high desert plains of Northwestern Nevada.
I hope your week is grand. I’ll be back to fill you in on our vacation on Thursday, June 19th. Until then, may spring sunshine and happiness fill your days.
