Having fun without leisure!

I drove up to Oklahoma City with my sister to visit my niece’s little family and urban farm. We wanted to spend time with the little ones and help on the farm in anyway we could. Oh my, this was quite interesting. Harvesting radishes, planting zinnia’s, peppers, tomatoes, and then watering the seedlings was quite a chore. This is not a small-time operation anymore. There was so much going on! Last night, we bundled over 150 flowers bouquets. I know, if you read in the past, I have mentioned the farm before, and always visioned it as a hobby for them, but this is HR’s full-time job! I try to come help as much as I can. It is so good on the soul to spend a couple of days in the dirt, bugs, and enjoy ALL the wonders of nature. Especially, how the little seeds grow into magnificent food and beautiful flowers.

Each week, Amy, my niece, and her husband HR, have a specific plan on not only what has to be planted in what specific bed, but what needs to be harvested, ordered, etc. I am amazed. I had no idea how much planning went into these beds. Now it makes since sense there are so many types of produce and flowers how else would you go say to a helper, go water the zinnia seeds that I planted? My sister and I did what we were told LOL. When we had completed harvesting the radishes, we proudly carried in the container to the work area. HR said that it was plenty for what they needed, by looking at them 🤷‍♀️. Did I mention that I was responsible for pulling any of the bad pieces of lettuce after it got out of the huge (made like a wash machine) salad spinner, and then helped bag it and weigh? I messed up a couple times and HR fired me...but I was rehired immediately! This was so amazing to watch the production of all the things that is done to be ready for the Saturday morning markets.

On Saturday morning, my niece and her husband left the house at six am head to the market at Scissortail Park and another farmer’s market in Norman, Ok. I went up to Scissortail Park and helped Amy and her husband HR and his parents went to the Norman market. I had a blast! The people are so friendly and having fun. All the vendors at the park are friendly with each other and help each other in any way they can. The customers are mostly repeats and know all their favorite vendors.

I was amazed. What was interesting is how important it is to the customers to know that their vegetables and flowers are grown locally and without chemicals. There farm has not been certified as organic so they cannot actually say they are organic, but they do not use pesticides. I know, I have seen the bugs lol. I also was impressed that these markets accept Snap (food assistance) which encourages healthy eating and I love that.

All in all, it was an exhaustive weekend but very rewarding. A big shout out to Oklahoma City and Norman and their community for doing an incredible job! I am finished with my Psychology classes for now and diving deep into my health and life coach skills training so I can get certified. This has been hard but so rewarding and I love it. Remember, age is just a number. I am sixty and starting a brand-new adventure and it makes me feel twenty years younger. (Although, I was not feeling the youth when squatting and placing one little seed in each of the tiny holes that my sister was digging. It was hilarious that we were acting our OLD age 🤣🤣).

Have a great week!