More garden progress.  Even with freeing up outlying beds for the larger crops, I still lacked a suitable space for zucchini, so I figured out a veg bed layout that would allow for them as well as the rest of the tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant.  Okra will go on the remaining exterior side.  I think that will finish out the veg garden.

The pole beans (older seed) didn’t come up, so I replanted a new standard variety in their place.

I finished cleaning up the two raised beds and planted gourds and pumpkins in the larger one, and cantaloupes and watermelons in the smaller.  Hopefully something will come of it this year.

S’s little square garden had become overridden with aggressive natives again, so I carefully liberated it, to discover the whole thing was filled with little volunteer tomato seedlings!  So he’ll have a mixed poppies and tomatoes garden!

K gave me permission (whenever we first mow) to do the first swipe around the outer edges of the property and around the new tree seedlings, in order to make it easier for him to see what’s what this year, since I’ve made many changes.

I straightened up around the house, and stayed with the kids while Avdi took E out to eat for E’s birthday, which was yesterday.  We’ll do the main festivities this weekend, when their mother will be visiting.

Avdi continues to feel exhausted and overwhelmed by all the pressures and overload he has to deal with singlehandedly, so not doing so well.  It’s way too much for one person to handle.  He can’t “take care of himself” when there is literally no time in each day to even catch up on all the work, kid demands, kid-related business, and house management, let alone his [necessary for mental health] workout time, or just “time-out”.  Even if he steals a moment to sleep or go out, it’s all there waiting for him the minute he’s back.

I feel inadequate and at a loss to help in ways that would actually relieve some of the responsibilities, so I just do everything I know how to do.  I’m learning how to delegate jobs to myself without being yet another interruption.  The kids don’t understand why Dad is so unapproachable or inaccessible, and not at their every beck and call, servicing their every impulse.  One day they may or may not get how much he met their actual needs.

I got lots done outside: gave more mint away and cleaned up behind it; moved rocks out front to re-delineate edges; weeded around the lilac saplings; planted more veg seedlings and replaced them with the rest of the tomato seedlings to harden off from prop; removed some random tree saplings from where they didn’t belong; and weeded.

Later, Avdi and I finally got to make up for lost “rain” dates (of course it was literally raining this time), and went out to try some new places in Tower Grove.  First we went to “The Headless Bat”, an eclectic cozy pizzeria and bar, where we had excellent hand-crafted drinks and pizza slices.  Totally recommend.

Then we found “The Gin Room”, a veritable museum of every kind of gin there is from floor to ceiling, and wonderful hand-crafted cocktails.  We just gazed and sipped in wonder.  Next to us was a lovely lady embroidering, whom we enjoyed talking to.  Also totally recommend this place.  I believe we made up for lost time(s)!  I hope it helped cheer Avdi up a little from his doldrums.