A great fast read for your Space Boy.

I had another daddy daughter date night at the local library this last week. I'm finding that one of the best ways for me to connect with my kids is through the books they read. For parents that want a little advice...go to the library with your kids. You'll learn as much about them from the books they want to read as you do from anything that they say to you. Anyway...that's not the purpose of this blog post. While I was at the library I took the opportunity to grab a book for myself. I picked up another Orson Scott Card book. This one was actually a novella titled Space Boy. This book was a VERY fast read...which means it's perfect for your ADD/ADHD boy  about the age of twelve who has a book report due on Monday and it's Saturday and he hasn't read a book yet. This book was full of the juvenile type of things that boys love and at the same time it captured some of the real world drama that many boys go through at some point in their life. It was smart, crude, heart-felt, callous, and most of all short. The characters are not really developed in any meaningful way but at the same time you find yourself identifying with all of them even the hapless dad. Science fiction in the most real sense this novella plays with the ideas of time and space travel. It also deals with aliens and pseudo-science like worm holes and stuff. The real essence of the story comes down to family and the way we protect and love each other. Most of the boys reading this aren't likely to see that so glaringly as I did but they will see that the main character Todd selflessly does what he can to reunite his family. I encourage you to get this book for your boy and see if he doesn't like it. I'd put my money on them enjoying it. While you're at it read it your self and enjoy. Then post your book report as a comment.

3 tips to get your gardening on.

Phil did not see his shadow a couple of days ago and that means Spring is on the way. For green thumbs everywhere the excitement can begin. It might seem a little forward thinking given the insane amount of snow and cold across the country but this weather will pass and if you haven't been thinking green for a couple of weeks now you'll be behind the game when this mess thaws. I'm including some tips to get ready now for the impending planting season.

Get ready...get set...seed.

Image via WikipediaThere are many hardy plants that you can start in seed today and plant as soon as you can chip away the ice (ok so if there's ice don't plant...but if the soil can be dug...plant). Believe it or not that day is closer than you think. Some things to start from seed right now are broccoli, cauliflower, swiss chard, cabbage, eggplant, lettuce, onions(from seed not bulb or start), parsley, peppers, spinach (watch for hard frosts), tomatoes (seed only) and dozens of other hardy plants. Now it's important to understand that this is just starting seeds and not actually planting in your garden.

Planning makes everything easier

If you do row gardening or (my preference) Squarefoot Gardening, planning is very important. Know where, when, and how your precious seedlings will be planted. Stagger your harvest by planting at different times. Determine the space needed for your garden. When will you be able to harvest some of your garden and replant? Plan this all out while you're stuck in the house with ten foot drifts of snow at your door and you'll be that much better off when you're donning your short sleeve shirts and gardening gloves.

Infrastructure saves you from insanity

Part of planning is getting the actual space ready. This means building or developing some infrastructure. If you haven't got Squarefoot Gardens you might check out my review of "All New Squarefoot Gardening" and then go out and get some supplies. Building a garden is more than tilling up some ground in your back yard (at least it should be). If you have got a Squarefoot Garden then you are way ahead of the game. If you didn't cover and clean at the end of last season you'll need to go out and remove all the leaves and debris from your garden and you'll likely need to turn the soil a little. If you plan on growing up in your garden make sure you've got the proper trusses. If you're just starting get the book from the link above and get out before the rest of the folks out there.

Have fun.

Gardening is a family thing. If you haven't got family invite neighbor kids over to help. If you decide to do row gardening you've decided to do more work and that's fine because half the fun is spending time in the fresh air. If you've got time and a camera start a gardening blog that documents the growth of your plants. Just do something that turns your garden into more than another food source or weekend work. Finally, push winter out of your life and start thinking spring because there is a green tomorrow under all of the white today.