The weeds flourish merrily around my airboot as I struggle about on crutches. Seasons wait for no man - or woman. Here I am - with my foot in the air as though I have not a care in the world. Or inclination. To. Do. Anything. It is utterly frustrating. And totally out of character. But what can you do after breaking your foot. Except wait. Patiently. Impatiently. Either way. Waiting. Getting very little done. Slowly. Relying on family to do. Almost. Everything.
"Will someone pick greens for salad? Have the goats been milked yet? Are any sheep lambing? Did someone chase the chickens out of my herb garden? Have you pulled those weeds after the rain? Are the fruit blossoms still on the trees after last night's bad frost? Can the lemons and naartjies be picked before they fall off? Has the sourdough starter been fed? The ginger and tumeric is ready to be harvested, once that is done we can press flowers...."
Five weeks ago I tore ligaments in my foot. The first three weeks were agony. X-rays established the bones were not broken despite my foot being like a purple rugby ball. As a rule I function at full throttle. Being off my feet has been challenging (and that is an understatement). For this month's Garden Journal I have much to be grateful for.
My amazing husband and kiddos took up the reigns. And quickly realized that my homesteading responsibilities are enough for three people. Needless to say I had no choice but to sit with my throbbing foot up and learn to slow down. This week I ventured into our overgrown winter garden. On crutches. We harvested bundles and bundles of glorious stinging nettle which is drying. We picked fruit blossoms and herbal flowers to press. We made citrus marmalade. We pulled up our first crop of ginger. I have learned many lessons while being given a forced leave of absence. Mostly I am grateful for my family's support and endless trips to fetch me tea or report each garden and every animal. There is so much to be grateful. Sometimes we need to slam on breaks and just relax in the season. Whatever it is.
