The Zucchini Invasion

Colin is away. He's the zucchini gatherer. So it is up to me to keep them corralled, keep them from growing into Jurassic Park behemoths. As I free myself from the fuzzy elephantine leaves to cut (yet another) zuke, I can't help but see the parallel between my life and the zucchini.

Colin built our kitchen garden about three and half years ago. He designed it just so with the garden beds just so and the pathway just so. It is a beautiful garden and I'm so proud of him. We planted many kinds of vegetables: green beans, eggplants, peppers, heirloom tomatoes, and zucchini. I love zucchini but... They are out of control. The moment I harvest one I know that there's another growing. Inch by inch during the day. It could be about 5 inches long in the morning but at the end of the day it will be twice as long.

The parallel. When I scheduled the girls' activities and wrote in my calendar, the words were harmless scratching. Reality, however, is another matter. Monday, I picked the girls up at the bus stop, drove to ballet, practically throwing snacks to the backseat and put Emma's beautiful hair in a bun. Tuesday, I picked the girls up from school, drove to piano lesson with me throwing the snacks to the backseat then an hour later drive back to school, park so that Lauren can change into her soccer gear and drop her off then drove home with Emma. Luckily one of the coaches lives next to us and dropped her home. Today, my neighbor convinced me that running is good for you and I pathetically ran with her. Now my body is sore (but a good sore). But the day is not done yet. I have 20-something girl scouts showing up for a jewelry class, Lauren to drive across town for piano lessons and dinner to conjure up. As soon as I'm done with one activity there is another to attend to. Just like the zucchini. A bit overwhelming.

There are glimmers of hope. I have, at the moment, 2 gargantuan zucchini. They are destined to become breads and cakes. I just have to think that all these activities will end at the end of the day and the girls will benefit from it. I do enjoy watching them do their lessons and practices. Colin will be coming home tomorrow and he could gather the zucchini, too.