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Back to the Shire, a Gardener's tale. Wikipedia: Samwise Gamgee - Hobbit Families Now many of you may know that my grandfather Samwise Gardner, was originally known as Samwise Gamgee. Yes, thé Samwise Gamgee that traversed the world with his friend, Frodo Baggins. Oh how he enthralled us as little urchins with many a tale of adventure! Spiders as big as houses! Trolls! Orcs! And daring fights! Fearsome creatures, but also breathtaking Elves, scary Dwarves, and fighting Boulders! Our best times however, was spent in the garden. While teaching me to nurture the plants, just so, he would tell of the The Lady of the Light, Lady Galadriel. Oh how she had my head spinning with awe. The braveness of Queen Arwen, was also often mentioned in his tales. But there were more tales than just the one about The One Ring! Oh so many more... I'm no way near as good a gardener as my grandfather was, but ours is the duty to look in on those trees that he planted so many moons ago. As my boys and I take to the road once more, to visit these places near and far, I hope to entertain you on some of those tales of old. It is nearing winter solstice here in The Shire, the best time to leave on such an adventure. First we must get to the Ents, to help us persuade some plants to move to new homes; spread their roots, literally, to rest, then start new green pastures. Each place we venture to should have a little box, a treasure chest of sorts, where we place little trinkets as keepsakes, to show that we had indeed been there. Our hope is to find all these treasure chests, and be able to leave this generation's trinket as well. MORNING ROUTINE Now grandmother Rose taught me to always have my ducks in a row, from sunrise till the dark of eve's. So for this coming adventure we will have to start a new morning routine. I'm focusing on making the green points part of my routine. The rest is pretty much set. (5h30) Make coffee and stretch my joints Bible study (6h30) Make breakfast - feed animals - clean and tidy up (7h30) Family Devotional (with aunt and mom) over W.app Prayer Group (8h30) School work and/or sport AFTERNOON ROUTINE There are various things I need to do every week. Some preferably on set afternoons, but I can chop and change depending on the weather, etc. for some. Sunday (first day of challenge) - Gardening Monday - Laundry Tuesday - Walk (Playball/Soccer) Wednesday - Gardening Thursday - Laundry and D.F.D. Friday - Walk/Geocache TO DO's Finances: April and May Proof Reading SLEEP Now a gardener cannot work if she has not had sufficient sleep. I know this, and my gift does not come to the fore if I don't sleep enough. Lady Galadriel was very adamant that enough sleep strengthened her "Gift for the Earth", especially after long arduous days of walking from planting to planting. It lifts the mood and gives energy, enough to spare, and then entice little seedlings and saplings to push their roots deep. 21h00: Shower - Tidy kitchen - final prep for next day (get meat out to defrost, pack and switch dishwasher on, etc.) 21h30-22h00: In bed - Go to sleep!