The Miracle Machine

Yesterday, Cubby and I--with emphasis on the "I"--dug up a small bed that formerly contained useless broccoli plants. After digging, hoeing, and raking, I planted some lettuce there. Then I scattered some kale seeds among the so-far-useless brussels sprouts plants. I could have just pulled out the sad little brussels sprouts plants, but I decided to give them a chance to redeem themselves now that we're actually getting some rain.

I'm big-hearted like that.

ANYWAY.

After that, I settled Cubby in the hay barn with an ear of corn to chew on (thank God that kid likes raw produce--it's the only way I get anything done in the garden) and started to dig up the area that used to have beets in preparation for spinach planting. And then I stopped. Because I realized there was no need to dig it up by hand, for WE HAVE A TILLER.

Oh, the joy.

I let the Tiller Man (A.) know I had a job for him, staked off the bed so he wouldn't run over the nearby potatoes or carrots, and stood back. He wrangled that beast in there, and five minutes later, I had a weed-free bed of perfect tilth. It would have taken me at least an hour to manage that by myself with my shovel, hoe, and rake.

These new-fangled machines, man. I could get into 'em.