Does anyone else have this? You're having a nice chat with some one random-a mum in the playground for example. They say something like "Oh, I can't wait for spring" and you reply "Oh yes, me too. I can't wait to get out in the garden." This is generally received with a slightly surprised/horrified/confused look and sometimes accompanied by a "Oh no, I can't be bothered with all that", as if you shouldn't bother either and the only reason you do is because you're mentally ill (tho sometimes I wonder when my mecanopsis fails to gerbillate for the umpteenth year running)
Of course, when you meet some like minded soul it's like you've been friends for years as your mutual weirdness brings you together!
I don't bother speaking to the other "mums" unless they have dirty finger nails!
You could get your own back by discussing the advantages of fresh vegetables direct from the ground especially the added benefits for your children. Imply their children are getting second best.
I belong to, and am secretary of, a local dance club. Sevreal colleaugues share my interest in plants and veggies and spring and we can share convesations and tips and plants as enthusiastically as we share our love of dancing.
However, others on the committee look in horror at my nails and hands in the season and don't even bother to put a pot of pelargoniums out to brighten their terrace or wondow sill or a pot of basil for their pasta. I'm sure this is as bizarre to me as my passion for plants is to them.
When Possum was small and I ran a mums and toddlers group I definitely played the fresh fruit and veg hand but most mums seemd to want convenience rather than health. Most odd - and what is more convenient than pulling a fresh lettuce, rocket, or tomatoes for a salad or sandwich and what can beat fresh picked strawberries and raspberries for free?
I suppose that is the nice thing about having discovered allotments you don't have to feel self concious if you look scruffy and your nails are dirty. And you can talk about beans and squash and strawberries and manure.
I turned up once in a business suit and one of the children who frequent the site was amazed. I don't think that if he had seen a ghost he would have looked more surprised.
;D ;D ;D
Yep, I definately miss that side of having a plot. Where else can you give someone a ball of string as a welcome gift?! Or be excited about a delivery of poop?
I have worked with a young parents' group before, educating about healthy eating, cooking and budgeting. The perception is that eating well is only for the wealthy. When we make veggie soups and pasta sauces etc and cost it out there is always genuine amazement from the families and a promise to make it at home-I find if they have a bit of garden space this is the ideal time to suggest planting a few herbs and spuds with the kids...sow the seed... ;D
QuoteYep, I definately miss that side of having a plot
Do you have a gardening club you can go to? I am sure some of the other mothers must be into gardening, perhaps they are keeping quiet about it. It kept me sane when my children were young.
You mean to say that there are people out there that don't do gardening :o :o :o Freaks!!
EXACTLY! "It's not me it's yooooou" is what I should say!
Well, I've got good old OH who is as nutty as me, I have here ( :-*) and my sisters are slowly becoming infected with the bug too so I'm not totally alone. ;)
Last week at work I had a wonderful moment when I was talking to someone about gardening-she saying she has just got a garden, going to put in patio etc...I said I had to dig my veg beds.
Then a lovely quiet lady who I've worked with a few times almost shrieked at me that she grew her own too and wanted chickens and oh how lovely and so everyone else stood and stared at us while we gibbered to each other about psb, chickens and bees. ;D
I'm thinking of starting a gardening club at the girls school as they have the beds in place but nothin' doin' as no-one to run it...but I really don't have time...but I could make time..... ::)
Well I've managed to "infect" my friends 13 year old daughter with an interest in gardening and my friend actually went and watered stuff for me in the summer when I was away (broke the taps on my waterbutt as well but at least my plants survived!). However I did put the brakes on when she started thinking it would be a nice hobby for her husband and get him out of the house, it is something you do because you really want to not because someone else thinks you should.