See last Sunday’s post for the reference.

And, it’s still winter . . . and Joseph and Marita, according to their calculations, say we won’t need to start any seeds until February 12.

Okay. So yesterday was another two-hour work party. What to accomplish? “How about organizing all the non-garden tools,” I text in early AM to the others, “both those in the basement and those in the workshop area in the greenhouse?” To which Marita added a brilliant suggestion: “And let’s consolidate them. Bring all the tools in the basement to the greenhouse.” Okay! So that’s what we did, plus consolidating stuff that has to do with painting in the basement. 

I’ve long been a fan of the old adage, “The props are not the play.”

But you know, sometimes it seems like the props ARE the play.

Or, what I think is a better rendition of the same, because given greater context:

“What we’re doing here on Earth is moving stuff around.” To this, I add, “and it’s always an excuse for relationship.” 

And you know what? A few work parties ago, Neng Yao (I think I’ve spelled her name wrong earlier, must correct) and Ben started to join us; and yesterday, another new person arrived for the first time, says he’s a friend of Joseph (who was still asleep! will contribute his energy later), and wanted to plunge right in! Okay! So three new people joining our work parties in ten days! That’s NEVER happened before. 

Here are two pics.

In the first, Nikolas (Marita’s 14 year old son, here most weekends), Ben, and the brand newcomer, Dave, in the basement, sorting paint stuff.

Each of them (and me, too) was also making frequent trips to the greenhouse with tool stuff, handing it over to Marita, Neng Yao, and Camden.

At one point, Marita came down into the basement, begging us to stop sending stuff, that the table for receiving and organizing tools from the basement was already overloaded. We reassured her that we were just about done, so she doesn’t have to worry. 

After two hours, the much simpler job in the basement is now done.

But the greenhouse tool organization is going to take at least one more work party.

Question: How many drills do we have?

(I count five, not all of them in this photo.)

WHY?

Well, I’ve lived here for 20 years, and ever since 2005, others have also lived here, in this house or the other two, circulating through, at least 46 so far, often bringing their own tools, and then, when they move out, either gifting them to us, leaving them for later, or forgetting to take them. But, despite the proliferation, we often can’t find what we’re looking for! And so, go buy a new one. YUCK!

(Another example: soil thermometers. I count five.) 

This kind of organization is long overdue!