Social Networking

Yesterday Isis picked up my cell phone and attempted to activate the voice command center. "Call Lover," she was demanding. "Call Lover." I couldn't help but giggle and stare in amazement that a three year old was using touchless technology. Apparently she has watched and heard me call Chris a few times. What is perhaps even funnier is that she has played with a rotary toy phone and can't seem to dial it or figure out how to hang it up. It is a sign of the times I guess. My father would call it something along the lines of Whiz Bang Gadgets. Although he is guilty of sending my monthly texting bill over the top. Want to know what your friend from seven years ago is doing right now? Go check Facebook. We are becoming a culture of instant communication and knowledge, networking if you will.

Six years ago Chris and I nestled into our current home. It is a small rental house one a 100 acre farm. Our landlords drive a horse and buggy. On our birthdays we find fresh homemade pies waiting for us on our doorstep. Things move a little slower on our lane. But surprisingly I have found there is a bit of networking that goes on here as well...the garden kind.

Last week I had picked fresh blackberries from our back yard. I wanted to make jam but realized I was one cup short. I had already started the process and did the only thing that made sense, I called my neighbor Margaret. Of course she had blackberries for me. She had already made a blackberry cobbler today and had some extras. It brings her much happiness to know we are using what grows here.

Two days ago there was a knock on my back door. It was Margaret with two yellow squash from her garden. She knows we didn't plant any this year so she brings us extra when she has it. As she headed home she hit up my fresh herb garden for some oregano and basil for her zucchini pie. She doesn't need to plant it because she knows we do.

But it extends further than just neighbors sharing produce. Several years ago Chris and I wanted to try pickling our cucumbers. We knew this would take quite a bit of dill so I asked Margaret how much I should buy. She yelled at me. "Don't buy it!! Eunice Over In The Woods has plenty. I"ll get you what you need." Eunice Over In The Woods. I think this is her given name because that is how Margaret always refers to her. I didn't know Eunice Over In The Woods but if she wanted to give up some dill I was fine with this.

Why did Margaret know what Eunice Over In The Woods was growing? Because in the garden network you keep your ears open for who has what and if you are in need of something yourself then speak up and someone will find it for you. Friends will find it for you and strangers will give it to you.

I'm learning how to play this game. We have an abundance of cucumbers this year. On any given day we pick between 5-12. We only eat them fresh so we are happy to network them out of our fridge. I let Margaret know of our extras. She was ecstatic because Wanda wants to pickle but her cukes didn't grow. Her husband has a turkey farm and had to save water for the turkeys during the drought. Wanda couldn't water the garden and therefore didn't have cukes and is therefore pickleless. Sometimes a bit of gossip makes it way into the garden network.

Well once Janice and Brenda heard that Wanda was getting pickles from Margaret's neighbor they wanted to be my friend too. Only it wasn't instant. It took about two phone calls and a weeks worth of waiting but eventually they got their crop as well.

I admit that I am a victim of blogging, facebook, and text messaging. I enjoy it and it gives me something to do when I am home alone all day. I think it is my way of feeling connected to a world I do not see everyday like most people. But here on the farm, I am actually finding more satisfaction seeing total strangers outside picking fallen apricots and cherries that would otherwise be wasted.

There are a few rules I have learned from the garden network. Before planting, consult with your neighbor. Don't plant it if your neighbor will have extras. Be sure to tell people what you have and what you might need. It is okay to call ahead if you will need something in five days. Let anyone come anytime to pick from your garden. Pretend your garden is a community garden. Never ever ever buy anything from the store during garden season. Be patient because in 3-5 days and a few phone calls you could find it on your doorstep. If you think you might throw something away, don't mention this to other networkers. Be giving and receive gratefully. Be pragmatic. Remember it is okay to ask for things in large quantities. If you ever see Eunice In The Woods, wave to her. You are a stranger to her but she has been a blessing to you.