Life is good in the neighborhood...but I am so over the snow! I have received three shipments of the most beautiful flowers and vegetables and they are certainly being toughened up the past couple of days. Some of the tenderest plants were moved into the little greenhouse (provided by SLV Builders) and some were covered with Nsulate cloth.

The flowers that were left exposed to the snow and cold include pansies, dianthus, snapdragons, stocks and all the perennials. The vegetables left out include all the cold crops—cauliflower, broccoli, cabbages, brussel sprouts, onions, spinach, radishes, lettuce (may regret a couple of those), arugula, chard, carrots, strawberries and asparagus. It’s been kind of like a “welcome to the Valley, this is where you are going to live” kind of situation. I should know by now who made it through and who didn’t. And then two weeks of above freezing temperatures—yahoo!

I hope all the moms had a Happy Mother’s Day. This wish goes out to everyone who is helping to raise children—dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents—the list goes on and on. My mom passed away 10 years ago on May 14 and I miss her every day. I wish everyone could have had a mom like her.

I believe it is my mom’s fault that I go to city council meetings. She taught us to speak up. She taught us to ask questions. She (and my dad) taught us to honor our country and respect the Veterans. We, my seven siblings and I, grew up in a VFW in Luverne, Minn. We were the labor, back in the day. Such wonderful memories. If you come by the store, you will see my mom and dad’s pictures, and their stories. I honor them every day.

We were taught to give, and to help others less fortunate. We didn’t have much, but we served. It seems like in today’s world we are teaching how to receive. We are encouraging entitlement. We are enabling. We give the ‘free lunch’ with no expectation of service/work in return. How does this ever sustain our community? How does the continuous application for grants keep us solvent? If we can’t build programs that sustain themselves, why are we building these programs? Are we creating programs that are going to drain our community forever?

I thank my mom and dad for how I am! No apologies. I (and others) will continue to work in Mom’s Garden and make it an area of beauty for all to enjoy. Mom’s Garden will look beautiful—like the Alamosa gardens 30 years ago—before they were destroyed. I will continue to question the city landscaping. I will continue to ask, “where has the money gone that used to beautify our city.” In all the years I have gone to city council meetings asking question, not once (if I remember right), has a City councilor come by the store and asked to talk. Never a cup of a coffee. I can and do call Jan Vigil and ask if he wants to go to breakfast, but that’s all. Do they question you, ever? I will continue to question…because of my mom.

Meanwhile, I would like to encourage Valley folks to support the Shrine Circus coming to MV on May 28. It saddens me to see another circus in town, both Alamosa and Monte Vista—before the Shrine Circus. The Shriners have done such great and awesome things for children in our community. They have helped children who had no hope of walking because of disabilities, actually walk. Many surgeries, and trips across the country to get the help they needed—paid for by the Shriners. We need to support them. And maybe we need to question the other circus to see what they do for our communities.

Folks are planting peas, and more peas. Peas like it cold. Potatoes are being planted around the Valley. It’s always a gamble…that’s life! And get ready for the weeds. I am trying to get horticultural vinegar in—stronger than household. I want to see if it will kill bindweed, thistle, whitetop, etc. Time will tell.