Building up the soil
Two important developments on the settling-into-the-new-home front:
I’ve set up my office and gotten back to the work of writing the next novel. I started this book when I was first pregnant with Thumper, after sending the first novel out to my agent. The story of the revisions process, the first round of submissions to publishers, etc, has been told here more than once and I’m not really in the mood to dig back into it. The upshot is that this current novel (Novel Number Two, let’s call it, as the working title isn’t good enough to make public) was put way back on the back burner for a year and a half. I picked it up again when my agent started shopping Novel Number One (Drowning Practice) around to publishers again. But then we decided to move across the country. You can guess how much writing time I had during that process.
Well, we’ve now moved. It’s done. We’re settling in. And so I’m back to work. I’ve been away from the project for so long that I don’t feel like I have my hands around it anymore. So I’m doing the background work I need to do to get my head back into it. Lots of freewrites for character background. Thinking about who these people are and what they want and what they don’t want you to know about them. Rereading my research on the historical facts involved. That kind of thing. It feels good. With Thumper around I don’t get a ton of writing time, of course, but I’m making good use of the time I get.
Which means I haven’t knit a stitch since arriving in Portland. (Okay…I think I knit five or so stitches on a sock once.) But I’m fine with that. Priorities, you know? I love to knit (of course), and I’ve had a great time designing a few pieces in the past year, but it’s too easy to use knitting to avoid the writing when the writing isn’t going well. I wrote the first book before I was a mother. I had the luxury of procrastination then. If I’m going to keep writing novels now that I have a child, I need to make the little bit of time I get really count. I’m itching to rip out that empire waist cardi and redesign it to make it work with the yarn, but that has to wait. It simply isn’t as important as the book. My agent is pushing me (in a good way) to throw myself into this next one and get it written. She’s right (as she so often is). Time to buckle back down.
The second development? We’ve started to build up the bed for our vegetable garden.
With the help of our neighhbor Eva and her wheelbarrow, we mixed two wheelbarrow loads of the communal compost with two bags of (organic) potting soil and the native soil. We’d hoped to do more than that, but there wasn’t enough compost ready and I didn’t want to deplete the entire communal supply (not very neighborly). So we need to buy more potting soil and some bags of compost to finish building up the bed. Raised beds work best here, I’m told, because of the amount of rain. Much better for drainage. That’s a 6′ x 8′ bed. Plenty of room for lots of good stuff for a family of 3. After we get the soil all in there, I’m going to sow a cover crop for winter, then let it sit until March. I’ve already started looking at online seed catalogs. Dreaming of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, artichokes, beets, turnips, parnsips, winter squash, tomatoes, okra, kale, spinach, etc etc etc…
Okay. Back to work. Billy and Thumper are out on the town to give me a few hours to write. Happy Sunday.
Glad you’re back to writing. It’s something I always wished that I could do, but the talent isn’t in my genetic makeup. And your bed looks great. I’ve always had more luck since I started putting in raised beds. The other side benefit is that you can start planting earlier since the soil is warmer in the raised bed.
Until you get your garden growing, I suggest joining a local CSA for veggies. We love ours and get our farm share every tuesday.
Posted by: Michele
Congrats on returning to writing. There’s nothing like having a child to really make you prioritize, is there…like you say, the luxury of procrastination really disappears. But don’t worry–it comes back eventually.
Posted by: Amy
Yay for building soil and setting down roots. 🙂
Posted by: Norma
Glad you’re back to writing. It’s something I always wished that I could do, but the talent isn’t in my genetic makeup. And your bed looks great. I’ve always had more luck since I started putting in raised beds. The other side benefit is that you can start planting earlier since the soil is warmer in the raised bed.
Until you get your garden growing, I suggest joining a local CSA for veggies. We love ours and get our farm share every tuesday.
Posted by: Michele
Congrats on returning to writing. There’s nothing like having a child to really make you prioritize, is there…like you say, the luxury of procrastination really disappears. But don’t worry–it comes back eventually.
Posted by: Amy
Yay for building soil and setting down roots. 🙂
Posted by: Norma
You should for sure check out the Territorial Seed Company. They are geared toward the maritime NW and offer lots of wonderful stuff for our region. Also, Seed Savers Exchange might be up your alley too. Congrats on the writing again.
Posted by: KT
It’s nice to read about your writing process again. I like the office space you’ve set up, it looks like a good space.
And all the veggies to be sound promising! I missed having our own backyard garden since we moved from our house this last spring. It’ll be fun to see yours come together. 🙂
Posted by: Jaime
Hey, any word on how the selling of Drowning Practice is going? I’m in the agenting process. Gah. It’s great to read about you returning to work on the second novel. It makes me envious, actually – I’m on hiatus this fall but already thinking of #2.
And I second the Territorial Seed catalog. Slurp. I loves it! Their company store isn’t actually that far from where I live (about an hour). Yay for Oregon!
Posted by: Aura
It’s inspiring to read about you digging back into your work. I’ve sort of abandoned writing, I felt like I didn’t have time and slowly I’ve filled the time until I can’t imagine having fifteen minutes for a free write. If you can manage it with a baby, surely I can, in my single, childless life, find some time for myself!
Posted by: Marlena
mmmmmmmmmmmm, a vegetable garden! I hope all is well. It sounds grand. I want to see more pics!
Posted by: regina
You should for sure check out the Territorial Seed Company. They are geared toward the maritime NW and offer lots of wonderful stuff for our region. Also, Seed Savers Exchange might be up your alley too. Congrats on the writing again.
Posted by: KT
It’s nice to read about your writing process again. I like the office space you’ve set up, it looks like a good space.
And all the veggies to be sound promising! I missed having our own backyard garden since we moved from our house this last spring. It’ll be fun to see yours come together. 🙂
Posted by: Jaime
Hey, any word on how the selling of Drowning Practice is going? I’m in the agenting process. Gah. It’s great to read about you returning to work on the second novel. It makes me envious, actually – I’m on hiatus this fall but already thinking of #2.
And I second the Territorial Seed catalog. Slurp. I loves it! Their company store isn’t actually that far from where I live (about an hour). Yay for Oregon!
Posted by: Aura
It’s inspiring to read about you digging back into your work. I’ve sort of abandoned writing, I felt like I didn’t have time and slowly I’ve filled the time until I can’t imagine having fifteen minutes for a free write. If you can manage it with a baby, surely I can, in my single, childless life, find some time for myself!
Posted by: Marlena
mmmmmmmmmmmm, a vegetable garden! I hope all is well. It sounds grand. I want to see more pics!
Posted by: regina
lucky! why couldn’t I move to a fertile land???! Hope it all goes well in the spring!
Posted by: erika
Glad to read that you are settling in. You’re smart to put good stuff into the soil.
Posted by: Kathy
Hopefully, you’re already thinking about slug-abatement. There’s copper tape that you can put around your raised bed if you’re going for the creature-friendly Buddhist approach. I prefer squishing, poisoning, and drowning the enemy in cheap beer. Thought I’d mention it because the tape will stick better if you put it on now, while the wood is clean and hasn’t become weathered and water-soaked.
There’s a soil conditioner called “Bumper Crop” that has compost, manure and fine bark dust. It really helps keep the soil light and well-drained. You might consider something like that for the top layer.
Posted by: Andi
Happy Sunday to you, too. You’re already borrowing things from your neighbours! That’s so nice. And good for you for setting up your office right away and getting back into Book 2. Good luck.
Posted by: alison
It sure is nice out here on the left coast.
Posted by: claudia
Glad to see you settling in. What an adventure.
I had a 20 x 24 garden this year (half taken up with squash and cantaloupe vines) and, as my first garden, I kept it pretty simple. But over the summer, the pleasure of getting our own food (and then reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle) has inspired me to do more. Next year I must have cauliflower and eggplant and more peas and more varieties of tomatoes and carrots….
Yikes.
Posted by: jessie
lucky! why couldn’t I move to a fertile land???! Hope it all goes well in the spring!
Posted by: erika
Glad to read that you are settling in. You’re smart to put good stuff into the soil.
Posted by: Kathy
Hopefully, you’re already thinking about slug-abatement. There’s copper tape that you can put around your raised bed if you’re going for the creature-friendly Buddhist approach. I prefer squishing, poisoning, and drowning the enemy in cheap beer. Thought I’d mention it because the tape will stick better if you put it on now, while the wood is clean and hasn’t become weathered and water-soaked.
There’s a soil conditioner called “Bumper Crop” that has compost, manure and fine bark dust. It really helps keep the soil light and well-drained. You might consider something like that for the top layer.
Posted by: Andi
Happy Sunday to you, too. You’re already borrowing things from your neighbours! That’s so nice. And good for you for setting up your office right away and getting back into Book 2. Good luck.
Posted by: alison
It sure is nice out here on the left coast.
Posted by: claudia
Glad to see you settling in. What an adventure.
I had a 20 x 24 garden this year (half taken up with squash and cantaloupe vines) and, as my first garden, I kept it pretty simple. But over the summer, the pleasure of getting our own food (and then reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle) has inspired me to do more. Next year I must have cauliflower and eggplant and more peas and more varieties of tomatoes and carrots….
Yikes.
Posted by: jessie
In other words, I should time my visit to coordinate with the harvest.
Posted by: Michelle
Is that the book about the squatters in the East Village and also the Danish language? And maybe something about bicycle repair and Holland? Or maybe not. Yeah, that happened to me – I saw Requiem for a Dream(great movie) when I was in Portland, Or. and that takes place in Brighton Beach(Brooklyn) – and you’re writing about the East Village when you’re in Portland, Or.
Posted by: lisa
I took some posters in to be framed this weekend, and the framer turned out to be an aspiring writer, with several finished novels and an agent. We talked for about half an hour since the shop was quiet. I used to meet a lot of writers, but when I moved away from my home town that pretty much stopped. I realized that I still seek out writers, but the few I meet now are all online, like you. I love your knitting, but I read your blog because I enjoy your writing style so much. I’m glad you’re at a place to get back to your novel. Good luck w/ the garden!
Posted by: Lee
I look forward to seeing your fresh garden veggies next year! Best of luck with the garden and with your writing.
Posted by: Knittripps
I gardened this weekend too. Hit Farmington Gardens nursery in Beaverton/Aloha and it is a neat nursery. The mature fruit tree are a really good price! My Asian Pear tree is around $20 and my Braeburn apple is $35 (both trees 5-6 feet tall). I thought I would have to save up for each one. Now I’m all excited about having the fruit trees go in!
Posted by: Laurie
We need to figure out our cover crops, too. We pulled out the spent pole beans and the tomato plants that were dying. We’ve got a few more things to take out, and a few more things to plant for the winter. We bought a book, since we are 100% new to this whole organic gardening thing. I think we’re going to go out to metro recycling on Swan Island to buy a compost bin ($35!) soon.
We’ll have to try to get together and compare notes. 🙂 Still have my number?
Posted by: shannon in oregon
It is SO nice to read you, Cari 🙂
Posted by: Lee Ann
In other words, I should time my visit to coordinate with the harvest.
Posted by: Michelle
Is that the book about the squatters in the East Village and also the Danish language? And maybe something about bicycle repair and Holland? Or maybe not. Yeah, that happened to me – I saw Requiem for a Dream(great movie) when I was in Portland, Or. and that takes place in Brighton Beach(Brooklyn) – and you’re writing about the East Village when you’re in Portland, Or.
Posted by: lisa
I took some posters in to be framed this weekend, and the framer turned out to be an aspiring writer, with several finished novels and an agent. We talked for about half an hour since the shop was quiet. I used to meet a lot of writers, but when I moved away from my home town that pretty much stopped. I realized that I still seek out writers, but the few I meet now are all online, like you. I love your knitting, but I read your blog because I enjoy your writing style so much. I’m glad you’re at a place to get back to your novel. Good luck w/ the garden!
Posted by: Lee
I look forward to seeing your fresh garden veggies next year! Best of luck with the garden and with your writing.
Posted by: Knittripps
I gardened this weekend too. Hit Farmington Gardens nursery in Beaverton/Aloha and it is a neat nursery. The mature fruit tree are a really good price! My Asian Pear tree is around $20 and my Braeburn apple is $35 (both trees 5-6 feet tall). I thought I would have to save up for each one. Now I’m all excited about having the fruit trees go in!
Posted by: Laurie
We need to figure out our cover crops, too. We pulled out the spent pole beans and the tomato plants that were dying. We’ve got a few more things to take out, and a few more things to plant for the winter. We bought a book, since we are 100% new to this whole organic gardening thing. I think we’re going to go out to metro recycling on Swan Island to buy a compost bin ($35!) soon.
We’ll have to try to get together and compare notes. 🙂 Still have my number?
Posted by: shannon in oregon
It is SO nice to read you, Cari 🙂
Posted by: Lee Ann
Wow how brave to move! Noticed the Louet sitting in your office!?? There is a big spinning community in Portland! Our Aurora Spinning Guild is having a Spin-In on Oct.27th, let me know if your interested, there are classes as well! Trish
Posted by: Trish Andersen
I absolutely love the raised bed idea. I spent a summer with my parents’ a few years back in Westchester – got bored/tired of NYC life – and promptly started a mini-vigetable garden for 3. Here was the book I got from the Rye library:
http://www.amazon.com/20-Minute-Vegetable-Gardener-Gourmet-Gardening/dp/0679448152
Happy to hear you moved in … I am still waiting for furniture delivery!
Posted by: Sara
Lookin’ good!
Posted by: David
Have you read Joan Gussow’s book, “This Organic Life”? She has a lovely description of building up soil and creating a garden in an empty backyard of a new home. I recall that she used all sorts of materials to add in organic material that you might not expect – newspapers, for example. It was similar to the “Lasagne gardening” idea of layering all sorts of different plant and waste materials to jump start the soil-building process.
I’m going through a similar moving phase, too, so it’s fun to see how yours is going. Seems lovely!
Posted by: Hanna
Territorial Seed (http://www.territorial-seed.com/stores/1/index.cfm) is the place to get seeds and cover crop seed, too, I think, for this area. They are located in Cottage Grove, OR–South of Eugene. We mail order from them, or get their seeds at New Seasons or Wild Oats in the spring. They also sell Steve Solomon’s “Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades.” This is the Bible of natural gardening in the Pacific NW. Welcome!
Posted by: Julie
Glad to see you are getting settled in! I think you all are going to like the NW; if you can stand it through the first long, dark winter without going Jack Nicholson on each other. 😉 For the garden: heirloom varieties with short seasons. Abd snow peas for next spring; yummm.
Posted by: Bobbie
We just returned from home yesterday. Oscar, too, is settling in. Pictures to come!
Posted by: melissa
Wow how brave to move! Noticed the Louet sitting in your office!?? There is a big spinning community in Portland! Our Aurora Spinning Guild is having a Spin-In on Oct.27th, let me know if your interested, there are classes as well! Trish
Posted by: Trish Andersen
I absolutely love the raised bed idea. I spent a summer with my parents’ a few years back in Westchester – got bored/tired of NYC life – and promptly started a mini-vigetable garden for 3. Here was the book I got from the Rye library:
http://www.amazon.com/20-Minute-Vegetable-Gardener-Gourmet-Gardening/dp/0679448152
Happy to hear you moved in … I am still waiting for furniture delivery!
Posted by: Sara
Lookin’ good!
Posted by: David
Have you read Joan Gussow’s book, “This Organic Life”? She has a lovely description of building up soil and creating a garden in an empty backyard of a new home. I recall that she used all sorts of materials to add in organic material that you might not expect – newspapers, for example. It was similar to the “Lasagne gardening” idea of layering all sorts of different plant and waste materials to jump start the soil-building process.
I’m going through a similar moving phase, too, so it’s fun to see how yours is going. Seems lovely!
Posted by: Hanna
Territorial Seed (http://www.territorial-seed.com/stores/1/index.cfm) is the place to get seeds and cover crop seed, too, I think, for this area. They are located in Cottage Grove, OR–South of Eugene. We mail order from them, or get their seeds at New Seasons or Wild Oats in the spring. They also sell Steve Solomon’s “Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades.” This is the Bible of natural gardening in the Pacific NW. Welcome!
Posted by: Julie
Glad to see you are getting settled in! I think you all are going to like the NW; if you can stand it through the first long, dark winter without going Jack Nicholson on each other. 😉 For the garden: heirloom varieties with short seasons. Abd snow peas for next spring; yummm.
Posted by: Bobbie
We just returned from home yesterday. Oscar, too, is settling in. Pictures to come!
Posted by: melissa
Best of luck with the garden.
One suggestion born out of personal experience:
We have two 6’x6′ raised beds, and never wanted to sacrifice any planting space to walkways. But 6′ across was always sliiighly too wide to make weeding and pruning the very center of the bed comfortable. This year we devoted the centers to cosmos, zinnis, and sunflowers. What an improvement!
Posted by: Alison
Best of luck with the garden.
One suggestion born out of personal experience:
We have two 6’x6′ raised beds, and never wanted to sacrifice any planting space to walkways. But 6′ across was always sliiighly too wide to make weeding and pruning the very center of the bed comfortable. This year we devoted the centers to cosmos, zinnis, and sunflowers. What an improvement!
Posted by: Alison