Cuatro de Mayo

I heard on the radio this morning that tomorrow packs a double whammy for tradition:  Cinco de Mayo AND the Kentucky Derby.

My sisters, mother and I are lifelong Kentucky Derby fans without a drop of Hispanic blood running through our veins.  

Is loving Mexican food close enough?

When Barbara mentioned the Kentucky Derby yesterday, we both figured it would be a good reason for a gathering at their place to watch tomorrow's race.  She said they had to ride their horses first.

So, I said I'd bring Mother,  who has faithfully followed the Derby since her childhood.

While we watch the features leading up to the big race, we'll probably nibble on a Mexican spread of munchies.  Last year I brought Mother out to the house, and we even wore fancy hats while watching the Derby.

I don't know if we'll put any hats on, but we'll be glued to the TV for about three hours,  holding out hope that the Idaho horse,  Rousing Sermon,  can pull off a surprise victory. 

A few days ago, I read one racing prognosticator's predictions and distinctly remember the words:  Rousing Sermon hasn't got a chance in Hell of winning.

Well, it appears to me that Rousing Sermon won't be racing in Hell.  He'll be loping across some of the most picturesque, Heavenly land in America.  

And, when you have potato blood, you can perform miracles.

Anyway, today is Cuatro de Mayo, and I wish it would stop raining.  Bill had listen to a not-so Heavenly sermon/diatribe this morning as I groused about March having record amounts of rain, about April when we're supposed to shut up while it rains cuz, of course, those showers bring May flowers.

And then, four days into May it's rained every single day! 

Enough is enough.  Our grass is as green as it can get, and by the time it dries out enough to mow this time, it will probably be eight inches high.

I noticed also that we have three more nights of low 30s so all those garden goodies in the greenhouse have to stay put.  Of course, they'd drown in the mud pond I have for a garden anyway.

Now, the news is not ALL bad, especially with gardening.  I received a note from Master Gardener Michele Murphree this morning.

She told me that May 12 is going to be a very exciting day at Northside School.  The place is gonna be transformed, thanks to the generous efforts of several organizations and businesses.

In Michele's words: 

Hi Marianne!

Hope you are doing well and getting ready for your garden!

I wanted to let you know about an absolutely amazing garden project that we have planned for Saturday, May 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Northside Elementary School.

Leadership Sandpoint (a program under the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce) has decided to adopt our Northside school garden this year. 

Members of Leadership Sandpoint have garnered the support of WalMart, Home Depot, Big R, Ponderay Garden Center, Cedars of Idaho, and the Cedar Hills Church. 

These businesses and organizations will be donating money, materials, and volunteers to build upon our school garden.  Cedar Hills Church will have at least 30 volunteers, along with help from the other businesses and Team Depot.    

Together, they have raised almost $6,000 for this garden project.

They are going to literally transform the Northside garden.  Currently, we have four long beds that were ravaged by gophers last year.  The volunteers will lay down weed mat and stones, and will build sixteen new raised garden beds.  They will also build a picket fence around the garden, including installing a beautiful trellis.

On May 12th, we are going to have a really fun community event.  I can't believe that all of these businesses came together to reach out to us and see if they could help the garden project. 

An executive from WalMart virtually walked into the Northside School and offered $1,000 for the school garden project!  This school garden project has grown way beyond any of my wildest dreams! 

Hoorah and hats off to all the folks involved involved in this fabulous project.   What a wonderful multi-dimensional educational experience this will be for the students.

Last year, with help from Michele and other gardeners, a group of Northside students were off to a wonderful start on their gardening enterprises.  

They even gave me some seeds when I went to see their work.  I planted the seed collection and in the fall proudly presented Michele with one of the nearly dozen pumpkins that grew from one seed alone. 

Can't wait to see this year's project unfold.  Such news makes a rainy day much more tolerable cuz good things are yet to come. 

Happy Cuatro de Mayo and Go, Rousing Sermon!  We want to yell "Hallelujah, Brother!"  when you cross the Derby finish line first.