This is a guest post by Mrs. Hillbilly. She’s a bit of a nutter. But you already knew that. 😉
This morning I checked Facebook and a “memory picture” popped up. It was from five years ago. My precious little Hillbilly boy was about to turn ten. That earlier that spring, he had been seduced my Ms. Mavis Butterfield from across the street with her delectable garden of fruits and veggies {as he had been for several years}. He came to me with a seemingly simple and oh so sweet question. “Momma can we make a garden like Ms. Mavis’?“
Panic did come over me for a bit. Hillbilly Hubby said “No! We don’t need to spend the money and he really won’t keep up with it! We just don’t have the time.”
Honestly, I was thinking the same thing but then if you knew my PRECIOUS HB Boy, NO ONE and I mean no one can say no to him. I just have the best son in the world and don’t try to convince me otherwise… And yes I know I will need to go to therapy when he spreads his wings. But for now I am soaking it all up!!!!!
Got off track sorry.
Anyway, pining for my dear old friend, I sent her the picture, ”Do you remember when?” …. I will send pics of this years garden when I get home.” Her reply, ”Yes, we would love an update for the blog!” My response; “I wasn’t thinking about that but for you, anything.” I am such a good friend!
How could she abandon me????? {I am still holding a little resentment about her move to the “lesser “NE, lol. Leaving the “greater” NW and me! No offense NE, its personal.
Soooooooooo……it all started with that innocent question from HB boy. And here is what we did…
First so with all that Ms. Mavis knowledge just across the street, I still had no idea what I was doing. So I opted for a small, simple, manageable, minimal expense garden. I look at it now and giggle but you know what, metaphorically {not literally} it blossomed.
We had some onions, a little potato tower, lettuce, broccoli that didn’t do so well and a few herbs but I was hooked. HB boy was too. So much so that he wanted a bigger and better garden the following year.
Well, we had this playground set that the HB grandparents had bought them when we first moved it. It was wonderful, for that chapter, but now the kids rarely used it and it was in the PERFECT place for a bigger and better garden. Of course!!!
We could move the thing, but honestly, I didn’t want to get rid of it.
Memories you know, I have a hard time letting go. Anyway we decided to plant around it. A wonderful idea and we did just that for three years.
HB Boy even made planter boxes the second year through the Boy Scouts.
Year three would be last growing season in the converted play ground gone veggie patch. I got wise and utilized our local “Buy Sell Trade Facebook page“ to list the play thing. LOW AND BEHOLD, If that play thing didn’t sell!!! Someone came, deconstructed and hauled off with out me ever lifting a finger! Can I get a Hallelujah?
Yes, it was bittersweet but by this point HB Boy and I had bigger goals. We had a friend help us build a beautiful natural fence and we installed a deer proof ribbon line around the perimeter.
I don’t know if you can tell by the picture but we have not had one deer jump over yet, so it must work? Time will tell. We bought it through the same Buy Sell Trade facebook site, composting bins. In our minds, the garden in perfect. Still much smaller than Ms. Mavis’ old garden, but then we are not Ms. Mavis. 🙂
It’s been an evolution.
I had apprehensions. But if I had not had given in to my precious little HB boy all those years ago ……. as I tear up….. we would not have had these memories or yummy produce.
Not to get preachy, but sometimes, we need to say yes to things, even though we have know idea what we are doing or how it will work out. God Bless children and their desire to try new things!
I could say the same thing about our chicken keeping adventures and their evolution as well. All spurred from my little precious HB Boy and his big ideas, but that’s another story.
I miss Ms. Mavis. And I do read her little blog. Though not every day, it has helped me stay connected. You know, if you know Mavis, she is not one for remorse nor too many sentimental words. I guess as much as I hate all this tech and social media stuff, it has helped us stayed connected.
God speed Ms. Mavis … You are missed!!!!! With tears in my eyes.
~Mrs. Hillbilly
Other Mrs. Hillbilly nonsense:
- Seriously, Who Needs This Many Toiletries When They Travel?
- So, Apparently I’m Out of Touch With Reality
- Licking Plates with Mrs. Hillbilly
Tracey says
The entry way to your house Mrs. HB is so inviting! I love it!
Mrs HB says
Thank you . I hear door bling is important now . I made the wreath myself 🙂 just by tying ribbon on a form and sticking pretty Easter eggs on it . Very easy !
Em says
That was lovely, Mrs Hillbilly!
What an impressive job you and your son have done!
I hope you are not offended but I thought of you last week when I saw a dental floss pic last week. 🙂
Nancy D says
Hahaha…me too!!!
Mrs HB says
None taken . I love those things . So easy to pull out when ever I need one . I never drop them on the ground though! 🙂
Carolina Cooper says
I think of Mrs. HB when I am fishing around in my large purse for my one and only lip balm. I am an minimalist like Mavis. But at that moment when I can’t fine the lip balm, I think, hmm, maybe I should be more like Mrs. HB and just have a bunch of lip balms, like everwhere.
Melanie Considine says
That was the sweetest, cutest, funniest post yet! You and Ms. Mavis make a hilarious pair. Love it! Please Mavis, keep Ms. Hillbilly in the post rotation!
Melanie, Colton, CA
Carole says
Mrs. HB, you are missed too. Please keep us all up to date on all your happenings. I love the garden and the fact your son is so involved. He will never forget your time together either.
Ramona says
Well I got a little misty eyed at the end. I’ve missed the conversations between Mavis and Ms.Hillbilly. Good to hear all is well in the great PNW.
Linda says
I have been reading Mavis’s blog for a few years now; at least as far back as the HOA house. I don’t remember ever reading why Ms. Hillbilly is call Ms. Hillbilly. Is there a story about that?
Mrs. HB says
Kinda …… I am technically a red neck ….being from Mississippi . I have no issues at all with the label because red necks are hard working people who while working on the farms got a red neck from the sun . Hate that people put a bad connotation to it . Anyway when I met Ms. Mavis over 15 years ago , she really didn’t understand red neck vs hillbilly and that the terms refer to different parts of the south . One the Deep South the other more Appalachian mountain area . So she called me Mrs Hillbilly . Plus it kinda rolls off the tongue better, so it stuck .
Linda says
I understand completely. I’m from South Carolina. If you were a guy you would be a Bubba.
Mrs HB says
I know many Bubbas! 😉
Lori says
Missed you Mrs. Hillbilly.
Rebecca in MD says
Really enjoyed your post Mrs. Hillbilly. The garden looks fantastic!
Lolly says
Aww, we love you, Mrs Hillbilly!!! So glad to hear from you!
Julie Bock says
Yes, we DO!!
CynScotland says
What is a deer proof ribbon line?
Mrs HB says
Lol honestly my neighbor told me to do this . I strung fishing line around garden on top of fense and just tied flashy sliver ribbon every five feet or so . Did not know if would work but so far …… fingers crossed , no deer have attempted to jump in . And we have a lot grazing through the yard ! Those buggers ! Will let you know if we have a break in .
Maxine says
THANK YOU!!! This is EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for! Where did you find the ribbon?
Hope someone invents the teleported so you and Mavis can have tea together more often. You’re both too cute!
Mrs HB says
I had bought the ribbon at Costco many Christmas’ ago but I think any shined thing would work …. tin foil ? Ice sickles from the Christmas tree ?
Mary3M says
Love hearing from you Mr’s. hB have missed your adventures- both with Miss Mavis and without. Stay in touch and I love the idea of a Mrs. HB post rotation.
Kara says
Your dog looks so forlorn with the flamingos. He misses his friends too!
Vicki in Birmingham says
I must agree with the others, it was really nice to hear from you Ms. Hillbilly. Your tomatoes are looking wonderful. And I also agree, your pup looks like he is missing Mavis out there with the flamingoes! It was good to hear from you. Pop in again from time to time, I am sure Mavis enjoys it too.
Helen in Meridian says
We have missed you so. When Mavis showed her present from you, we all howled at the 2 chapsticks and the flossers. How are scouting and 4H going for your kids. Is little HB going for his Eagle Scout? We miss you, and would like to hear ypu pop in every month.
Mrs HB says
No Eagle Scout . He plays baseball and football and it just got to be too much so he dropped Boy SCouts . We really enjoyed it though .
Tracy L. says
So good to hear from you Mrs. Hillbilly!!! And, awesome job on the ever expanding garden! I’m so surprised no one has asked this, but……….just wondering how your Mavis money makeover is going? Have you returned to your old ways? Or did any of your Mavis makeover stick? Like, say, been to TJMaxx lately?!?! Home Goods?!? Enquiring minds want to know! : )
Mrs HB says
I have. It going to reign it back in since I have been reminded . I guess I need Ms Mavis to keep me in check !
Linda says
Great post, Mrs. HB. I imagine Mavis misses you as much as you miss her! Good friends you can make lighthearted fun of are hard to find.
I’m curious about the money makeover, too. Hope to hear from you again!
Mrs HB says
Rats !!! I was hoping no one would ask about that . I have not kept up with it like when I had Ms Mavis on my back . But ….. I am not as bad as I was . Some of it stuck . However since you reminded me just how far I have gotten away from it , I think after Spring break I will hunker down again . It did feel good to be in control . Thanks for the reality check !
TracyL. says
Oh YES Mrs. Hillbilly, we remember. I remember partly because I needed work in that area. It was a bright light shined onto deficits I needed to work on too. I have learned a lot from Ms. Mavis over the last 7 years. I was so busy running through life, I didn’t really pay attention. But, life has taught me some lessons (like running into a brick wall sometimes), but now I pay attention to things more. I mean that about everything, not just money. Food, health, work, life! So, therein lies my motivation, I wanted to know if your life permanently changed.
Mrs HB says
Yes take time to enjoy life , friends , nature and family. Much less anxiety !
Emily says
Thanks for the update! Inquiring minds have to know, what is “deer proof ribbon line?’ I need some for my garden.
Julie P says
Mrs HB your garden is lovely so well worth the effort and what a good son! Best picture, your lovely lab amongst Ms Mavis’ flamingoes, I wondered where they’d gone