Guinea pigs, the Loch Ness monster and resurrecting beans

"What do you mean they're DEAD?"

These are not words you ever want to hear from a four-year-old.  In fact this is one of the reasons not to get guinea pigs, mice, hamsters or any other pet-based rodents (there are many, many other perfectly good reasons too - I know because I keep rehearsing them in my head).

But the look of shock, pain and incomprehension was purely plant-based.  You see I'm afraid I had to inform my son that the beans had been slain by the frost.

This is not good news. We had gone in for beans in a big way this year.  We've made a climbing bean tee-pee, an entrance archway to the garden and the kids' gardens all of which were supposed to be clothed in attractive and interesting varieties. Now they simply look like weird weaving experiments with wizened plants around their bases - not exactly the look I was going for.

Worst of all my children are casting me accusing glances.  I know what they're thinking.  How could she let this happen?

"Mummy, you are the best gardener in the world!"  That's what Oscar says to me.  I'm pretty sure he knows it's a huge lie, but it's one which guarantees him hugs, flapjacks, ice lollies and the ability to watch Robots on DVD whenever he likes.  But after last week I began to worry he'd never say it again and his belief in me would be plummet beneath Santa, fairies and the Loch Ness Monster.

Well, until today.  You see I have just gone to check the beans and I see signs of life.  From the leaf axils I can definitely spot the beginnings of new foiliage forming.  This is the best comeback since Tinkerbell's child-clapping-based revival and I can't wait for the look on his face when he comes home from school and I tell him the good news.

I just hope he never expects me to work the same magic with hamsters. There are limits to my powers you know.

Comments

[Thursday]

Tell Oscar that every day that he DOESN'T tell you you're the best gardener in the world, a bean plant falls down dead.

[myla]

::applause::

(I figure every clap helps!) :)

(I so love your blog!)

[myla]

Just read Thursday's comment more closely, that is HILARIOUS.

[Joanne Roach]

I killed my daughter's school daffodil this year. I put it on a shelf while decorating and forgot to bring it back down. She was not impressed. I've had to let her sow four packets of quite insanely pink annual mixes as compensation. Son now not impressed at prospect of neon pink garden. He's deciding what he wants to plant as compensation for the embarassment when his friends come over. At this rate my guilt will fill the garden, squeezing out the food and we will all starve.

[Dawn/LittleGreenFingers]

Thursday - I love it! Will try this but might ask you to go halves on his therapy bills in later life.

Myla - you are very lovely. Please do keep saying these things - I will save you some flapjack.

Joanne - I am loving the idea of a 'guilt garden' - so much more orginal a theme than 'Mediterranean' or 'tropical'.

[myla]

Dawn seriously, LGF is one of my happy places on the web now. When I get how I'm gonna do links figured out on the site, I'm definitely going to link up. xox

[Troutie]

Yep. That bean is dead.

That bean looks how I feel, except skinnier.....

darn climate change......