score: margaret 1, heap 0
HAS YOUR COMPOST HEAP swallowed up any of your tools, jewelry, other personal possessions? A week after my “good pair” of glasses went missing, I found them in the pile the other day, miraculously, just a second before I dumped another load of compost-to-be on top. Ever lost anything in your heap, only to find it a season later (or never)? Tell us. (Well, don’t tell us if it’s your ex or something else you composted but we shouldn’t know about. Tee hee.)
My father was famous in our family for losing his glasses in the compost pile and finding them years later. I have high hopes that the beautiful Japanese garden scissors my sister gave me are somewhere in one of my piles…
Welcome, Caroline. When I am done sifting the piled-up mass, I suspect I may find many things…maybe even those scissors. Will let you know!
Potato peeler, favourite vegetable knife and a diamond ring that belonged to my mother
Welcome, Magdalen. Now that’s a trio of disparate items. I remember raking out back one day and my favorite ring, one I have worn on the middle finger of my left hand for more than 25 years, flew off into the leaf litter. I simply could not find it. Once I calmed down, I searched systematically, inch by inch, till I did. Phew. I do hope you will come back again and see us soon.
My compost story is a sadder one but a good cautionary tale none the less. We somehow had left some twine amongst some old tomato plants when they were dumped into the compost. In the sprimg, one of our beloved pugs started nosing around in the compost unbeknownst to us and ate something appealing to him. It unfortunately also contained some of the twine. He became ill and numerous tests did not reveal until a “too late” operation that the twine had caused an obstruction. My compost is our pride and joy but remember to take special precautions when tossing in the remains of the veggie garden if you have foraging pugs!
I love your blog, Margaret, and keep it up.
Terri
Welcome, Terri, to A Way to Garden.
This is indeed a very good warning, because people too often leave a bit of non-degradable debris in the heap–a plastic plant label, a shred of plastic pot–and all of these things can be harmful to animals, both domesticated and wild. I am sorry for your loss of your dear dog, but do appreciate your reminder to be mindful. So true.
Margaret
I think that half of my tool shed is buried in the compost pile. I am hoping that I find my favorite bulb trowel there someday. I’m pretty sure that is where the sheep shears too.
very similar situation…about 4 years ago i was clearing some brush on my property line. a day or 2 later i realized misplaced my favorite john lennon framed glasses. forward to spring 2007, clearing the same woodline & there in my rake was a dirty mud-caked eyeglass case, inside…my glasses!
“instant karma!”
Dear Denden,
Welcome to A Way to Garden. And thanks for confirming it’s not just me who leaves bits of herself around the garden. That’s a perfect Lennon lyric that you allude to:
“Instant karma’s gonna get you
Gonna knock you right on the head
You better get yourself together…”
I had better get myself together (or get one of those eyeglass neck straps).
Margaret
Good morning, Margaret. I ‘lost’ my very favorite pruners one year -the ones that my Mom had given me. I looked high and low for those darn pruners and couldn’t find them anywhere. A year later when I was moving my compost heap over to another spot in the yard, I found them partially buried at the very bottom of the compost. Sheesh! I felt so very foolish! Elaine – 0, heap – 1!