So yesterday we got the first real winter storm of the season. Wednesday is usually my internship day at McEnroe Organic, but I woke up to about 4 inches of snow on the ground and freezing rain falling from the sky. I knew I wouldn’t be driving, so I headed over to the greenhouse to start my morning chores. The greenhouse was covered by about 4 inches of heavy wet snow, and sagging in a few spots. After my watering was over, I grabbed a 20 ft. length of 2×4, wrapped a shirt around one end (to keep from ripping the plastic) and went to work. Little did I know that before the storm would end I would spend about 5 hours hoisting that plank above my head to dislodge the ice build-up. I did get to take breaks from the greenhouse duty to go and shovel snow fore the retreat center. All and all, I spent almost 8 hours yesterday engaged in the act of moving snow, finally skiing home from the greenhouse at about 7:30pm.

It was hard work, and I’ll admit I got a bit cranky at times. The snow was heavy, the greenhouse roof wasn’t clearing well, and today my shoulders hurt. But I have to say, I do know why I chose this life. Because after I finished the post lunch hour of greenhouse prodding, and before I put in the pre-dinner snow shoveling, I got to break out my cross-country skis and spend and hour exploring the woods in the falling snow, working on my glide. I love this life because even in the winter my “office” is between 60 and 70 degrees and often warmer on a sunny day. I love this life because I can eat fresh salad from the greenhouse year round for lunch and dinner!! I don’t have to wonder where my salads come from because I cut my greens, wash them, and pick just a few tomatoes and a pinch of fresh cilantro every day, that’s what I call OnDemand. I love this life because I spent 7 hours today handling only tomato plants, tying them up, pinching suckers, and 5 hours of painstaking grafting; my fingers are stained black from the chlorophyll.

Winter weather brings its challenges, but I’d say this snow is worth half it’s weight in fresh, organic, Adamah Greenhouse Baby Greens…