Everyone has a friend with a truck, right? The person you call when the lumber won’t fit in your sedan or maybe when you need a load of plants from your favorite nursery, but you just had your car cleaned. When I was growing up, we didn’t just have a friend with a truck. We had a grandpa with a Ford Ranchero. And not just any Ford Ranchero. She was nick-named “The Punkin.” OK, so I was definitely riding with my dad in her once and we stalled going across Dale Mabry Highway, but how much cooler does it get than cruising in a sleek 70s car? I mean truck . . . or car . . . or whatever it is.

We used The Punkin for a variety of things, but the one task I remember the most was also the dirtiest: picking up horse manure. I’m not sure how we had a connection with a horse farm, but every now and then we would go out to collect a load of fresh horse manure. We’d pile it around our yard and then over time we’d use it to fertilize flower beds and gardens. And it wasn’t only me that got in on the fun. One summer some family friends stayed over, and they “got” to help out loading up the manure. I’m sure it is one of their cherished childhood memories. I mean, some kids wash the dishes. Some kids take out the trash. It’s only really special kids that have chores involving horse manure.

And speaking of manure, it is time to start getting your gardens ready for the spring season. I know it seems early to think about spring activities, but in January when the weather is delightful, it’s a great time to get some chores around the yard done. See this week’s Teaching Thursday for some of my favorite January to-dos. There is nothing better than living in Florida where you can get out in the garden 365 days a year.