First hops of the season, finally

The air smelled like wet earth and something sharper—green, almost electric. Took the kids out at dawn, just to check the rows. Three plants had sprouted where I’d forgotten we’d even planted them. The new guy’s been watering too much, but he’s learning. I didn’t say anything. Let him drown a few before he figures out the rhythm. Sometimes you have to let someone fail so they remember what it feels like to succeed.