Ed and I pay some modest attention to the farmette lands, we then take a short hike through the county park, and in the afternoon, Snowdrop comes to play. After, Ed and I sow a field of alyssum seeds. Then, in the later evening, I catch a bus to Chicago.
Remember how late spring was this year? Well, it more than caught up with itself. At a galloping pace, it raced through the early stages of the season and then plunged right into summer-like weather. Today's high is 87F (31C). Do we mind? Of course not: in May, warm air feels good! Sunshine is delightful! The shedding of long sleeved, long legged, long anything is grand!
But the arrival of the first bugs -- well, we could do without that.
In the garden, the race is on for which plant blooms next. There are plenty of peony buds, just a breath away from popping open.
But I think the next show off plant is the iris. I will be very surprised if we don't have delightful bearded German girls coming into full bloom this weekend.
And right alongside of the iris, we have Baptista -- the false indigo, making an appearance in all my flower beds. It can be blue, it can be purple, or it can be yellow. It's delicate and oh so very pretty!
Breakfast, this time not too late...
... followed by a little more garden work: a few weeds come out, the peas (so far untouched by the groundhog and rabbit families living under the wood pile!) get a sprinkle of water. That's it.
All this gives us time for a ramble in the county park. Nothing ambitious. Just a quick look, now that the browns have receded and the greens have taken hold. Remember when I dangled the camera from Ed's favorite oak tree for a cross country skiing selfie of the both of us? Well now, here's the spring version.
The pond where the turtles, ducks and geese hang out is a showcase of greens.
So is the main path through the park: we ski here whenever there is snow. Today, there is no snow.
We cut across to the prairie segment of the park. It's not really splendid yet and perhaps it never really is splendid. Prairies need attention -- from nature or you, take your pick. This one looks like it could profit from a fire. But the birds like it!
And now I am at the little girl's school. Snowdrop is in fine spirits: they're finishing off "nap time" in the playground and she is thrilled that I remembered to bring her sunglasses. It's quite bright outside.
(She and her teacher pose with their sun shades)
At the farmette, Snowdrop once again asks to pick a tulip. They're nearly spent, but I probably would have said yes anyway. I remember the childhood pleasure of holding a flower clipped from the garden.
Snowdrop is satisfied!
There isn't even a question: this is pool weather! I had commented to Ed that this kiddie pool is really to infantile for her. True, she can spend a long time pouring water between cups and splashing everything in sight, but I am tempted by something bigger. I've resisted because once the bugs come out full force, it's not fun to sit there chasing away mosquitoes.
Why don't you put it on the porch?
She needs something bigger.
Sell the grill and put a bigger pool there. Ed never wants to acquire anything without giving up something first.
No one is going to buy a rusty old grill...
Within an hour, the grill, which I never use anymore because it's just too much trouble, is on Craigslist and we have three offers for it. Next week we'll be carrying buckets of water to fill "something bigger" on the porch.
But today Snowdrop is in love with splashing madly in the little one. And isn't it the perfect place to eat watermelon? Drips are easily washed away...
Snowdrop, it's getting late. We really should go inside.
I get a big wallop of water sprayed on me. Gaga, I'm busy splashing!
"I'm making jump ropes!"
Yes you are.
It's nearly midnight now and I am in my room in Chicago. There's that familiar view onto the city, from a somewhat a lower floor this time. I wont take out my camera -- you've seen it.
Tomorrow, I'll be spending time with the littlest of the little girls in my life.
Remember how late spring was this year? Well, it more than caught up with itself. At a galloping pace, it raced through the early stages of the season and then plunged right into summer-like weather. Today's high is 87F (31C). Do we mind? Of course not: in May, warm air feels good! Sunshine is delightful! The shedding of long sleeved, long legged, long anything is grand!
But the arrival of the first bugs -- well, we could do without that.
In the garden, the race is on for which plant blooms next. There are plenty of peony buds, just a breath away from popping open.
But I think the next show off plant is the iris. I will be very surprised if we don't have delightful bearded German girls coming into full bloom this weekend.
And right alongside of the iris, we have Baptista -- the false indigo, making an appearance in all my flower beds. It can be blue, it can be purple, or it can be yellow. It's delicate and oh so very pretty!
Breakfast, this time not too late...
... followed by a little more garden work: a few weeds come out, the peas (so far untouched by the groundhog and rabbit families living under the wood pile!) get a sprinkle of water. That's it.
All this gives us time for a ramble in the county park. Nothing ambitious. Just a quick look, now that the browns have receded and the greens have taken hold. Remember when I dangled the camera from Ed's favorite oak tree for a cross country skiing selfie of the both of us? Well now, here's the spring version.
The pond where the turtles, ducks and geese hang out is a showcase of greens.
So is the main path through the park: we ski here whenever there is snow. Today, there is no snow.
We cut across to the prairie segment of the park. It's not really splendid yet and perhaps it never really is splendid. Prairies need attention -- from nature or you, take your pick. This one looks like it could profit from a fire. But the birds like it!
And now I am at the little girl's school. Snowdrop is in fine spirits: they're finishing off "nap time" in the playground and she is thrilled that I remembered to bring her sunglasses. It's quite bright outside.
(She and her teacher pose with their sun shades)
At the farmette, Snowdrop once again asks to pick a tulip. They're nearly spent, but I probably would have said yes anyway. I remember the childhood pleasure of holding a flower clipped from the garden.
Snowdrop is satisfied!
There isn't even a question: this is pool weather! I had commented to Ed that this kiddie pool is really to infantile for her. True, she can spend a long time pouring water between cups and splashing everything in sight, but I am tempted by something bigger. I've resisted because once the bugs come out full force, it's not fun to sit there chasing away mosquitoes.
Why don't you put it on the porch?
She needs something bigger.
Sell the grill and put a bigger pool there. Ed never wants to acquire anything without giving up something first.
No one is going to buy a rusty old grill...
Within an hour, the grill, which I never use anymore because it's just too much trouble, is on Craigslist and we have three offers for it. Next week we'll be carrying buckets of water to fill "something bigger" on the porch.
But today Snowdrop is in love with splashing madly in the little one. And isn't it the perfect place to eat watermelon? Drips are easily washed away...
Snowdrop, it's getting late. We really should go inside.
I get a big wallop of water sprayed on me. Gaga, I'm busy splashing!
"I'm making jump ropes!"
Yes you are.
It's nearly midnight now and I am in my room in Chicago. There's that familiar view onto the city, from a somewhat a lower floor this time. I wont take out my camera -- you've seen it.
Tomorrow, I'll be spending time with the littlest of the little girls in my life.
