What a curious day! Nothing was as it ought to have been. There were some tricky parts to it. Things wobbled a bit. Adjustments had to be made. And in the end, it all seemed to have come together alright. Quite well in fact. Perhaps the moral is that allowing yourself to go with the flow will get you to a good place. Sort of like riding a kayak over rapids: you trust that in the end, you'll come out above water and in most instances, that is exactly how it all ends.
So first -- the weather. The cool-down is to start today. I am well aware of that, as the wind nips at me in the morning when I step out (at 7 a.m.) to feed the kitties. It's 45f (7c), but it feels much cooler. Nonetheless, I stay outside. I have an appointment in a few hours. This is my one chance to make a real dent in clearing the weeds and creeping charlie at the side of the sheep shed. We've been working here for the past two weeks and it's awfully slow going. The roots are deep. There's digging, scratching, hauling. It all takes time and you have to work your body: you're stooping, kneeling in the mud, pulling at plants that refuse to budge.
Once we have started on the project of clearing this area, we wont stop. I'd already planted some perennials here a couple of summers ago. This year, we also want to throw in some wildflowers. But the weeds have to go!
An hour later, Ed joins me. As do the cheepers.
By late morning, we stop. The day is still gray and cool, but I don't really care anymore. There's so much of "spring" in my garden right now, that I no longer think of the weather as a measure of spring's progress.
Breakfast. Nice and warm, in the kitchen.
And now I have a two hour pause for my appointments. I'm on a zebra chase and thankfully, I'm zeroing in on them. Which is great. But while I head out for my own stuff, I get a text that Snowdrop is down. A fever sends her home from school. That's two grandkids sent home from school in one day. Uff!
Snowdrop's parents juggle her home stay and so on this day at least, I am without grandkids at the farmhouse. Color has to come from the flowers. The tulips step in to try to fill the void!
By 1 p.m., I'm working outside again. In addition to the clearing of the flower field, we have the arrival of three new peach trees. We put them in our new orchard, where everything is now in full bloom.
It's exhilarating to be working here today!
Ed and I do not put our shovels down until evening. Ah, but the results! The peach trees are in. And importantly, the flower field is clear and ready for seeding.
Indeed, all the flower fields are in a good state of repair right now.
It is true though, that once I sit down tonight, I'm not wanting to move around much any more. I am stiff and spent! We call for a sushi delivery.
At the end of the day, things are looking good: the kids are rebounding. The garden is moving along at breakneck speed toward the completion of its spring facelift. Ed and I are still going strong, with all the physical stamina that this place requires. Not a typical Tuesday by any means. But a good one nonetheless!
So first -- the weather. The cool-down is to start today. I am well aware of that, as the wind nips at me in the morning when I step out (at 7 a.m.) to feed the kitties. It's 45f (7c), but it feels much cooler. Nonetheless, I stay outside. I have an appointment in a few hours. This is my one chance to make a real dent in clearing the weeds and creeping charlie at the side of the sheep shed. We've been working here for the past two weeks and it's awfully slow going. The roots are deep. There's digging, scratching, hauling. It all takes time and you have to work your body: you're stooping, kneeling in the mud, pulling at plants that refuse to budge.
Once we have started on the project of clearing this area, we wont stop. I'd already planted some perennials here a couple of summers ago. This year, we also want to throw in some wildflowers. But the weeds have to go!
An hour later, Ed joins me. As do the cheepers.
By late morning, we stop. The day is still gray and cool, but I don't really care anymore. There's so much of "spring" in my garden right now, that I no longer think of the weather as a measure of spring's progress.
Breakfast. Nice and warm, in the kitchen.
And now I have a two hour pause for my appointments. I'm on a zebra chase and thankfully, I'm zeroing in on them. Which is great. But while I head out for my own stuff, I get a text that Snowdrop is down. A fever sends her home from school. That's two grandkids sent home from school in one day. Uff!
Snowdrop's parents juggle her home stay and so on this day at least, I am without grandkids at the farmhouse. Color has to come from the flowers. The tulips step in to try to fill the void!
By 1 p.m., I'm working outside again. In addition to the clearing of the flower field, we have the arrival of three new peach trees. We put them in our new orchard, where everything is now in full bloom.
It's exhilarating to be working here today!
Ed and I do not put our shovels down until evening. Ah, but the results! The peach trees are in. And importantly, the flower field is clear and ready for seeding.
Indeed, all the flower fields are in a good state of repair right now.
It is true though, that once I sit down tonight, I'm not wanting to move around much any more. I am stiff and spent! We call for a sushi delivery.
At the end of the day, things are looking good: the kids are rebounding. The garden is moving along at breakneck speed toward the completion of its spring facelift. Ed and I are still going strong, with all the physical stamina that this place requires. Not a typical Tuesday by any means. But a good one nonetheless!
