planting

I never look forward to putting bulbs into farmette flower fields. I buy too many, and they all have different growing conditions, and the weather turns cold, and I neglect to dig up old bulbs that are no longer producing blooms, and I dont remember where there are old but good bulbs, so it's a mess out there! Yesterday I put in a handful of crocuses and then gave up. I needed a plan.

This morning, the weather turned seasonal. Meaning it is what it should be in October: chilly, with occasional showers. 

Breakfast in the kitchen. I'm still picking flowers for the table from the few that haven't yet faded.

We haven't had a night frost yet which is most unusual. Our CSA farmers write how they have mixed feelings about splendidly warm weather: it's been great for harvesting crops -- much more pleasant to work in warm and dry conditions -- but it's not normal for Wisconsin. We need to move on and get to the cold stuff. It's a fine balance out there and our crops, bugs, animals depend on the progression toward a colder fall. 

So late in the morning, I take out my jacket and go out to put in another handful of bulbs. Maybe that's the way to do it: a handful a day until they're all gone. 

In the afternoon, we resume a normal schedule: I pick up Snowdrop at school. It's drizzly and cool so definitely not good weather for lingering outside.

And that's just fine by her.

(Wonderful orange couch time)

Hey, I get to see Sparrow today as well! Briefly, after his own school day.

And the ever cheerful Sandpiper...

Later, as I cook up fish for dinner, I reach for last year's soy candle. Call it my first acknowledgement of the cooler, darker months, or maybe it's that the delicate scent of pine is a good cover for the smell of pan fried fish -- in any case it feels right to give that warm glow to a late October evening at home.

(sunset, from the drive home...)