mad dash to the finish line

It's nuts to do gardening in such a frantic way, but this is my lot this year! (You dont have to remind me -- it is my choice.) Three updates that I take seriously: first, the drips from the ceiling increase then decrease then increase in frequency once again. Ed has concluded that this is in sync with the water pump activity and thus it portends of a further leak somewhere in the pipes. In other words, the kitchen ceiling has to come down. Not before your surgery -- he assures me. As if it ever will be fun to live with that mess!

Second update-- the expected lows overnight will be at 32F (0C). Well, 30F according to my smart phone's more pessimistic forecast! That's a degree (or three) too cold for most of the annuals. Bummer luck. It means that I can't put anything out today. Except the ever reliable early spring pansies.

But, the third piece of news is that I have to show up at the hospital, bathed, starving and ready at 11:30 tomorrow. That means that between 8 in the morning (when it will be the coldest for the day and indeed for the whole rest of spring) and 10:30, I will have some planting time! I doubt that I'll get everything in, but I will speed like a woman possessed and do as much as I can.

Today is equally crazy rushed. I must change all the bedding (hospital request). I must stand outside and wave my arms frantically (this is what we do with the spring time hawk attack -- we have six large ones circling over the farmette lands as we speak). I must do the last grocery stockpile. And I must purchase the remainder of the annuals and fit them in as best as I can into the mudroom.

But first, the morning walk...

And breakfast (photo-bombed by Dance!).

Ed comes with me to pick up the remainder of the annuals at Koepke's. Our mud room is very colorfully cluttered at the moment!

And here's what I can also accomplish today: I think I'm safe sowing the seeds in the meadows. And in planting the sunflower seeds. And the cosmos. They need to stay away from frost, but with a low of only 31F I think we are safe. 

So this is my morning. Crazy busy! Meditative gardening? Hahahahaha!

In the afternoon I pick up Snowdrop. 

Her mom is away for a few days and her dad is handling the ship and so we decided to skip dance to help with coordinating the drop off/pick up stuff. This is a treat for me as I at least dont have to rush her to dance and instead, we do a very indulgent reading session. I do sneak out to plant the sunflower seeds and when I come back I see that Ed is showing her his baby drone. Which she loves!

And now it is evening. I cook up chili, because this will give us meals for at least three days. And as per instructions from the hospital, I have my glass of wine at 8 p.m. I am so obedient!

Tomorrow I'll see if I can twist arms for an early release. If not, I'll try to post from my bed. Once the new knee is in!

With love...