To have the day after my birthday designated as Earth Day is a gift. On one day I celebrate life, on the next -- I celebrate nature and the interconnectedness of all living things. And here, there is so much to celebrate.
I do know that planting flowers in tubs or baskets and putting these out on a porch is a strange way to give thanks for all plant life that is budding out there, but the beauty of these flowers is so great that I feel it provides that needed connection to the growing world (a connection that is otherwise so lacking on Sally's porch).
So, let's start off with a photo of breakfast on the porch. With flowers.
The morning is cool, but I don't care. The sun is out. It's going to be one heck of a day! Right Millie?
My pup is apprehensive when I start moving around as if to go somewhere. At her age and with her sensibilities, she'd rather keep things the same every day. She's not going to get her wish today! I do want her to have exposure to the new, the different. Already she got used to giant looming Ed. And she quickly learned to love the farmette lands. She has a good time at Tati's. She pulls to get into doggie daycare. And still, when she sees me getting ready to go down to the garage, she hides under the couch. I have to drag her out!
And today's adventure is extra challenging for her: I'm going to bicycle over to the farmette with her in the doggie carrier.
I think it's a fabulous ride! It's a perfect doggie seat because I am able to wrap my arm around her if she gets nervous and reassure her with kisses even as I am pedaling away. And of course, I feel immensely proud of her as we pass curious onlookers. Sweet pup, out for a ride!
At the farmette, Ed is digging away at the invasive buckthorn, back in the old orchard. Honestly, I think he does it just for the exercise that you need to put in to get these bushes out of there. He cant really weed the flower fields -- he has no idea what to pull or dig out, and he is a careless gardener, often stepping inadvertently on baby plants when going after a weed. So the flower fields remain untouched, but the buckthorn is slowly disappearing in an area which no one cares about.
It's a beautiful day to be at the farmette!
(bucolic in the extreme)
(she loves to roll in the cool grass, then sniff the air here...)
(the new orchard)
She could stay here for a while, but I have things to do!
I come back to Sally's house and plant some alyssum in a tub. I love this annual for it's fragrance and I always had it in tubs at the farmette, but there the satisfaction was short-lived, as the chickens loved it equally much, and a favorite activity for them would be pecking off the tiny flowers. I can put a whole pot of it out on the porch and no one will eat it (right Millie?) . Remarkable.
Millie still hesitates to go out on the porch with me. She loves the openness of the farmette, but otherwise prefers the safety and comfort of enclosed spaces. A crate, a toy basket, a snooze under the couch, or under the chairs. I know what she's thinking: maybe my human will leave me alone there... Maybe, Millie. Maybe!
Wednesday is a day without childcare. I zoom with friends: Diane has a dog that looks so much like Millie, even though their genetic heritage is completely different (hers is a Tibetan Terrier)!
And in the late afternoon, I take Millie out again -- this time to the dog park. Not exactly the one where Henry and Sadey loved to run. (And indeed, that whiff of sadness is strong for me as I pull up to the same parking lot.) Next to that park, there is a smaller enclosed space for smaller dogs. Given the fact that Millie has had tummy problems, I hesitated to take her there to run around with dogs, perhaps sick dogs, perhaps unvaccinated dogs, but in the middle of a Wednesday, those encounters are few and far between. And she does love to let loose her zoomies.
We bike over. She is a little terrified still, but again, I can wrap yourself around my pup and snuggle her as I ride along. From my perspective, it's a lovely ride!
And at the park, we encounter just two dogs, at different times. Neither is particularly interested in Millie and she's sorry about that, though she focuses on showering one of the owners with attention and love to compensate. And she runs. And sniffs. And has a great time.
The thing about this girl is that she hasn't yet accepted the fact that a call of her name and especially when thrown out with the command COME, means that she has to run to me like crazy. Since she doesn't especially crave treats, there is little to motivate her to give up on sniffing other dogs across the fence in the big dog park and return to me. So I wait until this social girl gives up on them -- they are, after all, beyond reach -- and comes running back of her own accord.
I do think she is way overdressed for this weather. It's positively hot outside in the sun, and she is panting, and I did not bring water. We dont stay too long. And next time, I'll bring a thermos!
On Earth Day, I feel it is our obligation to plant something. My alyssum flowers feel a bit like it's a token effort, but I did weed a small corner of a farmette flower bed. Does that count? I'll do more when I move to Steffi's House. I promise.
with so much love...
