Yesterday was all about mulching and some pruning. Lugging bags and constantly bending over to spread the mulch, along with off-the-chart allergies, left me feeling really tired afterward. I love mulching, I like seeing the garden look neater and more defined. But I definitely have a different level of stamina than I did 10 years ago. Unlike going from 45 to 55, for example, when I didn’t really notice any changes, I definitely notice the difference now. So does Don.

Plus, we’ve been in lockdown and we live in a place where it isn’t easy (or safe, at times) to walk and get exercise in the winter months. We’ve gained weight. We’re slowly getting in some sort of shape, through walking and mowing the lawn and chores on the property.

Allergies are the biggest pain, and this year they seem to be worse than ever.

Okay. Enough about that. Don’t mean to whine.

I didn’t get to comments yesterday but I read them all, I promise you.

Today, I’m going to take it easy – just the usual watering, etc., that has to happen at this time of year. And I’m going to paint a bit in the afternoon.

But my heavens, it’s another spectacularly beautiful day out there! Sunny, gorgeous, birdsong everywhere. I listened to so many birds yesterday as I working outside. The sounds, the melodies, the musicality – it all fills me with joy. Noble Robin dive-bombed me when I was watering the areas that we’ve seeded and when I had to get in the shed to retrieve the wheelbarrow. And if I walked to the upper edge of the big garden bed, he appeared out of nowhere and perched in the catalpa to see what I was up to. But one time, I heard a warning chirp and then he treated me to a beautiful song. I thanked him.

Wish me luck as I attempt another painting!

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

An early morning shot of the bridal veil spirea. It’s in shadow, so I’ll try to take one later in the day after we’ve finished mowing. But, as you can see, it’s laden with blooms this year. Sometimes there are less flowers, but it sure is spectacular this year! Same with the lilacs. I just looked up (via search on this blog) when I planted the lilac bush: May 2008. So it’s taken 13 years for it to get to this point. In gardening, patience is a virtue.

I take no credit for the spirea. It was here when we moved in and I suspect it’s been there for a long time, just as the peonies have. The peonies and the spirea live right at the edge of the culvert down by the road.

Today we mow. We’re so silly – both of us woke up excited at the prospect of mowing. It’s highly satisfying and it’s also good exercise.

The seeds have been sown, all the pots have been filled. The only thing I have yet to do is mulch and I’ll do that on Monday and Tuesday. We’re due for rain tomorrow.

In the meantime, I watched one of the robins fly back and forth to the nest this morning. I haven’t seen the wrens at all lately, so I am, of course, worried that something happened to them, or their babies – if they had them. The female sits on the eggs for 10 – 16 days, so maybe she’s in there? Don’t know. If only I had a camera in that little trailer!

Don is making some eggs to, and I quote, “fortify us for mowing.” Okay! I’m lucky, and I know it, that he likes to cook. Both Meredith and I married guys who do most of the cooking.

Okay my friends, have to go. As soon as we go get the lawn mower from the shed, that robin will go nuts.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.