garden — Page 170

Checking in on the Garden

March 31, 2016 at 8:22 am by Claudia

Oh Spring, you are wonderful. However, the havoc you wreak on my allergies is not wonderful. I’m not a happy camper.

This is the time of year in the Northeast when every gardener checks the garden beds once or twice a day to see what is emerging after the long winter. I am no different; I walk outside and peek under leaves, each new green shoot duly noted in the unofficial garden notebook that is floating around in my head.

It’s only March 31st – too early for this gardener to remove all the leaves that are currently covering each bed. Especially since I saw, to my horror, that we might get 3 inches of snow on Monday/Tuesday.

What? Ever hopeful, I am trusting that the forecast will change.

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Trustworthy Sedum Autumn Joy, planted here before we took up residence.

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Leaves are emerging on all the rose bushes. Last year at this time, there was nothing, which led me to worry that the brutal winter had killed them off. Do you remember that the tulip and hyacinth never really appeared last spring? Well, the hyacinth leaves appeared – with absolutely no flowers. This year, I see one tulip leaf already emerging from the ground, as well as healthy looking hyacinth leaves.

Thank goodness for the relatively sane winter we just went through. Oh – did you know that Don never used the snow blower this year? Not once.

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Lilac check-in: I see baby flowers!

The truth is, I am longing to get out there and do some massive garden clean-up. I have to stop and remind myself that it is too darned early. There are certainly other areas of the yard that need some work and I think I’ll start in on that when I’m taking a break from research for Anastasia and taking care of Don, who has something wrong with his ankle. We ended up going to our local urgent care yesterday to get X-rays. No break. It’s all rather strange – the doctor said it’s either a sprain or a skin infection. Since Don doesn’t remember doing anything to the ankle, we’re wondering whether it’s the latter. He is now on antibiotics, is wearing a splint and has crutches.

What’s with the Hill/Sparks clan and their ankles?

Needless to say, it’s been my turn to wait on Don and take care of him. Meals aren’t nearly as exciting as they are when Don is cooking. But he’s getting fed, I promise.

The whole thing is very frustrating and a bit mysterious and we are – officially – over the whole ankle thing.

Don’t forget to leave a comment on yesterday’s book review if you’re interested in a chance to win a copy of the book. You have until tomorrow evening.

Happy Thursday.

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Wednesday Thoughts

March 23, 2016 at 10:16 am by Claudia

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Last night’s moon rising over the back forty. It was so beautiful!

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• Dare I hope that the self-seeded hollyhock is coming back? It sure looks that way.

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• Checking in on the lilac bush: leaves and buds.

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• I know the calendar indicates that Spring has arrived, but I always check my gardens to confirm that fact. The Day Lilies, Sedum, and Catmint are all showing new growth. But it’s not yet time to uncover the garden beds, which are covered in leaves and mulch. In a couple of weeks, yes. But not yet.

• We went to the bookstore yesterday because I wanted to find an adult coloring book. Don already has one, courtesy of my sister. More colored pencils were purchased at Michael’s. As I walked around the bookstore, I saw two books that have just been published – both by rather well-known 30-ish bloggers. They are beautifully designed and I’m sure the authors are thrilled, but once again, I looked through them and saw nothing I didn’t already know. They’re supposedly full of tips and helpful ideas about decorating (in one case) and living a simple life in a small apartment (in the other.) I can only conclude they are meant for a younger generation of readers who haven’t yet discovered these rather rudimentary facts. I must confess, I don’t get it. I suppose it’s part of the cycle of life.

I guess there’s nothing new under the sun?

3-23 confederateflag

• From our road trip: Really?

This was in Virginia and I thought I saw a sign that said something about the Confederate States of America…so maybe it’s considered a historic site.

Nonetheless…

3-22 me and Z

• For Meredith, who didn’t like yesterday’s picture which showed her in pajamas (not that anyone would have known that.) Here’s one you took of me in my pajamas with Little Z. It’s blurry, but now we’re even.

• I usually showcase my eggcup collection on the blog at this time of year. This year, I’ve been sharing a few favorites on Instagram. You’re welcome to follow along if you’re not already a follower. Click here.

• But all this seems trivial when I think of the tragic events in Brussels. My heart breaks for all those who have suffered loss and who saw things they should never have to see. Prayers and hope for peace. That’s all I can say.

Oh, I can say one other thing. Seizing on that tragedy and using it for fearmongering in order to drum up votes? Despicable.

Happy Wednesday.

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Prayer Flags

March 3, 2016 at 9:00 am by Claudia

When I arrived home from Hartford, there was a package waiting for us; sent by our longtime friend Joyce, who we worked with at the Old Globe when we lived in San Diego. Inside the package was a lovely sympathy card. And this:

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Prayers on the Wind – Pet Prayer Flags, in the tradition of Buddhist/Tibetan Prayer Flags.

We were so touched by her thoughtful present. We immediately thought about where to hang them. Prayer Flags are meant to hang outside and to stay there through all kinds of weather, fading with the sun.

It seemed like the perfect place would be at the entrance to Scout’s mini-corral.

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It was windy on the day I took these pictures. But that’s sort of perfect, isn’t it?

We said a prayer for our girl.

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And we cried.

Then Don had an idea. We had planned to take this part of the larger corral down. But he said, “It has to be Scout’s Memorial Garden.”

And I think he’s right. We already have the rose bush that was given to me in memory of my mother there. We have the hydrangea. Why not go even further? We’ll start adding some plants this spring.

Maybe a bench.

In her last months, as winter set in, we blocked off the upper corral and limited her to the mini corral, which was on flat ground and was safer for her. When getting around became increasingly difficult, she still loved to stop and sniff the ground and look at her territory through the chicken wire fence.

So it’s the perfect place for a little Scout Garden. And the flags will fly at the entrance.

Thank you, Joyce.

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She would like that.

Thinking of you every moment of every day, dear beautiful girl.

Happy Thursday.

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Checking in on the Garden

Wednesday Thoughts

Prayer Flags

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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