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.
Trustworthy Sedum Autumn Joy, planted here before we took up residence.
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.
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.
Oh dear – sorry about Don’s ankle. Hope whatever it is heals quickly. And, sorry about your potential for snow! This year continues to amaze me with the weirdest weather ever. Spring is always fluctuating, but this is nuts! We are supposed to be in the 70’s today and high 70’s tomorrow. By Sunday the forecast is for us to barely get out of the 30’s. Garden dreaming is fun, isn’t it?
We are to be the 70s today, too! Crazy! Then snow on Monday?????
Hope Don has a better day. When men go to a doctor you know they are in pain.
Yep. You’re right on that one, Doris!
wishing don a quick, complete recovery, that the doctor figures out what happened and there’s no repeats … for either of you!
glad you have the gardening to look forward to (not my thing at all … except for the end result of all those pretty flowers)! hope the snow stays away until next winter.
congratulations on the upcoming theater work. sounds interesting. and i love those end results, too!
kathy in iowa
Thanks, Kathy!
Oh no on the ankle thing! Gosh I hope Don heals up soon. I am not getting better so going to the Dr today and hoping for some relief for my throat. I had to email my Mom to call and get me an appt. Not having a voice is a pain when you live alone. Spring is blooming like crazy here but will wait another few weeks to plant some new flowers. I need to feel better anyway.
Hugs to the Hill-Sparks gang!!
Linda
Feel better, Linda! Glad you’re going to get some assistance from the doctor.
Claudia, I hope Don gets better soon. I know you both like to work in the gardens and the yard. Hope your snow is not 3 inches and if you get it, gee I hope it melts. We had a thick frost and there’s leaves on many trees here. Our little crabapple is blooming. We are having high winds and rain now…since yesterday. I can’t wait to see your little patio all prettied up for the sitting out season. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
Yes, it just got windy AGAIN! Oh drat!
O’ no ! Hope the ankle improves with rest and excellent care from you. Slowing down and letting our bodies heal is hard, especially as we get older. And, I know what he is going thru – broke my foot back in February and I’m going into my 6th (and I hope final) week hobbling around. I’m so ready to ditch the boot because spring has finally arrived in Oklahoma. I can’t wait to get out to my flower beds and get my hands dirty!
Take care you two
I’ve been in one of those boots and I know how you feel Regina! Take care.
Poor Don..hope the antibiotics work! My hubby is walking with a cane…he strained a thigh muscle…it’s taking a really long time to heal. This spring has been a strange one…we aren’t supposed to get any snow yet…but that could always change! My irises are coming up, and 1 daffodil…but I tried not to uncover anything else, like the hostas…for fear of a sudden freeze. We had a terrific rain storm last night…isn’t that a sure sign of spring? ;)
I hope so. Forecast has been changed to less than an inch. Here’s hoping it changes once again to 0 inches!
I hope you don’t get any at all! Sounds like a remarkable winter with no snow blower use! ;)
That’s because we bought it last winter, of course!
Love your walk in the garden. Yes, I, too, am constantly checking!! The lilacs are all budded, the sedums are up, and I truly think the chives grow an inch or two per day. Almost all of the perennials are greening at the root and popping with growth. Just looking out the window and seeing the green grass makes me smile. We had a good rain last night and that helps.
The few inches of snow we had last week disappeared within 2 days, so the good thing is that even if it does fall, it is gone pretty quickly at this time of year. Spring is a hard season for me with the disappointing swings in the temps and the precip ~ but it happens every year and, thankfully, we always make it through to the other side! The waiting is just SO hard!!
The waiting is very hard! Today it’s gray and windy and rain is coming. What’s with all the wind lately?
I just started walking again after foot problems so I’m feeling for Don and hope he mends quickly. I too am enjoying all the little buds and sprouts around my house and in front of my building at work. A special rain garden was created in front of my work building and it’s a pleasure to see plants grown that I’m unfamiliar with. Hope you both have a great Spring!
The same to you, Pam!
I wonder if Don’s ankle could also be the result of some kind of inflammation? Seems like every day we hear that more and more of our physical troubles are due to inflammation, in all parts of the body. And inflammation issues often just appear out of nowhere. He might want to look into taking a teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar [the kind with “mother”] a couple of times daily, especially if the antibiotics don’t bring relief. Even if the ACV doesn’t help his ankle, it has MANY other health benefits. Something to think about at least – it’s done wonders for my complexion [I’ve had rosacea since my late 30s]. Wish I’d learned about it years ago…
Good idea. We’ve used it before but don’t have any on hand at the moment. It is some sort of inflammation, but it looks very much like an infection.
Yes, it’s supposed to be rather warm here today and then back down and cold this weekend…Yikes!! I too have checked my gardens and I’m getting excited!!!
Windy and unseasonably warm here, Mamey. Rain tonight and tomorrow. The craziness of early Spring!
So sorry to hear about Don’s ankle. I hope it will soon be back to normal with your excellent nursing! :-). I know what you mean abou wanting to plant and work in the garden. We did by some fertilizer for my garden beds last night, but we won’t put in down for awhile yet. I am glad that the smelly manure bags are outside and not in the garage. Yuck! However, we ARE going camping for at least one night this weekend. I’m. SO excited. I’ve been packing and planning and am quite looking forward to it. Have a lovely Thursday Claudia.
Blessings,
Betsy
Have fun camping, Betsy!
Sorry to hear about Don, I hope he gets well quick…
I love this time of the year. It’s not warm yet, but you get random days where you have the sun shining on you and that makes me feel really good. Days get longer and all of a sudden it’s not dark anymore when you get out of work, or going to work in that matter. Just last week I went buying some tulip bulbs for my mother and aunt in Germany, they envy me for all the nice sorts we can find here in Netherlands, so I sent them a couple more than they expected, which I hope made them really happy. I can’t wait to see how they will turn out in their garden. The pictures you made are so refreshing, I really love taking pictures outside in spring, it makes me notice all the little details. I love the colors in your last lilac picture.
Hugs, Susi
I bet those tulips are beautiful, Susi! We have one lone tulip – planted by a previous owner. It’s a pale yellow and I look forward to seeing it every year.
I hope that Don heals up fast. I am suffering from the allergies myself. I’m at the point now, where I am not sure if it’s allergy induced or not but my throat is sore and I sneeze attack all the time, I even wake myself up sneezing! What is that?!?
I’ve woken up sneezing! Isn’t it strange??
After our week of unstable weather, we are having spring like temps again which is wonderful. A few weeks ago it had started to get hot and I thought that was the end of mild weather for us. I’m even seeing new buds on my balcony garden. And lots of insects and birds to entertain me and Jingles. Some of us are definitely more prone to bone and joint problems. I was such a tomboy growing up. Climbing trees, jumping off roofs. I had knee surgery in 8th grade after a skateboard fall. Now, because of all sorts of injuries since, I’ve got back, hip, leg, knee, wrist, thumb pain off and on. Having properly cushioned soled shoes helps with a lot of problems as alignment is important, so I think it is time for me too get some new walking shoes again. Hope Don heals up quickly.
Shoes are everything for me at this point in my life. I wear sneakers most of the time, Tammy – I’m all for comfort and support!
Claudia, I haven’t visited your website for a long time. Other things going on. But today I thought I’d drop by. I think I’d prefer to chat privately so check your mail box for an email.
Connie
Okay.
Ooooh Don, know what bad feet and ankles feels like. You just want to get up and “do” but you
need to rest the area and let it heal. Our Michigan weather is teasing us too (lots of rain now)
but it has been warm too. I planted over 100 tulip bulbs for son’s wedding a few years ago
and this is the first year the deer have made a salad bar of the area! Walking through
the gardens since early March, like you, always peeking and getting so excited to see
that new life emerging from Mother Earth. Hello again my beauties, welcome back! Don’t
the little sedums remind you of baby cabbages or green roses? Just a little more patience,
something I need to work on! Happy Spring Claudia!
I love little sedums, Pam. They are perfect – you’re right, they are much like baby cabbages! Happy Spring!