I can’t help it. They are just so perfect, these crabapple buds. These buds are on the tree in the center on the front lawn. It sprung up in the same place that our dear departed weeping willow was. It took us a while to figure out that it was indeed a crabapple; it needed to grow a bit first,
I was outside yesterday for about an hour and a half and then I was tired and stopped for the day. I was pruning the dead blooms from the limelight hydrangea. Still have a bit more to go but they’re in the middle of the bush and I can’t reach them. I also pruned a bit at the bottom where it blocks the sun from one of our boxwoods. Lots of bending over, picking up sticks and branches and walking them up to one of our discard piles. At one point, a bird kept up a nonstop chatter and it was coming from the maple. I suspect I was too close to a possible nest location.
I also removed a lot of oak leaves from the culvert with a rake. They seemed to be clogging up things. Don did some work up on the trails in our little woods.
But there’s a lot of pollen out there and I’m definitely feeling the effects of it today.
I’m refraining from clearing the garden beds until we get through the not-quite-freezing temperatures of tonight. I’ll start on that tomorrow. We have a burn ban in place and there have been fire warnings the past few days as the humidity is very, very low and the winds are high enough to cause trouble. This happened last year at this time, too.
And oh my! We watched all of the re-entry of Artemis II and it was glorious! This mission has been good for my soul. Something positive and beautiful in a world seemingly gone mad. And so many WOMEN in key roles at NASA!!! Bravo! I now have a renewed fascination with space exploration, something I haven’t felt in years.
So glad the astronauts are safe and sound.
I’m off to figure out if I can do any work outside today. That means more coffee first.
Stay safe.
Happy Saturday.
It’s a sunny day here (cool-to-cold, but sunny). I’ll get out and do some raking, maybe a bit of pruning, but mostly raking leaves out of the beds and such. That sun is a tonic!
Oh, it is! We need it.
Thanks so much, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
Pruning huge limelights are always a problem…but necessary. We cut ours back significantly…so they were easier to reach. I’m itching to get back outside again. The weather has turned cold, this weekend we are busy, and next week we are due for storms. Lots to do.
We desperately needed Artemis II! Not only as Americans, but worldwide. We needed to come together as a country again, and have something to cheer for. As Captain Kirk says….Space, the final frontier.” Sorry…I’m a nerd.
Don’t work too hard this weekend…enjoy your day! ;)
It’s kind of impossible for me to reach the top of the limelights – even to cut them back!
We absolutely needed the Artemis II.
Thanks, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
Your crabapple blossoms are so beautiful. Do you ever make crabapple jelly with the apples? We’ve made made some and it is very good. We watched the splashdown, too. So relieved when we found out the four astronauts were safe. What brave people. They sure have a wondrous tale to tell. Don’t overdue the yard work, Claudia. Enjoy the weekend. Hugs, Elaine
No. Our trees are young and we’ve not had any apples yet.
Thanks so much, Elaine.
Stay safe.
Good Morning Claudia. I was absolutely rapt by the whole Artemis event. (I hadn’t expected to be!) I watched the launch with my heart in my throat (remembering Challenger) but was so relieved that it went off just right. But then…. what a long trek! In my youth I was always aware of the Space events (my uncle took my younger brother to Florida to watch the Moon launch in ’69) but there wasn’t the ability to watch so much of it on media. Still, I found myself thinking of the Artemis crew every single day the minute I woke up… and watched (as much as I could) the whole re-entry and splashdown ’til the crew were out of the Integrity capsule. It is a huge win for technology, science, truth, and World-wide cooperation… (we did not do this all by ourselves!) so I feel it was a much needed boost of humanity awareness. Whew! What a victory!
As for the crab apple blossoms… I love the “volunteer” natives that show up and contribute so much beauty all by themselves! Can’t wait to see it in bloom!
I have several volunteer natives around here. So grateful for them!
I watched the crew of the Artemis II in their news conference. They are truly good and kind people.
Stay safe, Betsy.
very much agree about artmis. the whole thing, images from the far side of the moon and especially the safe lift-off and splashdown!
am sure getting some lawn/garden work done feels good. hope you and don don’t have any aches and can spend the weekend as you want.
i’m in a car right now. my sister and i are going to chicago (western suburb) to hear the bodeans, a highly-favored band. back home tomorrow morning. :) :)
hope everyone has a lovely weekend. stay safe.
kathy
We do have aches and we’re tired. That’s what happens at our age.
Hope you and your sister had a great time, Kathy.
Stay safe.
should have more fully said “aches that linger like the worst houseguest ever” (but was riding in a car when i first wrote and was trying to be quick about that). hope you’re both feeling well … ache-free and rested!
xo
Beautiful buds. I do miss spring in the north. Thanks for the photos. Yes we can’t do what we used to do but at least you are still moving.
Yes. Sometimes with difficulty, but I’m getting things done!
Stay safe, Kay.
I have lots of garden work to do also but we’re in the midst of a 3-day rain storm, alternating between dry and pouring. That only means more weeding when I get out there but at least it’s a savings on the water bill. Gotta look at the bright side! I do t k ow anything about crabapple trees. Do they bear edible fruit??
Our trees are young. No fruit yet.
Thanks so much, Wendy.
Stay safe.
The buds are so pretty . Soon they will burst open and be a whole different pretty, what a miracle .
Take Care,
Kaye
It is a miracle!
Stay safe, Kaye.
Watching the Artemis was amazing! Also brought back my faith in humanity. I don’t think I heard our dear leader say a word about it….ugh!! I love the pictures of the buds. Bill and I are still battling this horrible flu. I think I will have to give in and go to the doctor tomorrow. Enjoy being outside!
Oh, I’m so sorry that you both have the flu! Sending prayers for speedy recovery, Deb.
Stay safe.