Friday Sigh

Another Friday has arrived. Friday feels like a nice, long exhalation.

It was a fun day. It's Arbor Day. In keeping with the "holiday", I planted another Honeycrisp apple tree along with some little spruce that the Nursery was giving away today. Had lots of fun working in the yard. Oh, had to dump water on all the new trees, as the storm which was predicted for yesterday never did arrive.

I sat out on the front porch this evening. The wind had died down and the sun was out. The sounds of spring were everywhere. The frogs and the birds were all singing. It really is amazing how much glorious "noise" spring brings with it.

The Storm is Brewing

So far, it has been a very dry spring. Today, however, there is a pretty good chance of thunderstorms. The wind is raging, the clouds are building. I have to say that I love a good thunderstorm, so I am hoping that we get one!

It's nice to be safe and dry inside and to listen to the wind blowing. The feeling of the thunder booming and shaking the house is scary, but exciting. The lightning is mesmerizing to me. When the storm ends the cool, fresh air that follows makes the whole world feel clean.

Grandmoms!

Today, I am thinking of Grandmas. For starters, I will write a little about my Paternal Grandmother, Happy Bottom. (that's a joke that I don't know if she ever got....)

All around my yard today are things that remind me of her, most especially my beautiful Bleeding Heart plant. I am including a photo of it. Grandma had so many of those in her backyard. I vividly remember going with Gram when she cut a bouquet of bleeding hearts to carry across the street to Grandpa's grave. She did that often. It chokes me up now just thinking of it and it happened so many years ago. Grandpa died while they both were quite young and Grandma never re-married, nor did she ever even date.

Gram was a great old-fashioned lady. She never even drove a car. ( I suppose that was a man's duty.)

Recently, I acquired a couple of Gram's Hummel figurines. Now, Hummels, really never meant that much to me. I knew of them, but the never really struck a chord with me. However, I unwrapped these figurines and there are two that really will be my tribute to Gram. They are a young boy and a young girl. Both have gardening tools. I look at them and they make me happy.

I also unwrapped some of Gram's glassware. What happened next was extraordinary. The glassware, or the paper in which it was wrapped smelled like Gram's house! Believe it, or not, I sat for a while, smelling the glassware and thinking of Gram.

I love to garden. Thanks, Gram

I love to bake. Thanks again, Gram

I love to take care of my home and family.

Thanks, Gram!

I miss you.

Writer's Block!

Ha. Well, it didn't take too long to run out of witty things to say. I just could not come up with a topic today.

I think I will just mention the beautiful, early spring we are enjoying now. I spent some happy time out on the riding mower today chopping down the dandelions in the boys' baseball field in front of the house.

Baseball is ramping up here, pretty soon it will be in full swing. I think that the travel games start next week! Summer is stampeding it's way here, I for one, can't wait!

Connections

As Monday mornings go, this one got off to a happy start!

Of all things, one of my high school friends found another one of our friends on Facebook. Yes, Facebook. I doubted the that Facebook would EVER be useful to me, since I really wasn't looking for anyone. Yet, now, that I have been able to communicate with several of the ladies (notice, I refrained from saying GIRLS) that were my friends way back then, I am happy that I joined the social network.

I really didn't think I harbored any nostalgia at all for high school. All in all, I wasted the experience by being focused on the wrong stuff. I don't really want to expand on that mistake so I am not going to write about that any more right now!

At any rate, just hearing from these long lost friends makes my heart soar! Granted there are lots of people that I didn't really feel connected to in high school, however, making the connection again with the special, REAL friends feels good. I look forward to catching up with them after all these years!

Here's to friends!

April Showers

Rain, glorious rain! It is late in the day and it looks like we may finally get some much-needed rain. It has started. Here's hoping for a nice, gentle, all-night soak! This parched landscape needs a nice sip of water. I am happy that I was able to run around the yard and apply some lawn food and weed killer, although if all the weeds die, I am not sure if I will have any green stuff on this so-called lawn.

In spite of the spring drought, it seems that all the gardens are one month ahead of what their "normal" bloom times are! Many of the flowers that usually bloom in May are already in bloom.

This spring has been GRAND! Even rain on a weekend is ok......

The Bluebird of Happiness

Today is truly a "Bluebird Day"! I have heard the expression used to describe a day with perfect weather. Today sure is that! No wind, clear, blue sky, and comfortable temperatures. This, coupled with the fact that I made my first venture out to check the bluebird trail that I am tending this year is what makes that description so true!

The nest box in my yard (pictured here) now has FIVE eggs, as do most of the nest boxes along the trail. All totalled, there are 44 eggs on the trail!

Last year, I met my friend, Murph, who introduced me to the fun of "Bluebirding". Murph is seventy years old and wildly passionate about this bluebird hobby! In fact, it's part of his trail that I am tending. He is legendary in the county where we live and I am fortunate to know him. He works hard and truth be told, he is hard to keep up with. I hope that I am like Murph when I grow up! It's nice to see a mature person in great shape with hobbies that keep him busy!

Like my dad used to say when we were kids: "May the Bluebird of happiness fly up your nose!" Today, I am pretty sure one did! tee hee! :>

Fear of the Unknown

Part of the reason we are apprehensive of something new is the fear of the unknown.

I know that I am a creature of habit, I like to know what to expect, and I love to have some control, (ok--lots of control) of the situation and the outcome.

Yesterday, the dogs and I went out on our usual morning walk. They didn't notice that I hung my jacket on a post on our driveway. The reason, of course, was that the day was far too beautiful to be all bundled up on a walk. ( Oh, and that I was to lazy to walk back up to the house to put the jacket away.) Anyway, we went on our merry way. When we returned to the driveway, both dogs were startled to see the jacket hanging on the post. They approached it with caution. Once they got all the information they needed (sniff, touch, look, listen), they began wagging their tails again and got on with their busy day.

I have been researching some options that I may write about later. Yesterday was a big information gathering day for me. I have to say I have been dreading a decision because, yes, I did not have enough information to satisfy myself. I found myself being fearful of moving ahead. Yesterday, I approached the situation with caution (and trepidation). I was able to gather the information that I needed (much like the dogs...sniff, touch, look, listen, oh and ask).

I can honestly say that I have the answers I need and feel ready to decide. I feel more confident and calm about this. I know I am being a bit cryptic, but that is how it's gotta be for now.

Time to Tickle the Tomatoes!

We live in what I think is the windiest part of the world. Actually, it probably isn't, but it sure can feel like it sometimes.

In my quest to create a fabulous vegetable garden and also to help me anticipate spring during the Minnesota winter, I like to start most of my plants from seed. Often when the seeds have sprouted I will put them outdoors so they can bask in the sunshine, only to have the wind SHRED them to pieces.

One winter, I was reading about tomatoes. In the article there were instructions on how to toughen up your plants before they went outside. The technique involves brushing your hand across the seedlings a couple times a day. This gets them ready to be out in the wind. Well, I did it and I am a believer in "tickling the tomatoes".

Life can throw us some storms. I like to think that our experiences are like the "tickle" that I mentioned for my tomatoes. If we have experience, we can weather the wind when it decides to blow against us.

The Gift of an Early Spring

Spring really is one of my favorite seasons of the year.

This year, Spring P O U N C E D on us. It caught me by surprise! I am still sort of dazed by it all.

After a winter that was a return to an actual "historic" Minnesota winter complete with piles of snow, Spring arrived and chased it all away in record time.

So, I am out in the garden already. The ground is dry, but with a little water, TLC, and continued sunshine I am hoping for the best gardens I have had yet.

I am going to count this early Spring as a birthday gift! And, speaking of gifts, this picture is some tulips in my garden. I had forgotten all about them and seeing them this spring in all their glorious color is a special pleasure!

Sisterhood

There really is nothing like a sisterhood network.

I have turned 30 and that was no big deal. Sometime after that, I turned 40. Right around that birthday, I had two small children and was too busy to worry about it. Then came 50. ACK! I was dreading it like no other birthday. EVER.

There were some angels in my life though. They were looking after me. Good friends, women who understood what 50 was going to feel like. One woman had already "survived" her transition into the fifties and one woman who will entering the half century mark in a couple of years.

Both of these friends eased my passage into this age. Both listened, understood, and gave me the gift of their friendship, understanding, and time. After my visits with them, I felt better. They cared, they helped, they listened. Both went out of their way to make time for me.

Women and men approach these things differently. Since I am the lone woman in my household, sometimes I don't feel understood. To have had these ladies make this day special will never be forgotten. I think I accept this now, feel settled, and can look ahead.

Thanks, you two will never know what a difference you made. OH WAIT! Yes you will, I am going to be sure to tell you.

ZAP

ZAP! Could it really be that easy?

Since I consider my birthday the official start of my personal New Year, I spend the time leading up to the big day reflecting.

This year, I have come up with a list of things that are irritating or inefficient, or just plain in my way.

The very first thing on the list was the way my big dog carried on anytime I went near my chicken coop. The barking, the frenzy of it all was just taking all enjoyment away from tending to my hens!

So, I bought myself a little gift, a remote training collar. YES! Now for those who are not familiar with a training collar, you are able to give your dog a warning when he is doing something wrong. If he ignores your warning, you are able to deliver an electrical stimulation. This collar has a range of electrical corrections ranging on a scale of 1-10. PERFECT solution for problem #1. The dog is very smart and learned within the first 5 minutes! The electrical correction does not even need to be delivered, he hears the tone, he changes course!

Starting this year, I am going to try and listen for a "tone" when I am about to make a move or decision. Just like my dog, if I hear the "tone" I am going to pause and consider my actions before charging ahead.

I am going to do my best this year to avoid the necessity of the ZAP!

This Side of the Dirt

Ok, well, I survived the big 5-0 yesterday, mostly like pretending it wasn't happening. It was pretty much a normal day around here. But this morning, I realized that in the days before my birthday, I was going to take some time to plan what I thought would be the perfect day. When yesterday was over, I realized that I ended up doing what I always do anyway....does that mean that I am living my perfect life? Is it the way things are supposed to be right now? I suppose so.

The title for today's entry comes from my discussion with my husband before my 50th birthday arrived. He commented "Well, at least you are this side of the dirt!" Uh huh, can't argue that.

But speaking of this side of the dirt, the peas that I planted a week ago are also this side of the dirt! AND, right now, we are FINALLY getting a much-needed spring rain. Things are good, yes, even when you are looking at them through 50 year old eyes. (visually corrected with no-line bifocals)

Goin' FIFTY

Decided to start it early, 3 am to be exact. Woke up and couldn't fall asleep again. What will this day bring, besides being eligible to join our local Senior Center....? *sigh*