Just when I thought it was okay to go into the water...

 

The dogwoods are the last spring flowering trees to bloom and my favorite.

Or, to say it another way, just when I thought it was okay to put out sensitive plants, we had a freeze. Technically, our last freeze date is not until May 15, so this was not unheard of, but I got fooled. February was warm instead of snowy, and last week we had temperatures in the 80s F. Some plants were covered for the frost and did okay, and some were uncovered and had damage. Oh, well. However, the grass is happy and growing like crazy. It's definitely a busy mowing time of year.

As far as vegetables go, I bought broccoli plants this year. I have always had better success with plants from a nursery than those I have started from seed. We shall see how these do. Also, I've planted radishes, beets, and carrots using old seeds. I sewed them liberally, hoping for enough germination to make it worth the effort. I'm also nursing along some volunteer tomato plants. In a few weeks, after our last freeze date, I will plant the warmer-weather veggies. Some years, I start seeds ahead of time, but not this year. However, if truth be told, I usually wait for extras from friends who start a lot of seeds and have more than they can use. It's a win-win situation. They like to see their plants get used, and I am happy to get them.

And speaking of starting seeds, I will be doing a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) program in May on plants. As part of that, the kids will start bean seeds in plastic bags. Prepping for that, I've been starting seeds every week, so I can have examples at various stages for them to see. I am having fun watching the details of the emerging plants. The beans came from the grocery store, and so far, great northern beans sprout faster than the pinto ones. And the pinto beans' stems twist more, causing problems sometimes. This exercise is meant to see how seeds germinate and plants develop, but starting the seeds in the dirt would probably be better for growing them to harvest. The transplanting has not gone very well so far.

Otherwise, April seems to have evaporated. I'm not sure where all of the time has gone, but Easter and Wally's birthday celebration took up the first part of the month. Also, April is the time for several annual/semi-annual appointments, such as the dentist. Perhaps I need to better organize them and spread the appointments over the year. And let me just mention again I am very blessed to have good insurance. My job doesn't pay much, but it has good benefits. I do not take this for granted.

We took a hike on a local rail trail as part of Wally's birthday celebration.

And when the weather is not cooperating for outdoor work, I am continuing to work on the tribute/this-is-your-life for my father-in-law. And as these projects go, I spend more time than I would like with computer issues than with actual content. The latest has been trying to get PDF files into another format so they can be used by another program. That is, trying to do that without paying for the expensive ADOBE software.

Anyway, we just keep plugging along here with everyday stuff.

Until next time...

It's Me Again

 Another morning where I am racing the clock to check in before I head off to work. All is good here. The weather has been spring-like, which has made all of the plants happy - the grass, especially. It has entered the 2x/week mowing phase. But it's very pretty with its lush, emerald green color of new growth. So with cleaning up last year's beds, preparing this year's beds for planting, and mowing grass, our focus has been in the yard. 

When it's raining, or I want a break from the outside work, I've been working on a project for my FIL, who turns 90 in a couple of months. I'm sorting through boxes of old papers and pictures, trying to put together a memory/tribute book for him. It's still in its infant stages, but I have found some interesting things. 

Tomorrow we celebrate Wally's birthday. We have a cookout planned, but the weather forecast is for rain and thunderstorms all day. While I'm at work today, Ward is going to work up alternate weather plans in case we need them.

So time's up for this morning. Off to fix my lunch. Below are pictures of some of what blooming in the yard now. 

Daffodil

Daffodil

Tulip

Phlox

Ornamental cherry

Groundcover

Vinca

Sour cherry with crabapple in the background.

Apple. Maybe we'll get our first apples from the little tree this year.

Lilac

Virginia bluebells

Grape hyacinth

Azalea

Until next time...

Happy Easter!

 Happy Easter!

We will be spending the day with Ward's family. A picnic is planned, but we woke up to frost on the ground, so it may be cold - at least for me. We shall see.

Below are a few pictures from past Easters. Whether you celebrate or not, I hope today is a good one for you.

I am thankful for Easter because it reminds us that 

all things are possible.

Home again, Home again, Jiggety-jog!

 PART 2

Ward and I took a driving vacation last week. Here is part 2 of the highlights.

Day 5

We spent the next day exploring the area with our friends. This area is home
 to numerous waterfalls and state parks. First up was Whitewater Falls, North Carolina.

Next, we saw Kings Creek Falls in South Carolina. The weather was
perfect for hiking down to the falls with temperatures in the 50s.

After the waterfall hikes, we visited Stumphouse Tunnel.
Stumphouse Tunnel was dug/chiseled for the Blue Ridge Railroad.
Work began in 1855 and stopped in 1859 when the legislature
stopped funding. Clemson University acquired the tunnel in 1951,
and they used it for several years to cure blue cheese.

Day 6

We left our B&B the next morning to begin our trip home. In addition to running a B&B, the owners had several animals, including goats, miniature horses, and a llama. Here is the barn cat.

Our first stop was in Johnson City, Tennesee, to walk on the Tweetsie Railroad Rail Trail.

We had a pleasant 2-mile walk before continuing onto the final leg of our trip for the day.

We spent the night in Salem, Virginia. After dinner, we took a walk
along the Roanoke River Greenway.

DAY 7

Today was the final leg of our trip home. We stopped at the Strasburg, Virginia, Visitor Center for a break.

Among other things, the visitor's center had a museum chronicling important Civil War battles that took place in the area.

After a good trip, we came home to cats who let us know in no uncertain terms,
that we had some petting to make up for.

Home again, home again jiggety-jig!

PART 1

Ward and I are back from our driving trip south. It was a good trip with good weather, good visits, and good scenery. I had hoped to post a travelog along the way, but the internet was spotty to nonexistent. In fact, at last night's hotel, there was an internet outage in the neighborhood, and nothing was working to the point where we couldn't get into our room without an employee going with us to let us in. (They couldn't program key cards.)

When we got home, we were giving Theo the details of our trip, and I was already confused about what we had done over the past week. So we'll see how it goes posting here. I hope the pictures will help me remember. Not that you are interested in the details of my trip, but I might be sometime in the future and will be happy to at least have a framework.

DAY 1

Our first stop was in New Market, VA, for lunch.
New Market is a historic little town that we explored
after we ate at the Southern Kitchen.

The next stop was Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. Ward went to undergraduate and graduate school here. We met when I transferred there for grad school. It's been a long time since we've been back, and a lot has changed, but we still found many familiar old haunts.

DAY 2

After spending the night in Wytheville, VA, our next stop was a welcome center in North Carolina. It was one of the nicest welcome centers we've been to. 

Much of our drive down and back was through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. 

And the hillsides were full of blooming redbud and dogwood (not shown here).

The next time we stretched our legs was in Ashville, NC, where we visited The Botanical Gardens at Ashville. They focus on native plants, and we were lucky to see many spring wildflowers blooming. Pictured-Toadshade trillium.

We reached our destination in Georgia just in time for dinner with my cousin and his wife.
(Virginia bluebells from Ashville Botanical Garden)

DAY 3

The next morning, we went into downtown Atlanta to visit the Georgia Aquarium. It was crowded, but we could still see everything we wanted.

DAY 4

We left Georgia the next morning and followed this Chips Ahoy truck
through Atlanta. Ward's grandmother always had a jar full of Chips Ahoy,
so we thought this was a sign. Not sure what kind of sign,
but it was fun thinking about it.

Our first stop of the day was at another visitor's center. Again, the famous southern hospitality shone through. We particularly enjoyed the swings they had.

In the afternoon, we checked into the B&B, where we stayed for the next two nights.

Then we visited with friends, who took us on a boat ride
 exploring the lake they live on.

But wait! There's more! Tune in next time to see just what that might be. :)