ANOTHER'S THOUGHTS ON GARDENING

I used to visit and revisit it a dozen times a day, and stand in deep contemplation over my vegetable progeny with a love that nobody could share or conceive of who had never taken part in the process of creation. It was one of the most bewitching sights in the world to observe a hill of beans thrusting aside the soil, or a rose of early peas just peeping forth sufficiently to trace a line of delicate green. (from Mosses from an Old Manse, 1854) -- Nathaniel Hawthorne, American author

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MORE STUFF

I just couldn't leave well enough alone.
As I had more pictures for you to see.
Of course the first try failed in trying to upload the pictures.
But, here they are, finally.

The non-gardening chores I had going in the house during the planting out day yesterday.
The covered crock pot.... I was making yogurt!
I love having plenty of yogurt around during the summer.
And, those are dried mushrooms in the mason jar.
I wait until the cut up shrooms are in the mark down area at the grocers.
The work is all done for me and the cost is cheap, cheap, cheap.
Usually a package runs.... ready.... 39 cents.
I then just toss them on the dehydrator and then once done pack into a jar and vac-u-seal it.

PS Did I tell you yesterday I also got started two hanging baskets with flower seeds? Some blue black pansies with pink morning glories. Should make for an interesting colour combination.
I also started some sunflowers, acorn squash, pumpkins, zucchini, yellow crookneck squash and..... oh yeah, cucumbers. They are all on the heating pad doing their germinating dance. Oh summer, my friend..... glad you are here again.

YESTERDAY'S WORK

Yesterday was a berry, berry bizzy day here. I really was pleased as I put my feet up for the evening at how much I had accomplished.

Outdoors: got the peas planted, watered and fenced.... see the picture with the little white fence? Those are the peas all along the fence line.

I got those steroidal morning glories which had been inside for way too long potted up and placed along the back fence. There's a little old lady who lives on the other side of said fence. Thought she would enjoy watching the glories as the twine their way up and over.

In one of the new SFG raised garden box, I got the kaleidoscope swiss chard planted. You can see where it got planted in the picture of the box that looks empty. If you look closer you can see where the soil has been wetted. That be the chard! LOL.

Oh yeah and then there's the picture of my pool. Well, I am sure it's mine but, I'll be sharing with Gracie who is my shadow outdoors. She doesn't like water so much as she likes me! Should be a good time. Hopefully no one will take pictures of that venture. Ha ha ha

THANK YOU

For those who follow my blog.
My apple counter this morning says....... 123!
Wow, I am duly impressed.
Phyllis

ARBOR DAY POEM

Why does an old man plant a tree?
by Robert H Mealey

My friends quite often ask of me,
Why does an old man plant a tree?
It grows so slow it will not pay,
A profit for you anyway.
Then why in storm and winter cold,
Do you plant when you are so old?

The answer seems hard to define,
When muscles ache and they are mine.
But I just cannot stand to see,
A space where there should be a tree.
So that in part as years unfold,
Is why I plant when I'm so old.

I know that animals, bugs and things,
Love trees, and so do such as go on wings.
So creatures wild that benefit,
Is one more reason I can't quit
From planting trees while I can hold,
My planting hoe, though I'm so old.

They say that those retired from labor,
Should fish and play and talk to neighbor.
They say also that folks in leisure,
Should do the things which give them pleasure.
And so the thought on which I'm sold,
I'll plant some trees though I'm so old.

As time goes on my trees will grow.
So tall and clean and row on row.
The furry folk will have a home,
The birds can nest, and kids can roam.
And all of this as I have told,
I planted trees though I'm so old.

And then there is my family,
Young folks who will follow me.
I'd like to leave them with some land,
Stocked with trees and looking grand.
These gifts I value more than gold,
So I plant some trees though I'm so old.

And taxes too for schools and roads,
With jobs and lumber for abodes.
I won't see these things, I won't be here.
But to my mind it's very clear.
The words of some who could be polled,
Might thank a man who is so old.

Man should be proud of what's his own,
And how he's managed what he's grown.
But management must be begun,
By planting seedlings one by one.
And so my pride I shall uphold,
I'll plant some trees though I'm so old.

So when my friends ask of me,
Why does and old man plant a tree?
Perhaps the lines above explain,
How aching back and limbs in pain,
May by commitment be controlled,
To plant my trees though I'm so old.

NATIONAL ARBOR DAY

New Trees, New Life

April 30—National Arbor Day
As editor of the Nebraska City News, Julius Sterling Morton proposed the first statewide Arbor Day for April 10, 1872. Over one million trees were planted on that day.

Today Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday of April, although many states alter the date for local growing seasons.

“Arbor Day is not like other holidays. Each of those reposes on the past, while Arbor Day proposes for the future.” –J. Sterling Morton

Have you had your coffee break?

No matter how much pressure you feel at work, if you could find ways to relax for at least five minutes every hour, you’d be more productive. ~ Dr. Joyce Brothers

THE FOOD REVOLUTION

http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution/petition


Message from Jamie

If you care about the health of your children and the food they eat please sign this petition now.

It will only take 30 seconds.

Please take the time to go to Jamie's website and sign his petition. I did.

Crazy Dog in Snow

Does it not look like Gracie is having fun?
She loves snow.
She is eating the snow fellow who fell and went Boom.

STILL SNOWING

It's been a couple of hours now and the snow is still falling. But, oh so slowly now.
The local Doppler radar shows the storm moving off to the east and soon to be leaving our area. Believe it or, not the
temperatures didn't even get below the freezing mark.
Here's a couple more pictures for your viewing pleasure.
Flowers in the snow and the snowman DH built which because it's so warm out... didn't live a very long life.
He fell over and went BOOM!