Transformation

I love what the late day sun does to the garden.

The pine tree and lilac bushes recede into the deep green background,


and the colors of the flowers take on a special radiance.


The pink of the columbine becomes rich and golden-hued,


while the green leaves of the red twig dogwood
and the white allium create a fresh pattern.

What I couldn't capture on film, though,
was the whirling motes of cottonwood seeds
that swirled across the lawn, highlighted by the sun.


And now the columbine needs dusting.

Just a little entertainment

Someone sent me this link a while ago; I just came across it while cleaning out some old emails.

It's from the HEMA website, which is a Dutch department store.

Very creative programmers!

http://producten.hema.nl/

Lake Liberty Garden

We had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend at my parents' cottage in Wisconsin.

My parents, older brother and his wife, nephew and his bride, two of their friends, and I all spent time working in the yard as well as enjoying the surroundings and doing lots of talking (that part seems to continue without any effort at all).

Our last accomplishment for the weekend was to plant a garden. Luckily there was a sunny spot (there is a lot of shade here, which is wonderful, but not so good for food production) without much grass on it, so we created a little bed. We had started composting kitchen scraps two summers ago so had a little compost to add to the sandy soil.


We've planted grape tomatoes, red onions, basil, dill, carrots, radishes, and swiss chard. We're a bit late with the seeds, but it was a last minute idea on my part to have a garden, and the investment was low, so whatever we get is all to the good.

Here's hoping the deer and rabbits find the twine fencing and anti-animal spray enough of a deterrent.

Earth Day

I subscribe to an email from a website called Big Green Purse.

It focuses on environmental issues
and what we can do with our purchasing power
to positively impact the environment.
I almost always learn something that I can use immediately.

One of their emails arrived Monday
with a list of things not to do, and a list of things to do,
to celebrate Earth Day.

It made me think: what will I do on Earth Day this year?

So here's what I did:

Took the recycling out to the curb for the weekly pick-up
(I'm grateful that our village makes it so easy to recycle)


Took the kitchen scraps out to the compost pile
(not a well managed pile, but it works for me)

Picked flowers from the garden for a centerpiece
for the birthday dinner

Hung the laundry on the line to dry
(started this last April and
have not used the gas dryer more than a handful of times since)


Planted onions
(there are almost a HUNDRED in this bunch!
I was told there would be about 25. But I'm OK with that.)


Made dinner
(roasted turkey breast and fresh vegetables
in a rosemary cream sauce,
fresh asparagus with chives from the garden
(the chives, not the asparagus),
grilled whole wheat crostini, and fresh strawberries for dessert)


Washed the dishes with earth-friendly dishwasher detergent
and dishwashing liquid. No phosphates.


Thanked God for our beautiful earth
and for the chance to make a difference

What's next? I'm thinking of installing a rain barrel.

Oh Happy Day

With her older brother

Today is my mom's birthday.

About age 14, with her mother


I won the womb lottery when I was born to my parents.

Mom and Dad's wedding day


My mother is loving, tolerant, funny, caring,
and tireless in her support of her family.
Nothing is ever too much trouble.



I am so very thankful.

No Monopoly on Birthdays

It's that time of year again.

And to celebrate the day: going to work, then to take G to aquatherapy (we both go into the pool, which is a cozy 92F), back to work, then to church for choir rehearsal prior to the Maundy Thursday service.

My parents were here on Sunday for dinner, and my mom brought me this picture. My two sisters and I are playing Monopoly at a card table in the living room. I was 10, and the picture was taken in April. (Kodak wasn't more specific than that in the old days. Now we know not just the month and year, but the day, minute, and second.)

My older sister and I seem intent on the game.
My younger sister, who would have been almost 4,
is more absorbed by the photographer.
Her concentration has improved since then.

Scillas in snow

Despite the last few days being sunny,
the snow of Sunday night has lingered in places
where the sun hasn't touched it.

This morning's early sun highlighted
the contrast of the bright blue of the scilla
against the newly green grass
and the white snow at the base of a tree.