Mother's Day Eve

Listening to Mumford & Sons and Chris August.  Resting after some time gardening out front. I try to time my evening gardening so our across-the-street neighbors are inside.  As it was, one daughter of our neighbor (79 year old woman who I mentioned put me to shame with her digging), came over to her house and within minutes was hollering and going to town in her anger at someone in her mom's house.  What is up with that woman?   Gary worked with me a bit, sweeping and spreading some seeds.  My bodyguard, I guess.  Protects me from the monsters, and obviously we have those here.

Anyway.

We had a wonderful rain last night and into this morning a bit.  A soaking rain.  I'd been waiting for that to happen so I could put out the seeds I'd bought.  I'd rather we were in a situation of coming into full with the moon, but it can't be helped.  If I wait until the moon begins to go full, the weather will be too hot and my seedlings will burn.  Yeah, well.   Also put out a flat of Portulaca at the foot of the walkway (Mother's Day present).  It gets darn hot there, and we'd already pulled up some dwarf Crape Myrtles which had spread a bit too much.  Just trying to tidy up a bit.  My Black-eyed Susans have sort of taken over, so they got thinned as well.  Now to attack the Ground Ivy which is all over the place.  Stuff makes me sneeze.  Wish I liked it, then I'd leave it.  As it is, it's taken over as well.  If I could get my head around seeing it as an appealing ground cover, all would be dandy.  Uh, no.  By the way, one name of the Ivy is Lizzie-Run-Up-the-Hedge, which, yes, it does.  If I call it something charming like that, maybe I'll grow to love it?  'Course I could harvest it and make a tincture.  Seems most things grow agreeable when you stop making such a fuss.  Least it seems to me.  Lessons in gardening, as in the rest of life.

Perspective.

I'd been getting my knickers in a twist for days, wanting rain, thinking I'd be late planting.  Tonight spent about an hour out there, cleared out the spaces for the Portulaca, yanked some of that Ivy, and broadcast Onion, Spinach and Radish seeds.  I'm calling it my salad garden, for obvious reasons.  Not doing rows, but areas.  The gardening book I reviewed recently recommends that method for small plots, and mine is definitely small.  Spread some Marigold and Zinnias too.  The thing is, within a short period of time, I got all I wanted to do accomplished.  That's my way.  Get all worked up, finally do a task and realize it was so simple.  So, what's up with THAT?

Time to go.  Enjoy your weekend. :)

Wednesday evening

House bulging with things from moving-to-California son's apartment.  Odd to look at a laundry basket full of his flour, sugar, pot holders, coffee, rice (so much rice we have now---I have no idea why), and other things. Oh, and a small container of bread starter---homemade.  Love that.  An extra small air conditioner, lamps, coffee maker, dishes, books, a futon, and personal stuff.  Chin up, Buttercup.  Hard to not think of missing him, but part of me is so excited at what he's leaving to do.  He's incredibly excited, and I know he's longing to be on the road and on his way. 

He'll leave at about 7:30am tomorrow morning, then will pick up his traveling buddy.  His return date is possibly in late October or early November.  Maybe.  What he's really thinking of is being offered the job of replacing the main chef who's stepping down next year.  Oh my.  In my heart, I hope he doesn't settle in California, but he's the Lord's, not mine.  Must remember that.

In other news, put seven books up for sale online, sold two within an hour and another this morning.  I'd sold books before, but it'd been awhile.  Nice to have some extra change, with little effort.

Tomorrow I'm going to work in the front yard, digging in the small area youngest son got ready for me.  I have some seeds, and need to keep busy.  I'll likely get lots accomplished until second son arrives at his destination on Saturday or Sunday.

Mothering will keep a person on her toes like nothing else.  My children seem to be all over the map in terms of their behavior, and I'm thankful for every last one of them.  The children who lean on the Lord, however, are a special joy.  The burden of praying for them makes my heart light since I know their desire is for His will.  In that my yoke is easy.

Prayers for safe travel for Jacob and his friend, Steve, appreciated. :)

Keeping cool, sort of...

This is one of those days when you get to the end of it and say, "Why no, I accomplished absolutely nothing the entire day."  And that's the truth.

The only bit of excitement was when Gary and I went together to pick up 4th son at work and my truck overheated.  Glad G. was there to do the anti-freeze thing.  I can take care of things like that, but would rather he do it. Grateful.  And with the heat index well into the 100's, it worked out just fine.

Now it's almost 10pm and I'm getting up every 20 minutes or so, moving the sprinkler about in the front garden.  Being on the corner, it takes awhile before everything gets wet, but it's worth it.  I remember about 5 or so years ago, it was so dry in July, I impatiently cut back all my black-eyed Susans because they looked so pitiful.  Thankfully this summer we've had reasonable amounts of rain, and some cooler days.  Just doesn't happen to be this week.  Drat.  And oddly enough, this is the first time I've had to use the sprinkler.  Not bad for July.  The flowers really do look gorgeous.  'Course the Crepe Myrtles love the heat and the Susans.  My Balloon Flower is perfect, the Butterfly Bushes are sort of thin, but usually come around.  The Phlox is pretty, but I keep cutting it, so don't give it a chance.  The blooms just smell so doggone good in the house.

Oh, and on Sunday one of the long-standing members at the church personally nominated me to be the Flower Chairwoman, I guess you'd call it.  Just have to make sure someone (or me) gets flowers up on the altar for Sunday morning.  Nobody did the task this past Sunday and this sweet woman was sad about it.  Asked if I'd do the job of seeing to it, and she's such a love, I can't ever tell her no.  Plus she's one of Gary's regular clients and has the most delicious deep South accent.  I could listen to her talk all day.

So guess that's my news. Not much, but it's all pretty good.  Take care and stay cool.

Gardening and such

Went outside after dinner and planted some of the flowers oldest daughter bought me over the weekend.  A couple of perennials and the same number of annuals later, I'm here resting in bed.  The older I get, the shorter my time is spent outside digging in the dirt.  The getting up from a sitting position is a bit of a challenge.  Not impossible, but still, not very graceful.  The end result is always a treat, though.

And I transplanted some of my Evening Primroses which showed their faces, and that made me happy.  My abundance of black-eyed Susans had smothered some of the Primroses last year, so in the fall I yanked up some of the Susans to allow breathing room.  Ahhh.  I do love my Primroses.  The yellows didn't show up last Spring, so I'm happy to see them back.

Tomorrow (or whenever), I'll move some Begonias my neighbor gave me.  I've got several Angel Wing and some Dragon Wing Begonias and some monster Begonia she unloaded on me as well.  It's HUGE, but don't know its name.  Gary took one look at it and just shook his head.  This neighbor is so funny---says she needs a plant intervention.  Giving away her excess is the only way she can defend her plant habit. The thing is, she has this green thumb that can't be stopped.  And she doesn't trim her plants, so they get enormous.  I'll have take a photo of the Aloe she gave me.  You'll laugh.  It's kinda scary big.

Best go now.  Oldest daughter's making Mary Kathryn's Strawberry Yum Yum dessert to take to sweet Indian boyfriend's house (as requested by his mom) tomorrow night. Delish, let me tell you.  Too bad she's not making two of them, or at least I've been led to believe this springform pan of amazingness won't be staying put.   Darn.  I'm going to lean over her shoulder and hope she still has some graham cracker crumb crust to nibble on.  Love that stuff.

Anyway, looking forward to tomorrow.  Don't have to leave (which thrills me), and the bills are either paid or shortly to be done.  Relief.  Such deep satisfaction when responsibilities are taken care of.  I can breathe.

Saturday afternooon

Last night fourth son and I ran errands including a trip to the store so I'd not have that chore today.  So love it when I do that.  So, for that brilliant move I've been able to stay home all day.  Dress like a gypsy and be lazy.  And the sun came out for a couple of hours earlier, which was a real treat.  We've had LOTS OF RAIN, really more than in ages and ages.  Drenched.  The backyard is a squelchy mess.  The route from the backdoor to the clotheslines is wet enough to suck the shoes right off your feet, and I wear clogs most of the time.  A couple of dry days would be nice.

As it is, I did hang out some sheets which I'll have to go back out to grab in a minute. More rain coming.  And I cut some pink azalea branches, roses, pansies, violas, dianthus and chocolate mint.  The mint is being taken over by the black-eyed Susans, and I'm going to root what I picked today.  Put it in a pot later on.

And the chickens are well.  They got chilly yesterday afternoon, so had to turn on their heat lamp again (as I have today).  I picked up Piglet, since she looked uncomfortable, and she just snuggled right in the crook of my neck.  They go to sleep so quickly when you cozy them next to you.

Now will rest for a bit.  Tuna casserole for dinner, chocolate chip cookies to bake and a house to tidy up just a smidgen.  Laying low.  Gary's at work, oldest daughter is out with sweet Indian boyfriend (hence the bit of tidying to do for later), 2 sons at the restaurant, middle daughter recovering from an infection, and the rest of the bunch here taking it easy.  Restful.  Will watch a movie with Gary after dinner, and church to plan for clothes-wise.  All good.

Herbal stuff

assorted cups of tea for sore throats

So, last night my woodboy signed me up for a pretty extensive herbalist's class online.  Not something we could ordinarily afford, but those tax refunds do come in handy just at the right time.  I think I'm in shock.  This is something I've dreamed of doing for years and years, already treating our family with herbs, etc., but to now be learning in more of an official capacity will be thrilling.  He's even talking about making our former breakfast room into a sort of still room.  Says he'll put up racks for drying and talked about shelves for bottles and all.  My goodness, I think he's more excited that me, if that's possible.  I like this idea much better than putting a treadmill in that room. Much better. And last night he downloaded an herbal book onto his Kindle reader on his phone and proceeded to read it to me.  Not my idea of a bedtime story, but I'm not complaining.  That'd be foolish.

I think I'd be more wound up if I wasn't sick, though.  In between careful gulps of tea and coughing fits, I am looking forward to it.  Even before he set up the classes I'd ordered several packets of seeds online. Now the classes will just put feet to my gardening this spring and summer.

He said last night that there are two things I get worked up about---one being the herbs and the other being art history. Bless him for always making attempts at me being more of who I really am.  Sometimes takes awhile for us to even know ourselves notwithstanding those who live with us.  But to have a heart's desire met is amazing.  Truly amazing.

Thursday noon

Taking Fall Break for a handful of days, and grateful for the chance to just breath a bit more deeply.  Not to feel a burden on my back that needs tending.  Must focus on what's right in front of me and not dwell on what's ahead.

This weekend should be a fun one.  The weather is absolutely stunning, with a fast rain that came through here last night.  Left us with cooler temperatures and a delicious day.  It's just in the 60's now and I'm looking forward to digging in the mud later on.  Must make one quick trip to the drugstore, then it's all about home.

And on Sunday we go to a Fish Fry, which sounds dishy.  The girls and I are baking pies to take---middle daughter has a hankering for pumpkin and the least one wants to make a chocolate chess, which is so good it'll make you want to slap your mama!

Now it's time to go.  Put a wash in, get dressed (finally), and think briefly about what's for dinner.

Enjoy your day.

(a borrowed photo, sadly not my house)

Tuesday, early afternoon

Running on slow today, and that's acceptable.  Isn't a mother's burden to feel guilty when things don't get done in a regular sort of fashion?  Least that's the case with me, especially with the homeschooling.  I looked up the public school's calendar online to find out when their fall break is and turns out, it was on last Thursday and Friday.  Who knew?  I didn't notice the neighborhood kids out more than usual, but there you have it.  I try to line up our holidays with theirs so we don't stick out like a sore thumb.  We try to play the homeschooling as low-key and below the radar as possible, and that includes days off.

So.  Guess maybe we'll stick in our days off this Thursday and Friday.  Oldest daughter's best friend, who lives in Oklahoma, is driving down the first weekend in November for daughter's 25th birthday, and that'll be nice.  It requires us to go to a bit more care in housekeeping, though, which is good, but sort of a pain as well.  Yeah, I can be lazy.  But if we do little bits and pieces as we draw near to November, the house will be all clean and shiny in good fashion.

Now must go.  Need to get something at the store for dinner---thinking vegetable soup and cornbread would be dishy.  Am about to have the kids help me in clearing out the front flower beds of dead black-eyed Susans and what-have-you.  It's a mess.  Some fresh air will be nice, and the day is beautiful.

Hope yours is a sweet day as well.

(photo by woodboy)

Mid-week's mutterings

Online briefly just now.  Got in some groceries, trying to figure out why the fridge is accumulating water under the crisper drawers (have searched online and think it's one of two things), and about to fold the laundry with the girls.  Youngest son just mopped the kitchen floor, there's chicken cooking for Chicken Alfredo, and the least one made yeast roll dough.  Have I left anything out?

Well, will hopefully get some clearing out done (read:  a tiny bit) in the front garden after dinner.  Figure if I do it bits at a time, the job won't be overwhelming.  It's been so dry, the black-eyed Susans are sad-looking and the echinacea is as well.  I want to cut them to the ground and let the obedient plants have some room.  The Susans have so taken over and what was attractive, has gotten way  overgrown.  Like my own life, I want some space...that mood is trickling down into what I want inside and outside of the house.

Guess it's sort of Fall Cleaning, versus Spring Cleaning.  Mental room sounds nice as it does in my 3-dimensional world.  And with my new Yankee Candle Pumpkin Spice candles burning lately, I'm ready for a change of season.  Seems true with many of us. :)

Think I might take the kids to the library tomorrow.  My last pile was a bit stinky, not my taste, and I want to find some new titles to read.  Would love to find a new author along the lines of Rosamunde Pilcher/Elizabeth Goudge/Miss Read/Dodie Smith/D. E. Stevenson.  And, yes, I'll take suggestions.  Please.

(neat photo of old books just because---courtesy of wikipedia)

Monet's home...

Source: curious-places.blogspot.com via Vic (Jane Austen's World) on Pinterest

The house this afternoon...

The echinacea is doing well, and the black-eyed Susans are filling in and will be the main attraction for the remainder of summer. There are a few dwarf crepe myrtles, some waning bee balm and daisies, and two butterfly bushes.  The coreopsis has gone to seed and the roses are either done blooming, or near to being done.  The obedient plants are coming out, but don't bloom until the end of the season.  For the ones who enjoy the heat (the Susans especially), today is a good day.

Sunday night

Three youngest three finished weeding the vegetable garden just before dark.  Second son, who planted everything, said he'd pay them to weed.  Instant enthusiasm!  In about a 6x4' area we have 3 watermelon plants, about 7 tomatoes, a few peppers, a sizable basil, and a cilantro plant that is bypassing everything.  Isn't that the way? Only 2 of us (including me) like cilantro, but it's doing better than anything.

And a nice morning at church.  The least one went with me, and it was funny---after the service a woman came up to us from the choir and commented on the least one's hair.  It's short and in sort of a wedge-cut in the back.  Her hair is thick and a bit wavy and a dream to cut.  Anyway, this woman said how she really liked it and as we were talking, a few other women came up.  I've not gotten that sort of attention the whole time I've been out there.  (Note to self:  take small child to events)  Anyway, the least one met another little girl who is also 10, and they invited her to Sunday School, which ironically enough is off session for the summer.  I jokingly (not so much) said that being that it begins in the fall, we have time to work up our courage.  Now I have the possibility of some women friends to think about, and an opening for our kids to meet folks too.  One at a time, it seems. This is all good, and slowly gained, which is perfect, since I tend to take most things very slowly.

Now looking forward to seeing oldest daughter.  She's been out all day with the Indians doing family stuff.  Will be wonderful to have all my chickens home for dinner tomorrow---glad sweet Indian boyfriend's family celebrated today.  Beyond being thankful for having my family around me tomorrow, just chillin'.

(painting called 'from the garden' by jules alexis muenier---courtesy of pinterest)

Flowers

Bought a few bedding plants the other day outside a drugstore I like to poke around in.  I got Profusion Coral Pink Zinnas and Derby Melampodium.  I'm thinking they'll be happy together, especially since they're both sun-lovers and will look a treat near our over-abundance of Black-Eyed Susans which take over every summer.  I haphazardly planted them in an alternate sort of pattern---trying to not be too precise since our flower beds/garden tends to have a naturalized look. We're not into cutting our bushes into balls or squares, but let them do their own thing. Same with the flowers.  I have lots and lots of perennials and herbs and, over the years, they've spread and taken over parts of the beds---crowding out the less extroverted flowers to make way for themselves.  I leave a few areas, however, bare of perennials so I can have my annuals that are favorites.  Really glad I got the pink zinnias.  I do adore pink.

But anyway, so happy to have them all in the ground.  I was outside at around 9pm tonight, bringing in some towels from the lines and looked up and saw how full the moon was looking. Got all flustered a minute, thinking of the bedding plants and wanting them planted before the moon was full---while it was still waxing.  Close call.  The moon will be full on Saturday night---a super moon no less.  Besides, gardening to the glow of the street lamp across the street isn't anything new to me.  It's quiet then.  Our noisy 2-houses-across-the-street-worth of very busy neighbors are inside and not a bother.  They tend to stare when I'm outside puttering along, not that there's anything to look at, but still, they will do that.  At night, I don't have an audience, and if I can keep track of my trowel and flashlight (which I frequently lose and need another flashlight to find), then I do just fine.