IN Carmel

 Today was another work day.  I've had a few of those lately.  It must be spring.  So, I added another one to the previous count.  The work included moving a million, not quite but it seemed like a million Lake Superior rocks from their winter nesting place.  Then making a clean edge.  Adding Preen to knock down weeds that might be lurking in the seed form and then relaying the rocks.  Lots of work but looks good when finished.  I dug out a big clump of Sea Grass in that same bed making it a contribution to the b blue containers.  That was almost as much work as the rock stuff.  The roots told me they were going to make the job as hard as possible.  Yes, they talk to me.  But I won!  The bed is ready for dahlias.  How many?  I'm not quite sure.  Maybe 8.  If all goes well it should be quite a show for late summer and fall.                  ...

  The day started with a trip  to I U North.  It's another month of living that needs bloodwork numbers to close out the last four weeks. Then onward and forward..  That happened and then I was back to the ranch for a little bit.  There were a couple of things I wanted to accomplish today.  The first one tackled was moving the gazing ball to the garden again.  I had some ideas about keeping the ball stable using natural materials.  I didn't want it to roll off the stand.  So off to H L again for some reed wreaths thinking that would work.  Well, it didn't.  The sun was out and the refraction of the light set the reed wreaths on fire along with the kitchen towel. So that didn't work at all.  The second option was to go back to last years solution and that worked. The ball is extremely heavy so a bit hard to handle but I persevered.   The second job was to get the umbrella up on the patio.  I needed a little help f...

 It's been a wonderful different unusual Sunday that comes along perhaps once in a life time.                                                Cooler weather brings long life to this blooming dogwood tree.                                                                                                 It's a beautiful sight out my kitchen window. But first...We took Noah to church.  His parents visited brother Andrew at Goshen College.  They chose to return to Carmel later this morning.  We also took Noah home again after his bell practice reh...

 Crazy, busy day.  I happy for my computer chair at 5:30.  I was out the door at 8 am on the way to church soup kitchen day.  We swapped with another group so today was our day just followed by last weeks work Saturday.  I made a stop at the neighbor's garage sale and I saved some money because what I had in mind was gone.  Then on to church arriving as usual at 8:30.                                                     A beautiful Malow plant on it's way to be even more beautiful. I worked for about 20 minutes and then Dan came and I got him started on a few things.  The rest of the crew and some new crew folks arrived and it was a full morning of work.  And once again the deadline was met.  We were busy with a crowd a bit larger than usual.  But the food held out and community fo...

 Another good night of sleep.  They do appear every so often and I'm so happy they do. The morning routine happened and I was out the door looking at the messy place I wrote about yesterday.  But before that work started I was across the street to the best garage sale ever.  The Mrs. is my size and she was almost giving away a closet size bunch of clothes with her closet still filled.  I came home with pull overs tops pants and intend to go back for another look when their garage door goes up.  The beginning of the dahlia bed is the hope for this space.  All is ready but the plants.  They will come in May. The stepping stones have found a new home. Over the years they have been many places.  Once home I started moving stone path material to another bed and raking the path area where the stone path had been.  Then new preparation began fir another stone path in the new bed.  That bed would be where the dahlias would be planted eventu...

                 What a gift and to be outside with the blue above is where I was today.  Blessed for sure.                                                   Such a reminder of the summer sky at Copper Harbor, Michigan. Closing in on another week under the belt.  Today was another one at home.  Woo, woo.  I like those.  There was a little rain in the morning but not enough to make me move from the bench on the patio.  It was a drop here and there.  Mostly there.  The forecast was for a week of rain.  That hasn't happened.                                                     Difficult to see...

            A beautiful perennial geranium from the church plant swap.  It lives in many spots in the garden. Another interesting day.  That seems to be the theme these days.  Nothing boring, nothing gained.  So I want gained so boring keeps the crazy days balanced.  I guess. Up early with the usuals as usual.  There was the walk in the garden to choose the job for the day.  I decided on edging.  So I started.  That meant moving all the Superior rocks and clearing the bed they lay on pulling weeds hiding around and under them so to speak.                                                     It's a job that happens two or three times a summer. Before the rocks returned to their resting place the area under them was preened.  That is when I remember...

            Let's start with blue bells and bleeding hearts.  A great combination blooming at the same time.                                                         One never goes wrong with this early combination.                                              Waiting for germination.  I might need to do another try. Another good night of rest.  Someone must be praying for that to happen.  Maybe me! So as usual the coffee cup went with me to the garden after the teeth were brushed, hearing aids in, sugar reading and blood pressure done, glasses on, breakfast eaten and more.  I guess all of that an more helped me to wake up. ...

                           Once again showing off being among the first to bloom.  There are many buds. The day started with light coming in the window.  I love it!  Some mornings start in the dark.  This one didn't.  Breakfast happened and then a walk with coffee.  Decisions made.  Today was the day transplanting of B Eyed Susan's would happen. I have been putting it off for better things.   I filled a space that didn't produce much Okra when it was planted.  Some years it was overrun by bushes.  So today I decided to let Susan take over.  And she will with time.  I can forget about that space.  After all that it was time to put on my Uber hat and take my friend to the eye doctor.  She had a good exam and received new prescriptions with the hope of seeing better.  I think it will work well for her.  Once again Butterfly Wee...

                     I took a cup of coffee and my Iphone on the morning garden walk.  I did a little snooping.  A finally polished nest with the middle supporting a very deep area where the eggs and mother sit.  I dare a sparrow try to move in.  Mom will get them for sure.  It looks very empty from the round entrance hole. I suspect the bottom part happened before pine needles were found.  Pine needles for nesting material are preferred by Blue Birds.  Sunday, Sunday.  Church day and we were there again.  Jill preached about Thomas and his visit with Jesus after the resurrection.  This was the first of two Sundays available to order hanging basket flowers.  The profit from this project will provide for a few new things as well as restorations in the court yard area. I'll let other folks participate this year.  Flowers are so expensive.  Everything takes oil. Flo...

          Clean water for the birds and a house ready for the wrens.  One of the seven dwarfs on guard.                                  Pretty blue bells for those who like B Bells.  The Piliated Wood Pecker is seen often.  As you all have figured out...Saturday ends the week and this end is the one I've been looking forward to.  Lots of unplanned things happened this week, so I'm done with this week.  Now on to fewer surprises, please. Just be ordinary.                                                             I can't get enough of purple and yellow.   It was a very short night again with an early rise and then off to church for the first of tw...

 It was the morning wake up stuff and then a walk in the garden. Three areas told me it was liberation time for them.  Doug has been working on the forsythia bush trimming out all the old stuff getting it ready for next years spring.  He is a super bush trimmer. Two big blues are ready for next Wed. Yes...two.                                                          A clump of Joe Pye is on the other side of Doug.  And right beside that bush were two Joe Pye clumps that have planted themselves in that space.  They seem to like it where they landed along with a few other intentionally plants. The Joe P are getting ready to show new shoots for this year.  The clump where they were to emerge was covered with violets among other things.  So I declared another liberation day with a lot of m...