Monday

  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 to move 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 from Doug and that was accomplished without any problem.  Eric always takes the umbrella down but somehow we manage to get it up without his help.  

                         What was going to hold the gazing ball now decorates the umbrella table.

I started on another bed wanting to move the stepping stones that guide one through the bed.  That happened as well as some preparation to plant some flowers seeds later needing to protect them from the rabbits.  I think the solution will prove to protect. I found cleome growing.  That doesn't usually happen until the last of May.  My, my, this year is different. They will be moved when they grow a bit.

I edged the herb garden, scraped out some weeds at various places and managed to stay out of trouble.  A protein drink happened when the energy was at a low point. 

I did some transplanting of thyme as well as part of a Hosta.  Weed killer took care of somethings that looked like they came from the thistle family.  Pulling them out only stimulate the roots left in the ground to grow more of the same.  

                                        New places to live.  They all seem to be pretty happy.

Supper was meatloaf and vegetables with what I could gather in the way of asparagus.  More little meatloaves are in the freezer for another day. I'd rather work in the garden than cook.  It's good to have some spare food stashed away.