Freshly Dug

It's amazing what a couple of pounds of potato scraps/peels will produce.  We planted these in a couple of half barrels, still one more to go.  That's a nice harvest of potatoes.  Tomorrow night I will steam a few with string beans, roast some asparagus and grill a salmon filet...best meal on the planet.

Rain moving in tomorrow, so it will be a much needed rest day.
Sweet dreams

Spring Update

The privets are in full bloom here.  I know that many love them, love their fragrance and their white blossoms.  For me, they are misery every spring.  The smell of them makes me nauseous, they trigger migraines and clog my sinuses and make my meniere's flare.  They have been in bloom now for about two weeks, maybe one more week to go and things will calm down.

Normally I have two allergy seasons, spring and fall.  We got our bees last spring, but no honey from them until the summer.  I ate our honey every day until it was gone, mid-December.  I had no fall allergies.  I think if we had had enough of our honey for this spring I would have not had the allergy symptoms I have had.  I sure hope our bees have a productive summer and we get lots of honey.

The weather guys say a cold front is coming in this weekend.  Fingers are crossed that all our beautiful crops weather this cold spell. The blueberries are luscious, sweet as candy and the bushes are full.  The peach and apricot trees are hanging full of green fruit.  I suppose blackberry winter just wanted to visit one more time.

Enjoy your Thursday.  I hope you laugh out loud and that you experience great kindness. 

Sisters

My seven sisters roses have never been this pretty or prolific.  The bush is still loaded even after cutting this bouquet.   Rick didn't have to buy me roses for our anniversary today, I grew them.
46 years seems like a moment.

Treasures

One of the things I have cherished most about our songwriting ( besides the songs we write and our performances) are the friends that music has brought us.  Tonight we spoke with one of those friends and it truly was a gift to hear her voice.  What a rush of memories just the sound of her voice triggered.   We met at an ASCAP workshop in Nashville and our friendship just blossomed.
She would drive down to Alabama and visit, we would visit her in Nashville. 

As life does, through the years our paths crossed less and less, those bumps and curves that come with age widened the distance.  Where did the time go?   But a few years back, our friendship renewed.  I think age has reminded us of those who remained important in our lives.

Tonight, she had a bee emergency, she might have a swarm.  When I got her text I told Rick we have to call her, she needs some advice.  Rick spoke with her first and then I got the phone.  We giggled and laughed and maybe came close to tears a few times, but what a gift a simple phone call was tonight.  One valuable lesson Covid 19 has taught me, those friends I treasure....I just want to see them again, to hug them...that is what I want tonight.

Sunday

Another beautiful day.  Our  weather has been amazing these past few weeks.  We have had an honest to goodness spring, cool nights, pleasant days.

I ate fresh blueberries today.  The taste as they burst open in my mouth was delectable.  Our strawberries will be ripe soon.  Today I just stood by a blueberry bush and ate, how lucky can I get?

This first week of May is so different from last year.  May 5th is our anniversary, last year for our 45th one, we spent time in Savannah.   The lighthouse on Tybee Island was so quaint.  This year we will celebrate on the farm.  Maybe next year there will be a trip out west.  Be kind this week.  Take care of yourselves.

Today

Through the years,  I have taken many online courses.  Some have been for work, some for my personal pleasure, sometimes a mix.  I am currently taking an online teacher training for yoga.
It's been interesting, I like the instructor and it is always good to freshen your perspective. I spent the afternoon viewing this class.

Sam and Jordan came over this evening and we sat in the backyard while Jordan chased fireflies.
It was a bit warm for a fire in the pit so I made smores on the stove.  We were watching for the string of satellites that everyone has been watching.  We think we saw one.  It was a little disappointing, I think we were expecting much more.

I  hope your Sunday brings peace, and much kindness.

Friday Update

The  meniere's flared a couple of time this week, last night was one of them.  Nothing really bad, just enough to keep me on the couch with its usual symptoms.  The last  major flare I had was April of 2019, thankful for that.

I finally have the deck back in warm weather shape.  The plants weathered the winter well on the side porch and the warm days and plentiful rain have made them flourish.  We have repotted several and I am anxious to see how much they grow by summer's end.

Jordan wants to make some extra money so he is going to help me paint the three tables and eight chairs that are on the deck.  Taking care of the chickens and helping in the garden are regular chores, no pay for those.

We planted a raspberry bush today.  I have wanted one for years, they will be so tasty with the blueberries and blackberries. 

Fatigue has hit early tonight, a residue from last night's flare.  Hot tea and a cozy bed are calling to me.
Tomorrow is Saturday, be kind, be grateful, be well.