Spring?

Spring is really important, especially for those of us who don't have it! People around here start talking about spring being just around the corner about February 15. And it is so easy to get caught up in it. I am taking a gardening workshop through the local adult education program. Virtually all the plants are new to me, and the other issues seem foreign as well - underlying ledge, starting the vegetable garden indoors, garden pests, dealing with mildew because it rains a lot here, not having to water, and the list goes on.

Our yard is pretty much a blank slate. I've been checking out books from the library on garden design, stonescaping, and hardy perennials. So here's my preliminary new design for the yard. It's clearly not done, but I'll only be able to tackle part of it anyway. Rob is good at reminding me that we have to plan for snow management in the winter months, so I can't put planters or walkways where the snow plow needs to push the snow.


Maybe spring will actually arrive soonish...the first day lily tips are showing above the ground (to be covered by a dusting of snow today). I cut forsythia branches about two weeks ago and brought them in. They are blooming in the warmth. Another sign of the possibility of spring is the arrival of the migrating turkey vultures. I saw the first one this morning over the meadow across the street. Should I allow myself to hope?

Weekend Warriors

Here's a typical pose for us this weekend. Rob is finishing the sheetrock behind the new washer dryer. We had to have them delivered this week after 3 weeks without. I think we did about 7 loads this week - a record for just two of us.

On the left of the picture is the new shower, now with the cement board installed (by Rob) and the plumbing finished. The tile guy is coming tomorrow to get started on the shower pan. My project for the weekend was painting our bedroom, which is only about 2/3 done. So many angles around the dormer!

On my way to the grocery store this morning, it was about 35 degrees. I saw a guy on the downhill side of 50 jogging with only shoes, tiny little running shorts, and gloves on! Some of these Mainers are crazy! I feel like "I've seen it all now", but I wish I hadn't seen so much either...

And our final weekend warrior is Oscar the Cat. He's finally decided to brave the brave new world. He started venturing out this week for very short trips on the deck. Now he's graduated to exploring the barn and who knows where else. His trips only last an hour or two at most. He really dislikes walking in the snow. It either gives way under him or makes crunchy noises. Still seems quite scared of car noises - good!