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May5

Full-Swing Spring

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Full-Swing Spring

This spring the birds keep singing as the flowers keep blooming at a speed I can’t quite keep up with. Is it my age or did spring come lightning speed this year? The fruit trees and dogwoods have lost their petals weeks ago with the April showers and storms. It is the first week of May and some irises and peonies are already in full bloom. A hummingbird came flying by the last day of April. So, on May Day we welcomed hummingbirds with a filled feeder of sugar water Dean prepared. As spring is amping up, I thought to get my herbs and geraniums planted in pots for the front porch garden. A hard freeze is unlikely by now. I had to put off my gardening project for a few more days for other reasons.

“When one flower blooms, spring awakens everywhere.”~ John O’Donohue

By April 15 we had taxes paid, but I developed a backache that increased in sciatic pain until I could barely walk or sit. Only relief was lying flat on the bed with a heating pad and pillows to elevate my legs. A couple days off from work turned into 10 days. With x-rays, an MRI on my back and hips, and a visit to an orthopedic specialist, the conclusion is I have much arthritis in my back and joints, and two bulging discs. The vertigo returned from tossing and turning while dealing with the pain. A muscle relaxer, anti-inflammatory, physical therapy, and rest were prescribed. My employer didn’t accept my doctor’s note with limited physical activity, so I am now a substitute cook for all St. Charles County locations. I can accept or deny work as my body tells me. I cannot tell you when those bulging disc occurred. Apparently, I am not good at listening to my body. I am determined to be a better listener now and in the future. I have met some new people with this new season in my life, which has been fun.

I finally potted those herbs and geraniums. Tai basil, rosemary, and oregano in one pot. Common sage and pineapple sage in another. And finally, my beloved lemon thyme and English thyme live together in a pot. Ready for my upcoming workshops about baking with lemon-flavored herbs. More on those workshops later. The Italian basil was chewed on so badly that I put it in its own pot away from the other herbs. Whatever insect likes it can eat it to a stub, but please for the love of God, stay off my other herbs.

“I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.” ~ Ruth Stout

Apr3

The Gardens, Soups, and Salads

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My not-too-old Rival crock pot has been put to use the past 3 weekends.  I love this kitchen accessory.  In the morning, I put in a roast or roaster with some herbs and beer or wine.  This time of year dinner slow cooks all day while I work in the yard or garden beds.  And the leftovers are awesome.  I can usually get 3 or 4 meals for Dean and I from a 5 – 6 lb chicken roaster or turkey breast.  Homemade chicken soup, chunky chicken salad, creamy chicken enchiladas.  Beef and pork roasts are so tender slow cooked in the crock … Some meals are simple salads or wraps with goodies such as pecans, walnuts, cranberries, or roasted beets along with leftover slow-cooked meats.

I have my first tender leaves of arugula ready to be picked this week!  This early crop was sown on February 20.  So after about 50 days we will partake in this fresh peppery salad green for dinner, and probably an omelet for breakfast this Sunday morning.  Spring is the time of year where my back, legs, arms, and hands ache from the amount of time in the garden and yard.   Methodical movements are made the hours I work/play in the dirt.  “Gardening has to be as much about contemplation as it is about tilling and toiling.  Mental toiling, perhaps … turning things over, quietly thinking, in a place that gives you a peaceful corner for just a moment or two.” ~ Dominique Browning.  The birds and fresh air call me to sit on the porch early morning, but pure exhaustion hits the pillow by 9 even on the weekends.

 

Jun17

Earthy Goodness

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“We have learned that more of the ‘earth-earthiness’ would solve our social problems, remove many isms from our vocabulary, and purify our art. And so we often wish those who interpret life for us by pen or brush would buy a trowel and pack of seeds.” Ruth R. Blodgett.

The week-long sunshine and humidity boosted garden growth.  Clean, crisp leaves of arugula and leaf lettuce will make a big bowl of salad for the family crowd this week. My sister is in town from Minnesota, cause for celebration.

Sweat beaded my neckline, and then down my back and chest as I harvest the garden greens. Already 88 at 10 am. Soon salty droplets dribble onto my lips. The greens are almost sweet before the extreme afternoon temps turn them bitter. Are not we all?

The herbs thrive in the summer heat, with plenty of water. More chives need cutting. Snipette of tender dill and cilantro came ready in a couple of days. Next week I will be freezing my surplus herbs for the winter meals. The pea blossoms produced 1-inch pea pods in a matter of a week. Plant scraps are added to the compost. Earthy goodness. Primal to my taste buds. Organic gardening.Arugula.

Nov12

Whirl Wind Day

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Frozen Leaves
“Dull November brings the blast,
Then the leaves are whirling fast.”
~ Sara Coleridge

Veterans Day means another day off for the government worker. In the past, Dean and I have used this day for a long weekend trip, catch up on doctors’ appointments, and/or chores around the house or greenhouse. This year the whirl wind day encompassed doctors’ appointments for all three of us. The cold air literally blew in while we traveled 1 hour north for our labrador’s annual veterinary exam. We visited my father’s cementary site. Old flowers withered and brown, and I forgot to bring a sprig or two of colorful leaves and mums, Dad’s favorite flower. Not sure the wind would have allowed them to stay. The whirl winds brought the last of the leaves down, and a stark-gray filled this November afternoon. It followed us back to St. Charles County, Missouri.
My youngest daughter is in the hospital once again with major back issues. We make our way over to their apartment to watch after the two grandkids when they arrive home from school while our son-in-law stays with my daughter at the hospital. A congenial disorder she found out a few days ago, same as her older sister. My heart aches. A mother despises the pain her child is in no matter how old the child is. A sense of comfort envelopes me as I spend time with Libby and Brendan. The grace of God is evident in this family. We gathered under fleece throws while watching a Disney classic. The wind whipped about outside the patio window, frozen leaves nestled in the corner of the deck. Their three cats take turns for a gander as the howls come and go all evening. Spits of snow tell us winter will follow this whirl wind day. Good-bye autumn, my achey joints are not ready for winter yet.

Mar17

Irish Blessings

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Daffodil
This St. Patrick’s Day brought snow flurries, sleety rain, thunder, and later pouring rain. No rainbow with a pot of gold, though the soil still welcomes much moisture after the parched seasons of past. Hard to believe yesterday was a warm and partly sunny spring-like day. Yellow daffodils blooming on the country hillsides contrasting green while tree frogs croaked near the rain-filled creek beds. Midnight, our labrador retriever seemed to be in heaven sitting in the slushy cold rain, dreaming of ducks and geese landing on the water while Dean and I worked at the greenhouse. I, bundled in boots, snow pants, heavy winter coat, and hat kept warming water on the camp stove for hot tea. My Irish blessings came with an old hymn this morning at church …
An Old Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.