A true sign of spring: Chuck gets out the grill, starts up the charcoal, and cooks! On this night, he cooked supper and enough planned overs to take us through at least two more days. Gotta love planned-overs.
Grilling season!
Seedlings catching some sun!
The seedlings get to go outside on a field trip! They soak up some real sun, as opposed to the grow lights, and strengthen their stems in the breeze.
I’m not sure if I like these little starter pots or not. They’re a good size for exactly one seed each, but they really dry out fast. I’ll reserve judgement until planting time comes around.
Since I took this picture, the temperatures have gone colder. The little pots might not get another field trip until Saturday or Sunday – or later.
It’s no surprise when a poll is skewed to one side. Left or right, many pollsters are hired to do just that – make the poll turn out for the candidate, no matter what.
It was a “suggested post” because I don’t follow the guy. Senator Ron Johnson’s headline said, “Wisconsin Values; take the survey.” His comment added, “We want to know what you think!”
Really, RonJohn? I don’t think you truly want to know what this ecology-minded, frugal, progressive blogger and public school teacher actually thinks.
What the heck, I clicked on the link. I was not surprised. Here’s an example, along with my answers – and my reactions.
As seen on Jeopardy:
Who is Russ Feingold, of course. Campaign finance reform – now that’s a reflection of Wisconsin values.
Years ago, when I successfully canned my first batches of jams, I was warned. “Jam is the gateway drug for canning. You’ll never be able to stop.”
It’s true. My home-canned inventory grows every year. Part of the joy of canning is getting downstairs to bring up a jar of cherry-rhubarb jam or home-grown salsa instead of writing it on the list and shopping for it. Another pleasure in the canning world is walking down the grocery store aisle and thinking, “I don’t need to buy that. I make my own.”
Let’s see. I had that thought as I walked past…
Meanwhile, I kept distracting myself from the actual shopping trip by thinking about spring and summer. Organic more expensive? I’ll grow it in the backyard. No problem. Chuck getting picky about breads? I’ll make some in the bread machine. He’ll eat it. What kind of ice cream should I make? Well, I still have a few strawberries in the freezer and a small amount of cherry concentrate. This could be delicious.
On further review, the rhubarb is already coming up, and I have quite a bit in the freezer. I must find a way to barter this rhubarb for something I don’t have. Ideas, readers? What do you do with too much rhubarb? And furthermore, was jam the gateway drug for you?
Questions. I have questions.
Where’s the NFL? If I’m stuck inside on a Sunday afternoon, I want football.
NASCAR! Amigo likes NASCAR. The announcers just said, “This isn’t Richmond, this is I-95!” Oh, there are times the track looks a lot like I-94 around Milwaukee.
Why does the remote control continually fall into the couch behind Amigo? No, don’t answer that.
Trent, the last American Idol, really rocked the National Anthem. He wowed the crowd – and he wowed us. That’s a statement, not a question.
Which Mountain Dew is better: Baja Blast or Pitch Black? And truly, who cares?
How are the Milwaukee Brewers doing this afternoon? Is the roof open?
How many school days are left until summer?
Can I start a few more seeds indoors? Maybe peas or beans?
Why are so few of the marigold seeds coming up?
Should I consider raising monarch butterflies?
Most of these questions have no answers. Some have answers that don’t really matter. With that in mind, I think I’ll hit “Post” and watch the race with Amigo. Boogity Boogity Boogity!
So here we go again. This is a true sign of spring: volunteers. Accidental plantings. I don’t know what this is, but there are several coming up in this section of the garden. Parsnips, maybe?
Mystery vegetable?
Similar to the mini mums and tulips, each spring the daffodils come up next to the old roses. I plan to dig up the daffodils after they’re done blooming. We have other plans for that area, including moving the roses. The stones will join their friends in the rock garden on the other side of the house.
See the markers? I’ll find the bulbs this time, I will.
Not everything is pretty in the springtime. A typical sign of spring in the O.K. Chorale is this: the mini mums I didn’t cut back last fall, and the tulips poking their little greens through the mess.
Every year. Every stinkin’ year.
If (when) I cut off the dead pieces, you’ll be able to see the new growth of the mini mums, too.
It seems like every year I post signs of spring and then – bam! – we get more winter. This time, my signs of spring will be one post at a time.
The barrels are back!
It’s a true sign of spring: the rain barrels are set up! Last year – well, last year was difficult. I’m glad to see one of my favorite garden tools – or should I say supplier? this is my main water source – is up and running.
It’s my turn. I cared for the boys, washed my hands frequently, stayed out of range of their coughing as much as I could — and it wasn’t enough. I’m on my second day home today. Chuck is back at work, but Amigo is still suffering.
In the category of Simple Pleasures, also known as For What it’s Worth, there are some reasons to feel (almost) good these days.
We have a new couch – with dual recliners on the ends. With this set-up, two of us can lean back and relax with the tissue box between us. No one fights over the couch because we can both stretch out.
Spring weather might return late in the week. Right now, none of us want to step outside into the cold air for fear of setting off a coughing fit.
I did the shopping last weekend, and I stocked up on chicken noodle soup. I’ve also thrown together crock pot meals to tempt our meager appetites while not spending precious energy in the kitchen.
Positives aside, I need a nap. After that, I need chicken soup.