Archive for February 2011
“When gardeners garden, it is not just plants that grow, but the gardeners themselves.”
February 17, 2011The weather is amazing today. Even though the sun is in and out, it is still in the high 40’s and will even reach the 50’s, almost spring weather. I have a few errands after this, and I can’t wait to open the windows to smell the fresh air.
Yesterday I saw my surgeon who figured out why my right leg still hurts. It seems that whatever he put between the screws has moved and is lying on a nerve and that is causing all the pain. The only solution is to fix it through surgery. He also figured he’d add screws to the corresponding bone on the other side. They then should reinforce each other. I knew he didn’t use Gorilla Glue.
My garden shoots are even higher. I keep a daily watch. None of the garden centers are open yet, but that will come soon enough. This year I’m adding a small vegetable garden in the back yard. I’ll start some in the house and then transplant them. No zucchini! It is like a monster from outer space which can replicate itself to take over the planet.
I don’t remember squash when I was a kid. I think my mother decided not to try it on us as she had enough trouble getting us to eat carrots. She used to mix them with the mashed potatoes. We never asked. We just thought mashed potatoes were multicolored. I always like peas so they were served even though my brother hated them. I don’t remember any other vegetables served when we were young. I guess my mother picked her battles.
I’m always proud when stuff grows in my garden because I’m not a gardener. I buy flowers by color, and every year the perennials come right back all on their own without any help from me. My herb garden flourishes, and I love snipping what I need to make a dish using herbs from my own garden. I have high hopes for the vegetable garden. I’m way past mixing my carrots and potatoes.
The Wreck of the Old 97: Johnny Cash
February 15, 2011Jerry, Go and Oil that Car: Harry K. (Haywire Mac) McClintock
February 15, 2011This is from Classic Railroad Songs from Smithsonian Folkways.
“From coast to coast the railroads roam, yet every inch of rail stays home.”
February 15, 2011The wind is fierce on this very cold day. I had to go to the dentist this morning, and his office is by a field. The wind came whipping across, and I was freezing as I walked from the car. Today is a day to be home, warm and cozy.
A wind advisory is in effect with winds ranging from 30 to 50 MPH. It’s 24° but, according to the weather channel, it feels like 10°. From my window I can see even the tallest pine trunks swaying to the wind. The backyard will be filled with their dead branches. Pine trees, even the largest, are not hearty. Tomorrow will be in the 40’s, a virtual heat wave will be upon us.
I’m amazed when I think back to my childhood and remember walking to school in every sort of weather. Nothing fazed us. We’d open our arms to the wind and hope to fly. When it snowed, we’d stick out our tongues to catch the flakes and throw snowballs at each other all the way home. Rain was the least popular weather. We would take advantage of any large puddles, but mostly, we just got wet.
I really like traveling by train. My favorite trip was from Quito to Guayaquil, a route no longer available. The train left Quito and my first view was of the volcanoes which lined both sides of the rail. From there we started mountain climbing through to the summit at Urbina. Then the train went down the mountain and continued into the tropical zone where we could see bananas growing on farms on each side of the rail. It was the very first time I had seen bananas in the wild, so to speak. The most exciting part of the ride was the switchback when the train zig zagged up the mountain then switched and rode backwards to the lower line. Okay, that was a bit scary. I admit it. The train ended at Duran where we had to take a boat across to Guayaquil.
I know there are spectacular train rides here and in Canada, but I just haven’t gotten around to taking one. I’ve put it on my to do list, but I’ve always said I want to do my overseas travel when I’m young and save the US for when I’m old, and I’m not there yet.
My Funny Valentine: Steve Goodman
February 14, 2011St. Valentine’s Day: Bill Morrissey
February 14, 2011
“A heart that loves is always young.”
February 14, 2011It is a sunny but windy Valentine’s Day with the weather already in the 40’s. It sounds like a good day to take a ride. This winter Gracie and I have only made short forays to do errands because of the cold so a warm day is an invitation to go about and explore. She’s outside now burying a new bone.
I remember being eight or nine on Valentine’s Day, a day so special I’d be jumping out of bed eager to get to school. I’d bolt down my breakfast and start off for school carefully carry my treasured valentine box all the way. We made our boxes in school during art a day or two before Valentine’s Day. My box started its life as a shoe box, but all the decorations have made it a work of art. Paper frills are around the edges. Red crepe decorates the sides and red construction paper is on the top around the mail slot. Last night was spent at the kitchen table writing out my valentines and picking and choosing the lucky recipients. The valentines aren’t fancy but they are fun and colorful. I wrote my name so big it didn’t fit on the first few valentines, but I did much better with the rest. On the front of the envelope I wrote my friends’ names. I didn’t want to forget anyone. In my school bag my mother put the cookies, my contribution to the party.
Lessons on Valentine’s day lasted an entire week, or at least it seemed that way. All of us were excited and barely able to stay in our seats. After lunch was one lesson then time to put the books away. It was party time. The nun had us bring out our boxes and we had to go one row at a time to put valentines in our friends’ boxes. I remember sitting there hoping someone would drop an envelope in my box. I was never disappointed. After all of the rows had finished, it was time for cookies and candy and opening our valentines. Lots of munching and lots of giggling finished out the day.
We’d walk home talking about day. When I got home and out of my school clothes, it was time to look over my valentines again and again.
Happy Valentine’s Day
May your valentine boxes overflow!
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