metamorphosis

Here it is almost June and this weekend our little town is expecting snow. That is so rude for all of us gardeners. At the same time it may keep me from spending money more foolishly as I have in the past. Each year I set a budget and each year I exceed the budget by at least double for my garden.
I sat around stewing about the weather this past weekend and decided that I had better re-invent myself at least one more time and get out before I am officially assigned the name of recluse. I do tend to relish my weekends and rarely leave the house which is not really that good for me. In light of that, after work on Friday I went to the Senior Center to see what was up and get a schedule of events. They were happy to see me and gave me the schedule which included the daily lunch fare. Friday night they had a bluegrass group live and the tab was two dollars! Of course I signed up immediately. I had an enormously good time, met some people, got the CD and had all of the musicians sign it. Saturday, invigorated by my bold move the night before, I got up, showered and dressed and went to yet another event at a local church. On the way there I stopped by the home of a friend who had as yet not given up on my lack of social skills. Good thing I stopped by as she was severely depressed and needed some cheering. E. was given the news that her neck had deteriorating bones and would only find out this week what could be done about it. To add icing to the cake her older brother was diagnosed with prostrate cancer. I was sure glad I decided to stop by unexpectedly.
The church people were trying to raise funds by having a combo breakfast and blood pressure event. The breakfast was by donation and they had a little craft fair along with it. One of the crafts was a glass garden do-dad made of stuff we sell at garage sales like bud vases and old glass plates and punch cups. I did not need more inspiration than that so I immediately went to a local thrift store and bought the materials. I am now washing them and will soon have my little do-dad for my yard. Those things look incredibly good with the sun shining on all the facets of the glass patterns. I will post a picture when finished.
Sunday turned out to be sunny and nice so the fur people and I set abut getting cuttings from the geraniums which over wintered and various other little chores in the garden. By mid afternoon I was aches and pains from stem to stern and very happy. Just the aches from using my ill used muscles for gardening brought back happy memories from the past seasons of plant care.
Yesterday I went to the Senior Center yet again for a Tai Chi class. The class was a forty minute event and I lasted only twenty but am determined to go again on Friday. I feel as if I am emerging from a cocoon and about to spread my wings.

treachery

The wind in Idaho is fierce this week, last week, and looks like next week too. I let Sparky/Dudley out for his morning constitutional in the back yard because it was so cold and windy I did not look forward to a walk. After waiting longer than usual I went to the back of the property to see what was keeping him. There I stood looking at what remained of the back gate to my garden and no cute little pooch. I managed to open what was left of the gate hoping my neighbors would not be too harsh upon seeing me in my jammies and robe frantically calling for my dog. Relief flooded over me as I saw (to my astonishment) my little man running as fast as he could toward our house. What a good little guy! Now I have to secure that gate until I can get some repairs done on Monday or so.
I have been thinking about the front of the house and the surprise bulbs, tulips and grape hyacinth, which come cropping up each year. I did not plant them and five years ago when I bought the house they were not there. Each year a few little things came up and I had always thought that the neighborhood squirrels planted them there because the placements were so random. I now have another theory. I think that the previous owner of the home must have dug up all the precious bulbs she could and absconded with them leaving only a few little insignificant bulbs in the ground. I think over this five year period they must have matured and are now in magnificent display. I wish I could tell that woman that her treachery only worked to some extent and that nature took over and gave me her bounty. I am so happy to see the two dozen or so tulips this year and I love the random placement. I have never been a linear gardener, I like the look of a wild/native meadow.
I will today, despite this horrid arctic wind suit up and go forth into the garden. The sun is shining so it won't be horrible. I will just have to wear my woolly hat and a heavy coat. Nothing stops a determined gardener.
At the refugee center we have already received some little plants of vegetables and some tools. It is unfortunate that we can't plant them for three weeks or so because it is just too cold. We are now looking for a good place to store our bounty of little plants so they will survive and do well when we are able to plant them outdoors. Among the usual veggies like tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers we are blessed to have some heirloom varieties. I love to plant those because the bugs seem to like the more modern versions and leave them alone. There are also heirloom herbs! I can hardly wait!