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Birthday flowers |
The winds that mark the transition of the seasons have begun. This past month we had very little snow but much icy wind.
We're also in the season of alternating cool and warm temperatures. We call this yo-yo weather. It's another characteristic of the changing seasons.
The month ahead will continue to be windy, but the temperatures will begin to moderate by the month's end.
Another sign of the season is the return of many birds. Our place has been the stop over for large migrating mixed flocks of Red Winged Blackbirds, Grackles and Starlings. The Robins have returned, and we had a Northern Mockingbird in our Yew for a couple of days.
We saw our first Kildeers of the year while on our daily walk this week. I also saw two minks earlier in the month. They were scurrying in a ditch next to my walking path. One popped its head up and we spent about five minutes just staring at each other. Equal interest there, I think.
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Another garden begins |
You probably know that this past month was seed starting time for us.
I've started lettuces, celery, cabbages, kale, tat soi, pac choi, chard, tomatoes and eggplants. Sweet potatoes are tucked in too. It will be a while before those sprout.
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Everything is coming up |
Things are coming up and will be transplanted into growing pots soon.
I'm experimenting with my LED grow lights. Last year I wasn't entirely satisfied with them. My plants seemed to burn a bit. We found some more information this year with regards to distance and duration. I'm hoping for better outcomes.
I'm going to try two new types of seeds this year.
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New dry bean |
The first is a different dry pole bean. It's called 1500 Year Old Cave bean. It looks a bit like a Jacob's Cattle bean but is slightly smaller.
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Bottle Gourd Seeds |
The second is a Bottle Gourd. This is an edible squash used in Asian and Indian cooking. The seeds were given to me by a woman who has stewarded them (grown and saved seeds) for many years. She has retired and passed the torch on to me. I hope that our growing season is long enough for them to reach maturity. This will be an experiment.
Each of us has been busy with our own activities.
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March 25 Ukraine Support |
Bob continues to be involved with community activities: attending town board and other civic meetings and participating in rallies and protests.
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Protest in Canandaigua |
He's also begun work on my harp wheels. (That's the kit we bought three years ago. I did tell him at the time that I was in no big hurry for them. I guess that one's on me!)
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Harp wheels |
Yesterday he finished clearing the path to our meadow.
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Pine blocking the path |
Last winter a large pine tree was blown down over the path. With all of last year's hub bub (my broken shoulder, bathroom remodel ...) he never attended to it.
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Work in progress |
Now it's been cut into sections and the portion blocking the path has been rolled away.
In addition to routine chores and starting seeds, I've been reading, practicing my harp and working on knitting and hardanger. I find that the hardanger work has been the most effective at absorbing my attention and relaxing me in this stressful time.
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Yesterday was a walk in the park |
Yesterday's weather was beautiful, so we walked for an hour at the Taughannock Falls State Park. Half of our walk was on a wooded trail new to us. We'll definitely walk that one again soon.
That seems to be all I have to share for now. We hope all of you are well and staying grounded in peace, kindness, truth and courage.
Till next time,
Kathleen and Bob
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Taughannock Falls |