Bright Time/Flowering Time 2025

 

Strawberries in bloom

We've been busy here in the last month. Our weather has continued to be mainly cool and wet. Two warm and sunny days in succession is still rather remarkable. 

The garden is about all planted. The cool weather plants are doing quite well.

Covered from the cold

We had a week and more of nights in the 40s, so we had to cover the plants that would be harmed.

This happens here from time to time. In Kindergarten, I told my classmates that my Grandma Wise grew coffee and orange juice in her garden. This I surmised from the juice cartons and coffee cans which she used to protect her tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. I think of this each time I have to cover my plants.

A nice selection of lettuce

We've been harvesting lettuce, tat soi, pac choi, spinach and herbs.

That's some BIG pac choi

Pac choi, tat soi and cilantro have all been put into the freezer.

Our potato plants look fine.

Bob hilling potatoes

Bob's got those all hilled up for greater yield.

Planting Aduki beans

The beans are all planted and coming up nicely.

Planting pole beans

My back and bum have almost recovered from that task.

Our corn bed, which is slow to dry out is half planted. I always plant in two phases so that we're not overrun with corn later on.

The small fruit are coming along.

Blueberry blossoms

Our blueberries were loaded with blossoms and seem to be setting quite a bit of fruit.

Strawberries begin

Right now we're in strawberry season. I've met my freezer quota and we've been enjoying plenty fresh. We had shortcake for breakfast this morning. Sometimes as a kid, I would have shortcake for breakfast at Grandma Neill's. They sold strawberries, so there was always a large shortcake in the refrigerator during June.

The weather has also been fine for Bob's transplanted seedlings. All but one survived. That one looks like it was dug up by a squirrel and dried out before we discovered it.

Hackberry

Sycamore

This year we finally dug out our only flower bed. This big job was necessitated by a very aggressive stowaway, which was taking over the bed.

Innocent looking Chameleon Flower

 

It came in undetected with a day lily. We spent three years trying to eradicate it unsuccessfully.

Digging out day lilies

Finally, we had to dig out everything and destroy it. The area is now seeded to grass and we'll have to dig out any Chameleon flower which may pop up.

Happier Clematis

We did save my three Clematis plants which were at the edge of the bed. We don't think the Chameleon flower had reached there yet, but we'll have to be watchful.

Now that they're getting more light the Clematis are doing better. Two, which I've never seen bloom, have blossomed for the first time.

Another happy Clematis

Waiting in line for books

We began the month by going to the semiannual book sale in Ithaca. We got in line about a half hour before opening on Senior Day. All books, CDs and DVDs are $.50-$1 on that day. 

Our stash this time

For $20 you can get enough entertainment to last at least until the next sale. Anything you decide not to keep you can redonate. Then, they can sell it again and make more money.

Snapper busy laying eggs

We have been out for a few walks. It's snapper egg laying season. We saw this one on a morning walk this week. Really, we saw three that morning. The shoulder of the road is a favorite spot to choose.

We've had leisurely walks in our own woods and Sapsucker Woods and Stewart Park in Ithaca. All were very relaxing.

D Day Protest

 

On the anniversary of D Day, we supported the Veterans by attending a protest in Canandaigua. (There's a large VA Hospital there.)

Of course, we will be involved in the national No Kings movement tomorrow.

I'll leave you now. Stay thoughtful, mindful and strong.

Till next time,

Kathleen and Bob

Oh, to be so relaxed

Shoots Show/Growing Time 2025

 

Mini Daffodils

The title of this installment could be "The Soggy Saga of Thistledown Gardens".

Our weather, with the exception of three days has been cool and wet. Granted, we haven't experienced any flooding, but there's nowhere you can walk without hearing "squish".

In spite of the weather, we've been busy with spring tasks.

Garden is open!

The garden season has begun!

The first harvest

We've had our first harvest! This is lettuce and chervil that self seeded last autumn. I always leave some to go to seed so we can have an early "free" harvest. We're still picking from this. It helps to bridge the vegetable gap we begin to experience at this time of year.

Planting begins

I've sown peas, lettuces and spinach already.

Peas coming up

 

The peas are up but not climbing yet. Some of the lettuce and spinach are up as well.

Chieftan seed potato 

Three types of potatoes have been planted.

Of course, expert help is always appreciated.

Cat acts in advisory capacity

Many of the potatoes are emerging now.

French Fingerling up

I've set out my cool weather starts: cabbage, Asian greens, chard, kale, lettuce, celery and parsley.

Ready for planting

Today I set out my tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and zinnias. If nights get cool next week, I'll have to cover them.

While I've been busy with the garden, Bob's been attending to his chores.

He sprayed the apple trees with clay to keep the insects off of the forming apples.

Shiitake logs ready to grow

His Shiitake logs are all stacked and ready for the season.

Sycamore seedlings

Two years ago, he sowed some seeds for Sycamore trees.

He has now transplanted six of the seedlings to various locations on our property.

Planted seedling

Currently, he's replenishing the cedar mulch around our back seating area.

Fresh mulch

We participated in a protest in a small neighboring village on May Day. We finished just before the daily rain came.

May Day rally in Ovid

We had three really nice days this month. On April 24th, we walked a portion of the Black Diamond Trail in Ithaca.

Along the Black Diamond Trail

The second beautiful day was Mother's Day. We decided to stay at home and walk on our own property.

Walking our property

We also just spent much of the day relaxing on our porch reading, listening to the birds and enjoying the fragrances of spring.

A good book and a lovely day

Our summer birds are returning. The Hummingbirds returned on May 1st. The Orioles are back and have already gone through two 32oz jars of grape jelly. The Towhees are back and the Wood Thrush are singing in the woods. We really enjoy the birds.

Within the next month the garden planting will be finished and hopefully the weather will be more consistently pleasant.

Happy Spring.

Until next time,

Kathleen and Bob

Red Currant in bloom

 

Jack in the Pulpit

Blustery Winds/Awakening Time 2025

Bright Blooms

We are now finished with the month of Blustery Winds/Awakening. Frankly, the weather has been pretty crumby, with below normal temperatures and nearly every day gloomy and drizzling. Two warm and sunny days in a row would be so nice.

Fog over the garden

I have yet to even walk down to the garden. With my binoculars I can see that the garlic is up. This coming Thursday is supposed to be fairly nice, so I plan to get down there at that time.

A large flock of grackles

One sign of spring is the return of the grackles and blackbirds. Our large trees are often filled with them. Sometimes they all come to the ground to find food. A large flock can cover the ground not only in our yard, but the neighbor's too.

Potting up seedlings

My plant starts are all growing downstairs. This week I will begin to harden off all of the cool weather plants. I purchased my seed potatoes yesterday and am ready to sow my peas. This year will be my 32nd garden. That's almost half of my lifetime!

This is the first winter in 14 years that we haven't had a remodeling project to work on. We've been relaxing more and working on other things.

Harp wheels done

 Bob finished off my harp wheels kit. This is a small dolly that straps beneath the harp and makes moving it so much easier. This is my large harp. It stands 58" tall, is 28" at its widest point and weighs 24#. Since I'm only 63" tall, it can be quite a handful for me to move. I rarely move this harp, but it's nice to have the dolly for the times I do need to move it.

Bob's also been busy preparing for a presentation on home energy efficiency which he's going to give at an Earth Day event on the 26th.

The rest of his time has been spent in various committee and board  meetings, and protest events.

Ithaca protest

Ovid protest, National Day of Protest

I have joined him on three of these protests. All but one have been in cold wind, rain and sometimes snow.

Warming up!

After one event, we were so cold we came home and sat under covers in front of the woodstove all evening. Fortunately, I had thought ahead and had soup all warm in the crockpot. Soup is always a good "warmer upper".

Beeswax wraps in the making

I've been busy, too. I decided I needed some smaller beeswax wraps, so I made eight of those.

I finished the sweater I was knitting and have begun work on a summer top.

Summer top begins

I really like the pattern stitch on this one.

Harp practice and reading round out my time.

Watkins Glen walk

 

The weather has been so unpleasant that we've only gotten out once. We walked the North Rim trail at Watkins Glen State Park. Even though it was cool and cloudy, we enjoyed getting out in nature.

We're hoping that warmth and sun will find us soon. This prolonged grey and cold is really beginning to bug me. So much to distress us these days. Some days are harder than others. It's too bad that I paid so much attention in Mr. Mathison's American Civics class.

Hope you're able to hang in there and that the sun and warmth find you soon, too.

Till next time,

Kathleen and Bob

New protest signs

Flip side of new signs