I feel a little silly to be arriving so late to the party. I had no idea that there were so many online courses in gardening available, both academic and otherwise.
I've been teaching various sociology courses online for several different community colleges (one in Oregon, two in Washington, and now here in Idaho) over the past fifteen to twenty years. I'm well acquainted with the concept of creating engaging learning experiences in the virtual world. I'm a strong supporter of using web based tools to overcome problems of time and distance that would otherwise prevent someone from getting the education they want. I just never have encountered this being applied to gardening.
As I was perusing a few different garden websites and blogs this afternoon I came across My Garden School, a business in England that offers all sorts of horticulture courses.
That prompted me to look a bit closer to home. First I found something from Better Homes and Gardens, but when I dug a little deeper I found that was really something produced by Craftsy.
For thirty bucks you get 14 "lessons". However, these are archived videos with no live interaction or feedback from the instructor at all. HMMM.... that does not sound like a "class" to me. I can buy gardening books (or check them out from my local library) and search YouTube for videos on how to grow stuff. To me education has as much to do with the relationship between the teacher and learner as it does with the quality of the content.
Besides, if I wanted canned classes, there are some great things available on various gardening topics from free from universities with good reputations.
Hoping to find something with a bit more student -to - instructor interaction led me to the offerings at Universal Class. These are more expensive, but in my mind you get what you pay for. Here you get instructor led classes. I really like their business model. You can pay anywhere from $45 to $70 for an individual class that you have six months to finish at your own pace, Or pay $189.00 for a yearly subscription and take any course you want, as many courses as you want (over 500 to choose from).
Here's what I'm thinking.... we just cancelled our Direct TV which we decided was not something we wanted anymore. We had been paying about $70 per month for a whole lot of channels we seldom watched. Now we just have Netflix and watch a few shows online. For less than the cost of three months worth of TV that sucked all the goodness out of my brain, I could now get a year long subscription to all sorts of cool classes. I would still be looking at a screen, but instead of being passively entertained with the same old TV dramas I could be learning new skills, developing talents, widening my horizons.... That may be well worth considering at some point. But the truth is, right now I don't want to be sitting inside staring at a screen any more than I have to.
I want to be out digging in the dirt.
So I kept looking to see what else the world wide web might have to offer:
Oregon State University offers an online Master Gardener Program
And then for totally self directed learners there are just all kinds of cool garden planning tools and general info about growing stuff.
So yes, I am aching to get out in the gardens and begin turning soil and planning new plant arrangements. But since I live in the growing zone that I do (6b), I still have some cool, rainy days and chances of frost to get through before true spring arrives. Nice to know that while I am biding my time before my serious garden gets started there are all sorts of resources I can make use of while I'm warm and snug here in the house.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Things Aren't Always What They Seem
I was looking back over my earlier posts and noticed I had omitted writing about a particular exchange I had while I was in Washington DC for meetings. This is something I want to remember always, which is my main reason for posting things here.
As I walked from my hotel over to the Senate Office Building to do some advocacy work, I noticed a gentleman working diligently in one of the White House flower beds. Anyone who knows me at all knows I'm a total sucker for flowers and gardens. After having spent a whole lot of time sitting in windowless meetings, the idea of having a job spent outside surrounded by beauty seemed utterly enchanting to me.
I sighed deeply, taking in the full, rich scent of the plants and the earth, and said to the man..."Boy, do I wish I had YOUR job." He looked at me somewhat bewildered and replied: "Not today you don't, lady. I'm here to dig out poison ivy!"
Oh my.
This was just a little reminder that things are not always what they seem.
We can look at someone else's situation and think they have it so much better than we do. But without having actually walked in their shoes, we never really know what challenges they face.
I also have a little shell that sits on my desk as a reminder of that same lesson:
Things are not always as they appear.
When my two son (who are now in their late 30's) were just little boys, we spent one winter living in a lovely beach house in Florida, just three blocks from the ocean. We spent many days going for walks along the water's edge, playing in the waves and picking up shells and bits of sea glass that we would find along the way. One day I had found some particularly nice looking little shells to add to my collection. So, as was my habit, I took them home and boiled them for 10 minutes to kill any bacteria they might be harboring so they would not stink. Then I set them on a paper towel on the counter to cool and dry.
I went about my business of the day doing the various chores and errands I had in my then busy young life. When I returned to my kitchen that evening, one of my favorite shells was missing from the collection I had so carefully set aside.
I called my two little boys in and confronted them, feeling quite convinced that one or the other of them had probably taken it. Both kiddos insisted they had not touched Mommy's special shells. I was angry, more so because I believed one or both was being dishonest with me than because of the loss of the shell. I knew there would be plenty more where that one had come from. But it was the principle of the matter. When I asked them a question I expected them to tell me the truth. There was no one in the house that day but me and them. I knew I had not moved it. So the obvious answer was that one of them MUST have taken it.
I scolded them both, insisting "Look, something had to happen to that shell. There is no way that it just got up and walked away by itself!"
And because the universe has such a wickedly delicious sense of humor....those very words were just out of my mouth when I spied my very special shell. On the floor. Walking away. By itself.
Yeah. Even though I had BOILED the thing for ten full minutes, somehow whatever critter had been living in that shell was STILL in that shell and was trying to escape. Yikes!
Now, the kind thing to do might have been to apologize to that little sea creature for dumping it in hot water. Perhaps I should have returned it to the sea. But I didn't. Instead, I apologized profusely to my two little boys and told them Mommy had made a mistake. I showed them the shell walking across the floor of our kitchen and we had a delightful conversation about how sea creatures lived.
I kept that shell and have it here still to remind me not to be so quick to make assumptions. Even when all the evidence before my eyes seems absolutely obvious that a certain set of facts is true, I need to keep my mind open to the possibility that there is more to the story than I know.
As I walked from my hotel over to the Senate Office Building to do some advocacy work, I noticed a gentleman working diligently in one of the White House flower beds. Anyone who knows me at all knows I'm a total sucker for flowers and gardens. After having spent a whole lot of time sitting in windowless meetings, the idea of having a job spent outside surrounded by beauty seemed utterly enchanting to me.
I sighed deeply, taking in the full, rich scent of the plants and the earth, and said to the man..."Boy, do I wish I had YOUR job." He looked at me somewhat bewildered and replied: "Not today you don't, lady. I'm here to dig out poison ivy!"
Oh my.
This was just a little reminder that things are not always what they seem.
We can look at someone else's situation and think they have it so much better than we do. But without having actually walked in their shoes, we never really know what challenges they face.
I also have a little shell that sits on my desk as a reminder of that same lesson:
Things are not always as they appear.
When my two son (who are now in their late 30's) were just little boys, we spent one winter living in a lovely beach house in Florida, just three blocks from the ocean. We spent many days going for walks along the water's edge, playing in the waves and picking up shells and bits of sea glass that we would find along the way. One day I had found some particularly nice looking little shells to add to my collection. So, as was my habit, I took them home and boiled them for 10 minutes to kill any bacteria they might be harboring so they would not stink. Then I set them on a paper towel on the counter to cool and dry.
I went about my business of the day doing the various chores and errands I had in my then busy young life. When I returned to my kitchen that evening, one of my favorite shells was missing from the collection I had so carefully set aside.
I called my two little boys in and confronted them, feeling quite convinced that one or the other of them had probably taken it. Both kiddos insisted they had not touched Mommy's special shells. I was angry, more so because I believed one or both was being dishonest with me than because of the loss of the shell. I knew there would be plenty more where that one had come from. But it was the principle of the matter. When I asked them a question I expected them to tell me the truth. There was no one in the house that day but me and them. I knew I had not moved it. So the obvious answer was that one of them MUST have taken it.
I scolded them both, insisting "Look, something had to happen to that shell. There is no way that it just got up and walked away by itself!"
And because the universe has such a wickedly delicious sense of humor....those very words were just out of my mouth when I spied my very special shell. On the floor. Walking away. By itself.
Yeah. Even though I had BOILED the thing for ten full minutes, somehow whatever critter had been living in that shell was STILL in that shell and was trying to escape. Yikes!
Now, the kind thing to do might have been to apologize to that little sea creature for dumping it in hot water. Perhaps I should have returned it to the sea. But I didn't. Instead, I apologized profusely to my two little boys and told them Mommy had made a mistake. I showed them the shell walking across the floor of our kitchen and we had a delightful conversation about how sea creatures lived.
I kept that shell and have it here still to remind me not to be so quick to make assumptions. Even when all the evidence before my eyes seems absolutely obvious that a certain set of facts is true, I need to keep my mind open to the possibility that there is more to the story than I know.
Super healthy, but is it super yummy? Jury still out.
I just drank down my breakfast - a hearty Kale-Pineapple smoothie. I was not impressed.
I know that kale packs a punch with nutrients. But seriously, eating healthy should be something to savor, not to endure. I found it a bit too bitter for my taste.
I have had kale chips in at a fancy reception that I thought were positively yummy. But those were baked in a convection oven, which I don't have. When I tried to make them in my regular oven, they didn't come out all that great. I also tried making them in my dehydrator. I made the mistake of adding seasoning which pretty much made them nasty.
So I have on more thing to try before I give up on kale. Just found this recipe online HERE at Lifescript.com.
Kale & Potato HashServe as a side with steak or pork chops, or set a poached egg on top for a hearty breakfast or brunch. When preparing kale for this recipe, remove tough ribs, tear kale as directed, then wash it, allowing some water to cling to leaves. This moisture helps steam the kale during the first stages of cooking.
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 35 minutes
Ingredients8 cups torn kale leaves (about 1/2 large bunch)
2 tablespoons horseradish
1 medium shallot, minced
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups cooked shredded potatoes
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Preparation 1. Place kale in a large microwave-safe bowl, cover, and microwave until wilted, about 3 minutes. Drain, cool slightly, and finely chop.
2. Mix horseradish, shallot, pepper and salt in a large bowl. Add chopped kale and potatoes; stir to combine.
3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add kale mixture, spread into an even layer, and cook, stirring every 3-4 minutes and returning mixture to an even layer, until potatoes begin to turn golden brown and crisp, 12-15 minutes total.
Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Per serving:
240 calories
12 g fat (2 g sat, 8 g mono)
0 mg cholesterol
30 g carbohydrate
6 g protein
5 g fiber
651 mg potassium
244 mg sodium
One more note - unless you know you are getting your kale organic it is very important to rinse it thoroughly. This is one of the vegetables that has been found to harbor pesticide residue - so be wary.
I know that kale packs a punch with nutrients. But seriously, eating healthy should be something to savor, not to endure. I found it a bit too bitter for my taste.
I have had kale chips in at a fancy reception that I thought were positively yummy. But those were baked in a convection oven, which I don't have. When I tried to make them in my regular oven, they didn't come out all that great. I also tried making them in my dehydrator. I made the mistake of adding seasoning which pretty much made them nasty.
So I have on more thing to try before I give up on kale. Just found this recipe online HERE at Lifescript.com.
Kale & Potato HashServe as a side with steak or pork chops, or set a poached egg on top for a hearty breakfast or brunch. When preparing kale for this recipe, remove tough ribs, tear kale as directed, then wash it, allowing some water to cling to leaves. This moisture helps steam the kale during the first stages of cooking.
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 35 minutes
Ingredients8 cups torn kale leaves (about 1/2 large bunch)
2 tablespoons horseradish
1 medium shallot, minced
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups cooked shredded potatoes
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Preparation 1. Place kale in a large microwave-safe bowl, cover, and microwave until wilted, about 3 minutes. Drain, cool slightly, and finely chop.
2. Mix horseradish, shallot, pepper and salt in a large bowl. Add chopped kale and potatoes; stir to combine.
3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add kale mixture, spread into an even layer, and cook, stirring every 3-4 minutes and returning mixture to an even layer, until potatoes begin to turn golden brown and crisp, 12-15 minutes total.
Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Per serving:
240 calories
12 g fat (2 g sat, 8 g mono)
0 mg cholesterol
30 g carbohydrate
6 g protein
5 g fiber
651 mg potassium
244 mg sodium
One more note - unless you know you are getting your kale organic it is very important to rinse it thoroughly. This is one of the vegetables that has been found to harbor pesticide residue - so be wary.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Bountiful Basket
We just picked up our first Bountiful Basket.I'm pretty happy with what we got.
Just in case you are not familiar with the whole Bountiful Basket Food Co-Op (BBFC) experience, here is a bit of info from their website:
BBFC is a group of people who work together for mutual benefit. This is a grassroots, all volunteer, no contracts, no catch co-operative. Since there are no employees at Bountiful Baskets, we as a group pay rock bottom prices on your food. This also means the co-op would not happen without volunteers. If you are interested in the co-op continuing, please volunteer occasionally. All it takes is a little time, energy and a smile. Volunteer opportunities include helping prepare the baskets, breaking down boxes, assisting with the distribution, and packing up. To help out, simply arrive an hour early dressed and ready to work with water to drink.
One last little thing… To quote a press release that a local City put out to encourage residents to consider participating, “Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op is a participatory experience. Participants all save a substantial amount of money on healthy food. In exchange there are no employees to guide participants through the experience.” Please read the contents of the FAQ and Policies before emailing us. All the information necessary to participate is available on the website.http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/
Bountiful Basket programs are available all across the country. My sister got her basket of yummies last week in Colorado.
This is what we got: this week:
VEGGIES:
1 bunch of kale
1 head of cauliflower
1 celery
2 bunches of asparagus
6 Anaheim green chilies
1 jicama
2 Spaghetti Squash
FRUIT:
4 Tangelos
6 Cameo apples
2 Asian pears
3 Grapefruit
9 Green d 'Anjou pears
I'm pleased with both the variety of the selection and the amount of stuff we got. It would be nice to be eating more locally grown produce, but since this is only the first week of March, I get it that some of this stuff came to us from Mexico. It will be interesting to see how the balance of near and far food stuffs plays out as the growing season progresses.
I would not have purchased the spaghetti squash, since I still have a basket full from my own garden in storage. Also, sadly, neither Larry nor I can eat the grapefruit. We LOVE grapefruit, but alas, since we both take statin drugs to control cholesterol grapefruit in not allowed.
While some studies suggest moderate amounts of grapefruit are ok, there is no clear consensus. So I have just accepted the idea that as long as I'm taking lovastatin, I will not eat grapefruit. That makes me kinda sad, because I do miss it. Besides, my favorite home remedy for hiccoughs is to concentrate on a grapefruit for 2 minutes. Imagine the smell, the taste, the look of it. Every single time, it makes the hiccoughs go away. I don't know why it works, but it does. Except I have not eaten grapefruit in so long that the last time I had a bad case of the hiccoughs I could not for the life of me imagine one. So maybe I'll just hold one, deeply smell it, gaze on it's sweet flesh, run my tongue across it once or twice to remind myself of the taste, and then say goodbye. At least that should help me with my next case of hiccoughs, even if I don't get to make fresh juice.
Just in case you are not familiar with the whole Bountiful Basket Food Co-Op (BBFC) experience, here is a bit of info from their website:
BBFC is a group of people who work together for mutual benefit. This is a grassroots, all volunteer, no contracts, no catch co-operative. Since there are no employees at Bountiful Baskets, we as a group pay rock bottom prices on your food. This also means the co-op would not happen without volunteers. If you are interested in the co-op continuing, please volunteer occasionally. All it takes is a little time, energy and a smile. Volunteer opportunities include helping prepare the baskets, breaking down boxes, assisting with the distribution, and packing up. To help out, simply arrive an hour early dressed and ready to work with water to drink.
One last little thing… To quote a press release that a local City put out to encourage residents to consider participating, “Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op is a participatory experience. Participants all save a substantial amount of money on healthy food. In exchange there are no employees to guide participants through the experience.” Please read the contents of the FAQ and Policies before emailing us. All the information necessary to participate is available on the website.http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/
Bountiful Basket programs are available all across the country. My sister got her basket of yummies last week in Colorado.
This is what we got: this week:
VEGGIES:
1 bunch of kale
1 head of cauliflower
1 celery
2 bunches of asparagus
6 Anaheim green chilies
1 jicama
2 Spaghetti Squash
FRUIT:
4 Tangelos
6 Cameo apples
2 Asian pears
3 Grapefruit
9 Green d 'Anjou pears
I'm pleased with both the variety of the selection and the amount of stuff we got. It would be nice to be eating more locally grown produce, but since this is only the first week of March, I get it that some of this stuff came to us from Mexico. It will be interesting to see how the balance of near and far food stuffs plays out as the growing season progresses.
I would not have purchased the spaghetti squash, since I still have a basket full from my own garden in storage. Also, sadly, neither Larry nor I can eat the grapefruit. We LOVE grapefruit, but alas, since we both take statin drugs to control cholesterol grapefruit in not allowed.
While some studies suggest moderate amounts of grapefruit are ok, there is no clear consensus. So I have just accepted the idea that as long as I'm taking lovastatin, I will not eat grapefruit. That makes me kinda sad, because I do miss it. Besides, my favorite home remedy for hiccoughs is to concentrate on a grapefruit for 2 minutes. Imagine the smell, the taste, the look of it. Every single time, it makes the hiccoughs go away. I don't know why it works, but it does. Except I have not eaten grapefruit in so long that the last time I had a bad case of the hiccoughs I could not for the life of me imagine one. So maybe I'll just hold one, deeply smell it, gaze on it's sweet flesh, run my tongue across it once or twice to remind myself of the taste, and then say goodbye. At least that should help me with my next case of hiccoughs, even if I don't get to make fresh juice.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Getting Healthy
I am taking steps to improve my health - trying to be more mindful of what I eat and how much I move. I am NOT on a "diet". I am hoping to make some permanent changes in what I take into my body and what I choose not to.
This was my breakfast today:
1/2 avocado
Smoothie made from 1 cup vanilla Silk Almond Milk
fresh beet greens
cilantro
parsley
banana
It was SOOO much yummier than I had anticipated!
I really like fresh beets so we'll have them with our fish for dinner tonight. Greens n the morning, beets at night.
Who could ask for more?
Yum!
I really like fresh beets so we'll have them with our fish for dinner tonight. Greens n the morning, beets at night.
Who could ask for more?
Yum!
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Boise Springtime - Waking Up
Today was an absolutely GORGEOUS almost spring day in Boise, ID. After several days of rain, today we had mild temperatures (nearly 60) and beautiful blue skies. The days are getting longer and the ground is warming up. All we needed was that moisture for my yard to begin to wake up.
CROCUS: Always the first thing to bloom in my yard - they open up during the day and then close again in the evening. They are such cheerful, resilient little flowers.
I've got lots of Allium and daffodils popping up in spots here and there
TULIPS are scattered here and there and everywhere. Some are in clumps among bushes. Some are in tidy rows. Some peek out between other things and some have whole areas to themselves. Last year I got a bunch of bulbs for the LDS Temple here in Boise. They redo their flower beds every year so on the Monday after Mother's Day they generally have a bunch ready to give away. I have no idea which varieties these bulbs were, so I'll have some nice surprises along with my usual standards.
My sedum is perking up as is the money plant (lunaria) I had purple money plant established for the past couple years but last year I introduced some white to go with it so I am anxious to see how that does.
He caught this beauty this morning along with five of its friends down at Kleiner Park, less than five miles from our house. Not quite the same as going out to the more remote lakes or rivers, but still very good eating and great that he can spend a couple hours at a pretty spot so conveniently.
Here is what's going on out there right now:
CROCUS: Always the first thing to bloom in my yard - they open up during the day and then close again in the evening. They are such cheerful, resilient little flowers.
I've got lots of Allium and daffodils popping up in spots here and there
TULIPS are scattered here and there and everywhere. Some are in clumps among bushes. Some are in tidy rows. Some peek out between other things and some have whole areas to themselves. Last year I got a bunch of bulbs for the LDS Temple here in Boise. They redo their flower beds every year so on the Monday after Mother's Day they generally have a bunch ready to give away. I have no idea which varieties these bulbs were, so I'll have some nice surprises along with my usual standards.
My sedum is perking up as is the money plant (lunaria) I had purple money plant established for the past couple years but last year I introduced some white to go with it so I am anxious to see how that does.
Of course my Pussy Willow tree is covered in catkins
True spring is still around the corner, but for me as soon as the days get nice enough to pick up a rake and begin working the yard I start feeling light hearted. I take the dog for longer walks and savor every minute of the lengthening days. My sweet husband, on the other hand, has a different definition of what spring means to him:
He caught this beauty this morning along with five of its friends down at Kleiner Park, less than five miles from our house. Not quite the same as going out to the more remote lakes or rivers, but still very good eating and great that he can spend a couple hours at a pretty spot so conveniently.
Happy almost Spring!
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Rocks in my head?
Alas, it has been months since I've posted anything on this much neglected little blog. I've been too busy living the dream to stop and write about it. Honestly, sometimes I have to just stop and pinch myself to make sure I'm awake.
I have been fabulously enjoying my Boise life. My job, although keeping me VERY busy, is going great. I am blessed to have exactly the right mix of professional challenge and personal satisfaction. I have a fantastic boss who I truly respect and enjoy teaming with. I am involved in projects that excite me and keep me learning new stuff. And I get to associate with brilliant, remarkable people who are honestly committed to making a positive difference. So work is very good right now. Then add to that the fact that I'm married to an exceptional human being who I absolutely adore. My faith is strong, filling me with a sense of meaning and purpose. I'm reasonably healthy. My garden is thriving. I have a great dog. What's not to love about a life like that?? .
Today is just an example of one of the many adventures I've had lately.
Today is just an example of one of the many adventures I've had lately.
My beloved and I took a ride out into the desert south of Bruneau Sand Dunes. We got a permit from the BLM to go pick up rocks. A couple weeks ago we picked up one of those plastic pre-formed pond liners when our across the street neighbors had a yard sale. My dear sweet husband has been working hard this past week to get it all set up. (He didn't even give me a mean look when the spot I picked for it just happened to have a major tree stump right in the middle - he just went out there in all his manliness and took out the stump. What a great guy!)
When we got out to the spot where the rocks were my big strong man
played billy goat and climbed the side of the hill to haul them over to
where I was. Then I would pick them up and take them the 100 yards or
so to where the truck was parked. Rock by rock by rock we had some
great teamwork going on.
After our rock hunting adventure we decided to play a bit. So we went hunting for a few geocache. We found three - one at the top of a rocky hill where we could see for miles overlooking the old missile silo sites. Next we drove over to the lake by the sand dunes where Larry goes fishing a lot so he could show me that sweet spot. We just sat there for a while listing to the Mourning Doves and watching the fish rise, resting from all our labor of the morning and enjoying each other's company. BLISS.
Finally it was time to head home and lift each and every one of those rocks one more time so we could place them around the pond. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. Most of all what I like best about this new little oasis in my yard is that every time I look at it I will remember what a great day we had today and how very much I love this man who made it for me.
I am truly living happily every after. When I think back to the angst and chaos of my life during my 20's and 30's I shake my head in wonder at how things have turned out. Sure, I still have problems in my current days, like anyone else. But those bumps in the road I experience now are so completely overshadowed by a deep sense of gratitude for the incredible sense of peace and purpose that surrounds me. Part of it is deliberate choosing to focus on what's right rather than commiserating over what isn't perfect. But a lot of it is that I really do have stacks and stacks of amazing blessings that make it easy to swim in the currents of joy that sustain me more often than not. These days I savor every drop of this life I'm living, sometimes near giddy with delight.
I'm stacking my emotional bank account with these magic days of love and flowers. I know that life is a complicated dance of both shadows and light, and that it is inevitable that heartache, losses, tough times will come again. When they do, I hope I have the good sense to endure them well and get through the dark days by remembering the magic times of days like today.
I am truly living happily every after. When I think back to the angst and chaos of my life during my 20's and 30's I shake my head in wonder at how things have turned out. Sure, I still have problems in my current days, like anyone else. But those bumps in the road I experience now are so completely overshadowed by a deep sense of gratitude for the incredible sense of peace and purpose that surrounds me. Part of it is deliberate choosing to focus on what's right rather than commiserating over what isn't perfect. But a lot of it is that I really do have stacks and stacks of amazing blessings that make it easy to swim in the currents of joy that sustain me more often than not. These days I savor every drop of this life I'm living, sometimes near giddy with delight.
I'm stacking my emotional bank account with these magic days of love and flowers. I know that life is a complicated dance of both shadows and light, and that it is inevitable that heartache, losses, tough times will come again. When they do, I hope I have the good sense to endure them well and get through the dark days by remembering the magic times of days like today.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Cherry Blossoms in the Nation's Capital
I'm in Arlington, VA for a conference for work. After sitting in on two straight days of various panels talking about stuff, my butt and my attention span were both crying uncle. So I took some time off this afternoon, hopped on the subway and headed for the National Mall. I walked a couple miles wondering around looking at the sites of Washington DC. The cherry blossoms along the Potomac were in full bloom and absolutely glorious.
I got to see lots of pretty flowers:
But my take-away from today's walk through the monuments was the feelings I had as I pondered the sacrifice so many have made to give us the freedoms we have in this country.
For all the problems our country and our government may have, I really do believe the United States was founded on some great principles. I am grateful to my sons and brother, my father-in-law, uncles and cousins,along with countless friends and strangers who have given honorable service in the defense of our country. I have not agreed with or supported all the military actions our country has been involved in. But I DO support the men and women who so willingly serve.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Boise is Blooming!
The old saying goes, "April showers bring May flowers." In our case April showers bring APRIL flowers. We had a good, soaking rain over the weekend and that was all we needed to make flowers start to pop all over the place. I've been really enjoying my walks with the dog, seeing all the many trees and flowers with new blooms. Here are just a few of the things that are sparkling up my yard:
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
March is such a tease
 |
| Pussy Willow |
 |
| lungwort / pulmonaria |
 |
| "Lenten Rose" / Helleborus |
 |
| Crocus |
We are also eager to get going with our vegetable garden, but won't be planting anything for at least another month. We did pick up our Boise Tomato Cages today and got our raised beds all cleaned out and the soil amended with peat moss. I love this time of year.
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