After a long cold spell, today’s sunny warmth is so very welcome! First, let me thank all of you for your lovely prayers and thoughts for us and Javid after his passing last week. It’s very hard, having him gone. You know, the empty spot where his wheelchair sat at family meals at holidays and visits, his shoes in the wheelchair. Yep, hard. I’ve spent the week contacting family and friends, making arrangements, etc. I’ve done it before with my late husband’s passing, and Mom and Dad. But it’s still difficult.
We’re so blessed as we’ve had so many seed orders, we’re kept busy filling them and getting them mailed out. It helps take my mind off of Javid. Thank you all!
On a happier note, our tom turkey is starting to strut. Boy, that’s a sure sign spring isn’t very far away, isn’t it? Our hens are laying, although not a lot. But enough that we don’t have to buy eggs, and I can give a few to our friend, Sherri, who doesn’t yet have chickens. Who would have thought we’d feel so grateful to have chickens?
Our peppers are coming up gangbusters! It’s only been a week, and most of them are up nicely with more coming right along. Great germination! I think it’s because I waited until the nighttime temperatures were up and the days were warmer too. That way they stayed nice and toasty all the time. Peppers germinate best at temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees F. If the seeds get too cool, often they either rot or take up to a month to pop up.
I’m going to plant a couple more new peppers folks have donated to us plus pansies and snapdragons. But the tomatoes will wait until the 3rd week of the month as in the past, ours have gotten too big because I planted them too early. It’s hard to have patience, especially on a warm, sunny day, isn’t it? — Jackie
So Sorry for your loss. Sending prayer for you and your family for comfort and peace. It’s always hard to lose a loved one, especially a child. Know that Javid is with the Lord now.
Take care and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Warm weather soothes the soul, I think. We had a week of very cold below zero weather and then had warmed up to the upper 50’s. So nice, but last night a cold front came through with high winds, 40 mph sustained and light snow and it is 30 degrees. Quite a change. I am planning my garden and dreaming of warmer weather today. Hugs to you during this time of loss. Sending prayers for a blessed week.
Thanks so much! Today it’s wamish and sunny, giving hope that spring isn’t too far away. The willows are starting to turn red, our first sign of spring. Yea!!
Condolences and prayers for your loss. Here in Copper Basin Alaska we have had low 40’s Sunday and Monday but it only got up to 35 today. It has been a wired winter with relatively little -30 or colder. I will probably wait about three or four more weeks before starting plants. I have seen -20 in April and at the price of propane I don’t want to heat the hoop houses for too much of May.
I hear you there, Howard. We also never went much below -35. which is a warm winter for us too, with not much snow. I’m worried about drought this summer but we’ll see.
Yep, I don’t want to heat our greenhouse either, as we often have a strange April with cold and snow like crazy. But today the sun is out and it’s almost 30 ABOVE zero!
Thanks Mary. Nearly all my peppers are up and going strong. I’m pretty sure it was just the extra heat. The stone wall Will built behind the wood stove sure holds the heat a long time too.
I have positive news for you and other folks in the northern tier. Sunday we were outside working and flock after flock after flock of geese were heard and I saw several of the flocks…… All flying north. Haven’t heard/seen them yesterday or today, however. We are in N. Central TX……. Spring IS coming.
Wow, and it’s flying our way even as we speak. Thank you for the update!!
Jackie and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Javid’s passing. You are right, it is so hard to bear day to day, but you will, as always, carry on with what has to be done. Your strength is a goal that we all try to live up to. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Your red Amaryllis is beautiful. I am putting up waist high raised beds this year. I have it all plotted out and can’t wait to get started. Living on a farm, that might sound odd, but I can stand and work all day but not all the bending and crawling on my knees so I just decided that I couldn’t go without a garden, and I’m going to try it this way. Here in central Ohio they are calling for a high of 70 next Wednesday! I’m ready for that. Glad to hear that your seed business going great and those pics of the pepper plants are making me antsy to get started, too. Take care and trust that Javid is now in a better place.
Sherrie in Ohio
Thanks Sherrie. I can still bend but definitely not get down and crawl on my (OUCH) knees. If I got down I would be one of those old ladies on TV “Help, I’ve fallen (or sat down) and can’t get up!”. Wait! I AM an old lady. When the heck did that happen??? I’ve got two “raised” beds that are old metal stock tanks that developed rust holes in the bottom. Perfect for big planters!!
Beautiful Amarilis! Prayers for your grief journey! Your peppers are amazing! Take care!
Don’t beautiful flowers uplift you? I know they sure do me. We’re keeping busy and looking forward to spring, especially this year.
Jackie , do you have any shishito pepper seeds you could grow do we could buy seeds next year ?
Yes I do. I was planning on adding them next year as they’re so good roasted.
I’m sorry to hear about Javid’s passing. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Bev in Oregon
Thanks so much Bev. All the prayers really do help.
Beautiful Amaryllis ! got my parsley an onions sprouted! peppers are still thinking. greenhouse is finally staying 80+ and the wood stove nice an warm. should see something soon(i hope) .
prayers with you on your journey from Javids passing. one never learns to accept each passing as each leaves the space in your heart, eyes an thoughts.
many are anxiously awaiting your seeds i m sure(received my some time ago Thank you) take care Jackie