This morning is the first time I’ve heard the birds singing their hearts out with Spring song. It was funny as we had a foggy morning that was 28 degrees F. The fog had frozen on all the trees and grass, making everything look beautifully fairy-like. I took a big bunch of seed orders to the post office early this morning and nearly hit an immature Bald Eagle that was flying up out of the ditch. I had to slam on my brakes and cringe as he nearly hit the windshield. Swooping up at the last second, I missed him. Whew! The funny thing is that when I drove home half an hour later, all the frost had melted off of everything as the sun was out. It went, just that fast!
On Saturday, our granddaughter, Delilah, took part in her ice-skating club’s spring show. At four years old she just started skating this year, taking lessons every week, right in Chisholm, their hometown. We got to see both beginners and expert skaters performing various performances to music and lights. It was beautiful! The only downside was sitting on bleachers for three hours. Both Will and I were sure sore the next day! But it was worth it. I’ll never forget the cute bow Delilah made after her group’s performance! Adorable!
I still have a few tomatoes to plant in their trays. But most of them are done and hanging out behind the wood stove, keeping toasty to germinate. Between a forecasted lack of commercial fertilizer and no migrants to pick tomatoes, they’re calling for a severe shortage, especially with Mexican tariffs on produce in effect. We’ll always have plenty. But I feel bad for folks who don’t garden.
Today, our friends, Mike, Dara, and Sherri, came to help pack up more seeds. They brought a belated birthday dinner for Will. Enchilada casserole, coleslaw, and Sherri’s carrot cake cupcakes. Everyone enjoyed the wonderful meal so much. Thanks Sherri and Dara!
Nearly all the snow has melted with warmer daytime temperatures, and I saw my first Pussy willows yesterday! I’ve been watching carefully for them and was rewarded by seeing several bushes while driving home from town. Yes, we’ll have more winter, snow, and cold. But it won’t be all that long before we’re getting out in the garden to clean up and prepare for spring planting. Yea! — Jackie
Finished the maple sap boil-15 pints. The syrup looks great and tastes great. Today I’m repotting peppers. Tomato seedlings are all up. Temp 60-wow. Cool nights so wood stove still going. Soon the calves will come. I think (cross my fingers) the snow is done. We do need rain. I’m glad I have no reason to be in an airport. I have a granddaughter who is in skating. It is hard on my old keister and ice rings are cold. It’s nice to get outside without a heavy coat.
I started working in the tomato fields when I was 14. Sucker,tie,pick and pack. Boy was I green. I’d just moved from Florida and knew nothing about farming. But I worked every summer during my high school years. Then as an adult I worked several summers planting cabbage on a planter. Talk about fun. I lived every minute of it. During my high school years, 1972-1977, there were 3 farms in the little town. Each farm employed 30-40 teenaged with a waiting list with as many names. The last several years the farms were still being run the teenagers of that generation were not interested in working. Now all the farmers have passed and land sold to gravel pit. I’ve said it many times we can’t eat gravel. I thank the Lord my husband and I grow and can every year. Thank you, Jackie for the knowledge you’ve passed on to people like me.
Such a lil cutie!!!