Taking the spring cleaning outdoors

Wow, I'm still tired from hours spent working in our Ozarks gardens.

It was time to move the nesting instinct closer to where nests usually are--outside.

Our toil involved raking, leaf blowing, burning, digging, mulching, weeding, cleaning, planting, mowing, and lots of other things.

 Pictured here, was our biggest accomplishment. At left, my husband John is trying to coax down a branch that had fallen during the ice storm in January, 2009. For the past three years, the huge branch that had broken off has just been hanging there teasing us into trying to pull it down. Unfortunately, all our attempts only succeeded in wedging it more tightly into the fork of two branches. Last winter, we decided to just wait until Mother Nature took care of it, finishing the job she started three years ago.

Piece by piece, the old branch weakened. Pieces of it would fall here and there--until this week. With a little coaxing, we are finally rid that old oak tree of this hideous reminder of that horrible storm when the power was out for five days and so many trees were damaged, not just on our property but in the whole southern portion of the country. Arkansas was hit hard; so were Missouri and Kentucky.

I'm so happy the thing is finally gone!

One of our other accomplishments was rejuvenating the magnolia garden next to the porch, so named by its most prominent occupant.

It may not look like much, but getting this garden back into shape is always  a chore! When we created the garden, we got rid of as much Bermuda grass as we could. We pulled, tilled, burned and mulched. It was like a never-ending task to keep this garden weeded. But this year, after our seven-plus inches of rain, the weeding was fairly easy. The soil amendments we have been adding for years seems to have finally paid off too. We now have a nice little bed in which to plant more perennials and perhaps a few herbs. A few are coming back from previous plantings.

John cleaned the barrel and got the pump running in the little water feature on the left. It is always nice to hear water run while while sitting on my wicker rocker and sipping iced tea. In the late afternoon, while taking one of my many and final breaks, I watched a frog hop all the way from near the road to the garden to claim his place. Last night I heard him croaking, so he is apparently doing a little spring nesting of his own.

I brought most my house plants outdoors for the season. My aged spider plant is visible in the above picture. We moved Lady Spider here with us eight years ago. She sits on the rusty old milk can next to the house in the shade garden alongside the house. She seems perfectly happy there. That is probably because there are no cats lying in her pot or eating her leaves. For some reason, the cats just love to nibble on her leaves.

Another chore that we undertook was the decision
to turn an overgrown garden area near the road into a wildflower garden. We had only briefly touched this area. It is just a bit too far to reach with the hose. Note to self: We will need to work on that. There are two peonies, a clump of irises and a few daffodils that were planted by previous owners of the property. We may move the peonies, but the rest can stay.

Part of that project involved one of my favorite springtime chores--burning leaves and brush. The before and after pictures show the world of difference.

Fire is exciting, but very scary. During my days as a journalist, I followed too many fire trucks to grass and field fires to ever take fire for granted. I certainly didn't want to cause an innocent burn to get out of control. I'm very cognizant of what can happen.

Needless to say, that was a pretty hard days work for a couch potato like me. I spent yesterday recuperating--deciding to work on my quilt instead of venturing out into the great pollen-filled outdoors.

There is still lots to of work left to do. In fact, I think it is never ending. It is such good work though. Gardens is so satisfying. Just one of the rewards came that very afternoon. At about the same time I watched the frog claim its place, I also watched this butterfly sipping the nectar of these lilacs.

After it was all over, I wondered if there could be anything more refreshing than a hot shower and a good night's sleep to end our beautiful day in the Ozarks.

Please sign this petition

Stopping this project has been a very important part of the last 25 years of my life. I urge everyone who cares about not being run over by a state government out of control to sign this petition. I'm sure the people of eastern will County will thank you! I thank you!

Free Petition by iPetitions.com

Springtime and maintaining the nest

One of the aspects of springtime is evidenced by the "nesting" instinct. Not only do the birds do it, but we humans do it too. 

There is just something that comes over me when the sky is blue and a breeze blows into a houseful of open windows. Perhaps it is the fresh air or realization about being cooped up all winter, despite the wonderful season we had this year. At any rate, my nesting instinct got the better of me. I rarely question this kind of behavior, since humans have largely lost the ability to behave instinctively; we have ignored our instincts for so long.

Yesterday was a rather lazy day, as many of them are now that my husband John and I are retired. We have largely settled into a routine of not having a routine. He had just finished his afternoon nap and I had just finished putsing around on the computer. It was about 4:00 in the afternoon when I decided it was time to do a little spring cleaning in the living room. This was not something that was planned or even verbalized; it just happens. I know it would have made more sense to begin chores in the morning, but that wasn't when the mood struck.

John didn't grumble; pitch a fit about having better things to do. He just jumped in and helped out without my even having to ask. I guess after 35 years of being together we are just attuned to these kinds of things. Spring cleaning isn't unlike finishing each others' sentences or thinking and saying the same thing at the same time.

We began by washing windows. I took care of the inside of our huge picture window with two smaller ones on either side while John washed them from the outside.

With all this looking out the windows of late, checking out all the blooming plants and growing oak leaves readily visible just beyond the front porch, it was really nice to have a clear view again, unencumbered by cat paw and dog nose prints inside, and tiny tufts of feathers outside where a stray chickadee made a wrong turn into the window.

Once that task was completed, I decided it was time to move the furniture. For some reason, men just hate moving furniture. Women love doing it, especially when they help. Furniture really does get pretty heavy at my age. Anyway, it is always easier for two people rather than just one.

I had a method to my madness; it wasn't just all about cleaning. Not only did I want to vacuum under and around the furniture, but for some time I was thinking I wanted to position the couch in front of the windows in order to take advantage of the light during the day for quilting purposes.

John has a recliner, so admittedly, I am the couch potato in the family. Moving it also causes me to sit on the other side--which aids in equal wear on both sides.

Since we had gone this far, we might as well continue the usual cleaning surfaces, dusting stuff, throwing away old magazines and catalogues that had been lying around.

Once it was all done and I stood back to look at what we'd accomplished. It looked like our living room was much larger. The problem is, our cats are totally confused; the dog doesn't know where to go. In fact, I'm not as comfortable on the 'wrong' side of the couch either. I'm sure it we will all be used to it in no time. 

With the spring coming early this year, we might just get the whole house done. By the time summer comes, we will think we are living in a totally new house. 

Plenty of rain gives way to beautiful spring

The older this plant gets the more flowers it
has. I look forward to these
sweet-scented lilacs every year.

It finally rained--the kind of rain that is memorable--more than seven inches. We needed it! I absolutely loved watching the rain.

I'm grateful that predicted severe storms didn't materialize. I'm slightly terrified of what Mother Nature can do and has done all around us over the past several years. We aren't that far from Branson, which was hit on Leap Day this year by a powerful, destructive tornado. Gassville which was hit a few years ago is woefully close by--in the same county. So, I feel fortunate.

This recent rain event was nothing like that. In fact, while there are some dock owners on the lake that aren't happy around here, I saw our rain as nothing but positive.

Since spring had already commenced, Mother Nature's magic nectar has transformed our landscape into almost a terrarium.

I had planted a few things in the garden, but just a few. After all, it is only mid-March and I don't want to face plant death from a freak frost. So, I kept it to a few things that I could cover if need be. I plan to sow more seeds this weekend. There is time to take it slow.

The only possible negative I can see from the vast quantity of rain we received is that the flowering of the early trees and shrubs was accelerated. The forsythia and redbuds no sooner got their flowers open when they fell off and sprouted leaves. To tell the truth though, that was enough flower for me because I really live for those beautiful spring-green leaves. To me, they are as beautiful as the flowers.

That quick flowering cycle of the early trees and shrubs is about to give way to the soon-to-be flowering of azaleas, lilacs, mid to late-blooming tulips and irises. It is all fine with me. To me, spring is like magic.

Spring is finally here!

With such beautiful, record-breaking warm weather all over the country, I can't help but be a little nervous about what July and August will look and feel like.

To tell the truth, I'm a little worried about what it might look like later today. In north-central Arkansas, we have been hearing more than murmurings about a forecast of up to 10 inches of rain. So far, I have yet to see a drop. The radar shows big green, yellow, and red globs that seems to be just to the west of us. Since weather moves from west to east as a rule, we could get hammered later today and tonight. I love rain; I'm just hoping severe weather doesn't accompany it.

One tiny pink hyacinth among the whites
Since this picture was taken several more have appeared

Once the weather starts getting hot, and the new landscape transitions into its summer, I already look forward to the coming spring. If only spring could be eternal.

There is such a feeling of joy to watch new little buds appear on the trees and shrubs. The distant landscape begins to take on a faint green tint. Every day the hues become more intense until one day, the distant trees are painted varying shades of green.

A dainty daffodil

The view up close shows branches and twigs covered by that almost intoxicating chartreuse,  yellow-green color. Whenever I look at new leaves, I am always reminded of the color in the crayon box labeled spring green. What a great descriptor!

Raking leaves reveals tiny sprouts of new life. Even a new dandelion is a beautiful sight.

Mowing the first time tidies the ground once covered with a thick mat of brown, dead leaves. What a transformation! We don't really have a lawn per se, but it is green nonetheless, covered with bermuda grass, clover, and other wild things that always benefit by a good trim.

The need to mow is most obvious when spikes of tall wild garlic rises high in random spots in the otherwise flat carpet of green. I love how mowing  releases their strong scent into the air.

Bluebird stands guard 

Then there are the spring bulbs. Can anything be more exciting than to see that first daffodil or tulip sprout, grow, and bloom? We planted several bulbs last December during our oh-so-mild winter. We are now reaping the rewards of  our labor with a beautiful show of flowers. So far, daffodils and hyacinths, wood hyacinths, and crocus have or are blooming. We are anxiously awaiting the tulips with buds still swollen, but not yet revealing their color. 

Dad takes a peek at mama sitting on a nest

I have a special fondness for the flowering trees and bushes. We have planted several that have performed well this spring--cherry, pear, crab apple  and magnolia trees. Once they get bigger, they will fill the yard with color. The resident redbuds that line the backyard are always a favorite. We had our first flowers on the new forsythia. Soon there will be bursts of color from the sweet-scented mock orange, delicate pink azaleas, hardy crepe myrtle and bunches of purple iris. I hope my lone white iris has seen fit to multiply since last year.

I'm not the only one that takes notice of spring. It is a busy time for my friends, the blue birds. This year, John put snake away at the base of the tree, so we might protect the nests from those black marauders that provided me a quick and ugly education in predatory behavior. I never want to catch the view of a long black snake tail hanging out of a bluebird box again.

Every day is a joy to look out a window, just to check what is new in the spring landscape. It is always something and usually always wonderful. I look forward to enjoying not just every day of this spring, but every moment of it.

This is the best day of the year--better than my birthday; better than Christmas--this is the first day of Spring.

Bring on the Monarchs

Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus Milkweed (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The weather has been so absolutely lovely, that I couldn't help but get into a little spring cleaning in the yard. I actually wanted to burn brush, so to prepare for that, I set out to create a clearing by using the leaf blower.

I proceeded to blow all the leaves away from the driveway and small turn around area, aiming them at a huge brush pile at the end of the driveway. I also wanted to clean out an area next to it where some cedar trees had sprouted, crowding out the oak trees.

My husband, John, took care of that chore with the chain saw and loppers. It is amazing how many little things grow where they don't belong.

The job proved to be much more time-consuming and labor-intensive than I ever intended, so we never did get around to lighting a match. During this leaf-blowing extravaganza though, I made a wonderful discovery. I found two milkweed plants at the base of an oak tree. There could be more, but these two were recognizable because they still contained seed pods.

Coincidentally, I've been haranguing on Facebook lately about Monarch Butterflies. They are one of the few butterfly species that migrate. They are in jeopardy for many reasons, but one of them is because of the strong herbicides being used in genetically modified (GMO) corn production, which I've also mentioned a dislike for on Facebook once or twice.

Milkweed is vital to the Monarch because the female Monarch lays her eggs on milkweed. In the larvae stage, the caterpillars only eat milkweed plants. These plants are basically essential to the survival of these beautiful butterflies.

I've always had a special place in my heart for them. As a small child I chased them around in fields. I've observed them, photographed them, and just plain enjoyed watching them. I cannot imagine life on earth without them.

I had even considered looking for a source of milkweed seeds to plant in the yard. Now I have my own source.

So, c'mon Monarchs. Our place is Monarch-friendly. Y'all are welcome here any time and you may stay as long as you like.

Related articles

• Study: GMO crops are killing butterflies
• Milkweed and the Dance of Life
• Monsanto's Roundup Ravaging the Butterfly Population

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Computers and quilting

So far, this is a good day; I've had a success both on the computer side, and as a quilter.

Computer successes always make my day

Since the purchase of my new computer with Windows 7 (I know 8 is already out), almost a year ago, I have been grousing about the fact that my favorite photo software, Corel PhotoPaint 8 no longer works. I guess this could be my sacrifice in the name of progress. It was a very old program, and according to all I've read online, the upgrades are lacking. Besides, I refuse to buy a program twice.

My PhotoPaint served me well. I did everything on it, from stitching two pictures together to creating a panorama, to inserting and removing portions of images, changing colors, to generally manipulating images to their best potential. I have been lost without it.

Not long ago, I downloaded a few online photo programs, and even purchased one that was billed as much more than it actually was, but useful nonetheless.

I really wanted Adobe Photo Shop, but there is just no way I could ever afford that. Just recently I decided to download GIMP, which everybody says is a great PhotoShop replacement, and it is free.

Today I decided I wanted to upload photos of six quilt blocks, two at a time, that I had just completed for Craftsy's Block of the Month. I had no idea how to combine the three pictures into one photo. My old program used a feature to 'stitch' them together, but GIMP didn't recognize the 'stitch' command. It didn't take too long before I learned to do exactly what I wanted. This is the result at right.

Computer success allows me to show my quilting progress
I love how this quilt is coming together. Purple is another of my favorite colors. I completed these six blocks last weekend, but only after I sorted all the fabric in my stash. For years I had been buying fat quarters here, a yard there, mostly always fabric that is on sale. I realized that I had quite a lot of purple fabric. Since I really love monochromatic quilts, I decided to use it for this one. This is considered a modern quilt because it uses newer methods to create traditional patterns as well as some new ones. I think the bottom two are my favorite--the string blocks. They are so easy, but look so complex. I just love how they turn out. For these blocks, I just used scraps from another quilt I had made.

String blocks are beautiful sewn together into a quilt, no matter what colors they are--whether they are made with different color strips and types of fabric or the same.

I love this quilt of the month project at http://www.craftsy.com/. I can't wait to see what the April blocks will be. It is a free class, with instructor Amy Gibson.

Related articles

• GIMP: Overview

Sadly, TV ain't what it used to be

I cut my teeth on television shows like I Love Lucy, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Lassie, The Honeymooners, and Family Classics. I confess that as a child of the 50's and 60's, television largely influenced my formative years and beyond.

Andy Williams performs on The Andy Williams Show

Early television was more than just entertainment. It was a reflection of values, morals, and proper behavior. It inspired children to think. It showed us how to do well, grow up successful, and get along well with others. 

Every Sunday night, my family would gather around the television set at my grandparents' house to watch Lassie. 

As the star of the show, who didn't love this beautiful, perfect pet dog. Lassie and her supporting cast told stories--always with a happy ending--always with a lesson to be learned,  usually from Ellen or Gramps, the wise elders. Children like me were inspired to think and ask questions about what we'd seen, learned. Lassie invoked discussion with my own grandparents.

In the 50's and 60's, television was rich with a variety of entertainment. We watched shows like The Andy Williams Show, and The Carol Burnett Show, and many others. Variety shows offered a glimpse into the entertainment world through music, theater, and comedy. Viewers were transformed into another world. Entertainment didn't take over the networks but they had a prominent place.

There were also soap operas, dramas, game shows, children's shows, the famous Saturday morning cartoons, and all other types of programming.

Some of my favorite moments in television included the Mickey Mouse Club which included short serials. My favorites were The Adventures of Spin and Marty, which had a western theme centered around two boys who became friends at the Triple R Ranch.  Another was Corky and White Shadow, also a western, about a girl and her dog whose adventures often got her into trouble.

Who can forget comedy skits by The Smothers Brothers, or the hilarity of Laugh-in? These were designed strictly for entertainment purposes, mimicking a night out but in our own living rooms.

There was drama that took us to new heights with Twilight Zone, One Step Beyond, Outer Limits, Playhouse 90, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and Naked City--all of which teased our imaginations and tweaked our senses.

Television was a spectacle that inspired a generation.

What the hell happened?

Today, television has one goal--to make money. Isn't it ironic that the act of getting rich has cheapened it?

Today television provides just enough mindless entertainment to keep people watching, always with an eye on keeping the money flowing. Often times it is so sensationalized that we rarely even think about it anymore.

Television, with some exceptions, rarely makes us think. It no longer guides the way for young children or evokes thoughtful conversations, or questions. Instead, they become dazed by the vivid colors and loud sounds.

Murder was often a topic of discussion in the olden days, but it was done much more tastefully. Viewers were not subjected to endless pools of blood, gaping stab wounds, or shooting victims whose brains splatter against colorless walls. They didn't have to. And we were better for it.

We didn't have to see Rob and Laura Petrie or other couples portrayed on TV shows peel each others' clothes off on camera to understand the man/woman relationship they shared. The play between them was apparent enough. Left to our imaginations, it may have even been more provocative.

Women didn't have to wear gowns cut down to their navels to be beautiful.

A one-hour television show now is only about 45 minutes long. The rest of the time is taken up by commercials. Gotta make money! Television programming no longer focuses on content. The focus has completely shifted to the commercial programming. The content must now fit between the time slots for the product sales.

There is nothing more disheartening to me than watching a television drama that is chopped at a crucial moment in the story line to sell some prescription drug, Viagra, tampons, toilet paper, or any other endless number of other products.

This incessant desire to dumb down our television programming is most evident in the news shows.

For example, I've watched Good Morning America since it premiered in 1975. I have been a long time fan of the show, but no more. It used to be a good way to start the day. It was rich in news, weather, and important features.

I can't stand to even watch Good Morning America these days. Its best feature is George Stephanopoulos, who is way over-qualified for the kind of mediocre program GMA has become. While Robin Roberts is a lovely woman, her sappy interviews are painful to watch. Its latest focus on celebrity couples, courtroom drama involving bizarre murder investigations, and the back and forth between Dan Abrams and Nancy Grace is tiresome and annoying. The mediocrity that has overtaken the programming is sickening. Where is the hard-hitting journalism?

If there is a segment I'm interested in on GMA, it isn't usually worth the wait. The endless teases and long commercial breaks are brutal. More often than  not, I opt for turning off the television and simply reading the news on the computer. It just isn't worth the aggravation.

One more thing that is totally annoying about television today, is the endless breaks in programming. Shows once ran for most of the year with a few reruns in the summertime when viewers were busy enjoying the longer daylight hours and warm temperatures. Nowadays, shows are rerun often, with only a few new episodes sandwiched between them.

I feel so sorry for the generations that have missed the wonderful medium that television used to be. But then, television is not alone. There are so many once-powerful institutions that have been taken over by mediocrity. Sadly, much of it can be traced back to the god of the 21st century--money.

Spring is here!

Little can be more pleasing than picking a bouquet of spring flowers from your own backyard. 

Hibernation is over!

Image via Wikipedia

My mother must have forgotten to tell me that somewhere in our family lineage there was a grizzly bear, or perhaps a brown bear or other humongous creature that hibernates during the winter months.

I know there had to be a bear in the family tree because I have been hibernating. I just came out of my comfortable den in the last couple days. I don't go outside much during the winter months, even though this was a very mild winter. I always have tons of projects to keep me busy, inside.

With these last two days though, who could resist? Temps hovering in the 60- to 70-degree range. Windows are open, the breeze is wafting through the house. I'm feeling rejuvenated. It is all pretty inspiring.

I have tons of projects to do outside too. Trouble is, they are generally much more labor-intensive. I admit, I've never been really good at that sort of thing, but what the hay.

Speaking of hay--or more to the point--straw, that was the first thing I wanted to do.

2011 garden

I have been thinking about moving an old, rotting bale of straw that had been sitting in the old garden since it was abandoned. It was a total failure for multiple reasons. But, I wanted to use that straw to add volume and tilth to the soil in the new raised bed garden my husband built for me, pictured at right.

In its first year, last year, it was looking like it could have been wildly successful, had the deer not come to eat everything in sight one night. This year, I plan to take precautions, although I haven't quite nailed down the details. I'm thinking a chicken wire fence with bling (pie plates hanging from them), a little human hair, since I have plenty, and a bit of deer repellent. That ought to do it!

If anybody has any additional ideas, I'm all ears!

Hubby actually just finished building a second garden, just like the first. He built it around what had been a semi-circular herb garden. The far-too few herbs in it are those that lived through last summer's heat. They are growing nicely--rosemary, lemon balm, oregano, sage, thyme, and chives.

I should have lots of room to grow my veges.

So today, with the help of a wheel-barrow, I lugged the really heavy, water-logged bale of straw to the new garden. I separated its flakes and put a single layer in both the new and the old gardens to let it dry before we can till it in and add new soil.

Today was actually the second time I ventured outside. Yesterday I sat on the front porch a little just daydreaming about things that needed to be done. All that thinking exhausted me, so I came back in, but not before I took that ceremonial springtime walk through yard to look at what had started to grow. It was really windy, so I didn't have much luck getting pictures, but I did get a couple just to prove that spring has definitely sprung, here in the Ozarks.

A Bradford Pear 

Budding lilac

A couple of crocus and wildflowers

My first daffodil hiding in the background.
These are fully open today