A mess of color

Spring always brings with it a sense of ambivalence. The cost and effort to manage dandelions always overwhelms. Neighbors look disapprovingly at nature's bounty of yellow. Dowsing the lawn with chemicals is a difficult choice - especially since we're uphill from Lake Sharon. So-called "natural" remedies cost a lot and deliver less than optimal results.

The fact is the soil on our property is atrocious. And, it's the soil that encourages weed growth.

This year I'm not as concerned with the dandelions as I've been in previous years.

Maybe someday I'll find a remedy . . . .

Spring Day

Days like today seldom repeat themselves in the Great Lakes. So, we indulge ourselves and enjoy the moment.

Lunch time photos (while taking a break from working remotely).



I. Daffodils surround the base of a dwarf apple tree




II. Rhubarb and creeping phlox




III. Looking northeast . . . Service Berry tops the Crabapple




IV. Arianna dubbed this corner of the garden "Mosquito Coast"

Mow

Yesterday I mowed the lawn. Mark the calendar. April 17 begins the season. In addition to mowing the lawn, I've cleared most of the "Sun Garden" in anticipation of the raised vegetable beds. The Sun Garden was the original bed we put in -- back in '03. And when I say "we" I mean it. Planting the Sun Garden was truly a family affair. Even Bruno helped.

While digging out the nodding pink onion, cone flowers, and blazing star it was hard not to recall the work that went into transforming that space into a flower bed.

Flowers will remain a focal point of the space, but the flowers will share the space with vegetables that Bruno shows no interest in growing in his plot beside the sun room.

It'll be interesting to watch this take shape and develop over the course of time.

WFH

On Wednesday I'm permitted to work remotely -- from home. Today was a grey and rainy April day. Cooler than it's been, but seasonable.

As is my habit, I walk outside for the mail just prior to having a bite of lunch.



I. Yellow Jacket watching me work





II. Lilacs beginning to take shape in the front yard





III. Perennial (!?!) chives





IV. Another year of parsley





V. Rhubarb

Happy Easter

Up and at 'em this bright and sunny Easter morning.

Instead of attending 9:30 Mass, Arianna and I decided to attend the 8 am Mass. Since Msgr. Dougherty officiated last night's Easter Vigil -- a lovely and spiritually uplifting climax to the Triduum -- I was surprised to see him in the pulpit this morning.

Even with earlier start time, Arianna made her bed. She was quite proud of herself for being able to get up and out this morning.




I. Arianna, Easter Sunday 2010





II. Arianna hunting for Easter eggs after Mass





III. She finds one!

An atypical Easter. We seldom visit family at Easter. But, given Bruno and his brother's advanced years, Sharon all but insisted in accepting the invitation to Uncle Lester and Aunt Myra's.