Summertime thoughts

High school graduation was today, with family members and friends sitting in the hot sun for a couple of hours in order to get a glimpse of their favorite graduates cross the stage. Ms. Warren, the chosen speaker, was very good. She not only infused humor with an inspiring message, she also sang a lovely goodbye to the class of 2010. This class contained 552 graduates! They have many challenges ahead, but amongst them are our scientists, politicians, caregivers, teachers, mechanics, engineers, business owners, healthcare workers, and tradesmen. They will achieve and share their gifts with the rest of us; all of us benefit when our future workforce is properly educated.

It's May, and the living is easier

May Day was perfect! The sunshine felt invigorating, and a light breeze kept me from getting too hot. My daughter arrived home from her first year of college, very grown up and very much still my little girl. I'm so glad she loves the college life. It makes living without her much easier.
Humidity rose on the second day, along with temperatures, feeling more like summer. The long days and cool evenings are worth the wait. The snowy winter we had just made me appreciate these days even more. And we haven't even reached the longest day yet! aaahhh...

Last day of April

What a gorgeous day. Upper 70's, low humidity, sunshine, birds sharing their songs. I am currently sitting outdoors on a shaded deck, and I am thrilled the trees are fully leaved again. This gives me so much privacy. I can no longer see my neighbors, and their night lights are not visible to me either. Of course, this also means that my star visibility range is less. I cannot see as much of the night sky from one position as I can in Fall and Winter.
My clematis is in full bloom now and the purple and orange irises are beginning to unfurl. The purple irises smell like grape Kool-aid.
Tomorrow I will plant my tomatoes, keeping an eye out on the temperatures for a couple more weeks. Despite the impending heat, I love the carefree days that summer brings and the bountiful variety of produce that will soon be on my table. I hope that everyone will drink in the beauty of this time of year!

Spring flowers

I'm sorry I haven't shared very much lately! This school year has been very busy.

The forsythia was again the first to flower at my house, followed closely by the daffodils. The red tulips and redbuds bloomed at about the same time, and then periwinkle and dogwoods. My lilacs are now blooming, and so is the clematis in the back yard! I think that is a little early! I need to keep records so I can compare. My purple irises are putting up buds, though I've seen a neighbor's blooming for a week now.
We are getting some much needed rain tonight. It seemed like it would never dry out earlier, but now we've gone over two weeks without rain.
I've never had allergies before, but I think I know what it's like. The pollen production was so high this year that I have had a slight cough, along with water eyes and itchy nose. I know it's not the same as true allegy sufferers, but it's annoying!
Heard a hummingbird this week. Need to get those feeders out. The males are here!

December Snow

This late fall-early winter snowfall has really lasted quite some time. Beginning at 2:15 pm Friday, Dec. 18, it has now stuck around for 11 days so far! What's the saying, if it stays for long, it's waiting for more? Meteorologists are calling for sleet and freezing rain tonight; not what I want on top of the snow.
The birds struggle so when it's winter, so please be sure to put out seeds and suet for them. They are so fun to watch! The squirrels are also very entertaining.

Summertime

After two rainy months, June has become a dry end to spring/beginning of summer. Our last rain occurred two weeks ago, and with temperatures mostly in the upper 80's, it has become dry. I have to water every day. This dry weather is good for blackberries; they will be available in abundance over the next couple of weeks.
Morning temperatures have hovered in the low to mid sixties this month. Today, humidity is low and it is actually quite comfortable outside. Good horseback riding weather. Went last night, and may go again this evening.
Looking forward to wine berries as well. They are ripening this week.
Enjoy the fruits of the season! Buy local!

March Snow!

Wow! What do you think about the snow? It's been a long time coming, that's for sure. The mountains around me seem to have been sandblasted with snow. Just overnight, the sky dumped about 6 inches on us, and I'd already cleaned Sunday's snow off of my car. Sunday night started with a little sleet mixed in, so the bottom layer is icy. But the landscape is pretty. I did miss this part of winter.

By Saturday this week, it will be in the 60's and the snow will only be a memory. Thankfully, the ground will soak it up and the farmers can get started!