Summer Begins

I had a student write me a note of thanks and encouragement. Yep, a real letter--none of that tech stuff. Is there hope for the world?

I was asked how the quarantine would impact my summer. As I thought about it, it dawned on me that it won't at all. I spend my summers in isolation anyway.

And so it has started. I confess--the first couple weeks I sleep in a little bit. Lazy. Homesteader is not a fan. She thinks I'm home all the time so I can spoil her more. But I do eschew 5:30 wake-ups for a bit. Other than that--same old, same old, says the same old man. This first week I walked of course multiple times each day. (The ticks are awful!) I take my pictures for your Saturday walk while I'm indulging my own ramblings. It's been a down year for iris, but don't feel sorry for me--they're are still plenty of beauties out there. A lot of buds shriveled up--the rain maybe?--and some beds just took this year off I guess. One bed with nearly thirty plants--one bloom. What you going to do? Lots of other things are starting to join the promenade as well.

I've been doing some mulching. Should have the first loads used up in a couple days if it doesn't rain. Then, I'll have to order some more. Going to be a mulch/Roundup summer. I hope to get a lot of clearing done as well. Mowed the front and back each once this week. The only normal thing that hasn't started yet is my cleaning up the cave a bit. Well, I am a male--let's call it straightening up the cave a little bit--very little bit. And I did have a surprise encounter at the new nursery. The Hassey's were there. Sorry John for mentioning the place on face book.

Two Gardening Angel moments so far. A lovely red iris in a bed I didn't remember having a red iris. And a yellow flag iris showed up at the exact opposite from where I planted some near the pond. I have no idea how it got there. Can flag iris swim?

The only strange thing going on is that I have been memorizing poems. No, I have no idea why. Something more to forget later on I guess.

In family news everyone seems well. Moira graduated from Illinois University. Evie graduated from Dublin. No comments about getting old were asked for thank you. Oh, and Ben and Jamie bought a house.

Hope your summer is marvelous!!! I don't know if I can stand being quarantined at The Acres all summer. Life is tough.