Garden Time

I have returned from the Catskill Mountains with renewed respect for winding, hairpin, "S" turns, narrow bridges and high elevation roads. But having said that, I return with a tremendous sense of breathtaking beauty. I called it the "ohh, ah" ride. I could visualize the feelings of the settlers when they first viewed the long valleys and continuous mountains from atop. Every where you look you will not only see another mountain but a valley in every direction. They call you to come explore and see crystal streams, fertle farmland and quaint villages. All in all, it was a fine trip. The fact that there wasn't any heat or hot water in our motel or that it took us an hour and a half in the dark of the night on 14 miles of winding steep roads to find it will soon fade. It was very good to get back in my own bed.

We had a delightful parade here in Hartford on Memorial Day along with a church bar-b-que. I joined Gloria and Emory with my take-out chicken and then went downtown to sit along the road to watch the parade. It was my first here so I was pleasantly surprised to find the parade to be long and enjoyable. Of course, I love a parade. Years past, my grandchildren and I made our own parade. We marched with our various "instruments" and made our own music. Around and around the house we went. It was lots of fun.

There were three Jones boys, Pete's grandson's, in the band. Trumpet, sax and clarinet. I felt nostalgic as I watched Dylan with his trumpet. Watching Travis in the Patrick Henry band for several years was one of my greatest joys. Now he is preparing for Airborne School with the 101st Airborne in GA. The grands are all growing up and creating their own lives. I have 3 HS graduations to go to this year. I won't be able to attend one of my grandson's grad since it is the same day as my VA granddaughters.

Homesteading is taking a lot of my time as well as my energy. I find my muscles and joints complaining daily. I have the veggies in except for "6 tires of potatoes". I have been experimenting with different bread recipes too. I just made a goat cheese/black pepper bread that is really good. The sour corn rye was good too. My friend Wendy sent a suggestion for a fig and fennel bread which I am eager to try. My sister, Gloria, her daughter and granddaughter are planning a gigantic yard sale this coming weekend. We have a tent. Good thing since it looks like rain for Sat. It is lots of work, I hope it pays off. We certainly have an ideal location for exposure.

I wish you all sunshine, music and dancing in your lives. Hope the pictures load.

Brrrrr!

It is cold and windy today. I went out to mow with my earmuffs on. I mowed the front but had to quit. Now I can't seem to get warm again. Think a bath is in order. I like my new red mower. I'll post a picture one of these days.

I made my best bread yet. It is a sour Rye/Corn bread. It contains buttermilk, rye flour and caraway seeds which give it the distinct flavor. My sis and I are having a multi-family yard sale the end of this month and I plan to present some of my yummo goodies. Since I haven't had a sale yet, I need to do some kinda marketing. Everything such as Farmer's mkts, outdoor concerts and other outdoor activities are slow to start in this part of the world due to the possibility of days like today. We have had a bit of rain which is a good thing.

I have one of my raised beds planted but no sign of the seedlings yet. They are going to stay hidden as long as possible. I won't put in plants such as tomato, cabbage, brocoli, cauliflower and peppers until after Memorial Day. My neighbor has a sheep farm and has offered some aged sheep dodo. Need to go up there and get it.

Pete and I went out to Glens Falls to Adirondack Community College yesterday to hear a young (15 yrs.) man play piano. He played some classics but really excelled on the jazz pieces. A top student, athletic but very active with music. Reminded me of the years I spent listening to Travis play his trumpet. He is now at Ft. Benning with the 101st Airborne for training. My daughter, granddaughter and I are flying down for his sister, Annie's graduation in June but he won't be there. I hope to see him in July when his family plans a Vermont trip.

I haven't had any bites on the coach. I feel badly. I hate to sell it but have to let go of that aspect of my life. Bash and I had a good run considering that the 4 years before I began my life as a journey woman on wheels, I couldn't see to drive more than a mile. I am grateful for the adventures, the people we met and helped, the places we visited and the experience as a whole. My only regret is that we didn't go as far west as I had planned. But our plans are not necessarily God's plans. So here we are - homeowners again with all the accompanying chores.

I hope you can see these pictures. I tried to save one off the blog and there is a copywrite block that does not allow it. So for those of you who have requested photos, I will continue to look for them in my files.

I have many birds at my feeders. There is a Red-bellied woodpecker, a Baltimore Oriole as well as Red Polls, Gold Finch, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Red winged Blackbirds, Cardinals, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Doves, Sparrows, House Finch and Crows. I have a nesting pair of Bluebirds and there are Robins nesting on the chassis of the MH. I moved the coach last week to mow under it and level it again. The robin didn't seem to mind at all.

'Scuse please - gonna go take that hot bath.