Thursday night

Please don't lose faith in my posting. I have been journaling like this for nearly 5 years and I don't want to quit now. It is just that this business of working 5 days and not having the time to do all that I once did, is taking its toll. I did take a day off this week to work in my gardens. It was the best thing I have done for myself in a long while. I trimmed, finished mowing the dandelions, fertilized the grass (I must be crazy), bought veggie plants and planted my onions. I still need to mix some topsoil in with this sheep doo. Even though it is composted, I suspect it is too rich. I came in the house last night feeling very tired and sore but those were good feelings.

I went to Cambridge last sunday to watch Emily ride in a show. It was a great way to spend Mother's Day. She did well with severals third and fourth place ribbons. This was her first show of the season. I also believe that local politics plays am important role in who gets the first place ribbons. Most of the judges are trainers for many of the local riders. When I was competing, I showed there once and never went back due to the way they treated the visiting riders. This coming weekend she and Dino will be eventing in S. Woodstock, VT. Pete and I are going up on Sunday. I have competed in that setting as well. It was my favorite place to show.

I came back last Sunday to a picnic for my neice who just received her MA degree. My daughter Jill and her family were there. It was great to see them. My other two daughters called. My grandson, Travis will be in an Ironman event in FL this coming weekend. He is an incredible young man. He is now Commander of the VA Tech marching band in addition to his studies and Army training as well as jazz band and Highty Tighties. Only the young could manage it.

TGIF tomorrow. Enjoy the photo of the cemetary next to our church and the shot of Emily at the show. Time for me to sack out.

First Sunday in May

Thanks to my patient and faithful readers. I note that it has been a while since I journaled here. One of the many perks I miss since I have been working full time is keeping up with friends. Although, now that I sit at a desk much of the day, I have full access to my email at work. I not only open my office email page but at the same time, I open my personal page. Don't hesitate to email me. Actually, I can be reached during the week through the email easier than on the phone since my phone does not work in my building.

Speaking of my job: I like the women I am working with, the work is not difficult, I like my boss who is a young woman and I like my paycheck; I just don't care for the drive down and back. 56 miles round trip doesn't sound like much to many people but for me it is a challenge to stay alert. The neurological aspects of the Sjogrens becomes apparent when I am forced to stay focused and process a great deal of information constantly while driving. I will stay through the May 20th deadline for this job and maybe a bit longer if I am asked but not on a year-round basis. Besides, I do miss the children (some) in the classrooms I have frequented.

I am busy gardening now. Pete made me two more raised beds for veggies. I have yet to put dirt in them. My friend, Marybeth, gave me several buckets of perennials which I planted yesterday. I broke down and bought a hydrangea tree for the front of my house. I want to buy a weeping willow for the marsh down back and a grafted apple tree for the end of the house. I mowed yesterday. The lawn looks really nice. I did not mow a large patch of blue violets that have sprung up. I wish the entire lawn was made up of violets. People complain about the dandelions, I don't mind them now when they are beautiful yellow masses. I don't like them when they become stalks and go to see though. I must get out and take pictures for this site.

I haven't seen any hummers yet. I did put out my feeder since I noted in my diary that a male spotter came last year on the 1st. It was upsetting to see that the swallows had frightened off a nesting bluebird I had. I think I will move one of the houses. It may be too close. I should rename my place woodpecker something or the other since I have many different kinds of woodpeckers residing here. They eat a whole lot of suet which can sometimes be hard to come by. I have recently been buying the suet with the berries and seeds in it; Buy one get one free deal.

Sebastian had a haircut yesterday and he looks great! Smells good too. He did not pant at all last night. Lately, since the temp climbed, he has been panting in bed, waking me up.

Chicken BarBQue today at Stewarts store where Gloria and Emory's IGA used to be. Pete is cooking there for the HVFD and will bring home a couple of yummy chickens with the fixins. This event is a sure sign of Spring for us.

The photo was taken on a bike ride about a week ago. I posted it so you can see how we have progressed in bloom when I take another shot today. We are very green now although the mountains are still purple.

Well, here's to dirt under your nails, callouses on your knees, pain in your low back but joy in your heart as you touch our beloved Earth.