The thing I had no desire to do yesterday was to stay inside. It was too beautiful of a day. The rain the day before had washed everything as clean as newborn green leaves can be. And it was cooler. I spent a good amount of time just wandering around the yard, looking up, remembering Ross. I even got out the duck last night and it's supposed to get down to forty tonight. I am not complaining. I wish I could store up every bit of coolness we get this spring and use it as needed when the temperatures rise.
The cats wanted to be outside too. They followed me around in their lazy, unconcerned way as I picked peas and did some weed-pulling and stick picking-up. Maurice settled for awhile up there on that step that leads to the back porch.
Here's the peas I picked.
Our experiment in planting them way early this year has paid off, mostly in that the aphids have not yet had time to find them.
And remember those beans that were just coming up three days ago?
They're getting to it.
The part of the yard I worked on yesterday and also today is the camellia bed. I pulled betony, glory bower, crocosmia, various creeping and crawling vine-things, and found two bamboo shoots which I attacked viciously with my trowel.
Not today, Satan! Not today.
Not today, Satan! Not today.
There's a lot more in that bed I could have/should have pulled but for now, it'll do. I need to read up on camellia pruning. I believe the way those camellias grow is going to be very affected by the greater amount of light that's going to get to them.
I took a walk this morning but there was nothing special about it. I saw more violets and other small wildflowers and I took a picture of this fleabane.
I took a walk this morning but there was nothing special about it. I saw more violets and other small wildflowers and I took a picture of this fleabane.
I love the little lavender fringe surrounding that egg-yolk yellow center.
There are several places I pass on my walks where azaleas grow amidst the trees in a wooded area. Not the wild azalea which grows naturally in those areas, but the cultivated ones that humans plant. I always figure those bushes must have stood beside or in front of houses that have since disappeared. Speaking of the wild ones, there's a place I pass where a gorgeous one blooms and I am watching for it. They are just the prettiest things and a gift from the forest deities. I am still enraged every time I walk by a yard that passed into the hands of the big ol' Methodist Church in Lloyd where a gorgeous, mature wild azalea bloomed every year until they clear cut the whole yard. It is now a very large lawn, completely controlled and tidy.
Bah.
There are several places I pass on my walks where azaleas grow amidst the trees in a wooded area. Not the wild azalea which grows naturally in those areas, but the cultivated ones that humans plant. I always figure those bushes must have stood beside or in front of houses that have since disappeared. Speaking of the wild ones, there's a place I pass where a gorgeous one blooms and I am watching for it. They are just the prettiest things and a gift from the forest deities. I am still enraged every time I walk by a yard that passed into the hands of the big ol' Methodist Church in Lloyd where a gorgeous, mature wild azalea bloomed every year until they clear cut the whole yard. It is now a very large lawn, completely controlled and tidy.
Bah.
Here's a picture that Mr. Moon sent me last night.
Now that is Dog Island. Paradise. But not without a few hitches along the way.
The men got the boat towed off the beach and are on their way home. I talked to Glen and he sounds almost giddy. I think that hunger and relief can do that to a person. They may have gotten a little low on the food situation. He was reading me some of the expiration dates of things in the pantry there the other night and although I am not stickler for following those guidelines, all of them were from before 2018. I know there are spices in that kitchen that came with the house when we bought it almost twenty-five years ago, as well as a few bottles of strange liquors.
The men got the boat towed off the beach and are on their way home. I talked to Glen and he sounds almost giddy. I think that hunger and relief can do that to a person. They may have gotten a little low on the food situation. He was reading me some of the expiration dates of things in the pantry there the other night and although I am not stickler for following those guidelines, all of them were from before 2018. I know there are spices in that kitchen that came with the house when we bought it almost twenty-five years ago, as well as a few bottles of strange liquors.
It makes me sad to think about selling the place. It really does. I mean- look at that sunset. That's what happens almost every night. We have had such very, very good times there but I myself have had some very, very difficult times there. And, let's not discuss the poltergeist! But mostly, it's a matter of practicality. Glen and I are just not up to the challenge of maintaining the house and hauling stuff back and forth. I used to do it by myself! I'd tote that heavy ice chest up the rickety stairs and all the bags of food and water. When we needed to bring over a new hot-water heater, Glen could do it. Same with a washing machine and dryer when the laundry room/workshop beneath the house got flooded. When a new well was needed, he could dig it.
But. We're older now. And although I would love to leave it to the kids I don't think any of them would be able to use it very often. None of them have boats and although there is a "ferry," it's a lot of effort and takes a lot of planning to go there for a stay.
But oh- we sure saw some glorious sunsets and we sure had some great walks and we sure had some hilarious card games and we sure had some amazing meals.
But. We're older now. And although I would love to leave it to the kids I don't think any of them would be able to use it very often. None of them have boats and although there is a "ferry," it's a lot of effort and takes a lot of planning to go there for a stay.
But oh- we sure saw some glorious sunsets and we sure had some great walks and we sure had some hilarious card games and we sure had some amazing meals.
I guess we need to just tuck all those memories in our pockets and be grateful for them.
Oh, by the way- our internet is back. You may have already deduced this. It was working just fine when I got up. This morning when I walked past the little fenced in place right beside the My G***y Soul Boutique where CenturyLink keeps all of its magical machinery, there was a pole leaning over and a generator chugging along so- I don't think that was a permanent fix.
And tomorrow I'm going to go get my first shingles immunization. From what I've heard and read, this one could be a doozie and you know me- strong reactor. But I know I do not want to ever get shingles so...here we go! Have any of y'all had the vaccine? What were your experiences?
One more picture of Maurice, taken when she was in the garden today, struttin' her stuff.
You know she wasn't there because I was. It was a complete coincidence that we met up.
Oh, our little furry alien animal buddies. How we adore them.
Oh, our little furry alien animal buddies. How we adore them.
Love...Ms. Moon
those peas you picked (and grew) are lovely....would make a great stir fry or even a blanched or raw salad! Dog Island......sadly.....it may be time to let it go......for so many reasons. Love it......but..... maybe it's time to say goodbye to it. I know you are discussing just that
ReplyDeleteSusan M
PS have not/will not get the Shingles vaccine...but yes, significant side effects from my sources..... and interestingly......3 of my friends who had vaccine....still got Shingles later on....... WTF?
DeleteSusan M
Yes. Letting go.
DeleteI do understand that you are not a big vaccine getter.
What lovely flowers. We had a snowstorm yesterday in this part of Ohio. Some places got 7 inches! Today it's melted and near 50. That's Ohio for
ReplyDeleteyou.
Poltergeists! Oh do tell! Really? That's right up my alley. Love haunted
houses and ghost stories...hence my name. LOL. Dog Island does look beautiful, but I can't fathom all the hoo and haa getting things over there and all the logistics involved in the upkeep and having no stores on the island. I guess that's for the young.... maybe not young-at-heart. As I've aged, so many doors have closed. That's OK. Other, more doable doors have opened up.
Paranormal John
I want to know more about the poltergeist too!
DeleteAh yes, John. You could probably help educate me on just what I might have observed in that house.
DeleteDog Island is beautiful. I really am sad to let it go.
I did shingles dose 1 in one arm and COVID booster in the other at the same appt. I was fine but ended up being achy/ nappy the next day. I hope that doesn't happen for you. xxalanaxx
ReplyDeleteDo you generally react to vaccinations? I always do.
DeleteI did pneumonia in one arm and 1st shingles in the other I do not remember any reaction, and I can remember the damn covid vax reactions.
ReplyDeleteThe picture of Maurice taking inventory of the garden brought a flood of memories of all my cats owning the gardens. Good times.
It's so weird how we react so differently to different things.
DeleteCats absolutely own everything the sun shines on.
I had the shingles series, two, a few weeks apart, and was poleaxed both times, the first more. Like the flu and other things. Plan on low-key activity for a couple of days after each one. It's worth it, considering what the illness itself is about, but not to be combined with busy days.
ReplyDeleteI certainly would not have had any other shot at the same time.
You are more of a reactor- like I am. Good advice.
DeleteI had no reaction to the shingles vaccine.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about days too beautiful to be inside. At this time of the year they are made to be treasured.
'Escape from Dog Island' sounds like a Hardy Boys book!
It does sound like a Hardy Boys book!
DeleteI had shingles, so I have never had the vaccine! The disease has to be worse then the shots could possibly be! So, grit your teeth and just get it done!
ReplyDeleteI hate to be the one to tell you this, Marcia, but it is recommended that you get the vaccine even if you've had shingles. You can get it again. Ugh.
DeleteOh, girl ... I know! I'll see if my doctor recommends I get them. Right now she is off having knee replacement surgery! I will see her in May!
DeleteBut you ... get the shots!
The sunset a the beach is very beautiful. It sounds like you have many good memories of your time on the island. Everything in your garden is growing well and the peas look outstanding. Nothing seems to disturb your veggies and I am very impressed with your ability to grow vast amounts of veggies.
ReplyDeleteOh, just wait until summer's heat and the many, many bugs come upon us. That's when the garden takes a big hit.
DeleteI had the 2-part shingles shots. Due to my rheumatoid arthritis infusions there are certain days of the month I have to take vaccines. I didn’t have any reactions other than local soreness. And I DON’T WANT SHINGLES!
ReplyDeleteWow! Glad you didn't have a reaction!
DeleteI had the shingrix one and didn’t have a reaction until after the second shot. I did feel pretty crappy for a day but it’s much better than shingles. I know from experience. Just got my Covid booster today. A friend was in the hospital for a week with Covid and now has new cardiac issues from it. So far no reaction to that booster. Boy do I know the limitations getting to be this old brings too. I definitely don’t have any more DIY projects in my future after feeling beat up by the last one. That’s a lovely sunset.
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Barbara
I'm sorry to hear about your friend. Covid is still a serious virus. Especially for some.
DeleteI'd be interested to know what DIY project you did that wore you out.
I think it's time the Dog Island pantry got completely emptied. 25 years old spices would have no flavour left by now. That sunset picture is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe shingles vaccine is a painful one, they don't put it just under the skin, it has to go right into the muscle and I sat there as still as I could be saying OW! OW! OW! and I could not sleep on that side for three nights. It ached a fair bit during the days too for about a week.
I think I kept some of those spices for sentimental reasons, not to actually use them. Isn't that crazy?
DeleteI heard from my friend Rebecca that the shingles shot hurt like hell. I asked her if it felt like those penicillin shots we used to get and she said- yes. Just like that.
My Shingrix shots were each achy for about a day. But FAR better than shingles, which I know from extremely painful personal experience. Very glad you're getting yours. From everyone's comments, it sounds like reactions vary widely. May yours be on the milder side.
ReplyDeleteYour peas! Your baby bean plants! Be still my heart (and salivary glands)!
Chris from Boise
Yeah. Achy for a day or even two or three beats nerves-on-fire for weeks.
DeleteI'm pretty happy with my garden right now. For sure.
I got my shingles shots. The second one in January the first in November. I was told to wait two months between the two. I had no reaction to either but I might not be a good one to judge by as I have never had any reactions to any vaccine shots, Flu, Covid or Pneumonia either.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're not much of a reactor. Good for you!
DeleteDog Island looks just beautiful but I think we all end up having to be realistic too. You will always have those beautiful memories in any case!
ReplyDeleteBeing realistic can be pretty hard, can't it?
DeleteI react strongly to most jags but strangely not the shingles one but we get it in one go so I don't know if that matters. We are offered the shingles and pneumonia jags when we get to 65 I think and we had them both nasty thing shingles.
ReplyDeleteJust one? Was that recently or quite awhile ago?
DeleteWe're supposed to get the two you mentioned and also the annual flu shot and covid.
That view from Dog Island is stunning. How fortunate you’ve been to be able to enjoy that (and work your butts off) for so many years. I haven’t had the shingles vaccine (or at least I don’t think I have). I’m like you, a nuclear reactor. But the vaccines have always been better than the actual illnesses. So kind of Maurice to grace you with his presence, even accidentally.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Mitchell. And we never would have bought that house if it hadn't been for a friend of ours who pretty much told us we were going in on it with him and that was THAT! It was a pretty good partnership for a long time and then he started having some health problems and we bought his share. I am grateful to him.
Delete"Nuclear reactor." I like that phrase. Yep, that describes it perfectly.
Maurice can be quite gracious.
HER presence...
ReplyDeleteWell, the name is confusing. I named her when she first showed up before I actually checked her out in any great detail. I knew that most ginger cats are male so I just assumed...
DeleteMy worst reaction to date has been from the dang flu shot this past fall. Talk about feeling crappy. Had both shingles shot last year, two months apart. Not a big deal for either one. Felt a bit achy/nappy for a day or so but so worth the effort. Saw two family members go through an attack of shingles a few years ago. A horrible thing to deal with and weeks and weeks to recover from. Glad you've started the immunization process. Dog island photos make me sigh and long for warm weather... Instead of high winds and bitter cold we're currently receiving up here.
ReplyDeleteWe're having perhaps the most perfect spring I've ever seen. I feel so lucky.
DeleteI'm glad your Internet is back! I too am sorry to see the Dog Island house go, and I've never even been there -- except vicariously. :)
ReplyDeleteAs a Florida boy, you would have appreciated it very much, I think.
DeleteI've been planning to get the shingles vax but haven't so far. we just had our two nights in the 40s. I never mind these late season cold fronts. I think of them as staving off the heat of summer. and yes these days are just glorious and have to be spent outside.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a beautiful spring, Ellen?
DeleteI have had the 2 Shingles shots and had no bad reaction. Hope it wasn't too bad for you, Mary.
ReplyDeleteWell, it didn't happen today...
DeleteThe first shot left me with a huge raised area on my arm, an oval about 6 x 8", it was hot and itchy for two weeks and I contemplated skipping the second one. My doc insisted and I got the second shot, which caused not trouble at all. But it's done, I don't have to think about it anymore.
ReplyDelete