A Gardener Who Can't Garden

I look forward to gardening every year.  It's who I am.  Having  many interests I must say gardening is probably my most enjoyable pastime.  Spring is here in all of her glory and this gardener can't garden.  Boo Hoo.  I do believe I'm going to cry.  Life gets a little tricky as we get older.  Some of it is good and some of it is bad.  Thankfully I have enjoyed good health my whole life.  What happens when you wake up one day and you literally cannot put weight on your leg?  What do you mean you can't walk?  I find myself in a very humbling situation.

"We may think we are nurturing our garden, but of course it's our garden that really  is nurturing us!"   Jenny Uglow

A few weeks ago as we were decluttering a closet I saw a pair of crutches that I had used 21 years ago when I broke my leg.  I told Grayden, why don't we donate them to Amvets?   He, the practical one, said "oh we may need them one day."  I said "hopefully not."  Well, we kept those crutches and now I'm hobbling along on them!

I know I need to see the orthopedic doctor and gave them a call for an appointment. The next available appointment is May 2nd.  They called and said they have a cancellation so I'll be seeing them today.  In the mean time I'm taking it easy, icing my knee, keeping it elevated and longing to be digging in the dirt.

I couldn't even buy some annuals for various pots and planters.  Grayden went with my wanted list and bought the plants.  Thank you, sweetheart.  He then planted the plants for me.  I must say he did a wonderful job. 

"Gardens are not made by singing  "Oh how beautiful, " and sitting in the shade. "
Rudyard Kipling



We have already put several wheel barrow loads of compost on the garden.  I love making and using our Compost.  It's such an easy process and we are rewarded with wonderfully rich amendments for our soil.  Our cleanup of beds is complete and in most areas mulch has been applied.  There is always something for a gardener to do and I enjoy doing it.  Now I must force myself to think in different terms regarding our gardening season. 

Spring descended on us like a fast moving locomotive.  All of our trees and shrubs are fully leafed out.  It's a beautiful time of year.  The only drawback is our world is full of green pollen.  Hopefully our rain will wash a lot of it away and we will all stop sneezing.  I don't recall everything blooming as quickly as it has this year. 

"I think this is what hooks one to gardening: it is the closest one can come to being present at creation."
Phyllis Theroux

I know many of you find joy in gardening.  I will hopefully again soon. I've always been told if all you have to talk about is the weather and your health, you don't have anything interesting to talk about---Well, that's all I have these days. ♥

Set in My Ways

We have been fortunate to not have to replace appliances in a very long time. With that being said, for the past year our dishwasher has leaked.  Not all the time, just when it felt like it!  The Maytag repair guy recommended a new gasket around the door.  When that was replaced it didn't leak for about a month.  Then it would leak occasionally!  Dealing with this has really been a pain.  I would place a little tray under the right leaky side and get a few drips every now and then.  Then a few weeks ago it began leaking a lot.  This was not okay as we have hardwood floors in our kitchen.  Knowing that the dishwasher was seventeen years old we decided to replace it.  Along with that we replaced the garbage disposal.  I love our new dishwasher and now no longer have to worry about water on the hardwood.

While the grands were visiting I needed to wash a load of laundry.  We noticed the washer took forever to fill.  After checking online, Grayden decided he could probably fix the problem.  After he pulled the washer out in the laundry room, there was a big puddle of grease and oil on the floor!  Well, I'm sure you guessed what we had to do.  Our washer was twenty-three years old, so we can't complain!  Having to replace three items in the same month is not great on the budget, but that's what we had to do.

Dishwashers and washing machines have really changed since we last bought one.  I'm not used to having a washing machine that takes an hour to run!  It does a great job, but really?  Also the dishwasher takes a while as well but it is so quiet!  

So, have you had to replace any of these appliances and found it to be challenging?  Maybe it's just me---Set in my ways! ♥

Family Easter Memories

Easter weekend was full of memories that repeat themselves each year.  We enjoyed the weekend with our grands coming to do what we do every year.  There is comfort in repetition.  Favorite games, coloring eggs and favorite meals of the season.  Being quite warm allowed us to enjoy the outdoors.  I'm sharing photos of our precious weekend with our grandchildren.

The flowers and trees and shrubs all celebrated the wonderful weekend with us.  Spring is almost an embarrassment of blooms--  It's the most colorful my garden ever gets. 

"The year's at the spring,

And day's at the morn;

Morning's at seven;

The hill-side's dew-pearled;

The lark's on the wing;

The snail's on the thorn;

God's in his Heaven— 

All's right with the world!"

-  Robert Browning, The Year's at the Spring


Here are a few of the blooms that are delighting us in our garden.

Thank you for stopping by my little world today.  I hope your day is full of the joys that make life sweet. ♥

Another Mantel

We have another mantel in our Florida room that is fun to decorate for Spring.  There is another one in our family room downstairs, but I won't be showing photos.  Our grandson Samuel has it decorated with Transformers and various items that he collects.  Let's just say it's not too Spring looking.

We've had fun over the years with these topsy-turvy eggs.  Some of their expressions describe our family members.  I printed out the banner from Ann's site--Here  She has lovely things to print and great ideas.  I really should have cleaned the copper sconces on the wall--please ignore the tarnish!

I have quite a few pieces of Jim Shore.  I'm sure you recognize his work.

The little sheep salt and pepper shakers had to come home with me a few years ago.  The little bunnies came from the Dollar Tree this year. You can't beat a dollar for these little cuties.

Years ago I made this egg and chick in ceramics.  Today it holds the egg tree.

I have a couple of these Beatrix Potter flower vases that are nice to put out in the Spring.

My Mama gave me this little Easter basket.  I must bring it out every year as it is the last gift I received from her. ♥