Flowering Trees & Rhubarb

 Monday, May 11, 2026

The flowering trees in the neighborhood are looking really beautiful. I think these are crab trees. 

They don't last long so you're forced to appreciate them while they're flowering. 

It's a good reminder to be in the moment and not take things for granted. 

The rhubarb in the back yard is starting to send up its seed stalks.

Pansies and More

 Friday, May 8, 2026

Fascinated that there's a pansy growing in this pot. For the life of me I don't remember planting any seeds here this past fall. 

Now it looks like there's another one growing to the left of it. 

Have been consistently working hard to make sure these gardens are weeded. 

It's been really nice not working this spring and not feel so burned out in April and May and feel like I have the capacity to get things done outside of my job. 

Full moon

 Friday, May 1, 2026

Full moon at 12 am. There'll be another full moon at the end of May so we've got a blue moon situation going on here. 

Cigar in the Back Yard

 Thursday, April 30, 2026

Cigar in the back yard today. It was right around 50 degrees and partly cloudy. When the sun was out it was perfect - still comfortable with a jacket, especially if not moving around. 

When the sun went behing a cloud it was cooler but not at all uncomfortable especially with a jacket on. If the wind came up while the sun was hiding I'd simply duck into the garage. 

I've been working slowly, steadily, and consistently on the yard over the past week. 

It's starting to look good although there's still more to do. 

Some of the gardens have been raked out. 

Some have not.

Noticed this lone pansy growing in one of our pots. They're not perrenials so I'm not sure where this one came from. I guess life's always better with a little mystery in it. 

Spring Weeding

 Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Starting the process of weeding. I began with the garden by the grill.

I wanted to get this going before the weeds become too legion. 

Didn't finish this garden today but will do some more tomorrow. I'm trying to be as consistent as possible and get at least a little bit done every day. 

Temps got into the lower 50s today. Perfect lighter jacket weather. 

Spring Raking

 Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Beginning the process of spring raking.

Got a beautiful day to do it. 

About 55 degrees. 

Perfect leather jacket weather. 

Earlier today Dale and I went to Ace Hardware to pick up some yard waste bags. We'll be going through 'em pretty quick.

An Unusually Warm Day for March

 Saturday, March 21, 2026

Beautiful day.

Bought some cigars at Stogies On Grand earlier today. The woman at the register and I were reminiscing about St. Patrick's Day back in 2012 when it got to 80 degrees. Not only did it get to 80 degrees but on top of that it was sunny AND it fell on a Saturday. I remember Dale and I sitting out in the backyard having cocktails.

Well, it didn't hit 80 but it was very pleasant out. 

Started a new book.

VERY pleasant. Had an Old Fashioned while Dale had some red wine.