Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Muddy Mess of March
It's the 19th of March, and it's muddy. AND soggy, sodden, sopping, soaking, sullen and soporific! Although the dogs seem to find the whole wet mess invigorating. 
Everything looks so bleak and dirty! It's hard to believe the weather will soon be warm and sunny and everything will be green and blooming.
I'll have to tidy up the garden that I completely ignored in the fall. My bricks are askew and leaning drunkenly into their beds. I love working in the garden in spring when it is full of hope and promise. But I hate saying goodbye in the fall, even though I know it needs the rest.
The one thing I like about this time of year is that my statue gets a green mossy patina that makes it look oldish. I poured buttermilk and moss on it one year, but it didn't take.
I love the bunny.
My little pond in the front has a nice scummy algae growing in it. I'll pull it out when I clean the pond in April and put it in the compost pile or bury it in one of the garden beds. My giggling children statue has nothing even remotely resembling a green patina. Maybe I'll try dumping on a slurry of clay, fish fertilizer, buttermilk and moss. I saw that as a recipe for growing moss on cement in some book I read once.
I love my little garden and will be sorry to leave it when I move away. I've spent years working on it. When we go down South, I'll make sure I have one already laid out and started before I move so I can bring some of my plants.
I think of forsythia and crocus as the first harbingers of spring, along with robins, of course. So I was happy to see the crocus by the steps poking their heads up through the "wanton leafmeal."
The purple crocus has been up for a few days. It closes up at night like a secret.
The bridge over the river is lovely in the morning. And spectacular at night when there is a full moon. I like the juxtaposition of the old, dark, clunky drawbridge and the new slim, spidery bridge in shade of sky and fog.
Everything looks so bleak and dirty! It's hard to believe the weather will soon be warm and sunny and everything will be green and blooming. 
I'll have to tidy up the garden that I completely ignored in the fall. My bricks are askew and leaning drunkenly into their beds. I love working in the garden in spring when it is full of hope and promise. But I hate saying goodbye in the fall, even though I know it needs the rest.
The one thing I like about this time of year is that my statue gets a green mossy patina that makes it look oldish. I poured buttermilk and moss on it one year, but it didn't take. 
I love the bunny.
My little pond in the front has a nice scummy algae growing in it. I'll pull it out when I clean the pond in April and put it in the compost pile or bury it in one of the garden beds. My giggling children statue has nothing even remotely resembling a green patina. Maybe I'll try dumping on a slurry of clay, fish fertilizer, buttermilk and moss. I saw that as a recipe for growing moss on cement in some book I read once.
I love my little garden and will be sorry to leave it when I move away. I've spent years working on it. When we go down South, I'll make sure I have one already laid out and started before I move so I can bring some of my plants.
I think of forsythia and crocus as the first harbingers of spring, along with robins, of course. So I was happy to see the crocus by the steps poking their heads up through the "wanton leafmeal."
The purple crocus has been up for a few days. It closes up at night like a secret.
The bridge over the river is lovely in the morning. And spectacular at night when there is a full moon. I like the juxtaposition of the old, dark, clunky drawbridge and the new slim, spidery bridge in shade of sky and fog.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Popular Mechanics 1961
Today while killing some time at the local thrift store, I stumbled upon volumes 4, 5, 6, and 11 of Popular Mechanics Illustrated Home Handyman Encyclopedia & Guide. I wish I'd found the whole set because they are just too much fun to look through.
I love the mod pod looking dog houses.
And I just need to have this patio lounger.
Very cool Christmas Decorations with a sort of Scandanavian feel.
Nifty wood whistle and bookends.
A lovely driftwood candleholder.
It has great ideas for fences.
And I'm lusting for this table and "commode" that extends to become extra eating room.
I love the mod pod looking dog houses.
And I just need to have this patio lounger.
Very cool Christmas Decorations with a sort of Scandanavian feel.
Nifty wood whistle and bookends.
A lovely driftwood candleholder.
It has great ideas for fences.
And I'm lusting for this table and "commode" that extends to become extra eating room. 
