Thursday, April 30, 2009

Dirt Digging Day...

Yesterday.
Wednesday, April 29.
A gorgeous day to be outside.


There is a lot of clean-up to be done after the long winter months and I've been patient as long as possible. It still might be a little too soon, but I'm ready to get the process under motion.

Digging in the dirt has a way of putting your mind back on track, if you're so inclined to let it: Close-up and personal with the simple things that Mother Nature has intended for us to enjoy.

As I clean decaying leaves away from tiny plants, just barely emerging from the yet cool earth, my heart always skips a beat. Each year, I'm amazed at their resilience.

The old saying about Perennials is true:
The first year... they sleep.
The second year... they creep.
The third year... they leap!

And so it is... I have Perennials leaping all over the place!



I never know where I'll find the Ladies Mantle (better known as Dew Plant). They are a very invasive plant and will take over the entire flower bed, if allowed their own agenda! Dew drops can be found on their leaves most of the time, hence their nickname and are pretty while small. Mid-summer, they produce chartreuse-colored flowers on long stems that fall over with the least amount of wind or rain. I usually cut them back so they don't look so haggard.


As I was doing some edging, I couldn't help but think that even my flower beds are going to be affected this year by the World economy. There was a time when I just picked up the phone, dialed my mulch-man and asked him to deliver a load of his best double-ground bark as soon as possible. When he showed up, I wrote him a check without hesitation.

That isn't going to happen this year! I'll just fluff up the old mulch, wish the little flowers my very best and try to keep the weeds to a minimum.

Whaaa Laaa... just saved $170!

Jury duty tomorrow.
Wish me luck.

Try to find joy in your dirt!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Running out of Time...

Gosh...
Where does the time go?


Just a few bits and pieces of red before Ruby Tuesday comes to an end for another week. (The clock hands and outside edge REALLY are ruby in color. Guess I lost the effect when I zoomed in.) Hey... the bricks are red!!!!



I'd like to say that I'll be more prompt next Tuesday, but can't promise anything at this point.

By this time of day, I'm sure everyone has checked out other Ruby Tuesday photos over at Mary T's, Work of the Poet! If you haven't, your really should, because you'll find some pretty neat stuff there.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Seven Daffodils...

I may not have a mansion, I haven't any land,
Not even a paper dollar to crinkle in my hand.
But I can show you morning on a thousand hills,
And kiss you...
And give you...
Seven Daffodils.



I do not have a fortune to buy you pretty things,
But I can weave you moonbeams for necklaces and rings,
And show you mornings on a thousand hills,
And kiss you...
And give you...
Seven Daffodils.



Oh...
Seven Daffodils, all shining in the sun,
to light our way to evening when our day is done.

And I will give you music and a crust of bread,
And a pillow of piny boughs to rest your head.

A pillow of piny boughs to rest your head...



(Lyrics from the Brother's Four 1964 song, Seven Daffodils.)

Sunshine to you,
Barb:-)

Monday, April 20, 2009

Wet Ruby Tuesday...

This morning, as I looked out the kitchen window, I wouldn't think of mentioning the snow-covered ground.

And I wouldn't think of mentioning the snow flakes changing to sleet before I could take my second sip of coffee.

And I wouldn't think of mentioning that I had to dig out a turtle-neck and sweat shirt to wear today.

So... as long as I haven't mentioned how cold and depressing the weather has been today, I'll just post some sunny photos to celebrate Ruby Tuesday!!

A perfect red roof, without a shadow of doubt, and a gold star to validate it!


The Pussy Willows are nearing their fuzzy stage.


Blue skies from a couple of days ago and the Maple buds I love so much.



See many other great Ruby Tuesday photos HERE.

And I wouldn't think of mentioning that it's still cold and rainy.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Meet the Neighbors...

We humans aren't the only ones who are grateful that winter is over! The temperature might take a dip at night, but as long as there are sun-filled days to follow, we'll all be happy and productive.

The rabbits munch on every tender blade of new grass they can find.



The Blue Birds are flitting around, scoping out the area housing. They are very fussy about where they set up housekeeping and start their families.

Soooo... each season, we faithfully clean all the birdhouses, in hopes that a pair or two will give us the privilege of seeing their babies grow.

I took this photo through the front window, so I'm thinking that's the reason it's a little blurry. Couldn't be my fault, right???



Bear tracks have been spotted in the area, but this is the first bear of the season to actually visit our back yard. He looks pretty healthy for laying around all winter!

His eyesight might be poor, but his hearing was pretty darn sharp... one little sound from my camera and he ran for the bushes, so I wasn't able to zoom in closer.



And the curtain closes on another beautiful day in Pennsylvania.


Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Caution, rant ahead...

It's amazing how fast the weeks go by.

I always make promises to myself that I'm going to use my time wisely, to do the things that not only NEED to be done, but also those things that would be pleasurable.

Because... lets be honest here.
How in hell can doing the laundry, cleaning the house, fixing three meals a day and putting the kitchen back in order afterwards, yadda, yadda, yadda... be a pleasure?

The everyday need-to-be-done-because-I'm-the-woman-of-the-household crap leaves a lot to be desired.

It's an old-fashioned concept, which may be a delight and even a privilege to some devoted Ladies of the Household, but by the time I'm finished with my so-called duties, I'm too exhausted for anything else.

Gosh... when I started this post, I never intended to sound whiny. (After re-reading, I was going to change it; instead, I changed the title so you would be fore-warned and could have the option of leaving if you didn't want to listen to me complain).

So... eventually, I'll get past this blah feeling, take my migraine medicine, and post my photo for Ruby Tuesday.

The photo didn't turn out as planned; In real life mode, the red buds of the Maple were vivid against the backdrop of the barn's tin roof. If you embiggen it, you'll be able to see it a little better. You just had to be there! I'll try to do better next Tuesday!


But... if you go over to Work of the Poet, Mary T. will show you where to find a treasure of Rubies!

Oh yeah... time to put another load of clothes in the washer.

Have a nice day.

Barb:-)

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Cold, cold heart...

Mother Nature can be fickle during the month of April here in the mountains of northeastern PA.

One day, she lures you out onto the deck to enjoy your first cup of coffee of the day, making it easy to ignore a slightly cool breeze as her sunshine warms your cheeks.



On another day, she covers the purple crocus and other early spring plants with a blanket of white.



It's amazing how quickly her heart can turn stone cold!



**********************************************************

They stand side by side, tall and strong, against the winds of time.
Together.

They support each other through all kinds of adversities.
Partners.

What will be in human life,
So it will be in nature.


A stretch of the imagination, but, could it be?

A She-Tree and a He-Tree!

Sorry... couldn't resist... gotta go now... feel the need to bite the ears off a chocolate marshmallow rabbit.

Have a wonderful Easter day.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Country Roads...

Living in rural Pennsylvania has it's advantages.

Where else could you stop in the middle of a road to conduct a photo-shoot?

Of course... you'd have to be an idiot to even give thought to that move. After all, you run the risk of being hit by a tractor pulling a manure spreader!

Yep...
An idiot.
A complete photo-crazed idiot.

That be me!!!

But hey (hay)... I managed to pull it off with nary a manure spreader in sight and lucked out, getting a couple of great shots for Ruby Tuesday in the process.

No wonder this farmer didn't get all last year's hay off his field. I'm thinking he should have gotten closer to his work.



This thought came to mind as I snapped the below photo:

"It's hard to remember that your main objective is to drain the swamp when you're up to your neck in alligators."

Such are the trials of life.



This dock gives new meaning to out on a limb. Click on the photo and you'll see what I mean! Thank goodness, there aren't any alligators in PA. But regardless, I can't think I'd be idiot enough to step out on the end ~ I only test my luck in the middle of a country road.



Thanks to Mary T. for keeping us all together on Ruby Tuesdays. It's a fun meme to be a part of.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Maple Buds and Tiny Bubbles...

In this area, the Maple trees have set bud. Therefore, the collection of sap has come to an end for this season.

Once the trees have their new buds, the sap is bitter and if used in Maple Syrup production, the syrup will take on a burned butterscotch taste. Not exactly a good selling point.

This tree had not been tapped, but sap was seeping naturally from part way up it's trunk, puddling at the base. At first glance, it looked like a small amount of snow that was refusing to melt away!


What a surprise I had when I stepped closer.
Bubbles.
Who would have ever guessed?

Click on the photo to catch how beautiful the colors are and if you look real close, you can see the reflection of the amateur photographer!
That was a surprise too.


Simple surprises to make a simple day, simply sweet.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Blue Skies and Yellow Flowers...

It's the first day that I've felt like going for a walk in a long time. It's still cool enough to wear a sweatshirt, but at least, mittens and earmuffs weren't the order of the day!

I found these pretty little wild flowers along the way and also my Daffodils poking their heads up through last Fall's leaf cover. There's hope!!!!



The moon at 52% of full at 3:32 P.M. today, April 2. Check out my side bar to see it's status right at the moment you're reading this post.



I was pleased the way the photo of the jet turned out and when I look at it, I can think that maybe it was our Sammy! Could be... you never know where the Air Force is going to send him next. It will be a great day when he's back in PA!



This is where I live and it's a good thing the Township installed this new sign so I would remember. There are just days like that!!