No, not me, the weather. I am amazed at the bloom on my apple and crabapple trees this year, the frost did not seem to have affected them. Of course with the weather as it is I am mostly looking at them through the window.
As a friend mentioned to me, when I asked her if she was in her garden lately, she is mostly trying to keep up with the grass. It is that time of year, the warming, yet still cool temperatures and spring rains spell fast growing grass. I am very remiss in mowing, but it is looking a little shaggy even for my tastes. I would have mowed the other day, but misplaced the keys to the tractor. I am always doing that, but this time I outsmarted myself. It seems like a game with me and my mind…. hiding things from each other. I am going to check my jeans pocket…. maybe I left them there. I think we have several keys, but I also think I have managed to serially misplace each one.
Let’s move on from the story of me and keys. I was out on Wednesday,driving to Curves for my exercise regimen, and noticed that the Burr oaks have leafed out, further than the mouse ear size that phenology lore mentions is the start of the corn planting season. I have seen farmers out in their fields, but with the change to ‘no-till’ practice the fields look disheveled and unkempt, difficult to tell if anything was planted yet. I like the traditional method of plowing and harrowing the soil, but it does result in some soil loss. I saw a number of Holstein herds, their striking black and white patterns against the velvet green of spring pasture and the still beige frass of leftover winter bareness. The farms around here switch out their herds, so that different areas might have a herd of cows one season and none the next. I miss the Jersey herds that used to be on some farms in the area, here. Jerseys are the most beautiful cows, ever, with fawn soft coloring and huge dewy eyes rimmed in black lashes and white liner. There is something demure and sweet about such cows. Not like the chunky Angus, or awkward Holsteins which are presently the cattle population of the county. I would have some Jerseys myself if I was up to the animal husbandry. But I’m not, so I enjoy them vicariously when the neighbors own them.
Everyone, including me, has been busy getting out the outdoor furniture and planters. Front porches are being readied for the season, and this year we have scraped the front porch in preparation for a new coat of paint. What I would really like is a new front porch- this one has always look like it was smacked on as an afterthought, the result of of some sloppy Amish owners who had demolished the former porch for whatever odd reason. And in its present ramshackle shape, it is even worse- I ought to at least be pushing for some spindles and rails, and surely put the trellises back up (never did get to that nuisance job).
Not all the Amish are master builders, some are just like many of the “English” who try their best, but just aren’t up for proper remodeling. Although, if I could afford to have it professionally built, there are some contractors from Amish/Mennonite background that I would hire because of their expertise. Because when they are good, they are very good.
This is May… I hope to get my tomatoes and peppers in soon… I am getting antsy. The word choice could get me talking about ants now… but enough!
til later, friends.
