Monday Morning Walk Plus

I have resolved to walk at least a half an hour each morning to build up my endurance after the hip issues I've had. Cortisone shots to both hips to deal with bursitis has helped  though one side effect was a stiff neck for more than a day.  

There's a nice walk on my road.

Here's the view heading back home.

This farm was once an active place but since it was purchased by some wealthy folks it has been stripped. One day recently large trucks were carting off the baled hay and silage.  I hope it was at least sold to other farmers.

Across the street was this barn where goats were milked and there was a farm store on Saturday where I'd buy eggs and meat.

View of the mountains. The lot in front once had a house on it but the owner who is also our lawn care guy was given an offer he couldn't refuse by those same wealthy folks.  The house was torn down.

Back home.

I wrote last week about the spring cleanup crew that was coming.  Here are the eight 6th & 7th graders plus one little brother, and 3 of the 5 parents who were here.  They said they had a great time and I was impressed with their work ethic

The new front bed expansion had the grass removed and new plants placed plus mulching.

This garden had all the leaves removed.

Lots of weeds and grass pulled from beds and a general tidying was done.

Here are some daffodils I didn't plant.

I think this blooming daffodil came from Vicki Lane.

All the dandelions and grass were pulled from here where the peony are getting taller and more varieties of daffodils should soon be opening.

So finally a question.  What to do with this poor excuse for a forsythia bush? I'm thinking that after it finishes blooming I will really cut it back.  Hopefully new growth next year will result in blooms.

 

This Week

 Looking forward and back at events this week.

Today, I get to volunteer for the very first time in granddaughter #2's 1st grade classroom.  I'll be playing a math game with some of the students. #2 and I practiced it this afternoon.  Her teacher gratefully sent it home so I could learn it beforehand. Hoping this can be a regular Friday event for me through the end of the school year.

Thursday, I got two shots one in each hip to calm the inflamed bursa that has been a problem for a time. It actually was not painful at all.  I took Dan along so he could be an extra set of ears as we talked about my hip pains.

Wednesday I had a colonoscopy!  What fun prepping for that starting on Monday with a low fiber, low fat diet then Tuesday with a liquid diet. 6 pm was the start of the laxative drink.  My report time was noon so at 6 am I had to drink the second half of the mix stopping all liquids by 8 am.  The procedure wet well and I got a good report.  Next one in 5 years.  Yes, I know most people go for 10 years but I had a carcinoid tumor discovered on my first colonoscopy in 1997.  It was removed in 1998 and then I was monitored for many ¥ears with very frequent colonoscopies. Moving to a 5 year cycle maybe 10 years ago was a blessing.

Saturday there is a team of 6th and 7th graders coming with parents to do spring yard cleanup for me for 3 hours.  This was an online auction win in support of a future school trip.  They are arriving at 1 pm and I have a list of things that need doing.  I made chocolate chip cookie bars to feed them and have stocked up with drinks I don't normally purchase.

I plan to expand the front garden and will have the crew remove the sod and dig up the soil.  I have a list of plants from the other gardens that will go in here and have more room to spread out.

Sunday is the ballet recital for granddaughters #1 & #2.  Looking forward to that.

And here's how Spring is arriving here.

Chives up.

Lupines showing.

Peony coming

Daffodils blooming and day lilies growing.

Bleeding heart showing itself

Lilies

Another Botanical Garden

 Last week some members of my garden club took a trip to the Life Sciences building at Dartmouth College. On the 4th floor is a botanical garden separated into different climates. The plants are labeled but there’s no thought to displaying them artistically like most botanical gardens. 

We had a great time oohing and aahing over the blossoms, the leaf patterns, the strange features, and the fragrances. 

I’m writing this on my iPhone and hoping I can transport my photos here too. 

Congratulations you made it through 50 photos!  Did you catch the orchid that was made of legos?

Also I managed to post this on my phone but I came to computer to increase the size of the photos.  Good to know that I can post from more than just my laptop.