PEAS AND CARROTS!

Although it was very cold, the water felt wonderful.  I was in too minds whether to actually get in, but there was a young lad who had managed to get in waist deep, who put me into challenge mode!  He pulled himself up and sat with legs dangling, whilst I emptied the skimmers.  "Give me five minutes, and I will race you across to the other side", I said without thinking that he was a thirteen year old boy, and that I was old enough to be his grandmother, so the thoughts going through his head were either, "Why is this old woman talking to me?" or "I will have to let her win because she is an old woman!" The former is probably more accurate!  The latter would not have been necessary.  (Who am I kidding.  He is thirteen!) His mother laughed, and smiled at me.  He did not pick up the gauntlet, but instead went and sat back on the chair, which would indicate the former was definitely more within his way of thinking.  Another neighbour almost dared me to get in the water, and I did.  I was going to anyway!  However, it did not feel as bad as it might and I told her so.  "See when you get waist deep!" she taunted.  I did, and it still was not that bad!  Eventually, I took the plunge and swam.  A tad cold but it felt amazing!  Swimming again!  Here comes summer!

The plants that were accidentally left outside appeared to be doing well, and despite my maternal yearnings to make sure they were warm and would come to no harm, I left them all outside.  I potted some peas and carrot seeds, and started a new greenhouse venture.

Clouds rolled in on Monday and the wind picked up.  I was worried for the plants, but was comforted by others, letting me know that they were 'sort of' protected.  When we got home, I spoke words of encouragement, and saw that many new flowers had appeared, and they had actually 'filled out' a little bit.  It was time to let them go!  I wondered if this is how Joy Adamson felt, when she let Elsa back into the wild. (Born Free.)  However, Elsa was a lion cub and was really let free to be in her natural surroundings.  My babies are still very much in my care, and incarcerated in pots!  I am sure they are as happy as Elsa!  

Storms rolled in and I watched the weather patterns like a farmer.  Perhaps not quite like a farmer, as my livelihood does not depend on my crop, but you have to start somewhere!

Tornado warnings were not on the same level as last week, but the winds were quite high, and there was some debris.  Most of the mess was probably the remnants of last week's storms.  I was in the garden on Tuesday evening, potting some onions, and realising that the entry in my shopping list for 'pots' should have read 'small potting pots' as I had run out!  Samantha had shopped for me on Monday for some of the things she was unable to procure on Saturday, and I had not thought about the 'potting pots'.  I had to make do with what I had and was cleared away quite quickly.  

Joe was full of ideas, without realising that he was full of ideas!  As I described my recent success to him, he inadvertently gave me a whole world of wisdom on how to cultivate my beans and peas in my small space.  Rather than grow up, grow down!  If my head was a that of a cartoon, the ideas would have been seen sprouting out in pictures connected to my ears by bubbles!  I could not wait to get home.  However, work came first, and then Wednesday night dinner!  I was very organised, which made a change!  I made some pastry, rolled it out and cut out the small quiche cases, ready for the corned beef quiches in the morning!  I wondered why I had not thought of this before. Making the dough takes most of the time!  Into the fridge went the cases and cheese sticks.  

I had a lot to do Thursday morning.  My friend, and neighbour, Cathleen was coming in for lunch.  We usually go out, but when we get chatting, and with all the world's problems we have to verbally address, we are the last two sitting in a restaurant that is waiting to set up for dinner!  I thought it might be nice to not have waiters staring at us.  I set the table in style!  The best crockery, cutlery, and glasses were set.  Grant had commented on Wednesday night, as I set the table that "We don't get that treatment on Wednesday!"  When he saw the butter balls and cheese board, he said he felt like the poor relation!  Of course he was joking, but it made me laugh that he noticed!  Cathleen and I enjoyed Salmon and potatoes, with beans.  She brought in some berries and ice cream and we finished with cheese.  A four course meal if you include the salad, and on a school day!  It was fun!  However, the 'good' stuff still does not go in the dishwasher, and the clearing away took longer than anticipated, with the garden taking a back seat!

After a wonderful afternoon, and quite a busy evening, it was back to work on Friday. Grant had won four tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters, and Edward had tickets to see them from his firm's box, and although I was invited to go with my kids, there was only one spare ticket, and I really wanted to spend the evening with Dana, so I declined.  It made my heart sing, however, that I had been invited to such an auspicious occasion by my son-in-law.  

The excitement was prolific as I announced that both peas and carrots had started to sprout.  This requires a whole new set of gardening equipment, and whilst I am spending a lot on the preparations, which I am not sure I am going to regain in yield, I am comforting myself that 'next year' I will not have to spend anything!  I have saved on the plants, but of course, I need to buy pots!  Samantha and I went shopping on Saturday, and then I went for my second swim of the season!  Wonderful, again!

After swimming, and a slight doze, followed by a chat with a neighbour, I returned to repot the peppers!  As I went to empty the rubbish the young couple, who live two doors along, rounded the corner, baby in tow.  It actually looked rather amusing, as the dad was carrying the baby in a papoose type front pouch, and looked pregnant. I has to do a double take!  "How's the garden?" asked the mum. I replied that it was good, and then dad asked if I had grown any jalapeno peppers.  "Are you prepared to be bored stiff?" I asked, and invited them into the forest.  The tomatoes standing four feet from the ground received a gasp.  I plucked a hot pepper from the plant that is now going wild, and told him to try it.  "If you like it, I have seeds in abundance!" I let him know.  As the peppers are too hot for me, I told him that he could have a regular supply if the plant yielded like it did last year!  They were amazed at my success, and I had to laugh. I told them that I had never done this before, had become a complete 'gardener bore', and was so excited that they were so shocked!  They left with food for thought!

Dana and I ventured to a German restaurant, on the far side of Georgetown, which is in the next county over.  About a forty minute drive, we thought it would be fun to try something new.  Another couple had parked up and were also trying the restaurant for the first time.  Unfortunately, shortage of staff meant that there was only the buffet available.  It was good, but I think the main menu would have offered a better choice.  However, it was fun to try something new and we will venture out again sometime.  The beer garden was very busy, and we sat for a while and listened to the entertainment, which was a traditional German band that boasted a 'world class' yodeler.  

Our drive home was broken by a trip to the garden centre, for a few more bits!  I hope it is worth it!

More peas and carrot buds were on show this morning, and I was excited.  I walked for a while and met some neighbours who were all full of the joys of spring, and hoped that spring would not turn into summer too quickly.  They calculated that it would be a month or six weeks before the pool was warm enough to swim, considering I had already swum twice.  The barometer was out and the timer was set!

The weather is slightly cooler than yesterday, but if the sun remains shining, another dip is likely.  Some more plants need to go to their final home, and my job will be done, or at least until I have to get the other veggies transplanted!  I never take for granted how blessed I am living here, having a pool and the ability to have fun with the plants.  Sometimes, it may seem that I am blase, or complaining, but I never lose sight of what I have!

As predicted this week was slightly quieter than last, and the week before, but Monday we have another session at the radio station!  I am very excited! Welcome back, Austin.  I shall let you know what reliving my youth was like, in ........... another story!