Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day... It was just perfect. the kid got out their pony and rode in the afternoon with Cale. I mostly just laid out and read books! 4 of them actually... I will have some great quotes and ideas to share from them this week, so stay tuned...

My Mom came over for a while too. We fired up the charcoal grill for the 1st time this year, and had steak, baked potatoes, and corn and strawberries with yogurt dip. It was really good. We don't grill very often so it is a treat when we do.

My sister gave me several big hostas, which I want to divide and plant under my willow tree and several other places around the yard. She put in a little water pond, and needed some plants, so I gave her a bunch of odds and ends and she gave me the hostas, so we were both happy with that. Trading is a great way to get new stuff for no money... Most of the people I know who perennial garden love to swap plants, so ask around and you might get some neat plants for free!!!

Today will be a good day to plant them out as it is supposed to rain. Actually we have rain in the forecast for the next 4 days. We pay for one good day with 4-5 yucky ones!

Well I have plenty of work to do today, so I had best get busy now. Talk to you all later!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), May 06, 2002

Answers

Around here today, got up at 6, so I could take a walk with my five dogs, before it got to hot. I walk all around the out sides of the pasture's, The dogs have such a great time. There fenced into a acre when not walking. It was foggy off the gulf. Made a good breakfast of pancakes for breakfast, before heading to garden to pick peas, and blue berries. So the rest of day will be shelling peas, and freezing them, Also will can some blue berry sauce for pancakes in winter. I am takeing a little break to cool off right now. Tom is still in garden, he takes the heat better than I do.

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), May 06, 2002.

Finally it has stopped raining enough to cut grass which is a foot high with all the rain we've had. With this much property cutting grass is a big job! I'll try to rake and put the grass cuttings in the garden for mulch/weed control.

All the rain has done an amazing job in the compost. You may remember that I am experimenting with putting most paper products, cardboard in the compost. Even shredded cereal boxes will compost in about two weeks with the right mix and rain..... I'll have alot of compost from this experiment and less garbage to haul. It is a good feeling to be living lightly and thinking about waste.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), May 06, 2002.

I've had a productive morning. I did some major cleaning in the family room, worked in the garden and washed two loads of clothes. I had planned to hang them outside but it is raining here (again!) so had to use the dryer. That was some major stuff for me to get done in such a short time with my back pain! Saturday Larry and I built a grape arbor. Well, actually, I supervised and was the "hand me --" person! It looks nice. We also planted two more fruit trees in the back orchard - a Stark gold cherry and a Goldcot apricot. That makes a total of 9 fruit trees back there and we plan to plant about 8 or 9 more this fall and next spring. We also have 9 more beside the house so we are getting quite a collection of various kinds of fruit trees. Now, if we just live long enough to enjoy them!!!! They are mostly semi-dwarfs so it shouldn't be too long before they are producing. Actually I expect to get some fruit from the ones by the house this year as they have been in the ground 4 years. Melissa, my neighbor just gave me some Blanket flowers, lily of the valley, hostas and bittersweet. Larry always tills and plows her garden and this weekend he graded out her gravel driveway that was damaged from all the torrential rains we've been getting. We are always helping her with things. She is divorced and has no one to help her. I gave my mother-in-law some Johnny jump-ups, dead nettle, and Marguerite plants. It is good to swap as you say. Hope everyone's day is going great.

-- Barb in Ky. (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), May 06, 2002.

Good Morning-------It seems we have been on a dead run-------All our baby chicks & ducks are all growing & when Hubby has a day off this week-- I want him to help me build a pen /so they can get out side some now----but not with all the big geese--& the others that free range---

We sold our camper last night ----we bought a motor home about 2 years or so ago---& put the camper our by the barn & a guy came & asked if it was for sale----My hubby gave his usual answer "anything but the wife & kids---can be bought if the price is right"---

We had a much needed rain last night----of coarse it had 60 mile an hour winds with it---but we got some more moisture---

I have a tour bus comming this morning to visit our small town & our 1800's stone mill------I hop on the bus & give a 10 to 15 minute talk about our small town history & also our Mill history---& they go on their merry way----spending money in our county/ as they are here!!!!!!! Any thing to help rural America to keep it alive---& in our area we have found the tour groups spend a lot of money here--- don't stay long & they all go home & leave us & our livestock in peace!!!!! Not a bad way to help out county & reduce tax raises!!!

Have had a few calls about all our property we have for sale---- Haven't decided if we want to try to really market it harder yet--or not--still have several things we want to do yet before we have to think about a move----like our children are trying to buy a fram & move & we would like to get them settled before we would have to think about moveing also---

Well I have all my chores done---so I need to get cleaned up & get ready for my tour bus------

I had a tour bus from back east--last year---& when they stopped in our area--to pick me up-----I had on my jeans & chaps & boots & hat & 6-shooters strapped on-----When I stepped on the bus /some sucked air- ---I guess they were believeing what they had heard about Kansas---us still being the "wild west"!!!!!! ha!! Any way since then /I have worn a denim dress & hat ----it seems to scare them less----ha!!!

Have a great day------later Sonda

-- Sonda in Ks. (sgbruce@birch.net), May 07, 2002.