Springtime Flowers in the Yard

Dogwood in the Back Yard 2011

I have been off this week enjoying the yard and the weather--which has been mostly tolerable.

The other day, even in the rain I was out putting down sod over the holes in the ground created when I removed the stumps. I wanted to get the grass down while it was still damp--because I believe it will take better that way.

  All along the way though, I have been enjoying the flowers in the year--my classic favorites the weeping cherry tree, the dogwood at the back of the yard, and my four bleeding heart bushes are absolutely magnificent right now.

Bleeding Heart in the Side Yard 2011

The flowers of springtime are especially beautiful to me as the days are still cool and the trees are not yet fully in leaf--these flowers and all of the flowering trees in this area provide a burst of color and life accompanying the spring rebirth.

I have already mowed--and the lawn needs another mowing this week. It is good that all of the plants are springing to life--and warming my heart as I pause--amid the hectic pace of my life, to notice them.

Weeping Cherry in Magnificent Bloom 2011

The weeping cherry is especially full and beautiful right now--a pink snowball of color right in the middle of my yard.

We are planning to plant a couple of trees to replace those we have lost during the past few years--a willow, a redbud, and potentially a dogwood are on the short list of trees to potentially grace our yard before the end of the week.

All good springtime trees--the willows are one of the first to green up and shake off the slumber of winter, while the dogwood and the redbud are both strong springtime performers. More color and more flowers for the yard.

Springtime should be even better next year.

Stumps No More

I love using equipment to rid myself of problems.

My most recent activity was removing 10 tree stumps from the yard using a stump grinder to turn them into mulch.

I have rented a stump grinder before--and it was an awesome experience turning tree stumps--those immovable objects in the yard that contact my mower deck and blades at those moments of inattention, into mulch and covering their hole with top soil and sod.

Instant gratification.  Green and gone.

The two largest stumps were the remnants of two dead tulip poplars I had felled two weeks ago--and so they will soon give way to green space. I still have to finish cutting and splitting them. Sadly, I learned my chain saw is too small to completely take care of one of them--so I will be looking to borrow or rent a larger chain saw.

The other 8 stumps were mostly remnants of juniper trees which suffered during the winters past--either being broken by the snow and ice, or disfigured as parts of other trees fell on them. Of course--there were a couple trees that Chris just wanted gone--like the apple tree that didn't produce edible fruit.

I had additional fun removing stumps for a couple of my friends as well--it is amazing how stumps seep to hang around in yards--a problem with no easy solution until we can finally rid ourselves of them. 

So in probably another five or so years, I will have to rent a stump grinder again--but for now, the mowing will be a whole lot easier and those low lying eyesores are gone!

Sunrise

The orange ball hung in the sky--
like a basketball as it pauses above the rim
after bouncing off the iron;
above the horizon, coloring the clouds
gracing the early dawn sky
with glow that made them alive
a flight of geese, silhouetted
flew across its face
while I was driving to work.

I watched the geese fly
skirting the trees--
they joined another flock
to begin their day
as was I--
speeding down the pavement
in my classic Jag on a rare outing
hurrying
on my way to work--
I could only take a snapshot
in my mind

I enjoy images like this as they happen
more
because they seem to happen less
or is it just
I notice them infrequently
I am lost in my own thoughts--
focused inward
I forget--
God's handiwork is better than
any painting in a gallery
fetching millions at auction.

I have be ready to see the scenes

Geese flying across the rising sun
they are still there
caught in my mind--
for me to replay
and be comforted and excited
about each sunrise--
every day.

Monday Musings - April 18, 2011

1. It is Holy Week--that period between Palm Sunday and Easter set aside to remember the sacrifices made for each of us.

2. Spring Break dawns with hope anew and thoughts of sleeping late.

3. Most heard phrase around the house: "Have you seen my . . . ?"

4. This date in history: 1775: The midnight ride of Paul Revere.

5. The Orioles have managed aseven game losing streak. Great--and after such a pomising beginning.

6. Heard in the lyrics of a song: "I'm really not a stubborn as I seem, said the knuckle to the concrete."

7. Today is stump grinder day!  The stumps that have been a problem in the yard are going to go away.

8. Passover begins tonight at sundown.

9. Ethan turned six this past week!  I have a six year old grandson! Am I old enough?

Spring Break 2011

Spring Break 2011 is upon me.


What are You Doing for Spring Break?



I am standing on the threshold of a week, which this year will not include a trip somewhere.

There is enough work to do around the house--I have visions of chippers and stump grinders and quality time with my chain saw.

If only the rain will hold up for a couple of days.

The smell of newly mown grass has energized me to be outside--doing stuff.

And there is a lot of stuff to do.

Although I have visions of being on a beach somewhere--reality says I will be in my backyard. It is like the line from the end of the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy reflects that she has learned: "if I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with!"

So for this Spring Break--my heart's desire is to be in my own backyard doing manly man things with powerful equipment.

Oh yeah--keep the six pack on ice for me, will ya?

Middle Class Tax Day Blues

Monday is Federal Tax Day--It is later this year, the 18th.

Talk about your classic no win situation.

If you get a refund--the government is giving you your own money back--and making you feel good about giving them a no interest loan.

If you have to pay (like I did) you look at the bottom line of hte tax bill and wonder if rocks can truly bleed and why it seems that the rich skate, the poor get hand outs, and all I do is pay, pay, and pay some more.

But, I am a good American and I pay my taxes. I am not even really trying to reduce my tax bute by sheltering money--which is probably stupid since probably everyone else is sheltering their money. And so, my bank account was debited yesterday for both my federal and state taxes owed!  I decided not to wait until the 18th.

When I spied my bottom line--not the tax due, but the total amount of taxes owed before subtracting withholdings--I was shocked!  I think some third world nations have GNPs less than my tax bill.

I know my total tax bite--(and I just realized that I forgot to add in my state tax bite) would be a good starting salary for some people.  Maybe I could just buy a teacher and not pay taxes? At least that way I would be able to know what my tax dollars are being used for.

At some point I'm worried that I won't be able to work because I can't afford the taxes. And I know I will never be rich enough to be at the point where I can avoid taxes altogether.

I despise tax season.

I fret about it from New Years Day until the returns are done and filed.  There is no joy in being confronted with the hard realities of being a middle class American in today's "turn the screws tighter on the consumer and tax payer" approach to government. 

Ugh! The frustration for 2011 is over at least. The payments are gone. I can wipe it from my mind until this time next year!

The Prince Returns

Riordan, the prince of the house has returned. He is sleeping with Chris this evening as he recovers from his walk about.

Totally relaxed for the first time in days.

There is no doubt about who is the prince of the palace.

But, most importantly--he has come home.

Sunshine in the Morning but an Overcast Heart and a Miracle on Top!



Riordan at Christmas



Yesterday as I was driving to work, the sun was rising and shining into my eyes for the first time in a long time.  Yeah, I was running a little bit late--but with the clear sky and the golden-orange rising sun, I realized that while I should be rejoicing that the gray, rainy overcast skies of the past few days were gone, I was still pretty gloomy and down in my heart.

Riordan is still missing and presumed lost for good.

Despite massive nightly searches in the neighborhood and surrounding area, coupled with enticements of fresh (canned) warm tuna on the door step, he has not been convincingly sighted since his mysterious disappearance while we were away at Great Wolf Lodge over the weekend.

The hole in my heart and Chris's heart is huge--the sense of loss and wrestling with the unknown--is he alive? Is he scared and cowering somewhere too afraid to move? Is he dead?

It really brings new meaning to the story Jesus told about the shepherd searching for one lost sheep. (Luke 15:4-6). We have searched every night, every time we go through the neighborhood we look for the tell tale signs that he is about, every chance we get.

Louie

I feel like a total idiot standing in the yard and walking on the street calling  for the lost cat--but I do it.

I'm hoping for a happy ending--like Lassie Come Home, or The Adventures of Yellow Dog.  But, I am beginning to lose hope and believe we should try to move on and accpet life without him. It is hard though, because even Louie, our other cat, seems to notice the loss.

I know I will always looking into the woods around our house and wonder if he is out there somewhere--until there is some closure.

But about Riordan--I don't want to eulogize him yet--but he was THE CAT of cats. If you take every cat I have ever had--and took their good qualities and rolled them into one cat--it would be Riordan.

I remember cats of old like Daisy, and Ghengis Kahn, and George, and Squishy, and Sylvester, and a more recent cat of huge fame--Hans. Riordan, although only with us since September, will always be held in the same regard as the great cats--and one that I was proud to have known and enjoyed.

And so, this morning, day six of his disappearance, my hope is that if Riordan is still able, that he will find his way back to us. And if he is unable, that he is at peace. And that whatever happens--Chris and I can find peace, too.

addendum:

But you know what? As I finished writing this--guess who came meowing at the door--just like in the movies as all hope was lost. I remember Yellow Dog running over the fields--just at the same time as the good-byes were being said.

Riordan has returned. Back from where ever and just a little bit worse for the wear, but in seemingly good health with no major battle scars. He is a bit freaked out, but had no trouble wandering straight back into the house, our lives, and our hearts. He touched noses with Makayla on his way through the door and Louie was clearly happy to see his best bud return.

Miracles do happen.

A Swingset in the Yard -- Really?

Daily, it seems, I learn new requirements about being a grandparent.



The Swing Set--Mowing Obstacle



First it was the return of a crib and kiddie toys in the house. A nursery, so to speak.

Now we cruise yard sales looking for older kid toys--after all, E was six yesterday. I really wanted the gift we got for him (I may secretly go back and buy another one for myself even though technically, I already have one).

This past weekend though--it was the coup de gras, a swing set returned to the yard!

Aside from the comedy that was going to pick it up, disassembling it, and reassembling it on a cold day--I cannot believe I have another obstacle to mow around in the yard.

Granted--it is use and it was inexpensive--but now it is mine.

I am sure the grandsons will love it--for a while, but given the volume of mosquitoes in the yard, I'm not sure whether the use will justify the annoyance of having to mow around it.

Of course, it still requires to be power washed and stained and sealed, because it is well loved.

But the kids will have someplace to play when they are not in the pool. 

When is that, exactly?

On the Way Home from Great Wolf Lodge

The car ride seemed to go on forever--even for a seasoned traveler like myself.

On the Ride Home from Great Wolf Lodge

I confess--I snuck a few winks as I grew tired of checking out the license plates of the cars in front of me.

There was one point when everyone realized that swimming in the morning at the lodge, shopping at Williamsburg Pottery, and then spending untold hours at an Outlet Mall had taken its toll on the littlest member of the party--Jax had nodded off and his earphones, for the movie he was watching, had slipped down over his eyes.

Well, it had all taken its toll on me as well.

I almost felt like Gilligan's Island--a three-hour drive became a seven-hour ordeal.  We left the Lodge at noon and did not arrive home until after 7:30 pm.

The kids were troopers!

Me? Not so much.

I don't need any more practice with long car trips. I have taken enough that I feel like I don't need the practice any longer.

Although--since we did not take I-95, the most obvious interstate, but rather cruised US 301, the route was pretty with the colors of springtime and pleasant due to the relative lack of traffic. I was fun to spy the forgotten buildings of the era before I-95 dotting the landscape and repurposed into other uses.

The drive was overall enjoyable--just long!  But a fitting ending for an all too short weekend.