April 22, 2016 A Good Tired

Balsam root and sweet peas.

Prairie Stars

All the rounds to be split.

Wednesday 4/20. JB left for Down There a little before 9:00 am and was back home just before 2:00 pm.  He bought diesel for the tractor and ethanol-free gas for all our small engines.  He also stopped in to see our chicks.  They are getting so big that they must be considered pullets by now, although I really don't know the difference.

While he was gone, I cleaned house and cut up more branches from the downed trees for kindling.  This is going to be an on-going project as there are a lot of branches.

We are seeing hummingbirds every day now.  As I was sitting on the porch today, one flew right up to my face and looked my in the eye.  There was no doubt that she was telling me to get my butt in gear and put out the feeders.  But I really do not want to get started with all that until May.

This week I saw our first butterfly and grasshopper.  Not only that, but almost all types of wild flowers we have Up Here are blooming now, even ones that we don't usually see til the first of June.  We now have prairie stars, bear grass, arrowleaf arnica, sweet peas, miner's lettuce and dandylions in addition to all the other ones I mentioned previously.  As enjoyable as this weather has been, April has really been too warm.  The girls are thrilled though, as they are getting so many greens so early, including their favorites of miner's lettuce and dandylions.

Thursday 4/21. It was 57 with a light overcast this morning.  Didn't sit on the porch.  Too many newspapers and magazines to read.

After breakfast JB moved a barrel planter from the garden to the front yard.  He had been using it for horseradish, but now we are going to use it for tomatoes.  Then I loaded the bucket twice with the kindling I had cut yesterday.

Yesterday JB purchased an electric chainsaw sharpener, so this morning he was out to give it a try.  As soon as he finished sharpening a blade, he sliced up the rest of the trees.  He must have sharpened it right because the machine was slicing nicely.  Then we loaded up the tractor bucket with the rounds and he made several trips to the splitter.  He also moved another bucket load of kindling I cut up this morning.

Our high for the day was 67, but there was a lovely breeze to keep us cool.  Another good day's work, and it feels good to be tired.  It was a busy day for the girls too, as they gave us three eggs.

Friday 4/22. It is 52 and overcast this morning with rain in the forecast.

Thought for the day: Live all you can.  It is a mistake not to.  It doesn't so much matter what you do in particular, so long as you have your life.  If you haven't had that, what have you had?  Henry James