Day 145 of Week 21 May 2024

About the blog make-over...Meh.

I'm not diggin' all the empty space, small fonts, the image arrangement, and date header placement on the Soho Dark Blogger template. 

However, the overall look is closer to what I want to achieve, a big open photograph when your arrive with not a lot of text and gadgets crowding in the main page.

Old Paint Rag

I have found a nice template on Btemplates.com. The learning curve to install it on Blogger will take time as the instructions are complicated. Customizing this template isn't as easy as the old one. Changing the header font thus far isn't working.

For years I've want a nice custom blog template. I think it is time I put effort into making that happen. As it goes, the process is a positive move that will help me rise up from the present slump. I managed to get more than a few hours sleep last night and today. And, I didn't need to take any allegy medicine. Yesterday was rough. I had a bad mood unpleasantry episode possess me. I'm almost back to my sweet self today.

The Color of Gardening

Orange Pansies 2024

Each year, the seasonal decisions begin haunting my thoughts a few months before the answers are needed. The color theme of my small garden, planters mostly, is an issue that has become as much fun as the gardening itself.

Over the years, orange is the accent color I love the most. In the right light, that warm hue can nearly glow, brightening up the other flowers even more. The second accent is blue. Bachelor's Buttons aka cornflower and lobelia are my favorites. This year I'll be adding delphinium, blue poppy and/or balloon flowers.   With that combination, any other colors will turn the planters into wildflower bouquets. 

One year I tried a red, white and blue theme. The white flowers didn't do well. The red geraniums did do well. The heat waves sapped a lot of life out of the lobelia. Choosing plants that don't need a lot of tender care works for me.

Do you plant using a color theme?

Oh the Tree Pollen Blues

Red Yarrow
May 2024

Much has been slow around here, me especially. Tree pollen is heavy. Thus, my allergies are raging. Over the counter medicine wipes me out. I only take it at night when I will not be going anywhere. Still, it has me dragging when I wake up. Last night I fell asleep, actually watching television. 

Up at 3 AM, I puttered to start the day early. Waiting for the kitchen floor to dry, I dozed off. When I awoke a few hours later, I thought it was the afternoon, not 7:30 AM!

Anyway, light thunderstorms passed right over here last night. The TV antenna lost the signal a few times. I'm fully awake now catching up on blogging, plants, and housework.

For no reason that I've figured out, I'm in a slump. Pulling out of it has been a two week process. I've slowed down being online except for Twitter/X. Watching YouTube videos doesn't even interest me. When this happens, it feels like having an emotional cold, nothing but blah and meh days. I can laugh, feel bad, feel good, get things done, but it all takes deliberate effort with long stretches of nothing but sitting in a chair thinking.

The sunshine this week helps lift my spirits. Changing my routine also places me on a better pathway to moving more, feeling better, and eating better. 

How is your week going?

Honeysuckle, a Make-over & the Daisies

Honeysuckle

The honeysuckle seeded itself inside another shrub the birds like to frequent. It is much better looking than the ninebark shrub that's there. Pruned, they look good together. The ninebark shrub tends to have a fungus that is unsightly. The honeysuckle is always healthy.

Planter make-over

 Caution: large thin plastic planter can split

 Once the rocks for weight and drainage, and soil, are added, carefully placing it on a hard surface will help prevent it from splitting. 

I will not buy another large planter that is thin plastic. 

The planter (photo) is being made over with spray paint and pieces of tape. Several applications of various colors will be applied.The finish will be a few layers of glossy clear coat.

Over 10 years ago, there was a patch of daisies I had to  move/transplant because of my allergies. Seeing them return is a surprise. This year, they will be transplanted to a larger area. The prices of plants this year is so expensive, it is good to have wild flowers growing free.

Day 137 of Week 20 May 2024

 Have a splendid week-end!

Read Shakespeare's

A Midsummer's Night Dream

Enjoy the scent of apple blossoms

Make scalloped potatoes

Listen to:
Netherlands Bach Society

Go for a hike with friends

Browse camp tarps online

Visit a garden center

Have strawberry shortcake

Environment & Irony

Witch Alder

 

    More thoughts on moving...

If you had to choose, then which state would you move to?

I'm not keen about moving from Vermont. But, I think about James Joyce in 1904, moving out of Ireland because writing there was difficult for him. In my mind, I think maybe if I move out of state, then I can achieve a refresh environment to write better. I have lived in 5 different states, and part of a summer in New York City. And yet, none of those places gave me the creative energy to finish a novel. 

Maybe if I moved to Europe, that might be the magnitude of change I need. The chances of that happening depends on winning the lottery. I don't use games of chance to help me plot my future.

Environment. Does it all land on how I feel about where I live? In some respects, the answer is yes. The irony is, if I finish a novel, and it sells, then I will have the means to move.

I am weary of seeing tranquil waters in a forest atmosphere outside and/or inside a cabin. I am weary of seeing photographs of dreamy beach cottages. I want to live in those places, not just live with the images. Vermont is beautiful. But, I am not living in that beauty. I have to travel to see it. 

Flowers, Emails & Reading

Green Mountains
from New Haven, Vermont
May 2024

There has been spectacular weather half days this week. Flowers and flowering trees are at peak. The scenery is breath taking.

I've been scrubbing emails, social media, puttering and such for an Internet spring spruce up. Many of the website emails that I've Unsubscribed to are still being received.  I can save the unsubscried email or write them down to check if they actually have been unsubscribed to.  

Put winter away, and spring clothes sorting is still going on. By the time I'm finished, there will be a bag going to the transfer station because the thrift stores are no longer accepting winter clothes. I might post a notice on Free Craigslist for reseller folks instead. Decisions.

Sad. Author Alice Munro, 1932 ~ 2024, has passed away. In Canadian Literature class at UVM (University of Vermont)* we had Munro readings to study. I get her mixed up with Margaret Atwood. The photographs of them in their later years, they look like sisters. 

Both very talented writers. I'm adding them to my summer reading list.

Consider adding a few Canadian authors to your reading list.

Almost Full Lilacs

The lilac bushes are in full bloom in some areas, and others they are nearing full bloom. My guess is that the amount of sun they receive determines how fast they will flower. I've seen a darkest purple lilac, darker than the darkest ever. I didn't make a note of where it is.

I haven't been reading or watching a lot of news. Thus, the level of frustration over World events is at a low. It is, however, difficult to pass over politics. The GOP is taking a huge unecessary chance supporting a loser. It makes zero sense to me. 

Sunscreen season has officially begun for me. Bug spray season began in April. My picnic soft side cooler is all put together. The next on the task list is to get out the sewing machine to alter and repair clothes.

It won't be long before it is strawberry picking time in this area. With all the rain we've been having, I hope the strawberries will be plump and sweet.

 

* English Literature major here; senior, no degree as I had to discontinue my studies due to my disability

Tulips, Daffodils & a Row Boat

Yellow Tulip 2024

 

This year only one yellow tulip bloomed. The daffodils are 2nd year in a row not flowering. They have been fed. Are in a good location. And, planted fairly recently. From the same package of bulbs, the daffodils out back are also not flowering. I read online they are called blind daffodils. My take is to replant them in a different location for spring 2025. 

Otter Creek

 Along Otter Creek near the falls, in the spring the water can go right up above the parking lot at the boat launch. In the photo, the grass is the bank between the driveway and the creek right beside the boat launch access. The bank is about, from water's normal edge, 3 feet high (give or take). If you park parallel to the bank, then it can feel like you are in a boat.

Reminds me of a boat joke* that I'm not sure is correct to tell given that woke atmosphere nowadays. Anyway, I was a blond when it was told to me. I was not offended. It is a cute joke. Tell me what you think:

A woman photographer is on a back country road in July when the corn is knee high. She sees strange movement out in the middle of a huge cornfield. So she pulls into the tractor turn off area. She gets out and looks. 
There is a woman in a row boat, rowing like there's no tomorrow! The photographer yells over to the woman.
"Hey you! It's women like you that give blonds a bad name. And if I could swim, I'd come out there and kick your butt!"

I think you can substitute a man or any group, and it would still be funny.

* Sorry if I've posted this before

Relaxing in a Treehouse with Heavy Rain and Crackling Fireplace | Sleep,...

What's Your Favorite Color?

Colorful Summer Blouse

 The colors I go for are ecru, white, gray, denim, and khaki green, Earth colors. 

At the thrift store yesterday, I considered the blouse in the photo, (even though the colors aren't my usual). I held on to the summery blouse for a while before putting it back on the rack. 

Yesterday, once again, I had forgoten my donations. On my return today with the donations, the jacket I wanted is there, but the skirt is gone. That's all right because I wasn't all that keen on the skirt anyway.

On the Tops rack, the blouse was still there. The colors are very flashy. But, I like every thing about the piece, including the colors. Frustrated by my indecision, I asked a shopper to help me decide between another top I was holding and the blouse. She chose the blouse. I said thank you, I will buy it. All I needed was a push over the edge. Laughing. 

There it is draped over the edge of the sofa where I can see it. Now I'm deciding what to pants to wear with it. I'm also thinking about changing out the buttons.

Have you ever asked another shopper for their opinion?

What's Been Going On

Black bean chili is on the stove. A spicey meal with nachos and melted cheese is in order here.

It has been a slowish borderline-ish meh week for me.

There has been some wonderful weather. Sitting outdoors, I have to be cautious not to fall asleep. What a struggle it can be to not allow the wind and sunshine to lull you into dozing off.

I have much catching up to do with blog reading and commenting. The bright sun out today ecourages me to garden some between being online. There are also boxes to fill with things to mail and donate. Puttering has produced a lovely variety of tasks that won't go away with me in a chair daydreaming or watching YouTube videos. 

How is your week going?

Prayers for everyone in the path of bad weather

All life is an experiment. 
The more experiments you make the better.

Journals of Ralph Waldo Emerson 1841~ 1844

Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803 ~ 1882