Firsts at 44

This week I experienced a first - a painful sunburn in April!

I have realized that I never had a springbreak at the beach so no spring sunexposure in my youth. Little did I expect my Saturday afternoon gardening to bring about a rosy end!

Saturday I enjoyed a morning of soccer and yard saling. After returning home I decided to delve into the dirt. I have a raised bed garden but wanted a few more beds to plant in after last years' sucess. I had constructed the beds last week but they were yet to be filled. So I began to move bags of vermicullite and peat moss around and I found that my comfort level was sinking as my temperature rising. I dashed inside, threw on a sport top without sleeves and returned to my gardening. It was a wonderfully warm day- probably in the 80's and so I progressed from setting up beds/ boxes to circulating the compost bin, feeding plants, laying out hoses and on and on. About 3 I found my energy wain and by 4 I was done. So were my shoulders!

Can you say red! Tender and sore I have been for the past two days, but it is ok- my garden plots are ready for seed. Tonight we expect frost- the temp has hovered at 50 today- quite the change from two days ago. I am awaiting the peel, as I am sure it is to come. My lotion spreading bear is off to the mid west for a few days so I am left dry and a bit achy, but with much to do as I plan plantings and layout of beds and such.

I find that my time in the garden is so renewing. To play in the dirt settles me and gives satisfaction that doesnt come with housework. Maybe it is knowing that I have begun something that will progress, not need redoing in a few hours or days?! I look forward to the spring planting and the blossoms that follow. By mid summer my interest wains to just maintance and by harvest I am happy to see the plants head to the compost bin. I guess that is why I enjoy perrenials so much- stick them in and forget about them mostly. I love the punch of annual color in the flower beds that accentualte the short term color of the perrenial backdrop.

This year I was happy to find some volunteer offshoots of a few plants so I transplanted them to new locations to make a go at independent life. My mystery winter bloomer has finally been identified- it is a hellebores- though its blooms tend to be more light green than the rose or white shown in the books. Still I am happy to know its name.

I am contemplating what to do with the many vines that are around the house. One that is fairly aggressive climbs near the back porch door. We discovered a light under it when we first arrived and gave it the first "vinecut". After a year of watching it and trimming hard it just keeps going but not where I am wanting. I am not sure I am wanting to build more trellis so it may be time for a transplanting. Just not sure where the new home will be yet.

Last year I added a few small beds to the borders of the house and fence- just simple arrangements to add a bit of color and interest to an empty wall and corner. They seem to have taken well as the hostas have returned and now other plants are coming up. I am finding it fun to add a few plants here and there and establish plantings where there was once bareness. Paul dug a big hole and needed a place for the dirt to go so I am beginning to start a few spots under my favorite trees- front and back yard. I love hostas and impatients, so we'll see if I can get them to take root and settle into the new beds.

So, spring has come to Toney, complete with a false start and towels and sheets decorating the yard to show that I was too anxious to wait! With joy I watch the world awaken for another celebration of the beauty that tells of its wonderful Creator.

Happy Spring!