Spring is around the corner

Spring bulbs are showing themselves in my yard. I have crocus and star of David coming up. I'm so excited at this time of year when there is a wakening even though the weather is still cool and crunchy.

Paul and Emily

Paul and Emily will have a concert on February 4th. They had a fine warm up concert at the Wasatch Manor. Here's a preview. Just click on the link.


Paul and Emily

Crescent Moon

Oh such a crescent moon setting tonight. Just was able to catch it and Venus through the rain clouds. 

Setting my head back on

I am so glad to be focusing at the beginning of the day. When there are so many tasks, work, and meetings that take over a for few days in a row it's time to set my head back on track. Started with breathing the fresh air of morning in my fantastic yard.


A new friend told me to consider my husband as my boyfriend today, which is making quite a different outlook for me. Now why hadn't I thought of that.


I spent a few quality minutes with my wild rabbit Boo, made sure my greenhouse "family" had all they needed to grow a great day. Took a little extra time for my great dog, Cinder. 


Now I'll get to work. Seems like the right order of things again.

Greenhouse Goodies

My second planting of lettuce is ready to start eating. The spinach is a bit slower this time, but very soon it will be added to my salads.


I now have 15 roma tomatoes on my one plant (which was really an experiment) and one is close to ripening. I'll be very excited to eat that first one.


Tomorrow I will be starting some new seeds--a different type of lettuce, some flower seeds and some peppers.


It thrills me to enter the greenhouse each day and see what has changed, how much new growth there is. It's a simple pleasure but keeps me happy.

Monday, Monday

Birds, blue sky and Boo bunny.


I love the look and smell of the world after the storm.


It is fresh today with the smell of pine trees in the air.

People's Market Seed Swap

The Seed Swap is a fantastic way to spend your day! Here's footage from two years ago.

Another great aricticle about the Swap!
Seed Swap

Moon be present

I wonder if I will be able to see the waning crescent moon or Eridanus, the Winding River of Stars. Perhaps the clouds will continue and I can just imagine them.

An Interesting Civil Project

I was selected to be on the redistricting committee for Salt Lake City's school district and city council mapping. It was an interesting project. We all worked diligently to help redistrict the city using data from the 2010 census.


There were certain criteria for us to consider and when we were finished we submitted the work to the City Council members.


Interestingly enough, during the process we asked for input from the city, but got very little. Now that our work is finished there is suddenly a flood of ideas. I can see the Council will have an interesting journey from here.

Real Air

The amazing temperature in the Salt Lake Valley has offered my plants in the greenhouse some real air today.


I have opened the door and all the vents. Not only do the plants say thanks to me, I appreciate the circulation since I have just used Neem oil. Although I love that earthy smell, it gets into my clothes and hair while I work on the plants.


Looks like more rain on the way and more snow in the mountains. Good for us water folk.

Huckleberries

I have just finished a bowl of blueberries and now I'm wondering "where's the fruit?"


This year Paul and I did not get to our huckleberry patch and have no wild berries for eating, cooking, dropping into champagne. I miss that tart, smart taste of those berries.


Cultivated blueberries do not do it!

Skill?

I cut Sis' hair this morning. Looks pretty good. I wonder how it would look if I really knew what I was doing?


Fortunately she has curly hair so there is a safety factor. I know all this because of my own curly locks that I also cut myself. 

Plastic Bag Ballet

A plastic bag just entertained me with its ballet in the wind.

Morning Breezes

This morning is full of sound as the wind whispers through all the winter tree branches. The honey locust pods bring maraca rhythms to the ear.

Hawthorn Tree Feeding

There's nothing better than Hawthorn Berries!

Cartoon Day

Each thing I think today is in living color and animated. I just am having a cartoon day.

Daily Sights

This morning was another fantastic sharp morning walk bringing welcomed sights. The moon lead the way through the pink dawn. Flickers sounded their territory while mallards, robins and golden eyes found their morning food tidbits.


Rounding the Peace Garden there was the "Margaret Thatcher" squatter, my favorite squirrel feasting on berries and the sun rising flooding the Oquirrhs with golden light.


Good morning.

Morning in the greenhouse

I can't wait until my first tomato ripens. The herbs and flowers brighten my days.

Nan and Paul Adventuring

It was suggested that Paul and I enter the Ford Amazing Race Across America. So we filled out the application and they wanted video footage of us doing something "amazing."

We needless to say we take tons of video while exploring but not much of ourselves or each other. So this is what we came up with.

Bright Days

I do so love bright winter days. The moon has incredible influence with me and its setting this morning was the perfect way to begin the day. But last night the, oh what a fantastic blue hue on the snow! The moon shadows of the trees in my yard were perfect.


Now it will be waning but still such a glorious sight. I look forward to its reappearance tonight.

Thirteen Romas

I have thirteen tomatoes on my Roma plant. I can't wait until the first one is ripe.

Tucson Festival of Books

Since the Tuscon Festival of Books is so close to Mattie Culver's death anniversary (Mattie, A Woman's Journey West) I am contemplating what kind of display would best celebrate her life story. I have a great replica of her gravestone that will look great.

Long awaited snow

Waking to a few inches of snow may not seem like much, but I was delighted to see the white covering this morning. Much of my yard, my personal haven, has been yearning for moisture. My rabbit was very happy to be hopping in it. Living in a semiarid land lets me understand the joy of something as simple as winter valley snow.

Robins Return

Just what I wait for every January to February! I saw my first Robin today. 


Each year at the same spot on the Jordan River the Robins return to sing and fly. I was inspired when I saw that flash of orange this morning. Now I wait for their song.

Seeds are germinating

My second winter greenhouse planting of lettuce and spinach is germinating as I type.
I feel as though I have many thoughts germinating as well.
It's nice to know I have that in common with the plants. It makes me feel more connected with the earth, a part of the earth as we all are.

Paul Boruff sings "Beaver Wiggle"

I love the wild life on the Jordan River. I see beavers often on my daily walks. It lifts my mood to watch the animals make their living on the water.

Meteor Showers tonight

Quadrantids are tonight, last night too.

Oh Library

I truly wish that I could find a book at my local library. Are my reading tastes odd?


My library doesn't even carry the books I've written.

Neighborhood Action

Today I watched as "those in charge" arrested the hinky folks on my block.


I don't feel so much  a fool now. For some time I thought their actions were just too weird to be true. Now I know the truth.

More Peppers

I have planted more bell peppers--Green California Wonder.


Now I have yellow and green. The yellow Wonders have all been transplanted into large pots and now I await for the green to germinate.

Book Trailer for "Singing in the Saddle, The Life and Times of Yellowstone Chip."

I have posted my book trailer for Yellowstone Chip. Take a look.

Morning in the Greenhouse

It is 20° C in the greenhouse right now. I am transplanting some cuttings of Impatiens that have nice roots established. I am also planting some flowers in celebration of the New Year. Hello 2012 I will start cosmos and forget-me-nots in honor of you.