SO cold.
SO beautiful.
If we can get past the former, we're in for quite a day.
The hot and cold flashes of April are turning hot--by comparison anyway.
Today will be warmer than yesterday and tomorrow will be oh so warm as we shoot up to the 70s.
Yesterday, I thought I might mow some lawn, but even I, the lawn-mowing addict, had to give in and put the mower away.
There was enough wind along with the cold to scare away any pockets of warmth, so I surrendered and prepared horse blankets for their trip to the Co-Op where Kelly Branigan-McFarlane, owner of Cedar Mountain Blankets picks them up, takes them home for washing and repair.
When they come back, they're almost like new, so I've been doing that for the past three years.
It's a great service.
Today I think I can mow and I can paint fence---both addictions but both offering a natural high when finished.
I also spent some time yesterday putting some seeds in soil. As I told Bill, last night's frost would probably not affect them but when it warms up the spinach and carrot seed should evolve into little plants.
The barnyard, though ugly with the latest version of mud, does have some pretty spots.
A couple of temporary lakes after each hard rain offer some gorgeous reflections on mornings like today's.
My oregano wouldn't mind a few warmer days.
Even punishing frosts can't kill the herb which grows profusely around the Lovestead.
Winter's not done yet in the mountains, and it's mighty pretty contrasting with green grass in the valleys.
One of the many squirrels which hang out in the yard and at the feeders when they are full.
This guy almost started a conversation with me through the window yesterday as I snapped photos.
Ty felt a little funny posing next to one of the trees he'll be removing in a few months.
Nonetheless, I wanted to take his picture, so he cooperated.
Ty is a former student who impressed me the first time I met him. I selected him one year to be a member of PAL Z aka Peer Assisted LiaiZons.
Well-liked by pretty much everyone who knew him, Ty was a perfect fit for the organization which promoted a positive student climate for the school.
A couple of decades later, he's still the same nice, outgoing, respectful person I knew when he went through the high school.
Ty now owns Oliver Tree Service, which has turned into a very successful and respected enterprise in the region.
He came to talk trees yesterday. In our case and in the home of a forester, the subject was tree removal from our yard: 12 poplars.
They are pretty much dead, and they have become dangerous. A limb from one of the trees cause damage to our roof and ceiling during a severe but quick wind storm in December.
So, they need to be taken down. Ty and his crew will be doing that after the Fourth of July. It will be sad, in a way, to see them go, but I won't miss cleaning up the bajillions of leaves they drop every fall, even in their old age.
It's taken me, the yard beautiful nazi, time to adjust to this major change. Nonetheless, I know from others that Ty does a beautiful, careful and clean job, so that will take away some of the emotional pain, and we'll look for ways to dress up the aftermath as best we can.
Speaking of trees, there's a photo contest opportunity available over the next couple of weeks.
Winners will get money and fame, so check it out on the image below and visit the site to learn more.
Everything seems a little early this year, including the peony starts.
Hope the occasional freezes don't hamper plant progress.
On that note, I'm anxious to see progress with my projects so will wish everyone a Happy Friday.
