Suddenly Summer!

Typical Alberta. We went from winter one week to what feels like full-fledged summer the next. This past weekend was gloriously sunny and hot, coaxing the trees into leaf and the new grass to grow shaggy overnight. There are still heaps of dirty, crusted snow here and there in shaded areas, but the lawnmowers are already out. Winter boots are still heaped in the entryway next to our sandals. We are all cynical (and superstitious) enough to believe that putting away all the winter gear would be pointless before May long weekend is over. Nevertheless, I am rejoicing in the new season and spending as much time outside as possible. Hauling bags of soil, mulch and compost, and raking and weeding have become my new workouts this past week.

I spent yesterday evening in the yard mowing, trimming, weeding, planting and supplementing our rock hard clay-based soil with fresh stuff. I placed a new clematis vine in the front yard that I have high hopes for...I've always loved the look of a climbing vine but have never had success keeping one alive. This time I followed the instructions to a T. As I was clearing the area around it, my neighbor commented "getting rid of that nasty weed finally?" Apparently I neglected to weed that small patch when I moved in last year and it's been an eyesore. Yeesh. Her yard isn't exactly nice to look at either!

In the backyard my boyfriend and I worked new soil and compost into a strip of garden along the garage. He installed a small picket fence border to keep the dogs out, and I planted my sunflower seedlings that have been on our kitchen table the past couple of weeks. I topped the whole thing off with some pretty red mulch. My hands are a little rough this morning- I know I should keep my gardening gloves on, but there is something so satisfying about feeling the dirt when you're working with it. When I went to wash them, the combination of earth and red dye from the mulch washing down the drain made it look like I had murdered someone.

There is so much more work to make this yard my own. I don't think I'll have much leisure time for the next month. Fingers crossed that the warm, sunny weather holds out!

Hello Monday

As evidenced by my lack of entries last week, I just didn't feel up to the task of writing (although I normally enjoy and look forward to it.) It was a tumultuous week- both for myself and my very good friend. And when my loved ones aren't 100%, I don't feel like I can be either. A number of things went by the wayside, not the least of which were my healthier eating habits...although I did still manage to get a good number of green smoothies into myself. I've been very internally focused this month, and I have found from past experience that being internally focused makes it very difficult to take care of myself physically the way I should. It's as if I can't concentrate on both at once. However this is a new week and a fresh start, and that's one good thing I can say about Mondays. I am feeling tired, but optimistic. This will be a great and healthy week!

I am busily planning the gardening I want to do in May. I moved in mid-summer last year, so I didn't bother with any landscaping changes. The previous owners were very smart to plant self-reliant perennials that survived my total neglect beautifully. However this year I would like a more lush landscape with some privacy screening so I don't feel like I'm in a fishbowl. Sunflowers, hops trained along a pergola, and large pots with lemon grass are all on the agenda. It will be a very outdoorsy summer this year...at least until the mosquitoes find me. Let's all hope they won't be as brutal this year.

Feeling Productive!

After a week of feeling worse than blah, I am happy to report that I feel back to my normal self. The weather is mild (for February), the sun is out, and I had a most productive weekend working on interior renovations and bookkeeping. It's tax season, so I get quite bogged down with all the extra work and it's a very stressful time of year for me. Whoever decided that tax season should coincide with S.A.D. season wasn't too bright! But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The bulk of the work is done, and my boyfriend and I also managed to repaint the majority of his house (inside, obviously.) Something about physical labor versus desk work makes my body and brain happier...I was almost pondering a major career switch until my back and hips reminded me the next day that they are not going to tolerate prolonged standing, reaching, straining and bending. Ouch! The arthritis flared up big time. Luckily it only took a day to get back to my basic level of discomfort rather than the advanced, hobble-around-like-an-old-lady level.

It feels good to start a fresh week with so much dreaded work behind me. I can feel spring in the air (famous last words...you can all blame me if we get 2 more months of winter now.)