Just Some Boxes

After all the boxes I went through over Lent this year I expected (wanted?) it to be easier to get rid of things. I shouldn't have stopped going through boxes because the momentum has passed. That said, Keziah and I (mostly Keziah), went through some boxes today and got rid of things. 

I wish I could say this is the end...

Having worked last night, my energy levels are low. After more sleep, I hope for better results-and less boxes.  Here are some happy things for today:

• Let us start with some foliage.  There are some beautiful colors in New England now.

The backyard.

• One of the things found is my doll, Betsy.  I'm ready to say goodbye.  Before throwing her into the donation pile, I asked the friend I gave one of my dolls to over Lent if her granddaughter might want another friend.  She said yes.  This doll is a bit loved, she may change her mind when she sees it.  

Bye, bye, Betsy!

• We also found a newspaper clipping. I don't remember this... but my picture is there.

That is me, third from the left, holding baby Keziah.

• Aesop was nice enough to sleep during most of the Spiderman movie we watched.

As long as he is comfy.  🤪

• Mostly, I want to thank Keziah for putting up with me and all my stuff.  Some days it is easier to get rid of things than others.  Today I was just exhausted.  

☮

Currently reading: Mount Washington A Guide and Short History, by Peter E. Randall.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Full Heart

 One of the things I was hoping for when I did the YouTube videos over Lent for downsizing my stuff is that somebody else might want some of it.  I had a request for what had been my baby doll when I was a child.  The friend that I used to work with and I walk with sometimes asked if she could have it for her granddaughter.  I got the things that I had together and gave them to my friend last week when we walked through the cemetery.  Today she sent me a picture of her granddaughter playing with what was my baby doll.  The doll's new name is Charleigh.  💕

Nothing can beat that, but here are some other happy things for today:

• When I finish up with the wheelbarrow I turn it upside down onto the compost pile.  Today when I turned it over to use there was a garter snake curled up on yesterday's debris (pic).  It stayed so still I thought maybe it was not alive.  I went and started weeding and couldn't keep myself away.  I went back and there was just two or three inches of the tail and the rest was burrowing into the compost pile.
• Is it wrong that removing as much bittersweet from the garden brings me joy?

I dug deep.

The larger pieces on top are bittersweet roots.

• The rhododendron is getting ready to blossom.

For some reason I just love how this looks.

• Now that a bunch of the cypress spurge has been pulled or mowed there are other things that are seeing the light.  According to Lens the flower I noticed today is called, star of Bethlehem.  It spreads both by seeds and with bulbs so it may not have been there last year.  As with so many other plants I find, this one is also considered invasive in some places (not NH yet).  

This star of Bethlehem is in the yard,
not a garden area.
It might end up mowed,
depending on how I feel when I mow next.

• Our dryer is not working properly (not happy).  However, as we sat discussing the problem Winston decided that he would take the opportunity to check it out.

He liked it, perhaps too much!
😜

☮

Currently reading: The Burgess Book of Nature Lore, by Thornton W. Burgess.

--two chapters today!  I WILL finish this book.

Stay safe!

Happy Spring

 Tomorrow, Bel, Folke and their friend leave.  I want to say that we spent today doing fun things together.  They spent time doing last minute adjustments to the bus and packing.  I tried not to get in the way.  It was a beautiful day and the first day of spring.  Since the Daylight Savings Time began last week, the sun is out much later.  It is always such an adjustment.  I spent part of the day replanting some of the seeds I planted a few weeks ago that sprouted.  Basil, parsley and thyme are now potted and back in the basement.  This kept me happily busy outside for a little while and I could say hi to them as they worked on the bus or packed things into it.  Other things that made me happy on International Happiness Day:

• It was a friend that I used to work with that inspired me to go through a box every day for Lent to get rid of things.  Sometimes I remember to post to the little group of us that are trying to get rid of one thing a day.  The box I sorted for downsizing today included a doll from my childhood.  I sent the picture to the group and that baby doll has been claimed.  She will have a new home with my friend's granddaughter.  How cool is that?

I think her name was Betsy.

• Bel and Folke had two plants when they came here.  Since the cats arrived and tried eating the plants, I have been keeping them downstairs with the seedlings.  Today I think I found a way to keep the plants relatively safe in the bus as they travel.  I put some packing material around them and put them into a container, smaller, but similar to the one I am growing spinach in.  Hopefully this will keep them safe from the bounces and cold nights.

This is a bit less transparent than the one the spinach is in.
It will at least allow them to take the plants on their journey.

• I sewed my hair up this morning.  It is getting long enough that the braids don't keep the length out of things.  I really enjoy how it feels when it is attached to my head without a hair clamp.  If only my hair didn't start falling out on the second day.

I should make some googly eye pins
so I can have a smiley face from behind.
😜😉😂🤣😂

• After dinner we all gathered around the table for a very hilarious game of Snake Oil.  It was great fun and I am glad we all got to play together before they leave.

• Just as the sun was starting to set I went for a quick walk out back to get a better view.  

I'm gonna miss these snuggle bugs.

☮

Currently listening to Quiet, by Susan Cain.
Currently reading: The Backyard Homestead, by Carleen Madigan.


Stay safe.