Strawberry

 Day two of getting up super early was not a complete success.  I was out of bed before five in the morning, but my first alarm went off at four.  Today's nap time went better, a little over two hours compared to yesterday's 40 minutes.  All this is to start training my body for when I start work overnights.  I have received confirmation and I start work in the wee hours of the morning on June 22nd.  Other happy things for today:

• Some basil made it into the garden today.  Hopefully the heat wasn't too much for it.

Tomatoes will go in that area too.

• Last night, after watering the plants, I noticed a chipmunk that seemed to be trying to get into the netted strawberries.  This morning I put some more landscaping staples through the net into the ground to make it more secure.  Then I harvested the very first strawberry!  It is the only one close to ripe.  I brought it inside and shared it with the family. It was our celebratory snack.

I can't cut even.

• A garter snake crossed my path.  I think that means good luck.  
• The weather was still in the 90's today.  I met a friend and we took a short walk.  It was shaded and lovely.  Still too hot though to exert too much energy.  

Roots and Lake Massabesic.

Lake Massabesic.

• My friend got me a hat.  A few weeks ago we had a talk about hats and long hair.  I'm loving the hat and am very grateful for generous friends.

The sides go up cowboy hat style.

My braids can fit out the back.
So loving that hat!

• Someday, that hat will get introduced to rain, not on the first day out though.  The sky had grown thick with clouds throughout the day.  Storms went by.  Things cooled a bit.

The heavy cloud broke open and spilled onto the earth.

• Zed's father came by to help Zed with a few things.  Afterwards, he came inside and visited for a short while.  We watched a bunch of the videos from the wildlife camera.  I haven't made the time recently to post any on YouTube.  So many things are changing...I'll try to do so again soon though.  It was nice to share and get reactions and discussions.

☮

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

Thanks for being here, stay safe.

Rainy Sunday

 Today the rain held off until lunch time.  I didn't go out first thing though, I wanted to do a job search first.  I've applied for another job and I have a pre-hire appointment on Tuesday.  It was all automatic.  The introvert in me loves the lack of contact leading up to this.  The old person inside though, they are a little weirded out by the lack of real people involved.  I'm just glad I am finally getting this job hunt going.  Other things I am happy about today:

• It is the end of the month and I remembered to fertilize the plants.  Yay!
• There are some plants under the fruit trees that look like more strawberry plants but I have been trying to ignore them.  The fruit trees are the priority in that area.  They have been mowed once this year and a few times last year.  Looking at them today and seeing how well the ones I replanted the other day are doing (so far), I may try to move these soon too.  I really enjoy strawberries, can you tell?

• For a while today I just relaxed in front of the TV watching Grace and Frankie on Netflix and pacing for steps between the episodes.
• It was another cool, wet day with temperatures in the mid 40's.  In the evening I turned on the gas fireplace.  It is what I needed to take the chill out of my bones.  

Winston by me as we warmed ourselves by the fire.

Nanni found a high place where the heat rose to.

☮

Currently reading: The Backyard Homestead Seasonal Planner, by Ann Larkin Hansen.

Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Glads

 The days are long when I don't sleep well.  I made a point this morning of looking for work, for at least a little while.  I started an account with Kelly Services.  It isn't a job, yet, but it could be a foot in a door.  Putting myself out there for work is hard, but I'll do it.  Other happy things for today:

• When I went into the cellar to check out the plants I was happy to see that all three of the gladioli I planted were sprouted.  I decided that this was the day to plant them.

The three gladioli are in there,
really.

• I also noticed a little sprout that had somehow managed to grow to the side of the container.  I meant to plant that today as well but forgot until I saw the picture.  

This container fell when I planted some seeds.
I'm not sure what this will be, if it makes it.

• In order to plant things I had to wash out the two pots I had set aside for them.  Glads need to be deep and I had one and picked up another in a recycle/reuse bin at a local garden shop.  Instead of just washing the two I needed I looked around and found a bunch more to clean.  Yay, productivity!
• The three sprouts went into one container and I also have some corms, they went into the larger container.  I still have a dozen more corms to plant, but I need to find a container first or plant them in the ground.

One of the seedlings.
There is a root coming out the bottom 
so I am glad I decided to plant them.

The corms are buried deep.

• Keziah made dinner tonight and Zed's mom came by to eat and watch Dr. Who with us.  She was my vaccination buddy.  There are plans for regular nights when she will visit and watch Dr. Who.  😊
• At least one of the strawberry plants is doing well.  None are dead, but there are weeds fighting for nutrients that I need to take care of.

• The blueberry bush is starting to show signs of life too.  I wasn't sure after the drought last year.

☮

Currently reading: The Backyard Homestead, by Carleen Madigan.

Stay safe.