Something Finally Blooming!

    Yesterday and today have been gloriously warm and sunny but now we have rain and frost overnight one day later this week. Winter is nor done with us yet but it is definitely on the wane!

   At last something blooming in my garden. I don't know what they are called but they are coming up in several places, even the lawn! I haven't had to cut the grass yet so they can bloom undisturbed.

   I think I mentioned that my garlic has sprouted and is about 3 inches tall. I also saw a tiny red leaf in my rhubarb patch. It will be a while until I can pick any but it is wonderful to see this sign of life. My only worry is my clematis which had to be moved when the fence was repaired last Fall. No sign that it survived being transplanted but I will keep my fingers crossed.

Injured!

     A couple of weeks ago I slipped on the last of the ice and jammed my finger to break my fall. It was swollen for a few days but, when the swelling went down I noticed that the top joint was "wobbly". A friend who is a retired nurse took one look at it and said it needed to be seen by a doctor. Unfortunately my family doctor's office is closed until next week and my local walk-in clinic is no longer "walk-in" and just doing phone consultations!

    My friend suggested a finger splint so I managed to track one down. I have my doubts on its effectivity but will wear it until I can see the doctor. 

   It is making everything very awkward from brushing my teeth, combing my hair etc. to peeling vegetables and washing dishes. I didn't realize important all my fingers are, especially as it is on my dominant hand (my left). Hope it is healed before we start to play tennis!

A First and a Last

    The first meeting of the Knitters and Crafters this morning, since March 2020. Not a great turnout, we are all seniors and I think some are still reluctant to meet indoors. I managed to get rid of some of the yarn that has been cluttering my basement storage area, and Pat took some Twiddlemuffs to distribute to LTC homes that she visits.

   The "last" is the last of me wearing winter boots. They have gone into storage until next November and am I glad to see the back of them!

    The tall ones are for when I have to shovel deep snow. The brown ones  on the left are for winter walks as they have a good tread. The black ones on the right are for wading through slush when I'm at the mall. If I need any sturdy, waterproof footwear between now and November it will have to be my old trainers!

Another Good Read

     I have just finished this book and enjoyed it although the subject matter isn't easy to read about. It has flashbacks to the Siege of Leningrad in 1941 when Germany invaded Russia and surrounded the city. It's pretty grim reading, told by a survivor, and deals with how it affected her whole life. It made me wonder about the after effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and how the citizens of Mariupol (currently under siege) will deal with the trauma they are enduring.

   Onto something not so gloomy. I made a significant decision the other day to have the giant Spruce tree in my backyard removed. It provides lovely shade on hot summer days but is very messy with needles, pine cones and twigs scattered everywhere, so it has to go. The arborist who is to remove it says it is "in decline" and I am always worried it will come down in a storm. Also it is too close to the pool so I am hoping it can come down before the pool is opened. 

   As it has a diameter of more than 12 inches, a permit is required form the City Planning Department so hope that is granted ASAP. I may be required to replace it with another tree that is more appropriate for the location. Stay tuned!