East Coast Happenings

[Diane Amberg]

We finally topped 60 with bright sun this afternoon, so I cleaned up seven of my front porch hanging baskets.I hope soon to be able to fill them again for the summer. I'll probably hang at least three more.The back 16x16ft. deck is about to get it's annual power wash and then needs to be sealed again as soon as it gets a little warmer.The big herb pots are ready to be seeded, but also need a bit more warmth. I made a gallon jar of sun tea this afternoon while we in Maryland having a good buffet lunch.
One of our local soldiers got home yesterday, so our fire company and Christiana Fire Company, our neighbor, got together to give give him an escort to two of our schools to surprise his son and daughter at their schools. It worked out great. Lots of flags, smiles and happy tears.
Our favorite raccoon is coming every evening now for his "snack."

[Diane Amberg]

Chilly last night and again this morning, but now it's nice and warm and sunny.We went out and trimmed the Red Twig Dogwood back to the ground to let it start over. It was planted in 1989.  It's dead in the middle and needs a rehab now more than just taking out a third of it each year.The one Forsythia has finished, so I cut it back some and shaped it up.The other one is later and is still in full bloom.The Hen Bit is blooming all over the place. As much as I try I never get it all.The False Strawberry is popping up in weird places, but I've only seen about 5 Dandy Lions. Not much onion grass either. I sent Al out with a pin point blow torch to burn it out. So far so good.
My Carolina Sweet Shrub is starting to bloom and smells so good. It is a big bush now that has a long history.When we moved to our first house, I got a slip from my mother's bush that was there at their big 1870 Victorian house when they moved to it in 1948. It had been planted when that house was new, so my bush has very old genes.  I brought a slip here from my other house. The Lily of the Valley is just in bud too.The Andromeda is in full bloom also and our neighbor's honey bees are enjoying it. The two Lilacs are starting to show color.
I think perhaps next week we'll take a 45 min. ride into Pa. and go to Groff's Plant Farm and see if their veggie plants are ready yet. They have lots of varieties that other places don't have at very good prices. Great Amish folks.

[Diane Amberg]

We finally put away the last of the snow shovels and ice scrapers. I'm hoping it was safe to do so.
I got some Florida sweet corn today.The ears are nice and full and have surprisingly good flavor.It comes up the east coast by train so it gets here fairly quickly.My fisher friends are catching good trout and stripers (Rockfish) now. I'm hoping for Shad roe soon.

[Diane Amberg]

The little House Wren has made it back safely. YAY! He announced his arrival and made a big deal out of it. I expect the male Ruby Throated Hummers next week. Enjoy the day.

[Diane Amberg]

I see Texas is being hammered.I hope you all got the rain you need, but nothing dangerous. We're off to Bingo soon.

[Mom70x7]

Howard / Moline got a little over 3 inches. Most of it was a good rain, and will help the area.

[Diane Amberg]

I'm so glad. I know you have been so dry. Maybe this rain will help the fire hazard problems too, and help with the green up.
We're off to pick up some mulch at out local farm/garden store. Tuesday is senior discount day and every little bit helps. I think we'll need 8 3 cubic ft. bags this time.

[Diane Amberg]

HA!    We arrived home with many veggie plants, but not all of the varieties I eventually want. I also got enriched hummer liquid food, meal worms, some dill seed, some fertilizer and all those bags of mulch....sort of.
A man was helping Al load the big bags into the back of our Honda CRV, with the seats folded down, when one of the bags tore open on the far end, and when he plopped the next one on top, it poofed out all over the back, the front seat, and me!  What a mess, but very funny. A wisk broom and a dust pan took care of it when we got home.
It's still much too soon to put tender plants out but I have a nice warm, sunny place to store them, and then harden them off for planting in a few weeks.

[Diane Amberg]

We're off to Amish country shortly. It's a beautiful day and it will a beautiful ride northwest into PA.
There is a place near the plant farm that Al can get real gasoline (no ethanol) for his small engine equipment. The "ethanolized" fuel doesn't do them any good at all. Then on the way home we'll cut the corner into Maryland and stop at Wesley's for a late lunch. Al is feeling good today, which is a plus too.
Now if anyone wants to pick at my typing ,help yourself. As I have said many times,I'm self taught and had a terrible teacher. HA!I hope your recent rain helped everything out there. I think it's our turn by Friday and we're ready for some too. Have a great day.

[proelkco]

Have a fun and safe trip. So glad you are both feeling well.