leder legends

Getting to be fussier about the junk.in the.yard.  I had a helper yesterday to do the heavy stuff.  I had him dig up lamium...he got most of it  out but I would not say he did well. It still looks much better. He wet down and turned the composter which is SO heavy at the moment.  He also cleaned around the shed and we discovered a huge pile of animal poop that smelled like a dead animal  I'm not sure what to do about it.  We also cut up and trashed 3 kiddie pools.  Had a to cut them up in order to fit them into the trash can. He put Preen on all the backyard beds and spread crab grass inhibitor on front lawn. I did a dump run this morning and I'm done for the day. My son told me it was raccoon poop.  Apparently they have an outhouse...so to speak.  I covered it with Epson salts and they have been discouraged.  It does not smell as bad back behind the shed now. 

Arie made cinnamon buns.  I can't remember the last time he did that.  Frozen dough but a delicious gooey sweet  filling .

My vehicle is full! I had a young man help me in the yard twice last week and it''s starting to look pretty good! The plan was for him to help me bring yard waste to the dump.  I realized too late that it is still closing early (2:00) because of the "lock-down'. This corona virus has changed things! I am happy it is actually open so I am heading there this morning!

Mother's day is just another Hallmark holiday! It is sweet to read all those tributes on social media but ... If you are a mother, a happy day to you even if your kids are not very expressive! Here are some spring flowers for you!

The fence on the west side of the yard finally needed replacing. We bought 4 12 ft long 4x4 posts and cut them in half since we needed 7 new posts. We decided to use the old fence panels...they will last another 2 yrs or so.  Perhaps we'll be in a condo by then, who knows? Joe did the work and I supervised and held the tape measure and the level.  I also cringed as he stepped on yet another emerging hosta. Tip: If your hosta pips are out and you need a new fence---wait until fall.   I do know they will all survive but they will not be as becoming as they should be.  The WONKY fence! New posts in and looking strong! Bonus!! old timbers were cut and used for repairing the raised bed!

After getting up late (8 is late for me), enjoying some coffee and toast, reading a few chapters of my current book, checking out facebook, and gmail, I can't decide what to do today.  It's cloudy and cold...colder than normal for this time of year.  Get dressed and solve a problem regarding the bird feeders and the squirrels, make some masks, clean the house, do the laundry, dig up some weeds ... the list feels endless and without something to motivate me to get started , it is endless!! Where would you start? What motivates you?

May 5th, 1945 The Canadians and the Dutch celebrate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands at the end of WWII.  Every year in the Netherlands there are many different ways to celebrate and this year is no exception BUT  the celebration will be very different because of the Corona virus.  Check out this link to see how they have adapted ---   https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2020/05/sing-fight-cry-pray-laugh-work-and-wonder-the-dutch-celebrate-75-years-of-freedom/ THE TIES BETWEEN TWO NATIONS:  This coin pays tribute to the Canadian Army and to the people of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is a celebration of the special friendship between our two nations and the close  ties forged in war. In the Netherlands, my husband, along with all school-aged kids, was given this cup to commemorate the 10th anniversary of  V day! Asher examining Opa's special cup!

The corona virus looms large in our daily lives.  I am not afraid of it.  I am following the rules mostly- social distance, masks, washing hands etc. How can I get it if I have isolated myself in my house and yard? But I am not immune to the hype and I think it finally seeps into our psyche so much so that every itch, twinge, cough, chill makes us question if we have succumbed.  My friends seem to be reacting in similar ways.  This too shall pass but for me --the sooner the better.

TULIP TIME One of the biggest festivals in west Michigan is Tulip Time held in Holland, Michigan. It's a big deal and brings in great revenue for the community.  It was supposed to begin yesterday.  Despite the continued "lock-down"  or stay at home decree, there were many many people escaping their homes to go and see the tulips.  it helped that it was a beautiful sunny and warm day yesterday.

WHITMER    Our governor has extended the quarantine until May 28. In celebration, 3 friends and I had a deck party. Chairs on the deck---5 feet apart, in the sun, beers in hand!  It was good! March 11 Social distancing involves people avoiding contact with each other in order to stop the spread of the virus through a community. It can include actions like cancelling large events and working from home. Shutting down schools and businesses are the “nuclear option of public health tools,” according to Markel. He said actions like this are only taken when the threat of real danger from mass infection is greater than the risk of social disruption. March 12 was DAY 1 in Michigan.  Today  (May 2)  is day 51 and we are seeing a LOT of social disruption. It will be interesting to see what will happen in the next 26 days.

City Yard Waste Dump has opened from 8:00 to 2:00 every week day.  I discovered this at 12:30 yesterday and by 2:30 I had dropped off most of the yard waste that had accumulated in my garage and yard. That was such a good feeling!  So I got out 3 times yesterday and it is wonderful for my mental health.  First we dropped off the "new" truck to get the AC fixed and to the post office with this week's Topper's flyers. Second we went back and got the truck in the afternoon.  Third I went off to the dump.  What gets me is that these are stupid ordinary things that are making me happy. Life in the time of the Corona virus.   There was a big protest in the state capital yesterday and I almost wish I had gone. Pansies...I almost forgot. The nurseries are allowed to reopen and I bought some bright yellow pansies!!  Beautiful color in this 'drab' time!!