Mother Nature seems to have gotten her months mixed up. April was sunny and warm, and May is all showers and clouds.
I have been slowly planting my barn garden. I’m only planting two varieties of tomatoes this year. One is a yellow cherry tomato called Sunburst that I got from the “Tomato Guy” at the Perry St Farmers Market. He’s very passionate and knowledgeable about tomatoes. He usually sells Stupice tomatoes, but he didn’t have them this year, and they were sold out everywhere else I looked. Darn. They are such a great cold-weather tomato. I went with Early Girls instead, and I think they will be very similar.
The thyme I planted last year has grown significantly, crowding out room for the basil. I bought some free-standing pots so that I can plant a few more herbs.
Haven’t decided which yet. Maybe dill. Cilantro? As long as I can trim them back before they go to seed. I wasn’t good at that last year.
We planted a Japanese Maple in front of the barn. The cold winters here can kill them, but I’m hoping for the best.
Looking for ideas to shield it when the time comes.
I was at a plant sale last week and chanced upon this beautiful yellow / pink tinged rose. It’s perfume is what drew me. Just lovely, and it was on sale.
I didn’t have a pot for it, but found this gorgeous terra cotta one at Home Goods for only $30.
In other news, one of our sons graduated with his BSN this week, and we had a party for him at our house yesterday. Mostly family, and one set of his friends.
It took my husband and I and our daughter about an hour or so to put these four letters together.
You will all be surprised to know that I did NOT injure myself this time.
My daughter is going to go down there next weekend and ride her for a couple of days, and I think that will help her turn the corner.
Coming 4 is still so young. As I’ve found with Tumbleweed (and others) there can be huge changes from 3 to 4 and 4 to 5 and even 5 to 6.
Seven seems to be the golden year of maturity, and it just gets better from there. (At least, in my experience.)
At any rate, that is one of the caveats of raising young horses, allowing them to grow, change, and struggle. They eventually settle into themselves.
Speaking of, I have my next lesson on Wednesday, and since I haven’t been able to ride in between lessons as I heal up, it is so nice to have a horse who takes off where you left them. Tumbleweed is such a willing partner. Regina just keeps saying, “What a nice guy you have.”
Nice, meaning gentle, kind, and trying.
I never want him to lose that “try.”
Congratulations to your son! And to you for not injuring anything!
ReplyDeleteI found a ‘blueberry tomato’. It’s supposed to have small purple tomatoes. I’m ridiculously excited to see them.
I often wonder what our young horses make of all the changes they experience. In terms of what we do and the new places it must be really hard for them at times. It’s truly amazing how resilient they are.
Epona has grown into a lovely horse.
Thank you.
DeleteYeah, the changes can be a bit much for the young ones. They have it good here, and going to training can stress them out. I wonder if that’s what is happening with her. New horses. New place. Work. I wish we lived closer to the trainer.
A blueberry tomato, that sounds fun. The tomato guy had quite a few fun varieties like that. Maybe next year I’ll get more adventurous, or stop by again this week and grab one of his cool fun ones. I did buy those freestanding pots so that I could plant more. When we first made the above ground planter wall, I thought that was a lot of space, but it fills up fast. .
Your place is so beautiful! Congratulations to your son on his graduation.
ReplyDeleteWhat variety is that lovely rose? I bought an Emily Carr today, it is red; the one I had in Creston was amazing so I hope I can find a good spot for one here. I bought Early Girl tomatoes today too!
The first two months of training away from home can be a bit of mental stress for young horses. It's a lot to take in for them. I hope Epona gets sorted out and that she and your daughter can have a good bond like you have with Tumbleweed.
The rose is called “Life of the Party.” And it is! The blooms turn from yellow to pink and are very fragrant.
DeleteThat’s awesome that you planted Early Girls. We can compare notes on our experiences.
Yes, all our young horses tend to start out rough when hauled to training. We have such a natural herd environment here, and we try to keep them together as much as possible. The downside is that it creates a herd bound issue. They all, eventually, train out of it to the extent any horse can.
We had a huge storm pass through here last night and we didn’t even know it was coming. I looked out at the horses and they first ran together, then stood together through lightning and thunder. I thought, of course they love each other. They’re there for each other when it counts most. And when they’re taken away from each other, it must cause a deep insecurity.
Your tomato looks great! Actually, your entire garden is gorgeous and I'm jealous. Congrats to your son on his graduation.
ReplyDeleteHorses are definitely resilient, aren't they? We make decisions for them and they just have to adjust. And they do! Usually, without much of a complaint, too. I'm excited to see Epona's growth at the trainer's, but I'm more excited to see what she brings home with her when it's time.
It’s good cop bad cop with this trainer. We spoil them, she gives them the structure and discipline, and they come home super appreciative…for awhile. 😂. It has a shelf life of about a year, but the foundation never goes away.
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