In the Dirt

Sunday was a beautiful day to be outside and pulling weeds.

I began outside our basement door where a curving rock border has gotten obscured by weeds. Worried that the person wielding the weed-eater might not find it easy to know just where the boundaries are, I sat myself down and began to weed.  (For some years now, I do all my weeding sitting down and unching along. Easier on the back.)

My striped socks are actually compression stockings to prevent the swelling that tends to occur in my rebuilt ankle--and probably always will, according to the surgeon, unless I wear these. I'd resisted, remembering the ugly white hose from the hospital but when I saw these beauties -- looking for all the world like witch stockings -- I gave them a try.  They work well -- no swelling -- but I'm not sure how I'll feel about them in the summer heat.

My white iris--that didn't bloom last year--is back! An excellent reason to weed.

Such a pleasure, sitting in the sun and enjoying the new growth all around! An even greater pleasure being able to get back up without having to drag myself to the stairs. (Being on a slope helped.)

After lunch I set in on the asparagus bed. There are a few spears showing and even more weeds. But by four, it was clear -- except for the near end where the horseradish is. Last year it took me several days to do as much -- so thankful to have some off my strength and endurance back.

Next on the to-do list is the box bed garden. John has prettied it up with fresh blue paint and new trellises to replace the old arbor. Now I have more weeding to do -- as well as planting. We haven't been visited by deer recently -- but I know they're out there and will plan and plant accordingly.