TUESDAY

Mike and I loaded a light lunch, plenty of water, and the dogs and went to the farm on Tuesday (May 29). We were a bit dismayed that the work crew wasn’t there, but Big Mike the Contractor came in during the noon hour accompanied by an environmental specialist, who took samples of air from several places in the house. Big Mike said that demolition will involve two more days. After that they will sand mold from boards. He said it would be three weeks before we would be ready for the plumber. Big Mike explained that he is “deluged” with work all over the region due to flooding, and naturally, since our place is so remote, they can’t just pop in to work an hour or two. With so much travel time involved, they have to be able to dedicate a whole day. He’s having to juggle crews right now. I just hope the house is finished by Christmas. The two men didn’t stay long, though the air quality specialist said he would like to spend the afternoon enjoying the cool breeze.

As they left, Mike and I ate our lunch on the front steps. Mike had already finished mowing, so he spent an hour trimming the yard while I continued puttering.

Hallie’s trees look good. The yarrow is there but has yet to take off. The zucchini I planted last week has sprouted, with the exception of one hill. Actually, I forgot to close the wire protecting that tire bed, so I suspect something ate that hill. Anyway, I replanted it. The strawberries have bloomed and the berries are forming. The honeysuckle is doing well. I watered everything and set up “plant nannies” in the zucchini bed.

I also cleaned out the gated raised bed, tossing old yard ornaments and attempting to cultivate. The soil is compacted, but I think there’s compost in the composter, so next trip I’ll apply it and plant something easy, like more summer squash, since we won’t be able to tend things closely this summer. It will be a different kind of year, and maybe the different focus will do some good. Before we left the farm, I pulled rhubarb, and last night I made a small crisp.

Black-eyed Susans are blooming now. I wonder if I could transplant them to my problematic bank. I wish they would just move themselves over there. It might be a good year for thimbleberries since they are blooming nicely on the grade. So is the honeysuckle, which I don’t remember noticing before.

The lilacs are past now except for the one late variety that I bought years ago, not realizing that it was a late variety. I cannot now remember the name of this late-bloomer, and it doesn’t matter. It’s okay, though. Kinda nice, in fact.

Once back in town, I convinced Mike he should reward himself for a day of hard work by attending another NAIA tournament game. Tuesday and Wednesday nights were cooler, and he came home with cold feet. Even so, we’re enjoying this spell of cooler weather, as are our transplants. KW