Happy Patriot's Day! April 19, 1775. Have any of you read, "April Morning" (Howard Fast, I think) I ruminated on the puzzler while moving more rounds of firewood, noting the advance of spring, clipping back some brambles, and watching the line of cars pass my house. I came to the realization that the minus the first letter the remaining letters read the same forward and backward. But I lacked the presence of mind to move the first letter to end! Guess the CIA won't be calling to put me on code cracking duty any time soon. :) And spring is advancing on the Compound. I've finished getting the rounds out of the woods just in time, the ferns are beginning to send up the fronds and I'm holding out hope that not too many of them have been trampled by zealous arborists! The ferns are probably my most favorite feature, so easy, so reliable, so hardy... and they make a perfect clubhouse for kitties and curs on very hot days. The little Trout Lilies are sending up mottled leaves and the wild LOV and some other darling spring ephemerals will be up soon. I concur with Deanne that we are in dire need of rain. It's been well over a week since the last soaking and it's amazing how quickly things dry out when there are brisk winds and plants are starting to put on lots of seasonal growth. The big tree that was taken down (the one I've moved piece by piece, lol) was largely rotten and had voluntarily shed a few big branches last year. I was unsure what to do with large pieces of pretty dead wood and then it hit me: soak them in the pond and then place them in and around the old tree as "reefs" for moss colonies and possibly housing units for salamanders! My goal is the clean up the surrounding woodland areas to a moderate degree, removing piles of brush that have been started and abandonned by the spousal mess-maker so the lay of the land and natural flora can be enjoyed with relative ease. I hope my idea works, I'll definitely be out there collecting spores and mixing up a potion of moss and butter milk to pour over the soaked wood. :) BIL came over for a walk about yesterday afternoon and casually remarked that Rex doesn't run off on me nearly as much as he does the helpmeet. Hehehe, no kidding. He wondered why. I spend lots more time on basic obedience with that fool dog than does the helpmeet. And interestingly, in general I'm much more engaged with the dog when we're outdoors. I talk to him, call him over to me frequently, put him through his paces, and give him a microscopic treat as a reward. I keep a ball at my side and periodically toss it for him and then call him back to my side, before releasing him and allowing him to carry it off to Sanitary Ridge to "guard" it. Last week we had what I'm chosing to regard as a minor success. I was in the woods, the dog was in the circle watching the road. I should have insisted he was closer to me but I wasn't paying full attention (bad me!). Anyway, a neighbor walked by with her Pug. Rex got up, grew the Mohawk and barked once. I told him to stay and he looked at me for a long moment before succumbing to temptation and trotting over for an unescorted "looky-see". I waved and called to her and began walking over to collect the dog. Now, he didn't do what I'd commanded, but he DID look to me when I called to him (this is huge), AND he didn't take off at a gallop barking wildly, either. He simply sniffed the Pug gently and sniffed her offered hand. And happily followed me back into the yard when we'd finished chatting. On her return trip he remained in a down/stay in the circle while I continued working some 40' away. And there is no more explosive barking when he's in the car and sees a dog on the side of the road. At least when he's in the car with me. ;) I would definitely throw in the towel if I didn't measure success in incremental units. And lastly, lovely to see some sign of life from Deanne. Good to know the assault on your stomach has abated and you've emerged none the worse for wear. I hear ya on the dry conditions and there is vole damage here, but the extent of it is still largely unknown. I'll be thinking of you next to your driveway when I'm uncovering the back gardens. What's new in the painting world these days? And I'm delighted that Doug is finding his new job acceptable and enjoys the people. That's a big plus! Doobie under the rose is the picture of relaxation. There is nothing I like more than working around the yard and having the pride come by for a visit every so often. Even when they're "bearing gifts". The Sweet Peas are so delicate and pretty in the jaunty blue and white vases. Something on that order will really look great next to a claw footed tub in the outdoor bath area. ;) I agree that a trellis is a perfect gift. And a clematis will be the perfect way to decorate it, Michelle. Oh and I found a garter snake (about 18" long) yesterday and picked him up just for you. I am really working hard to get over that insanely foolish fear of them since none of the native species are venomous. I confess, though, I'd be hard pressed to pick up one that's pushing garden hose diameter. ;) The helpmeet is watching "Wall E" and has remarked that he bears an uncanny resemblance to his wife in his dedication to "cleaning up". I can see I'll have to watch that one later on!

That would be "Quad Cities", Zeke. (Or, as we affectionately call them, "The Quad Sillies".) The eastern Iowa/western Illinois collection of towns on the Mississippi River: Davenport, Bettendorf, Rock Island and Moline. IronBelly

What gorgeous sinks, Lesterd! Just what I needed. Another obsession. ;-) Love that lampshade, Loribee! It's so fresh and pretty! Last night I fell asleep dreaming of waking up this morning and heading to the paint store. I dreamt of transforming my living and dining rooms with a soft, clear green on the walls. When I got up this morning and padded into the front room with my coffee, even though I was still bleary-eyed from sleep, I had to admit my dreams were only that ... dreams. What I have going on now just works, all the way around. The wall color goes with the new drapes (which reminds me, I need to post pics of the new drapes!), plays well with the rug, blends nicely with the throw pillows and artwork and other accessories. I have made some very minor additions to the living room that seem to soften and feminize it a bit. New lace panels on the fireplace-flanking windows, a little old English teapot that I picked up for fifty cents at a yard sale last week, an old (1950s) metal tray from England with a floral design, vintage orange(!) gingham pillows on the sofa. This morning it dawned on me that it's starting to feel like a very eclectic space, and I like that. I'm focusing on adding more soft touches to our guest room. Just bought a duvet from an Etsy seller (white with sweet, scattered hibiscus on one side, reversing to cabana stripes in sherbet shades on the other), and am going to be replacing a couple of prints with vintage botanicals. I also feel like decluttering in there a bit, as there's just too much going on at the moment. I originally decorated that room with sort of a beachy/tropical theme - and I still like the tropical thing but want to take it in more of a floral direction and less of a beachy one. One last indication that my "old tastes" are still ever-present: This morning I stopped by a neighbor's yard sale and couldn't walk away without buying the antique framed painting of a Native American man. There's part of me that's still very much drawn to the images of the southwest U.S. and Mexico - and the darker and/or more intense colors that are attendant to that style. I'm becoming more and more convinced that what I have is a split personality. But I'm choosing to call that eclectic. Oakley, I want to see those shoes! :-)

Been busy today, moved my Echeveria Imbricata to a new home as it was offsetting like crazy and bursting out of the small clay pot it was living in. It now has plenty of room to spread out and should form a nice clump. Also I noticed that all is not lost with my Orostachys boehmeri. It was bursting from the planter below last year but every single branch produced a flower so I feared the worse. I looked at this a couple of months ago and there was no sign of anything living and I nearly trashed it. But looking today there are signs of life! I wonder if these new shoots are growing from seeds??