I also loved A Town Like Alice. It’s the only novel by Shute that I have read and have been meaning to try some others so with your recommendation, Bunny, I will look for Trustee in the Toolroom. I have been taking my time reading Betty by Tiffany McDaniel. It’s a coming of age story of a girl growing up in the Appalachian foothills in Ohio but it’s full of dark, depressing events so I have been reading in small bits. I went on a college visit this weekend with my son who is graduating. It was a long road trip which ironically took me right through the area in which Betty is set. It was very stressful drive, especially when crossing the mountains, as it was pouring rain the whole time. I downloaded Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlin to listen as I drove. It was perfect for the drive with an interesting story, albeit somewhat predictable. It held my interest and kept my mind totally preoccupied, making the weather/driving much less stressful. While I did enjoy it, it would make a good beach read but it’s not a book that I would go out of my way to recommend to friends. I’d give it 3.5 to 4 stars for its genre, which I suppose is a mystery of sorts. Edited to add, I just checked on Libby for Trustee in the Toolroom. My library has the audio version but not the kindle copy. I actually have a 4 hour road trip again tomorrow (going to get my first vaccine dose 2 hrs from home!). I’ll give the audio version a try but may look for a readable copy also (some books I prefer in print or kindle).

Cindy, the overnite low temps predictions here (near Richmond) range from 27 to 29 for both Fri and Sat mornings. Those numbers may be more fined tuned as the front approaches by Thurs nite, hopefully those low temps will be of short duration, and upgraded to 30F. In the past my fruit tree blooms have survived below freezing temps as long as it wasn't below 27-28F and of a short duration of just a few hours, not more than 6. Wind and humidity also plays a part in the variables. You tree cage looks perfect for covering with a blanket, just secure it in place good as windy conditions may be going on too. Keeping fingers crossed!!

I thought someone started an April thread, I don't see it? I wanted to say that it is 20F on my back porch this morning. Does anyone else find that shocking? It's still dark out, but I'm afraid to go out and look at what the garden has to look like. Anyone else having temperatures that low this morning? I just went out and checked again, to make sure I was seeing it right. Still 20F. I looked at the forecast and right now it's supposed to be 26F. I just checked out 2 more different forecasts. One that is embedded in the top of my search engine is reporting that it is 27F in my town right now. But the National Weather Service reports it at 23F so at least they are close, but what does that say about my property? Am I in some microclimate? I planned on working outside early and digging a bed out and some other things. Is the ground going to be frozen? I'm thinking I might get a later start than I planned. I'm feeling bad that I didn't cover anything or bring in my winter sown containers which would have been easy, but I haven't thought it was going to get more than a couple of degrees lower than freezing.

I have my onions and potatoes planted also. I am doing my potatoes differently this year. I have planted, or just laid the potatoes on top of the soil, or just about an inch under. I will keep them covered with mulch as they grow. I have never done anything like this, and it may all flop, but I just cant dig anymore. At this point the $.99 ten pound bag of potatoes from the grocery story looks the best I have planted them in the wildlife garden because I don't think the wildlife will like to eat on them like they would other crops. I will also put up electric fence in many areas. I will also plant small grain along the tree line, hoping to serve as a decoy garden for the wildlife. All my fall planted garlic is up, but needs to be fed. The last I checked none of onions sets were up. I bought 9 tomato plants to pot up, and hope for a head start. They have been on the deck for a few days, but will come in when the weather gets bad. I have been working on the wildlife garden, what a job it has been. It is very wet in some areas, but I have over an acre of area to cultivate. I planted some irises over there yesterday. I am really getting a lot of use out of the rtv I bought. I can drive it anywhere, and I can haul mulch and compost right up to where I need it. I can also place all my tools and a stool in it and take it to the work area, it really cut down on the walking. Well, I had better get up and do something. I hope al of you have a nice day.