Over the Backyard Fence

It’s been a while since I’ve written much of a blog post. I’d almost convinced myself that Over the Backyard Fence had run its course. However, I just can’t seem to stay away. I think I’ll begin with an update of what’s been going on around here. 

The month of May saw another major repair at our house. After replacing our roof in April, we had to replace the sewer line going from the house to the mainline in the street. No, not very exciting and truth be told if I’m going to spend that kind of money, I would prefer it be on something that I can enjoy. Like new furniture or a big trip somewhere! But both things were quite necessary, even if I can’t really see the fruits of the money spent. Still, another new purchase has made us very happy and that is a new truck for Dan. So, in spite of living on bread and water for a while, we can happily pull our little camper up any mountain we choose. That is an enjoyable thing. 

May has also been a time of planting and gardening, which is always exciting. One raised bed in particular has been completely redone, removing some very old and woody overgrown herbs and replacing them with perennial flowers. There will also be some planting required in the front yard where the above mentioned sewer repair left a gaping hole in the landscape.

Last weekend: We attended my niece’s wedding. She married a wonderful man and the ceremony was held in a grove of cottonwood trees on the ranch where they’re now living.

This week:

Was a good week for nature walks and short hikes. I went out one evening with a group and several mornings by myself exploring nature trails nearby. As hot as the days have been, June provides lovely evening walks and early morning walks.

Favorite things

• I’ve been playing around with a nature journal and having so much fun that I’m doing a little project at our Bird Club picnic today, providing materials for kids to create their own journals.
• Finding a brand new camping spot a couple of weeks ago. We are returning this week for a couple of nights.
• Coffee on the back porch first thing in the morning. A favorite summer tradition.
• Having nothing on the calendar, providing empty days to fill as I please. This week they included going to the library, reading for an hour or two every afternoon, a spur of the moment lunch date with a friend who was in town.
• Watching my grandson play baseball.

Favorite places

• A tea and coffee bar that is just up the road. They make gourmet drinks such as cardamom chai, honey roasted pecan lattes, and lavender lemonade. And just their good-ole coffee is pretty great, too, especially paired with a scone or butter croissant
• A couple of new accounts on Insta. @postscript.press is the account for a wonderful stationery store in Ashland, Nebraska. I love stopping by on the occasion we are driving through on the way to Wisconsin. Following their account helps me feel connected. Another account that I just found is @sophieblackall. A award-winning children’s book illustrator, her artwork makes me smile.

Yesterday’s snowstorm is but a memory. The snow is mostly melted and spring is back, at least for now. 

This weekend is our town’s Spring Cleanup. Along with most of our neighbors, we have a large pile of no-longer-wanted items in front of our house, that trash companies won’t pick up. First, the ‘pickers’ come around, salvaging things that can be reused, such as furniture, or metal that can be recycled. When the city trucks come ‘round, they sort out other recyclable materials such as wood or metal, before hauling away the rest. A charitable organization comes around, too, picking up boxes of donated usable items. Each year, we think we won’t have ‘much,’ but things do accumulate and it’s a great way to kickoff spring cleaning.

I’m going to visit the garden center this week to see what is there and most likely I’ll bring some flats home. I’ll be cleaning out flower beds and bird feeders, and setting out our lawn furniture.

There is spring cleaning to do on my blog as well. Every so often, I sort through my posts and create a book of my favorites. While I do, I’m going to take a break from writing new posts. 

And it’s my birthday week, next week, so it won’t be all work! Time to celebrate another trip around the sun. I’m blessed to have wonderful people in my life, so I’ve a lunch date, and a breakfast with friends planned. Already, a card arrived in the mail yesterday. 

Happy Spring to you all. 🌷

As I type this, the sky is heavy and gray, and we are expecting snow this afternoon! I am glad for it, because our lawn is so crispy dry and any bit of moisture will help.

In the meantime, here are a few things that made my life better this week. Linking up with the FFF crew at Susanne’s.

🏠A new roof. The din and uproar of a team of men clamoring about on my roof all day was worth it, knowing we’ll have a dry house to live in. The next day, yet another team was here replacing all the gutters. I managed to find things to do away from home. It’s nice to have a big job completed.

☕The first morning, I took my iPad and escaped to a local coffee shop for breakfast. The sweet young barista wanted to ‘experiment’ with latte art and made a bunny on my vanilla latte:)

I missed out putting my favorites on my blog last week. I almost always keep a list going in my planner, but getting them on the blog is another matter. Whether I get a blog post up or not, I like to continue this practice that Susanne encourages us to do each week to view life through a lens of joy, to find the good that is always unfolding.

🌸 Signs of Spring ~ They just keep coming, reminding me of the possibilities of renewal and new life. The birds — of course — do that for me. The arrival of shore birds at our local lake — avocets, Wilson’s snipes, and yellow legs — seemed to migrate in all at once this week. A pair of sparrows have taken up residence in one of our birdhouses, and on a walk last Saturday our group spotted three active nests.

🌸 Shopping with the grandkids ~ After picking them up from school yesterday, we went to the grocery store. It’s been a while since I’ve shopped with little ones, and it was one of the busiest times of day. As we shopped for produce, I gave them assignments to pick out lemons, bags of carrots, bananas, peppers. At 10 and 11, they were good helpers.

🌸 My stepmom has been dealing with some health issues, and her care is a team effort. While it can be challenging, the result of working together is heartening. At a recent medical appointment, I accompanied her and my dad so that I could facilitate FaceTime with C’s daughter and the doctor. The doctor is a gem, and gives us all the time we need. 

🌸 Ice cream and BritBox ~ Watching English dramas on BritBox is one of my favorite pastimes. On Wednesday evening, I had the house to myself, so I broke open a carton of ice cream and spent two hours in 1840s London.

🌸 Coffee with a friend ~ My friend and I decided to have our coffee outdoors one morning and met at a local park. The sun gleamed off a nearby lake and skies were clear and blue. It was so good to catch up and the setting elevated our moods, in spite of the serious conversation.

Spring heralds its arrival in so many ways, but I think we all have those moments that say, ‘Aha! This is a sure sign for me!’

We returned home from our trip to find the Chanticleer pear tree in the front yard filled with blossoms. The lawn shows patches of green, and the daffodils that had sprouted before we left are already starting to fade.

But the sure sign of spring for me this week was seeing my first tree swallow. Swallows usually arrive on their migration to our state about this time, and the tree swallow with its irridescent blue and green back, and gleaming white breast is the first of the species to arrive. On my walk yesterday, several flew about doing their impressive acrobatic twists and turns, their long pointed wings and short tails unmistakeable. 

Yet another sure sign is when the daphne shrub in our front yard comes into bloom. I usually notice its heavy, sweet fragrance before noticing its delicate pink and white flowers. The daphne shrub retains color all year long, changing to deep orange flora in the fall, and remaining green throughout the winter.

I stopped at the library on Friday to pick up a book on order. After watching Victoria on PBS, the fascinating story of her life took hold of me. I also bought a book at the library used bookstore. I’m not familiar with it, but the cover and plot description drew me in. For a couple of bucks it’s worth taking a chance on.