June is bustin' out

We waited so long for the warmer weather to get here, and now I've got my hands in dirt most of the time.  Hallelujah!
As you can see, my little "farm" has expanded this year.  I'm going to have to replant the carrots because nothing is coming up in that spot. It might have been too cold, or too wet, for the seeds.

My neighbor got her garden planted too. Tom built them a raised bed last year, but the first time around didn't go so well because she was late getting things planted and then out of town when things needed watering.  With a little "mentoring," I think it will work out better this year.

We also have a bed planted at the JCC College Community Garden. That one will be a "giving garden" for St. Susan's, provided that they get the fence put up before the wildlife finds the smorgasbord. There are beans and greens, squash, carrots, radishes, cucumbers, and melons.  When a water line on the site turned out to be too costly for the college to bite off right now, Tom constructed a solar-powered system that pumps water from the nearby stream into a cistern. It's pretty cool. There are also rain barrels. Looking forward to spending some time there with the other gardeners this summer and learning new tricks!

At home, I've been reworking the flower gardens a little because, as usual, some things didn't make it through the winter.  I've given up on growing butterfly bushes. Just given up. I love them, but can't afford to replant them every year.  They just don't like my yard.  My climbing "America" rose (the pretty coral pink one) bit the dust (the second one to die on me), so I replaced it with a good ole dependable Blaze.  I managed to save some of the plants in the corner that was excavated for the water line repair, but lost a rose there too.  I'm going to do some more thinking before I replace it, but in the meantime, I'm trying delphiniums again, though I generally don't have much success keeping those from one year to the next either. 

 My clematis, whatever the heck it is (one of those "we're not telling you what it is" things I picked up on a whim at Home Depot a couple of years ago) is in its usual show-stopping glory, and the smoke bush next to it is looking good too, having recovered from an earlier bout of "crispy" leaves (as nearly as I can figure, they got frost burned).

Now I'm on to a different project. Tom chopped out the old junipers by the front door and I've got a blank slate to work with. I'm increasing the width of my borders too, so I'm out there digging like a terrier every chance I get. (Oh please, don't tell the terrier next door I said that. He may take it as an invitation.)

Before all this playing in the dirt started, we  made a quick trip to Boston for Grandparents Day at Logan's preschool.  We had fun meeting his classmates and teachers. We got to participate in activities in the classroom, the kids put on a musical program for us, and then we were treated to a nice luncheon.  That's me and Tom sitting on the floor reading stories with Logan (blue shirt) and his friend Taylor.  When you're grandparents, it's always easier sitting down on the floor than it is getting up to a standing position again.

Next morning, we watched 5-yr-olds playing soccer! This is hilarious good fun. Sorry, we forgot the camera. Logan did score a couple of goals, which were almost as impressive as his celebrations of them.

His baby sister, Quinn, is 11 months old now and a very active, busy little girl. We will have to be vigilant when they come to visit next week... 

Jamestown Farmers Market opens this Friday, tomorrow!  The Prendergast Library is also holding their annual book sale, and having it at the Renaissance Center this year, so there will be congestion downtown.  (We've already been noticing an uptick in the traffic as the summer season approaches.)

The Celoron Rib Fest opened last night with beautiful weather, but today is a damp one. Don't suppose it will stop the diehard barbecue fans. The forecast for Friday and Saturday looks a bit better.

For nature lovers, the Roger Tory Peterson Bird Fest is this also weekend.  You can purchase "a la carte" tickets to the different field excursions (which include bus transportation) or buy passes for either day or both, to include meals.

In two weeks, the Jammers will be playing ball again.

Get out and have a good time.