Fond Old Memories, a Precious New One, & Sad Yet Beautiful Decay

Before moving for more lucrative employment in a big city, my father worked at our small isolated town’s sole industrial plant and also did other jobs to provide for his wife and us four kids. The side gig I remember most was at the town cemetery.

As a groundskeeper, he sometimes brought us all along to help. On summer days I relished sweeping and dusting inside the mausoleum’s cool marble interior while my three older brothers toiled in the heat. To this day I find comfort and peace in cemeteries and decided to explore one where a friendly neighbor was buried over fifteen years (?!) ago.

My old friend’s plot is just over this bridge…

Cool find, no?

I did not expect any wooden crosses...

Sadly, I found the windows alone clean and undamaged...

I left untouched the various sweet mementos...

Frankly, most of these trinkets look in better shape than the dirty, decaying building. Cobwebs were everywhere, leaf debris littered the floor, and even some mud dauber wasp nests clung to a few chamber facings.

Interestingly, the range of interment dates inside and out on the grounds was staggering. I found abject decrepitude amid modern monoliths.

The one in the foreground was so illegible, making
an imprint would not recover anything...

To my astonishment, a bird flew in through the open door and all the way to the back before turning around. Unfortunately, the creature didn’t dive below the oddly placed archway. Hitting solid rock, it tumbled two stories to the concrete below. Smart phone already in hand, I took a quick disturbing video before offering aid. Feel free to scroll past to the clip I filmed moments before he or she flew off into the sunlit trees.

How I managed to get my phone and take footage is a mystery. The bird continued gripping my finger that entire time.

Should I offer to sweep and clean up a bit? Do you think doing so without permission would be considered trespassing?

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Cinderella Potatoes

My husband and I watched a YouTube video featuring the aforementioned side dish. Yesterday I got around to making it. While not difficult it was time consuming. But the end result tastes wonderful! I’ll make this again sometime in the future. In the meantime we still have three whole potatoes since my husband and I split a single one.

I think the hollow skins look like edible canoes...

Do you think you would enjoy this silky, savory treat? Have you ever heard of a potato ricer?

 

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You Win Some, You Lose Some

Last autumn I looked at my asparagus plants and deemed them destroyed by my accidental weed killer overspray. I was wrong! I’m planning to harvest some soon.

The small, tender stalks are to the right,
blending into the background...

Unfortunately, the Merlin cucumber plant didn’t survive. I haven’t even tried investigating what might have happened. Instead, I’m focused on moving forward.

Alas, his mythical magic
could not save Merlin.

And my tomato plants are moving forward, for sure. I’m delighted to report that replanting the leggy ones super deep has them perked up. The youngest sprout has not yet developed secondary adult leaves but looks healthy, as do my pepper and Swiss chard seedlings.

The reddish hues are not a problem, but rather
 caused by our broad spectrum lighting...

Do you know that perennial asparagus plants can live for many years? And that the stalks can be harvested from early spring into late fall?

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Garden Hopes & Surprises

I’m still crossing my fingers that my gangly tomato seedlings survive. One did manage to stand straighter. We still have plenty of time to order plants from the Burpee company (I think and hope if needed).

Meanwhile, I saved seed pucks from last year’s failed attempts. To my surprised delight I discovered that one of the Merlin cucumber seeds sprouted after its long dormancy. Since our friend Phoenix swears by the Straight Eight cuke variety, we bought a packet for this year.

My bonus Merlin cuke is topmost right,
foremost are tomatoes refusing to sprout,
in the middle are my rainbow Swiss chard.

We also decided to try our luck growing lemon cucumbers. As the name suggests, this heirloom breed we hope to propagate is round and yellow with a sweet taste enjoyed both raw and pickled.

We look forward to tasting any we can harvest...

Isn’t it amazing how life finds a way? Had you heard of lemon cucumbers before now?

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A Day at the Park

I took my camp chair down to the Great Miami River again this afternoon. A dog walker I saw the last time appeared again. His pooch was unmistakable, though I wouldn’t have been able to pick the man out of a lineup. lol Seeing them approach today I spoke up.

“What a beautiful dog. Is that an Irish Wolfhound?”

“Yes,” he answered, seeming delighted.

“Can I come say hello?”

Heartily encouraged by the man, we two had a lovely nose to nose meeting with me scratching behind those soft floppy ears. Unfortunately I forget the three year old pup’s name and also failed to ask if he’s a show dog. I hope we’ll meet again.

Don’t even the healthiest and well cared for dogs often receive too short a life span? Did you know commonly bred pet store ferrets suffer the same fate, often succumbing to cancer?

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Looking on the Bright Side

I’m not having much luck with my coveted Super Sauce Roma tomato seedlings. The ones that sprouted are really leggy and others are stubbornly not sprouting at all. On the bright side, we have a backup plan; Burpee sells living plants as well as Super Sauce seeds. I don’t know how much those cost and probably don’t want to know. If my husband is that determined I grow them, I won’t complain about price.

The one on the far left got moved earlier in its growth;
I guess this variety needs bright light and less heat.

Sisters Terra and Polly usually follow me whenever I go downstairs. My little greenhouse setup is behind a closed door and they’ll sit outside waiting. But not every time. The pair might have been asleep when I went down the other day. I came out and saw them from the foot of the staircase.

My snoopervisors...

Do you think the vine-like little plants might survive? Did you know they shouldn’t be fertilized until their first mature leaves appear?

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Back to the State House

My friend Scars received an invitation to restate his testimonial regarding kratom. I agreed to tag along once again, for which he was extremely grateful. He called me his hero (!) just for riding along.

Now Somewhat Familiar and Beautiful Smiling Faces;
Scars is wearing a sweatshirt that reads:
Plants over Pills 

Expecting to be in the same room, I was happy when our entrance coincided with that exact hall. But we were wrong. Instead of the House of Representatives we were to attend a Congressional forum.

Fortunately, everyone we encountered was kind and helpful as possible. One expensively suited, very tall government employee even escorted us. I don’t know his name but he must be someone important because when we passed a female staffer sitting on a bench she quipped that we were honored to receive this VIP treatment.

I hope folks’ efforts see the destructive synthetic derivatives removed from gas stations and convenience stores while allowing responsible adults access to the pure leaf powder. Scars gave another powerful delivery ending with the words, “It’s not perfect but it is enough. Please don’t take this away from me.” Unlike the others he didn’t even use notes.

After another long trek from the car and getting lost both before and after the hearing, our wanderings elevated his leg pains to an encroaching numbness. I’m thankful his cane prevented him stumbling and falling. He always gets back up yet I’m sure such injuries take a lingering toll.

Isn’t it crazy that the kratom proponents have been struggling over five years to get this legislation passed? Can you believe that after attending a mere two hearings I’m feeling frustrated? It’s annoying how often questions from the podium were answered minutes before. Do these people even listen?

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What a Difference a Day Makes

On Sunday I decided to go down to the Great Miami River. There is a parking lot a few minutes’ drive away. As expected, the place was packed and I anticipated people watching except the heat drove me away. It neared 90°F (about 32°C).

Upon waking this morning I discovered that temperatures had dropped around 40°F (!), which isn’t terribly unusual for spring in the state of Ohio. I donned my winter coat with two thinner layers underneath, grabbed a folding camp chair, and headed out.

I saw two dog walkers and a brave bicyclist. The former carpet of yellow wild flowers now looked like polka dots on a green canvas. If I’d known such a cold front was on the horizon I would have photographed them in full bloom.

Smart blossoms, no?

There were also a few locals out and about – two fast flying mallard pairs and these Canada geese. It’s a shame their feces makes such an abundant mess. I definitely watched where I stepped.

I do look forward to seeing goslings...

Isn’t it amazing that I sweltered yesterday and my ears almost froze today? Can you believe I sort of like the unpredictability as long as conditions aren’t dangers?

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