Sprouts!

My babies (well, all but the strawberries) are popping up like crazy. The miniature strawberry corn has quickly outgrown its seed starter, but so far I've only transplanted three plants.






It's actually been warm enough that they've been outdoors for the past week. I may have to move them in at night next week as it's supposed to start getting down into the 50s in the evenings per normal spring weather. But, for now they are quite happily growing. Now we'll just have to wait and see if they get enough sun to grow and produce.

Spring Collage

My Mom and I went to the Missouri Botanical Gardens yesterday. Everything was in full swing, including the workers--probably not expecting such an early boom in visitors. It was rather crowded, but it was a nice 2 hour walk among the pretties.

Spring Has Sprung... Way Too Quickly

The trees are blooming like crazy and it's been just about overnight. One night, it was bare branches and brown grass--the next flowering Bradford Pear trees, Redbuds, and Forsythia. All in massive, full-blown bloom in the blink of an eye. It's beautiful--for the short week it will last. Either the heat (83 yesterday) will get to these early bloomers or the inevitable cold snap that follows will.

Yesterday, R. and I went hiking. Along the forest floor, the anemones and spring beauties were out in force, along with some Dutchman's britches and the occassional violet.

Everything is blooming and spreading in this 20-25 degree above normal weather.

I find this irritating for a long list of reasons. First of all, Spring is my favorite season and the week of really too hot temperatures just speeds everything up so that the pretty blooms and early smells are lost in the heat and will just as soon be lost in, likely, a below normal cold snap. I don't get to enjoy the blooms for more than a few days and the gradual warming of the world is lost in the up and down of way too hot and way too cold. It's really a shame.

I used to spend Spring Break's bundled up searching for signs of wildflowers at my Grandma's house in southern Iowa. We rarely found something so early in the season, but the search was fun nevertheless.

When winter pops to summer and back in forth, I feel like my Spring is lost somewhere in the middle and I don't get to enjoy that search for the first signs of green, the first blooms of the year. Instead, they all come out to once and don't stick around long enough.

On a happier note, my seedlings are popping up like crazy. The strawberry popcorn I planted has quickly outgrown the seed starter and needs to be transplanted, and the tomatoes aren't far behind. The peppers are finally peeking out, but the strawberries are still being stubborn. Exciting to see the little shoots of green, though!

The Allergy Fight

I don't *knock on wood* suffer from a lot of allergies. I get a bit sniffly in the spring time, but nothing that really sends me into fits of sneezing or itchy eyes *knocks on some more wood*.

R. on the other hand is allergic to just about anything (though he claims not to be) and has mild asthma. Pet fur/dander is probably his worst allergy, so we don't have pets. Springtime allergies like pollen typically don't bother him. However, something in this new apartment does--because he's spent more nights than not with itching eyes and sneezing fits and generally being unable to sleep--something he does not deal with well as he usually sleeps fine. Pretty much the second he stepped into the apartment--the allergies started. So, we ruled out pollen or outside factors as the major perpetrator because he would feel better if we got out of the apartment--even if that meant being outside.

So, I spent much of yesterday trying to eradicate whatever might be the problem. I washed everything in case it was dust mites. I searched for mold in the windows and bathroom and found none. I went out and bought an air purifyer and some anti-allergen Febreeze and sprayed the place down. I also bought him some nose-spray and eye-drops on top of the over-the-counter allergy pill he'd been taking for the past week.

Last night, he slept through the night without much problem. He's stills stuffy and a little itchy, but enough that it's bearable for him.

Do you guys have any ways/home remedies to deal with allergies and all they entail? I'm guessing spraying Febreeze all over the apartment wasn't one of the most eco-friendly solutions.

:)

Fighting With The Words

Every day since my last post, I've opened up a new post... and then stared blankly at it. I have much to say, much going on, but the words... they aren't cooperating. My brain seems to be... I don't know what.

For about the past week I've been having nightmares or just really vivid, disconcerting dreams. They have been leaving me tired, muddled, and foggy throughout the day. I've had plenty of time to be productive this week, but the time just seems to disappear--and quite honestly I'm not sure what I'm doing with it.

Warm weahter is here... why do I feel so sluggish and out of it? It's frustrating, but I'm not sure how to break out of it.

In better news, I have my first sprouts from seed starting over the weekend. Also, I found out that my neighborhood has a community garden! So, I can get a plot for $40 starting in April. R. thinks if I plant the veggies at the CG they'll get messed with (the CG is right on the main drag, and there's a bar not far away, so it's a definite possibility), so I think--if I get enough seedlings, I'll put some in the CG and keep some for my patio containers and see which work out the best (or if at all).

We'll see how it all goes, right now I'd just love to have some dreamless sleep.

Snow!

A few days ago, the title of my post was "80 Degrees." And then yesterday, for three hours, big flakes fell consistently. A pretty picture, but very out of place!

For Missouri, this time of year means a lot of ups and downs just like that one: 80 one day, 30 the next. That's the hardest part of early spring for me, my body doesn't like the wild mood swings of Mother Nature. Nor does my closet, because it means having out both winter and summer clothes, rather than being able to put one set away.

I'm off to buy my container vegetable gardening supplies today and get a bit of a late start on seeds. R. keeps bringing up the fact that we probably don't have enough sunlight. He's right, but I want to try anyway. Maybe it will be a bust, but at least I'll know I'll have tried--and maybe next year we'll be in a house where I can have a nice ground plot right in the sun! :) Wishful thinking.

Dinasours weren't driving SUVs.

"I mean, my Dad said there was climate change when the dinasaurs were around, and they weren't driving cars. So, I don't think it's us causing global warming."

Ack! This is what I had to hear last night at work. I tutor reading/writing and a student brought in his research paper on Global Warming. His thesis is that global warming needs to be stopped. "Oh, great topic!" I say. Then, he tells me about half way through he doesn't really believe in global warming, it just seemed like the easiest side to take. Huh? And then he tells me the above quote. WHAT?

I would love to pass this off as a one-student, one-time event. Surely, surely this isn't a prevalent feeling with young people. Sure, old, stodgy conservative Republicans, but not the youth of America.

But, a few weeks ago I was at my other job, online tutoring, when a student wanted help with a paper. A paper about how pesticides are good and without pesticides we wouldn't have all the food we wanted whenever we wanted... because having that is a NECESSITY! No! Please tell me students aren't learning this--whether from teachers or parents or even the media, tell me this isn't the prevelant thought.

I'd love to pass it off on political parties as well, but let me tell you about my sister. As liberal as they come, bordering genius, Pre-med, going to take two years off med school to do Teach for America. This girl is INVOLVED, in her college town led a group focused on banning smoking in restaurants. And, then, she tells me the other day... "I think pesticides are good." WHAT????

This is so disconcerting. These people are going to be leading the world in some 20 years. But, if they want something-- an SUV, an orange in December, they should have it--regardless of the implications on our Earth.

Despite being such a hot-button topic, climate change and global warming and especially eating locally and organically still gets pushed to the side. We can't see the "now" effects of all that is happening with our food supply and our environment... and who cares? As long as there's McDonald's, gas for my car, and highways to drive on... what's the point of all that... dirt!

Our egocentric, selfish, now, now, now-mentality astounds me continually. They say that one person can make a difference, and I want so badly to believe that, but sometimes I really do wonder if we can change our mindset.

Eighty Degrees

Since it was a simply BEAUTIFUL morning, I tried to take a bit of a walk. Unfortunately, my back was still aching from the hike on Sunday. I knew I was out of shape, but this is ridiculous!

I meant to get out today and buy some seed starter and what not, but I accidentally turned off my alarm rather than hit snooze. So, when I woke up I had just enough time to shower and attempt a walk before our washer and dryer were delivered! (Very exciting, now I can clear the closet of piles of dirty laundry).

Anyway, I’m still not sure what I’m going to do about the lighting situation. With daylight savings, the balcony only gets about 2-4 hours of sun, basically from 2-4 in the afternoon. So, I’m worried about all my possible plants. But, I’ll have to do the best I can and make do with what I’ve got. The key is to get it started this week!




Today it’s supposed to hit eighty degrees. I think it’s a little early in March …or April or May to be hitting 80. I’ve lived in Missouri for almost 12 years now, but somehow I’m always surprised by how early the warm weather comes. I don’t know if it’s something to do with spending the first 13 years of my life further north, or what, but I’m always expecting cool springs and getting the crazy up-and-downs of Missouri’s spring. But, since I can’t change the weather patterns of this crazy state, I’m just going to try and sit back and enjoy with shades up and windows open.

Spring, Hiking, & New Love

We've had some absolutely perfect weather around these parts. Sunny, low-mid sixties, beautiful. I was a little unsure about this early day-lights savings time, but on a pretty day like today it will be nice to have an extra hour of daylight. I'm ready for longer days, lighter evenings, and the buzz of activity that comes along with the warmer months.

R., R's sister and I took their family's dogs on a hike this morning. It made me realize I am WAY out of shape, but also allowed me some good sun time and some social activity. Sometimes, I become a bit of a hermit, and forget how nice it is to talk to people. And how nice it is to feel the sun. Today was a nice reminder.

When we take R's family's dogs for a hike we usually go to the state park R. and I met at almost 3 years ago. We tell our stories of the crazy people we met and reminisce about that fun, youthful summer. I like this as well, because it reminds me of how R. and I started. Sometimes, in the day to day of things, I think we forget what it was like those first few months... both before we started dating and then after, once he had gotten on at the police department. It's sweet to remember that newness. And makes me appreciate the "oldness" even more :) It's so nice to have a physical place we can go and feel that way again, a place we can go and practically visualize those memories.

A Jumble of Things

Whew, back in my own apartment! I have to admit I enjoyed curling up with a kitty at night and the broad cable selection of my parent's house, but it is good to be back in my home. My parent's home doesn't feel like my home anymore, much to their disappointment, but I only lived their 5 years--and now I am almost seven years removed from it, so it's just not mine. All right, onto my jumble of things:


Jumble 1:
I have quite a mess on my hands, because R. was sick all week and couldn't finish my unpacking efforts while I was away. This is his excuse anyway, but I don't think the place would have been any different on my return had he been feeling any better. He'd just have some other excuse in the wings. :) So, that is my project for this afternoon since I finally got my taxes done this morning. I think if I can get things put away and organized, I'll feel a lot less... jumpy.

Jumble 2:
One of the things that being home did was give me time to respark my creative juices in the fiction writing department. I have been writing short stories and novels since I was in elementary school, and the past few years have been an up and down dedication to my series of novels based on one family.

Over 2 years ago I began self-publishing these novels through Lulu Press. Somehow I have the heart to sell them to friends and family, but not the heart or fortitude to submit them to publishers.

As I am getting ready to finish up my fifth book in the series, I realize I didn't have anything on this blog about my novels. So, I'm going to be adding a little button to the sidebar. My novels are family-oriented romance novels. I don't think they would fit into the mainstream romance novel market today, because they are not very racy... if you could call them racy at all, and they're character focused and driven. No spies, vampires, murders, etc. It's the story of a family, and the people they fall in love with. Anyway, there's free previews of the first chapters of each if anyone likes romance novels :)

Jumble 3:

I need to get my seeds started! I finally got some containers lined up last week, but I need to get some soil mix to get stuff started. I'm hoping I can get this project accomplished by the end of next week. Then we'll be on our way to an odd assortment of vegetables.

I am, however, worried about sun. Our porch only gets sun in the afternoon, and even that it has to filter through the deck slats. I'm not sure what I can do about this except watch the porch to find the best sun spots and place the containers there once they are ready to be outside.

In the end, the project of growing at least one thing I can eat will probably fail, but it will be a learning process. And, hopefully next year I will have a house and a yard with sun to plant my veggies in.

In other news, I was driving not too far from our apartment last week and noticed a big sign for a farmer's market coming soon in a strip mall only a few miles down the road. I could not be more excited to see where this food will be coming from, but hopefully it will be an excellent resource for local food this summer!

~~

I hope to get my posts more... cohesive now that there's no big (planned) changes, vacations, etc looming on my horizon. Back to the old grindstone of routine. Thank God!

Wow

So, I was so not back in the groove on Monday. This week was a tough one. Between cleaning up the old apartment and trying to put the new one in shape, I was really a bit of a mess.

It's funny, each time I move I figure it won't be emotional, especially since we had grown to dislike a lot about our old place. Besides, I've moved so many times it should be old hat by now. But, no matter the move, it is hard. And a little sad. I haven't spent more than a year in any place since I was in high school, but each place has been special, and in it's own way hard to leave.

We really do love the new place. It's smaller, but we really didn't need all the room we had, just the two of us. So, even though it was a bit sad to leave, it really was the best thing for us. I'm happy, but it was an emotional, crazy week.

Now, I am at my parents for the week "babysitting" my younger sister. Basically, that just means playing chauffeur to a 15-year-old and making sure she doesn't burn the house down. Despite getting to cuddle with a kitty, I'd much rather be in my own apartment getting my seeds started.. or at least getting all the things I need to start my seeds.

Despite the better cable, more space, and an animal to play with, I'm already bored. I've done all my school work for the week, which is amazing for me. I've noticed that I am a lot better at getting work done in grad school than I was in undergrad. Something to do with maturity and actually caring this time around, I suppose.

Maybe by my 25th birthday (in April) I'll begin to feel a bit more settled and on track? But, more than likely I'll still feel scattered and frazzled and trying to untie all the new kinks that have sprouted up.

One thing I am looking forward to: Warm Weather! I am tired of cold! Bring on the sun and the sixties, if only so I can spend some time outdoors!