Friendly Flowers

Although today is gray with rain in the forecast, May flowers bloom. April here was quite dry so the rain is welcome. Yesterday we spent three hours in the yard. We wrangled compost for the black gold that amends the clay-like soil. Then I planted and puttered while my husband mowed. Being outdoors and tending the garden is a balm for the soul. Many of the perennials in our yard came from friends. For now, the flowers are a nice reminder of friends I cannot see in person. A good friend, whom I met when we were both first year teachers in 1973, gave me the bleeding heart. It grows well in the micro-climate against a fence. Even though it gets a fair amount of afternoon sun, the fence protects it from the wind and offers a short time of shade.

The iris and old fashioned phlox were given to me by friend, now in her eighties who lives in Montana. She still is quite a gardener, growing plants inside and out. The iris are not big hybrids but grow a mid-size flower from a hearty plant. I seem to divide one patch or another every year. I have planted a few large hybrid iris but they are prone to disease in our yard. I stick with what grows easily and naturally.

I love the color and height of these old fashioned phlox. Late last summer, they were nearly choked out by ground cover. After I pulled the ground cover, I noticed two little starts between the shed and fence. I scooped them up and moved them back to their assigned spot.

I continue knitting the same projects, not new and interesting, but not unraveled. I finished the body of the gray Sunshine Coast (there's an oxymoron for you) sweater. Options for the bottom edging are none, three rows of garter stitch, or an i-cord bind off. Since I am not knitting it in a cotton or linen yarn, I chose the garter stitch edging. In my mind, stockinette in cotton would roll less than stockinette in this wool/alpaca blend? I might be making that up. If after blocking, the edgings flare or flip, I will take out the garter edges. Better a roll than a flare or flip. I put the first sleeve on the needles last night and am happily knitting around and around. I hope to finish before our temps reach 90 degrees.


When I have a few minutes to fill with knitting, I pick up the socks. While at the Carillon in the Car concert this week, I finished up the heel flap and turned the heel. Nothing makes me feel smarter than turning a heel. I'm not sure why this is so but it feels like a super power.

Jonah and I are enjoying Joseph Had A Little Overcoat by Simms Taback on our FaceTime calls. Joseph turns his worn overcoat into a jacket, vest, handkerchief, and then a button which gets lost. The end of the story, "Joseph made a book about it - which shows you can always make something out of nothing," appeals to both of us. The book won a Caldecott Award for its whimsical artwork. Last night I finished The Summer Book by Tove Jansson. I really enjoyed this story about the sweet but fierce and honest relationship between a six year old girl and her elderly grandmother. The short book, illustrated with line drawings, is full of beautiful descriptions of summer life on an island off Finland. I found it peaceful reading.

As we watch May unfold, I'll link to Kat and the Unravelers. May your reading be worth your time and all your flowers friendly and bright.