Windows

We got a few new windows this weekend! I am thrilled! Just what I always wanted! Rob Brought three windows home on friday and installed one in Joels room. It is much warmer in there now. I helped Robin with our bedroom window. I was on the inside and attempted to help with prying the old frame out but mostly handed him tools. When we lifted the window in the first time to see how it fit Robin said, "uh oh!" but I couldn't tell what the problem was until Robin started laughing, "it's a foot short!"
We thought we'd measured the windows enough times to know how big they all were. Oh well, Robin fixed it. I will fill the edges of the patch and paint it this week. We will do the kitchen window on Friday when Robin is home from Denver.

Turtles

I took pictures of the turtles today. They have come a long way from being the size of a 50 cent piece. They need a new home. That is why I was taking a picture. in hopes that their cuddly faces will entice a new guardian to step forward. I can't remember to feed them. Luckily I read online tonight that mature turtles only need fed every other day. Unfortunately however they need warm temperatures. 75 degree water, 80 degree air and a basking area with UV rays (apparently they don't sunburn) and the temperature there should be a toasty 90 degrees. How was I to know! I inherited these two terrapins! inherited from my own children who have grown to manhood and gone off to seek their fortunes in places other than the pacific northwest where they can enjoy UV rays of their own everyday. If I can't find a home for these reptiles who have lifespans of 50 to 100 years they may become coveted family heirlooms passed from generation to generation. Right now they are being passed the wrong way- I don't want to have them when I am 100 years old!

Blueberry Blossoms

I woke up stiff this morning. At first I thought my back hurt, but when Robin rubbed it for me I said, "my back doesn't hurt!" I decided the aches were coming from sore muscles used in light yard work yesterday. You see, there was a short dry spell during the day and I thought if I was going to get my new blueberry plant in the ground before May I better take advantage of the situation. I have a couple of blueberry plants that have all but died. When I pulled the deadest looking one out of the ground yesterday It was obvious why it was doing so poorly-no roots. I dug up the ground (three times bigger than the root ball of the new plant according to directions) I found that the top two inches of soil looked pretty good-worms and dark humus- all the good stuff, but underneath was all rocks and hard packed dirt. No wonder there were no roots. I added a few gallons of rabbit manure to the planting hole and hope that the new plant does better than the last. It is an evergreen blueberry and is already covered with blossoms. I bought it as a gallon plant a week ago. It is an attractive little shrub. I'm looking forward to lots of beautiful berries.
When the blueberry was taken care of, I hauled the yard waste recycle bin out of the garage to take it to the backyard where we had a pile of left over pruned limbs. All the pruned branches wouldn't fit in the bin two weeks ago. I got delayed by the hordes of dandelions- masses of bright yellow flowers mocking last years attempts to eradicate them. I started digging and pulling them out. I knew I would be sore today from the effort. I didn't get them all and I know there is still a lot more work to do. I also got the pile of limbs off the ground and into the recycle bin. The lid almost closed.
Working in the yard is always good-it makes me wonder what kind of ground I'm growing in and if I need to improve my soil. There is also the weed issue and the daily effort to keep personal weeds from taking over. And one other thing I think is amazing. Despite the rain and hail and wind that we have had this past week the tulips and hyacinths are blooming! The cherry tree is in blossom and the peony buds are swelling-things are really looking good!