Grieving Gardener

To say the last few weeks have been jammed packed with fun and frivolity is truly an understatement. When I wrote last, hundreds of seedlings were to be left in the loving care of the Angel of the Aluminum Cloud. (Again, thank you with all our hearts) My new husband was leaving one decade of life to enter the next. We were ready to sail away on The Love Boat and then return home to receive our new family of bees. All of the above happened and have brought us to today. (And don’t forget to add 2023 Taxes to the mix).

This week, I plan to cover all those topics, filling you in on the details. But, first, you must know that as I write, I’m recovering from a bit of a bug. Sometimes, life throws a virus in the way. It caught up to my Hubba-Hubba-Hubby and me after we’d safely returned back home. We’re still not 100%, but improving daily.

In early March, HHH and I were busily preparing for our upcoming vacation. HHH was sad to leave his sexagenarian years, even when reminded he’d be a brand new septuagenarian. He wasn’t having it and felt a little down about the entire situation..

Months before, we’d decided that a cruise on The Love Boat would be an appropriate gift. Unfortunately, the cruise sailing the week of his birthday was sold out. Knowing his celebration would start a week AFTER his birthday, he never suspected there were other plans in the making. One week before the big day, Miss Wookie gave me the gift of time by demanding a trip to California for a big date with her Puppy-Daddy. With snowy weather complicating the trip, HHH would travel over Donner Pass and leave me with time alone to plan his Surprise 70th Birthday Party.

Now, a man with four brothers that text daily is a man from which secrets are hard to keep. I must hand it to our family. Everyone did their part to keep his party a big surprise. While making two trips to drop Wookie off and pick her up a few days later, there’d be time to drop off invitations, order food, and plan how I’d get him out of the house. Even our minister and church family were in on the surprise.

One of my more Lucille Ball moments involved the dining room. With hundreds of seedlings under four bright grow lights, I knew I needed to change things up. Plants growing on the dining room table for weeks would be moved to make room for guests.

Explaining the move would be easy enough. Wives change their minds and move things all the time. The big problem would be putting in an extra leaf by myself. The table is extremely heavy and it takes two people to pull it apart. With hours ticking until HHH would be back home from Cali, I came up with a brilliant plan.

With the seedlings moved, I went into action. Laying under the table, I deployed my leg muscles to push the table apart, while holding it steady with my arms. Hilarious, but effective. The leaf was in. Now, would he notice the table was expanded for a party?

Rotation! A great method of camouflage.

The most hilarious thing is that it worked. With a different tablecloth, in a different location, he never noticed. I said things had looked messy so I moved the seedlings. He accepted that and turned on the TV. End of worry.

As the birthday came closer, things became a little more gloomy. With the cruise more than two weeks away, it seemed his true birthday would come and go without even a candle. No one seemed to have time to celebrate, while being very, very quiet. Everyone had other plans on that day. I assured him that I had a special surprise for his big day.

That special day came and I announced that I’d be driving him to the town just to the west for…..lunch. Not even a special SPA day. Just LUNCH. I could sense his disappointment. All the while, Ninja Neighbor and her pal were waiting for us to drive away so they could decorate. HHH’s daughter was busy in her kitchen creating his custom birthday cake. Other family members were making potato and macaroni salad and picking food up from the caterer. Everyone had cleared schedules to be at Winterpast at 4 PM for the big party. The minister spread the word to our church family and everyone was ready.

In fact, I did treat HHH to a most wonderful lunch at his favorite seafood restaurant at our favorite hotel. The gambling gods smiled at him while we were killing time, giving him a nice jackpot on a Buffalo slot machine. All in all, it would have been the perfect birthday if that’s all I’d planned. But there was so much more to come.

Driving up to Winterpast, HHH was so surprised he was almost speechless. Cars lined the street and drive. A big banner waved in the breeze. The late afternoon party was complete with family, friends, our minister, and plenty of love for HHH. Everything couldn’t have gone better.

The guests enjoyed visiting. Everyone was amazed at our grow room complete with the seedlings. One guest was worried that we had a problem with mold, as hundreds of little seedlings give off an earthy odor. Once they saw the source of the smell, they understood. A few people took free seedlings. It was a party HHH and I will never forget.

As for Wookie and her date with her Cali-Love, it appears things went well. Her appetite and growing tummy tell us that soon, Wooklets will be adding to the fun here at Winterpast.

It takes a lot more than a silly virus to keep happiness away. Every married couple has shared chicken soup, orange juice, and a large blankie while battling the common cold. As the spring days unfold, we’ll soon be back outside putting our little seedlings into the ground.

Whatever you do today, take time to be thankful for the health that you enjoy. If your coughing, you can be grateful you don’t have shingles. It’s the small things in life that we sometimes overlook. Remember to celebrate the good things in life.

More tomorrow.

In the next few weeks, life is going to get pretty crazy! Along with a huge birthday, HHH and I have some living to do. Wookie is going to be swelling with her new batch of wooklets. The seedlings will be turning into vegetable plants and flowers. Our hive will begin to buzz and spring will finally arrive.

But for now, the reality is that it’s cold around here. No need to think about the greenhouse, which has morphed into an extra freezer. The crop of seedlings has moved to the studio, with three more grow lights arriving today.

One new group of seeds ready to sprout are Passion Flowers. If you’ve never seen them, please investigate. This variety of plant is truly like something from the mind of Dr. Seuss. They come in amazing colors and have parts I’ve never seen on a flower. Truly something to behold, I was disappointed to read that they are very difficult to grow from seeds.

Maybe they haven’t met two gardeners with four grow lights and a lot of time?

As for the snow over the pass, it IS as bad as it’s been reported. The pass was closed for over 65 hours and is now clogged with long lines of big rigs. One main problem is that people don’t know how to drive in winter. Everyone goes way to fast, until they spin out, soil themselves, and then begin to understand. Speed on ice kills.

HHH will be traveling over the pass with the Wookie to California for a much needed appointment. With love in the air, never have I ever experienced such behavior between dogs. There is no way Oliver can assist Wookie in any way, but, that hasn’t stopped him from trying. Wookie has enjoyed tormenting him in every way possible to the point of exhaustion.

In the house. Out the door. Back in. Not interested in eat. Eating like crazy. Rolling in the snow. Wookie blocking the doggie door for Ollie to come back in. One sitting on one side of the door while the other is on the other side, both whining. The list of insane behavior is quite long, actually. Thank goodness Wookie is traveling to Cali to end the madness. It can’t happen soon enough. She has a hot date with a chocolate Aussie-doodle that will melt her heart.

As for Ollie, he has a weight problem. On a diet until he drops at least five pounds, there can be no diabetic coma for him. Somehow, he’s been enjoying a few too many treats along with Wookie’s uneaten food. With spring’s arrival, it’s time for him to slim down now. At almost six years old, there is no end to the ways he continues to get in trouble. Keeping one step ahead of him keeps both HHH and me on our toes.

While all this is happening around us, I need to take a break. Sometime during the next month, two lovebirds will be sailing away on the bright blue Pacific to enjoy a much needed vacation alone on The Love Boat. Life as newlyweds is the very sweetest journey HHH and I could’ve hoped for. No matter the age, newlyweds need some private time away to make memories of us.

Whatever you do this month, enjoy the longer evenings doing a little something outside. Fresh air and sunshine are the best medicines on earth. Plant a seed. Grow something. Enjoy the here and now with a grateful heart!

Returning on April 15th, we’ll have lots to share about the new blog. Please stay safe and warm. It’s a pleasure to share our adventures with you. I wish you the nicest month of rest and happiness. Au Revoir and Bon Voyage!

Such a beautiful city call home! Last Wednesday evening, we had the rare opportunity to watch The Mayor in action. Like many cities and states in our great country, our leader gives an annual address to the local citizens. Ours was The State of the City Address — 2024.

Dead tired after a full day of yard and house work, HHH and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. After early burgers at the local Denny’s, we took a detour around the ongoing underpass construction to arrive in time.

There are several things you should know about our city. Our population is growing. When HHH and his brothers arrived so many years ago, there were about 700 people that called this town home. Without anything more than a couple markets and a few bars, life was quiet and sweet.

In 2024, things are a little different. With a population of 25,669 (and growing), HHH and I have made an interesting observation. There are three places in town that handle U-Haul trucks. The number of trucks on these lots keeps increasing. Each week, trucks arrive, but they don’t leave. More and more people are discovering the beauty of small town life, and deciding to move here.

Upon arriving at the meeting, we found the parking lot at the Senior Citizen Center was, once again, overflowing. Parking on one of the last asphalt spaces, we hurried inside to find two seats of honor reserved for us at the Mayor’s table. Sharing this table with his newest little great-granddaughter was a treat. Not often you get to observe a little person that’s only two weeks old.

If only we’d been a little earlier, we could have munched on the most beautiful array of fruit, bread, and cheese. As soon as we sat down, it was time. The Mayor was ON.

Our little town requires a budget of $48 million to keep things rolling. Over the last year, the water department, alone, delivered 1,379,524,900 gallons of treated water from the Truckee River to residents all over the city. On the other end of things, the waste water department treats about that much. Pretty amazing for such a little town.

Our city has a brand new street sweeper. Ground is breaking on a new Community Response and Resource Center which will be a place for residents to meet, work, and play.

After 45 minutes of exciting news about all departments in our city, The Mayor encouraged everyone to become involved with something that interests them. In our small town there’s a job for everyone, from July 4th committee members to 4-H Leaders. Advisory committees. Citizen Volunteers. From the annual rodeo to the sheriff department, the ways to help are endless.

During the meeting, (standing room only), there wasn’t one heckler. Not one environmental whacko. Not one disruptive person throwing paint or yelling obscenities. Just a respectful group of people very interested in the state of our beloved city. It showed how much we all care about the place we call home.

Watching Our Mayor in action, his lifelong love for our town was obvious. There’s no better person to guide the growth of our little town. As my desert roots grow deeper, this little oasis is becoming the gem she was always meant to be. HHH and I are blessed to live on the high desert plains of Northwestern Nevada.

Whatever you do today, discover some facts about your town that you didn’t already know. Check into committees that need members. Find upcoming events that might need volunteers. In some little way, get involved. For, we can all make the world a better place if we become the change we wish to see in the world.

More tomorrow.

At this writing, these are damages of which we know.

Seven missing greenhouse panels at Winterpast.

16′ of downed fence at Brother’s house.

One light fixture blown off garage wall at rental.

Two missing greenhouse panels at Ninja Neighbor’s house.

Downed fence across the street at neighbors.

Roof again blown off neighbor’s shed.

Huge waves at Lake Tahoe.

I’ll return on Monday to give you updates on the storm. It’s just getting started now, with 12′ of snow expected in the high Sierra’s, along with blizzard conditions. As for us, we have our Snow Joe batteries charging. We’re expecting quite a bit of snow.

Whatever you do this weekend, if you are not in the eye of a major storm, be grateful. That’s enough!!!

More on Monday.

Due to the extreme winds we are experiencing this very moment, I intend to make this short. I need to move away from the windows and watch the greenhouse from the safety of the house. But, let me begin from the beginning.

Growing up in the Central Valley of California, I never experienced extreme weather. No yearly tornadoes or snow storms that left towns paralyzed. The schools DID call Foggy days, when the Tule fog was so thick you couldn’t see the end of your shoe. That’s about it.

Along with no weather, we also missed out on cool clouds and one of my favorite forces of nature… The Wind. I must be crazy, but since my beginnings, I have loved wind. Slow breezes that kiss your cheek on a summer morning. And June winds that blow the mortar board right off a graduates head. I just love wind.

Until about 1:00 pm yesterday.

I had gone to the Pretty Beautiful Nail Salon to get pretty toes and catch up on neighborhood news. One nice thing about small towns is that everyone knows everyone. You can find out the time for the latest funeral or which fruits and vegetables will be on sale in the upcoming days. If you need something, just let your nail gal know. She probably knows a guy that knows a guy.

When returning home, I’d planned to plant the new seeds Hubba-Hubba-Hubby and I purchased early in the morning. Passion Flowers. Chamomile. Blue Tansy. Sunflowers. Siberian Wall Flowers. Jalapeno Peppers. The first five were for the bees and the last for HHH.

I was enjoying a spoonful of THE BEST HONEY I’ve ever eaten in my life from the Naked Bee Honey Company in Fallon, Nevada. Honey, but so much better. This product is a unique and fulfilling candy bar in a spoonful. Just the right consistency, it’s flavors remind me that summer will soon be here to provide everything remembered in this wonderful food.

Well, I was enjoying this honey and getting out the soil and pots when I happened to look up. Our Manly Marine, across the street, was atop his storage shed. With the winds now howling (gusts to 30 mph), his roof shingles were blowing past him. HHH flew out the door to help, but some men just want to handle things alone and HHH’s offer was declined.

HHH returned to find our greenhouse was again coming apart at the seams. The winds were now in the 30-40 MPH range. With two short whistles, he caught my attention and I flew to his side.

“Here, Hold this panel. I need to get some painter’s tape.”

For what seemed like hours, I star-fished onto the side of the greenhouse, while listening to the door bang. I unlatched it and the door flew open, breaking a hinge. Great, now I did a sideways hug to hold the doors and the side, while the entire greenhouse felt like it would surely take flight. Thank goodness the foundation bolts held it down, or the neighbor across the street might have received a new greenhouse, airmail.

Painters tape and a prayer. We’ll see how we fare. Somehow this darn greenhouse is beginning to seem like a very bad, “Californific” idea. It would have been a great thing to have at the ranch. On the high desert plains of Northwestern Nevada, maybe not so much. We are not about to give in, we just need to get through the storm, which has now been extended to early next week.

Thank goodness the bees haven’t arrived yet. They’re weathering their own storms in California.

Through the rest of the afternoon, with dinner in the crockpot, the internet kept going in and out. The winds hit the house with such force, we checked on our own roof several times. Everything seems to have held. I promise I will try to write something tomorrow. If you don’t hear from HHH and I, please look under the greenhouse. By the way, please don’t forget to water the seedlings!

It’s true.

Of course, the winter will end, just not quite yet. Today, the biggest storm of the year is arriving. Twelve feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada’s! Who knows? We might get another 17″ here in our little dessert town. Nevada Energy and Spectrum are warning us that services may be interrupted.

The beginning months of winter hold anticipation of real fun. Thanksgiving. Black Friday. Hot chocolate. Presents under the tree. Candlelight Service. New Year’s Eve. The Super Bowl. Even in mid-February, Valentines bring us smiles. These events distract us from the bitter cold and dangerous driving conditions. This late in the game, it’s time for winter to pack up and leave the party. We won’t mind a bit. March 19th is just around the corner and can’t get here soon enough.

The only thing I miss about being a California native is that, for flat landers at least, winters weren’t severe. In the Central Valley of California, the weather went from extreme fog to extreme heat (100+ from May to October). Just two weather patterns over the 60 years I lived there. Consistently boring.

With the lack of four distinct seasons, there were somethings we missed out on. Puffy white spring clouds. Winds. Summer thunderstorms. A real show of fall colors. Crisp apples signaling the arrival of fall. Nope. We had none of these things.

We had two seasons.

Dense, Tule Fog.

113 degree heat.

Repeat.

Well, once in 1962 it snowed enough to cancel school which was a once-in-my-lifetime event. But, on a normal year, weather was pretty boring.

Here in the desert, we’re blessed with four true seasons. Although not equal in the number of days, they’re all recognizable as the seasons they are. At this point, I’m sick of winter. Enough already.

My little desert town has an immediate advantage when considering weather in the area. According to yearly averages, very little annual snowfall is the norm (5″ of precipitation). I don’t know if there are weather norms anymore. Last year, I realized snow shoveling isn’t on my list of favorite things to do. The new snow blower makes it just a little more enjoyable when 17″ of wet snow fall in five hours.

We’re stocking up this morning, as the store shelves may be a little bare this weekend. The storms have been so mild, the pass hasn’t closed this winter. The next few days will tell the tale. Desolate desert life takes patience and preparation. I’m lucky my little town is right off the interstate. For Hooterville residents (a real town to the northwest of here), winters can be brutal, making it necessary to prepare for days of isolation.

As the the greenhouse seedlings, the story is grim. Monday was the perfect day for them to soak up warmth and sunshine outside. I carefully closed the doors that night, hoping the greenhouse would keep them warm enough. Yesterday, scurrying out through the frigid cold to check on them, I found that eight of my beautiful lovelies froze during the night. There’s always another seed and another day. As for the rest of the seedlings, they’ll continue to grow within the walls of Winterpast.

Whatever you do today, check on someone that might be snow bound or struggling with seasonal depression. If you’re expecting high winds like us, be sure to secure items in your yard that might blow away. When the storms arrive, shovel some snow. It’s be good for what ails you! At least, that’s what we can tell ourselves.

More tomorrow.

The best thing about having a great group of friends is that SOMEONE is always up for a movie. With one little text, our plans started with four and ended up with two. Just to the east, there is an adorable little movie theater hidden on the high desert plains of Northwestern Nevada. It was there a Harvest Sister and I spent the afternoon.

After seeing the trailer for the movie “Ordinary Angels”, several things attracted me to the movie. It was from the same producer of “Jesus Revolution” and it starred Hilary Swank. Not really one of my favorite actresses, the woman that has aged gracefully and played her character well. Add story line about a little girl that needed a liver and a woman that just needed to help someone, and it seemed a winning combination.

In the morning before showtime, there were plenty of gardening chores that needed attention. One of the biggest time consumers these days is the replanting of the tiniest little seedlings into 4″ pots. It’s amazing how the different seeds sprout. The Zucchini and 4-O’Clocks produce a large root ball before they are two inches tall, while the oregano seeds produce tiny little plants that take forever to grow.

All of this repotting is taking place in our kitchen during the morning news. These seedlings grow throughout the night and each morning, there are at least 12 more plants that need more space for their roots.

Yesterday was the first day plants were moved to tables in the greenhouse. Although they love being there, it will be necessary to move them back to the warmth of the house. By week’s end, a significant snow storm is coming. But, for a few days this week, the seedlings can enjoy life as a real vegetable plant.

After I tidied up, it was time to drive to the little town to the east to see our movie. One of the best things about being a senior citizen is that you get away with acting childish at times. Ordering a “Child’s Snack Pack” with popcorn, a little bag of fruit snacks and a small drink, we went into Theater 4 to watch our movie.

The main message of the movie was this. No matter how insignificant you THINK you are, there are plenty of things you can do to help move mountains. Although normal humans can’t heal, humans can band together in a community to support those in need. The movie was about the true life story of Michelle Schmitt Cobble and her unlikely earthly angel in the form of a Kentucky hairdresser named Sharon Steven Evans.

There are so many ways we can all give to those in need. With prayer, time, insight, and money, the efforts of many can help those in true need. Nothing brings people together quicker than a sick child, and this little community was no different. Everyone knows someone that knows someone that can fix a problem. When a community pulls together to make connections, there’s no stopping the miracles that can be done. Even those involving helicopters and jet planes in a blizzard.

Our movie date was a huge success. Returning to a theater after so many years felt normal and wonderful. If you haven’t gone for awhile, try it. Pssst…… Don’t forget the popcorn and snacks.

More tomorrow.

In April, 2020, I was one lost soul. Having moved to a new town only seventeen days after becoming a new widow, my life was unrepair-ably broken. At least, that’s what I believed at the time. The thought of taking care of a home sitting on 1/2 acre of intricate gardens was overwhelming. I almost cancelled the deal, but something inside promised I’d have the strength to go on.

Almost four years later, I’ve been blessed in ways that seemed improbable, if not impossible. My yard didn’t die. The house didn’t fall down around me. I found God, made new friends, fell in love, and married. To think it’s all happened to me brings me to my knees in gratitude.

My world came alive on December 12, 2022, my baptism day. Before then, God was busy directing my life from behind the scenes. Missing a move to the best little wide spot off the interstate on the high plains of Northwestern Nevada would have been the ultimate tragedy. If things hadn’t gone the way they did, I wouldn’t have traveled the path God intended for me.

Just days before the complicated real estate deal was to close, I was at my wits’ end. I was selling the Dun Movin House in Virginia City and buying Winterpast. The little restaurant in VC kept me alive Wednesday through Sunday. I’d order enough food to have some leftovers on Monday and Tuesday. With tearful trips off the mountain to deliver boxes to storage (350 in all), the devil had time to work on my brain.

“You can’t really handle 1/2 acre.”

“the new house is too expensive.”

“Living alone will be too much for you.”

“Your real estate deals are going to fall apart.”

The negatives kept rolling around in my brain, fueled with things EVERYONE knows.

“A widow shouldn’t move during the first year after her spouse dies.”

“A woman can’t possibly take care of husband-ly things.”

“A widow is weak and incapable of anything but a mass a tears.”

On a windy afternoon, I called my realtor and asked to see a smaller house on a local golf course. I was dangerously close to making a huge mistake. Walking through the tiny house with a tinier yard, I really considered the alternate home. Again, something inside told me to stay the course. Escrow had opened before my late husband’s cancer diagnosis. In the end, I’d stay with the original plan.

I’ve learned so many important truths in the last four years. I’ve discovered that I’m capable for caring for my own needs and have been all along. More importantly, I’ve learned to slow down and listen for an inner voice offering life’s advice. Even when the answer isn’t exactly what I want to hear, it’s probably what I need to do.

When the journey of widowhood is just too much to bear, turn to God for some help. During those lonely years, I prayed that angels would spread their wings over Winterpast and kept Oliver and I safe. When I asked for deep sleep, it came. When I asked for ultimate safety in my new home, HE delivered. When I prayed, through tears, for new friends he took the wheel and drove me to them. Slowly I learned HE was only a prayer away. Through long conversations, I now know HE is always there. Through those conversations, I know myself much better.

Whatever you do today, quietly listen while in a mindful state. God will hear whatever you need to say. With patience and faith, answers will come.

More tomorrow.

The weekend flew by, as weekends often do. While reviewing receipts for the 2023 tax year, I’m reminded that our greenhouse is not yet a year old. Standing so proudly in the garden area, we can’t wait to fill her with all the seedlings sprouting in the house. Everything takes time.

The next step to make the little house plant-ready is to cover it with shade cloth. That might seem counter productive, but the intensity of the desert sun through the polycarbonate walls makes it necessary. After researching this subject, the consensus is that 70% sun blockage is good. Covering the greenhouse on the top and back is no small job, as it measures 10′ X 14′ x 7′.

Bright and sunny, yesterday was perfect weather for planting. In beautiful redwood planter boxes designed and constructed from scratch by HHH himself, we planted 50 yellow onions, 50 red onions, and 50 garlic cloves. Visually, the garlic purchased at Walmart Garden Center was exactly like the garlic I buy from Raley’s for spaghetti sauce. Just divide up the cloves and plant with the flat side down.

In two oak half-barrels, we planted gold and red potatoes. Within the walls of Winterpast, we’re pampering our russets, harvested from baker potatoes that began sprouting in the pantry.

Closer to the warmth of the house, the patio garden box is now home to lettuce and spinach plants. Everything received a dose of water with a little prayer for good measure.

If this weather holds, things should just take off and grow, along with our water bill. Although the water should cost less than it did for TWO gardening households, it could be as high as a small car payment. In the desert, water is liquid gold. Still too early to turn the sprinklers back on, we’ll be watering by hand and hose for a little longer.

Everywhere we look, buds are swelling. From the crab apple tree to the plum and pear, spring is ready to sprout while the weeds are rev up for another year. One small thing is different. After hiring a company from the little town to the east to spray a pre-emergent weed killer, the number of weeds seems less. Let’s hope the stuff works.

As for the house sprouts, they continue to do their thing. It’s fascinating to see little plants unfold from the tiniest little packages. So far, the seeds that are growing the best on the dining room table are the tomatoes and sunflowers.

Spring is such a beautiful time of year, it just makes one happy to be alive. As clouds drift through the bluest skies, the neighborhood walkers are out. Even the dogs are more energetic, with lots to bark about. It’s just a great time to be alive.

As things do happen in the spring, Wookie will be heavy with Wooklets again. And so, the circle of life spins around, and another growing season begins.

Whatever you do today, start thinking about spring cleaning. Now, just avoiding that thought should make you want to get outside. Check your yard for plants that are starting to stir. Be sure to check the upcoming weather before you turn the water back on. Enjoy!!

The 2024 plan for Winterpast is vast and ambitious. At this writing, there are approximately 400 seedlings sprouting inside our home. There are peat-potted seedlings getting stronger on the east facing window sills. Seeds are sprouting under grow lights on the dining room table. Packages of seeds await vacant peat pots. Spring seems to be coming early here on the high desert plains of Northwestern Nevada.

Jiffy’s seed starting Green House Kit is awesome. Available through Amazon or your local Walmart, this has been so easy. After soaking the peat pods for a few hours, you just place a seed in each and wait. Before transplanting, the thin membrane can be carefully removed. Replacement pods (36mm) are available through Amazon allowing for multiple uses of the little greenhouse. So far, I have three trays growing strong. (72 x 3 = a heck of a lot of canning this summer).

Over the last two years, Hubba-Hubba-Hubby has produced the most amazing potatoes. Sprouted from seed potatoes, over the course of the summer he grew pounds and pounds of the best potatoes imaginable. Far superior to those grow in Idaho.

A few days ago, I visited our local Grocery Outlet, a lovely little store. You never know what you can find there. From great produce to wonderful prices on meat and cheese, many of their products are from smaller producers. In front of the store, I found what we’d been looking for. Red and Yellow Onion Sets (100). Yukon Gold seed potatoes (10). Asparagus starts. All in the front of this cute little store. We’re planting the 100 onions today!

So far, I’ve been focused on growing plants that will feed our bees. In less than two months, we’ll return from a relaxing ocean cruise to receive our new family of 10,000 bees and their queen. They’ll need a variety of trees, bushes, and plants to support their colony. In doing some research, I’ve found Winterpast already has many existing trees and bushes that are bee friendly.

Cottonwood trees line my driveway. When I first moved in, some neighbors (since moved away) informed me that I’d need to remove these twenty year old giants. One private thought for them.

NO.

CAN.

DO.

These giant trees are home to many varieties of birds and insects. In early spring, our bees will use sap from these trees. When bees combine sap from trees with their own discharges and beeswax, they create a sticky, greenish-brown product used as a coating to build their hives called propolis, or “bee glue.” With many medicinal uses, the bees coat their hives with this material, gluing everything together. Our cottonwood trees will provide the necessary sap and pollen.

Last year, we almost lost our 50′ Russian Olive tree. I’ve had some tree people laugh and tell me it’s the biggest junk tree they’ve ever seen. In the eyes of little bees, it’s a dream come true. With rich and abundant pollen and late spring nectar, the bees will thrive within the branches of this amazing tree. Now, my neighbor will have a little more to complain about, not being a fan of this amazing tree.

Once upon a time, there was a very sad widow here at Winterpast. Writing her heart out in the living room next to the snow-covered gardens of Winterpast, she looked up. To her amazement, she discovered this dormant tree had transformed. With the help of some early morning sunshine, her beautiful tree had turned golden, like a burning bush of hope. God sent a message of hope to that lonely widow on that early winter morning. Winter passed.

Nope. This beautiful tree deserves saving. The bees deserve this beautiful tree.

With plum, apricot, apple, and pear trees, the bees will think they have been placed in heaven. Our crab apple tree, which has always been a messy pain, now has a new purpose. Food for busy bees. The only trees missing might be some magnolia’s, which will help provide nectar.

As far as bushes go, there are blueberry and lilac. We plan to add honeysuckle plants which will drape over the chain link fences installed to keep Wookie and Oliver out of the garden and bee area. Over the entire back yard, we’re thinking of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Of course, we have the resident doves. robins, and crows that will enjoy the peace and quiet of Winterpast’s gardens.

HHH has been doing his part to bring our paradise to life this year. Yesterday, he brought home a pickup load of super-duper triple mix soil. Some women like diamonds, while I personally love a good pick-up truck of great soil. Topped with six bags of manure, the custom garden boxes will sit outside the greenhouse. becoming home to a wide variety of tomato plants. From cherries to beefsteaks, we’ll have tomatoes for every use.

The iris’s and tulips are moving to the little “riverbed”, designed to carry away neighborhood flood waters in heavy rains. This year, the weather’s been so strange, we just never know when the “riverbed” will run again. We’ll be ready.

As for the greenhouse, it’s almost ready for Spring 2024. After deciding to remove the roof vents, we’re ready to place the 70% sunshade over the top. Once in place, all the seedlings will enjoy a little time outside before they’re planted in our beds.

All of this activity must be finished before HHH and I sail away on the Love Boat in early spring. If you would’ve painted this picture of happiness for me in 2022, I’d have called you looney. Life can change with the wink of an eye. My life has changed in the most beautiful ways imaginable.

Whatever you do this weekend, think about going outside. Wash something off. Clean some windows. Do a little bird watching. Consider planting some bulbs. Spring is a great time for renewing faith in something bigger than ourselves. Please remember to smile with a grateful heart. Life is beautiful.

More on Monday.