Monday, July 20, 2009

Progress of a Different Kind

In trying to catch up on some blog reading post-vacation, I've been amazed at all the stitching y'all have been doing this summer! It seems that I tend to be more of a seasonal stitcher as once the weather turns nice, I gotta be outside as much as possible to work on my projects. It's slow going, but sometimes I actually get some help from the males in the family - which happened last week. Here is the fantastic result:

A little bit underwhelmed? :D Well it makes me very happy to see this as previously there was a big pile of beaten down, hardened dirt - the leftovers from the Big Dig when I created my rose garden. The boys were pressed into labor and given a pick ax, shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows and I oversaw the gang. A couple hours later we were mostly done. Since that day, I've spent some time fine tuning the level, never expecting perfection of course - and wheeling off a couple loads of stone - another of course.

Meanwhile Kirsten has helped me attack another problem area - the front foundation planting.


Tiny fibrous roots from the nearby maple tree choked out the hostas that I had planted. So I'm digging it all out, adding some steer manure, removing a bunch of roots and more - rocks. I'm planning to replant with some day lilies and spring bulbs which can withstand the onslaught of the maple roots.

The weather here has been HOT! That means morning yardwork and stopping at noon when the temp reaches 90^. (Highs have been at or over 100^) Sometimes Kirsten and I will then get a Slurpee at the famous 7-11 here in Kennewick. For the last several years the Kennewick 7-11 has been the biggest seller of Slurpees in the chain. One reason is - summers are HOT here! Nothing like a Slurpee to cool you down. :D

In the afternoons I've been reading again. After hearing the Satellite Sisters 'classic' broadcast with the author of Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon - and the Journey of a Generation, I checked it out of the library. In 1967 I received my very first transistor radio (10 yo) and loved many of the recordings by these women. Life was changing in a big way in those days and these women were in the midst of it. It's a very interesting read, especially appropriate for summer.

And now, Kirsten and I have to get back outside. We're getting a bit of a break today - it's going to be just 96^ today. :)

Thank God for air-conditioning!

8 comments:

Unknown said...

It's looking good Von! what are your plans for the side yard? Grass or driveway?

we've been getting the very hot weather too, in the 90's all this week, 100+ by the weekend. We have no airconditioning, so it's been miserable. My poor lawn is looking awfully brown.

Not doing a whole lot of stitching either...it's hard to get very motivated when it's so hot!

Kathryn said...

Hi Von,
Hot here too, but not as hot as your neck of the woods. No A/C though.
Your yard progress looks great - a clean slate!
Kathryn : )

a woman who is said...

I am definitely not underwhelmed. I saw the before picture. Unbelievable amount of rock piles. Great job Paulson boys! To me that looks like a lovely blank slate.

Oh by the way I am at Cannon Beach and by Wed. should be heading home via Heirloom Roses. Let me know if you want me to pick you up any babies and save shipping :)

Lynn said...

I'm definitely a seasonal stitcher. I haven't felt much like stitching since spring hit. We could use some of your heat though. Our summer has been much cooler than usual.

Kathy A. said...

Now that is some major work project going on there. Thank goodness for a little help. Could you send some of that heat this way? Our summer has been unseasonably cool and rainy

Carolyn NC said...

Looks good - nice to have had the help, too! We're warm here, but I think this is one of the coolest July's we've ever had!

Siobhán said...

Von, it looks like you had a great vacation! I'm behind on blog reading so am catching up. Great progress on the gardening, too.

Deb said...

Well, Von, all I can say is: You've made incredible progress in preping for your next planting! I can't wait to see what's going in.
I understand about stitching at times...I can get that way in spurts when I'm busy with other projects. Or, when I'm on a reading binge! :]
Just have fun in the sun, I say.
Hugs,
Deb