Monday, March 18, 2024

Great Fun in the Sun

Our big community dog walk was lovely because of the weather. Sheba and I took up the rear, and when it was done, we hurried home for lunch. Then it was time to get to work. I decided to work in the backyard because it was sunny and because that is where I spend so much time. I trimmed the massive ferns, and then tidied up the courtyard and fountain. And then I started picking up all the forest fallings in the backyard.

Oh, my goodness it is lovely to have the fountain going again. I cleaned it out and changed the water. I love the sound, and I love how clean the water is. It’s a magical part of Pinecone Park, and it’s a major draw for the birds.

I took my time; there was no pushing of myself because it’s Sunday, my day of indulgence. But what a difference my work makes. I fall in love with Pinecone Park all over again. And I love doing yardwork, but it sure tires me out. I love getting up and not having to think about what to do. The yard calls, and I love to answer. I’ll keep at it until Wednesday when we’re predicted to get a couple of days of rain. Then I’ll rest, because after those two days, we’re back to sunshine. Or so they say.

I quit working at 4:00 to enjoy a spa in the sunshine and with the sound of the fountain to sooth me as well. I’ve been enjoying such a different way of living since this good weather started. I haven’t read anything in days, and conversely, I’ve brought an impressive look back to the edible garden and the courtyard. There’s a massive amount of work still to do, but I’m in no hurry. I’ll just keep at it on the fine days, and I’ll love chilling on the rainy days.

My spa was heavenly. It is such a wonderful asset. When I lived with the Tyrells, they had no shower, so I became a fan of baths. I only had a shower at school or at swimming classes, but since I moved here, that’s the only way I wash. The bathtub here is in the guest bathroom and it’s a nasty beast. There’s no window in that bathroom, and so it’s not a pleasant place to bathe. But the spa!! Oh my God, it’s a wonderful thing to be outdoors in warm water. 

In the evening, I did what I do almost every night during the Summer. I’ve never done it this early in the year before. Last night Sheba wanted out, so I went to the door to let her go (I think she may be ill), and then instead of closing the door, I made a spontaneous decision to do a walkabout in the backyard. That happens almost every night in the hot weather. Going into the backyard is like going into my own private forest—with flowers.

By far the best part of my garden and the whole lot, is the trees. When I was outdoors during my first year with FND, I would have seizures, and nothing would give me a greater sense of safety that to brace myself against a tress. They are stable, whereas my world was in torment. So now, they are central to my joy of my yard. I couldn’t believe it when I came here: I owned 40+ trees.ß

I’m working on the courtyard area right now, and as I work, I think of things to ask Bronwyn. I’m amazed at how good the courtyard looks. The cracks between the pavers are bursting with greenery. I have trimmed it all with my weed eater, and it really looks good because the thick green lines finish the landscape in the courtyard. I have to let nature take its course there, because I don’t water it in the summertime. The Climbing Hydrangea on the trellis is just opening its leaves. Again, it looks like it’s been here for a long time. As does the Ivy covering the lowest part of the fountain. I love seeing time in the landscape. 

The backyard is a minefield of branches, big and little, and billions of cones. I try to use the long-handled pincers I have to pick up everything. It saves my back, but more importantly, I don’t destroy the natural growth with a rake. 

I’ll take my time. I’ll get the place looking as good as I can, and then I’ll have Bronwyn over for a consultation that may include getting some plants at wholesale prices. Plus, I get to buy annuals and started lettuce to plant! Woo hoo!

And yes! It’s another spectacular day. I’m going to fitness, and I have grocery shopping to do. But I’ve lots of time for gardening, as well. And tonight, I dine with Jay, Eoin and François and I introduce them to Darryl, who’s also joining us. 
















Sunday, March 17, 2024

Yesterday: 19° in Paradise

I was up early yesterday and got to work furiously. I vacuumed the whole house and took the rugs outside to beat them clean. I did laundry and hung it up outside! There was no need for a fire in the house. And then I blind baked the pastry shells for the tarts. I also made the pastry cream that will go into the bottom of each one. On top of the crème, I’ll put a thin layer of raspberry infused whipping cream. On top of that will be the berries: a lovely big blackberry in the centre of each one, and raspberries all around. Just before serving, I’ll dust them with powdered sugar.

Then we went for a walk. It was a glorious morning to walk, and as we cruised through the forest, I thought about all I’d do in the garden when we got home. I started with the edible garden. Cleaning up all the raised gardens and the ground. I took out the dead raspberries canes and did a thorough tidying of the herb garden. It was truly lovely working outdoors. I had my radio outside to entertain me as I worked.

Whoa! At 12:30, I had to take a break. My back was killing me, so I doffed my gear and slid into the healing waters of the spa. I was quiet again, and I could go au naturel because the men working for David and Ursula do not work on the weekend. It was quiet, warm and wonderful, and a fabulous way to allow my back to loosen up.

Once dried and changed, I was back outside. It was 19°! I had a huge tarp to clean and then fold up into a moveable size. And I stacked all the wood bucked from the fallen branches. As I worked, I made a mental list of what to do today. And then, when it was time to call it quits due to the time of day and my sore back, I cleaned up and then got to baking.

I made a raspberry purée that I folded into whipped cream. It went on top of the crème pâtissière and holds the fresh fruit on the tart. I’m taking 8 tarts to Stacy’s, and I had 4 left over, so I took them to Deborah and Alwin because Deborah shovelled my walk this past Winter, after a storm. Then I got a chair and its cushion from my studio and sat in the sun with Sheba and a book.

It was glorious driving to the south end of the island to Stacy’s place. I was in the best of moods because of the sunshine and the warmth. People on bikes whizzed past in shorts and tees, and I saw my first horses on the trail when I stopped to walk a little in the forest with Her Highness. She came to Stacy’s with me. She’s always welcome there.

When I got to Stacy’s, there was no answer at the door, so I got back into the car to go to Nancy’s to see what she knew. I passed her on the way to her house, so I turned round and followed her back to Stacy’s and Stacy was up from her nap with her granddaughter. The dinner was a little chaotic because of Rory, the granddaughter, but I took immediate delight in her company.

We’d assembled at 5:30, so we were quick to leave Stacy with Rory. I was home by 9:00 and I went immediately to bed.

Today is another spectacular day. I’m looking forward to doing lots of work outdoors and enjoying our long trail walks. Woo hoo!

Malaspina Point on my heavenly island. Taken yesterday.














Saturday, March 16, 2024

Yay Yardwork!

I was dreading fitness yesterday morning, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, and, as always, I am glad to have gone. Absolutely nothing beats coming out into the sunshine and getting into a hot car after the class, and then coming home to Her Highness jumping up and down with anticipation as I come to the back door. I could hardly wait to slip into the spa, but the glory days of nude hot tubbing are over until the Ocean Spray bursts into its lush green Summer dress. Dave and Ursula’s place was busy with workers because it was the day the first concrete was laid. Once the Ocean Spray grows its leaves, I’ll have privacy again, but for now, I must wear swimming trunks.

I had baking to do, but the sunshine and the warm Spring temperature (15°) pulled me outside to do yard work. As I busied myself with tidying the yard, I wondered why I was having such a good time. It seemed to me that I was kind of done with gardening last year, and that’s why I hired Bronwyn. Maybe I’ll tire of it as Spring and Summer progress, but I don’t think I will. I just love having something to do outdoors whenever it is nice outside.

Three enormous branches came down in our early Winter storm. They badly damaged my fence, and they were too heavy to lift, but all traces of them are gone. Now there is only the fence to repair, but that I can do later in the season. Yesterday, I was focused on tidying up the edible garden. It’s small garden, but I took six wheelbarrows full of detritus to my dumping space behind the fence, and I’ve still more to do.

When the huge cement truck arrived at Dave and Ursula’s, I went over to watch them pour the cement into the foundation forms. The cement will dry over the next two days, and then they’ll build the forms for the low foundation walls starting on Monday. Then there’ll be another cement pour, and when all that is done, David and Andrew will put the yurt kit together. I’m praying for warm weather so that Andrew works with no shirt on; small thrills serve my shallow mind well.

At 3:00, I quit working. All the bending involved with cleaning the beds and picking up all the crap that I rake together, plus all the bending at fitness had me done in. So we went for a walk, and oh, what a lovely walk it was on such a fine, fine day. We took a very long trail that I rarely use and took a wide circle back.

In my thirties, my great dream was to backpack across northern England with my dog. (I didn’t have a dog at the time,) I saw myself walking much as later happened in France, in constant sunshine and with villages not too far apart. I was always in open fields with stone fences like I see on TV on Escape to the Country in my fantasy, but I never did it. Instead, it’s happening here, but in the forest. And the best part, is the dream of the dog came true.

I wish you could see her in action. Today, we started on a trail we walk about 4 times a week. It quickly splits; one part goes straight ahead, and the other part goes off to the left. Sheba and I turn left 95% of the time, but today I wanted to go straight for a long walkabout. As we approached the split, Sheba headed to the left, and I said, “Over here.” I was speaking to her back, but she instantly veered back right.

This is a dog who has never been trained to do anything, but we share, as I tell anyone who asks, a commitment to each other. We cooperate with each other. She stops and sits if cars come by without me saying anything. (That I did train her to do.) She taps on the glass door when she wants to go out or come into the house. She wakes me in the night if she needs to go out. And when I say the words that I say every time I’m leaving her alone, and I give her a treat, she goes to our bed to lie down.

I could go on and on. What thrills me is that I am aware of this wonderful partnership all the time. I value every second because I know what comes far, far too soon. Walking in the forest with her is the best part of the day. 

Marion was in our walking group. She had a Rottweiler, Beau. I loved Beau immediately. I could see how friendly he was, and Marion was happy that he had a fan. When she was walking with Beau in the 707 Park, she fell and, it turns out, broke her hip. She was in pain and couldn’t stand. She took hold of Beau’s collar, and he dragged her far enough to a place where her cell would work, and she could call for help. Beau died years ago and Marion still carries his dog tag with her every day.

Pinecone Park is my ideal playground, and it feels so very, very good to be outdoors. There’s naught but sunshine in the forecast for the coming week. I’m going to hang my laundry outdoors today. I love it when I can do that. I love, love, love hanging laundry in the sunshine.

I have to do some baking today, and that will have me indoors for a while, but then I’ll be outdoors all the rest of the day. Back, first, to the edible garden, and then who knows. Whatever moves me. Tonight, I dine at Stacy’s with her and Nancy. I’m taking the tarts that I’m making today. 






Not photoshopped. This is an actual flower (whose name
I can't remember). It blooms in Hawaii.










Friday, March 15, 2024

Finally, A Day Outdoors

We went for a long morning trail walk yesterday because it was so beautiful outside. I can hardly wait for the weekend when it’s predicted to be much warmer. It’s wonderful to be outside again and to feel the joy of anticipation: Spring is coming.

When we got back, I went into town to do some shopping. I’ve got to make some tarts today or tomorrow to take to Stacy’s where I’m having dinner on Saturday night. Then it was time for lunch, and immediately afterwards I got to work outside. Oh, the joy of it!!!

I raked the driveway and started clearing cones from some of the front yard gardens, and then I got out my girlie chain saw and started bucking the HUGE branches that fell and broke my fence that surrounds my edible garden. It felt so, so good to be doing yard work. I am not in a hurry, and I don’t feel any pressure to do the work, so it’s more like fun. 

Dave came over to chat. He’s passed the inspection of his foundation so very soon the cement slab will be poured, and then the low foundation walls will be done, and when that’s done, the kit arrives and then Dave and one of the handsomest men on earth, Andrew, get to work putting the yurt together. It’s going to be exciting to watch!

I was outside sawing and toting until 5:30. It was heaven to be outside working on the yard. It was the best day of the year so far for me. One elbow is killing me, but I don’t care. I got lots done and Pinecone Park is looking much better already. And I have a week of this weather coming, so I’m in for a good time!

This morning: Fitness. Pooey! But then I have the remainder of a glorious day at Pinecone Park to enjoy. I’ll be doing some baking and more yardwork. A perfect day!