A few more pictures from the coast last Sunday.  Have a great weekend!   

compilations

4.24.2014


We caught a few glimpses of sun and blue sky at the beach over the weekend.  It was so good to walk in the sand, listen to the ocean, and breathe in the coastal air.  We stopped at Fogarty Creek for a spell and found that all the little swirls of seaweed and such were gone for the most part.  Instead, I found little collections of sticks all over the beach; silent stories left by the waves.  Natural art.  I could have walked for miles looking at these compilations and pondering the random perfection of each one's composition. 

pull

4.16.2014


I've really been feeling the need to be out amongst the trees.  Just as the ocean pulls, so do the trees.  I was on my way to the library this morning when I realized it was too early to be open,  so I stopped at the park for a walk through the trees under a sky that is now grey.  It was magical, a little bit wild, and was just what my soul needed. 

dig in

4.09.2014


Monday.  How I loved Monday.  The sun was bright and warm all day, and I spent the entire day working in the yard.  Bliss. 

Our little strip of soil outside the patio door where we planted corn, potatoes, and carrots last year was rife with weeds and big grass clumps.  Over the winter we used the strip as a compost pile of sorts, tossing food scraps on it and occasionally working the dirt, and now we have so many worms.  With each weed pulled, I carefully went through the dirt attached and rescued any little worms I could find.  It was heaven - the sun on my back, my hands in the dirt. 

The strawberry plants are just starting to blossom, and some potatoes I inadvertently left in the ground have sprouted little plants.  The blackberry bushes that hang over the back hedge are unfurling new bright green leaves.  The bleeding hearts that weep over Sophie's stone are in bloom.  The greens of the California poppies that give us joy all summer and into fall are up.  The sage, thyme, mint, and oregano are all coming back to life.  

Our beloved rosemary bushes, however, appear to be dying.  Select arms are completely brown and I don't know why.   I see no pests but don't know what else it could be.   They're about six years old and have always been healthy.   I sprayed them good with the hose yesterday and cut out all the bad arms.  I'm hoping they rebound.   (Does anyone have experience with or advice about this?)

It was warm enough to have the first evening supper on the patio - pasta with bits of roasted sweet potato, goat cheese, and sage - so good.  It was also warm enough to have the first laundry line-dry of the year.  I love the simple act of hanging things on the line, and I love the way they smell when I take them down. 

There's so much more to be done and I can't wait to dig in.  The glorious sun is back today... I'm reaching for my hat and have one foot already out the door. 
by mlekoshi