Friday, April 16, 2010

Gone, but Back

I know I've been absent, but there have been some very deep issues with family members who have been out of communication for years. Frankly, it's beyond bizarre and distressing. I'll just leave it all at that. I need to write about it all, but can't. Shh. Must never let anything out of the family circle. That's the way I was brought up. Hard to shake. I can't even keep a journal because of it, and it's the reason my blog posts are more blah than blog. Anyway,

***

here is a photo of my grocery store sheet cake–cover greenhouses. This year, I remembered to check on them after planting the seeds, and every one came up. We'll see if they make it to fruition or not, but it is satisfying to know that I can grow peppers and tomatoes from seed.



The garden plot lives, too. Two rows of chard, one of kale, and one of arugula wintered over. We've already planted radish, beans, zucchini, cucumber, broccoli rabe, spinach, and they've emerged. I hope we haven't jumped the gun on the warmer weather seeds. We'll see, as the night temps are dropping back into the 40s next week.

I think my rascally raccoon is back; do you remember she/he who ate my peppers last summer, said fruit almost beyond perfection at the point of ingestion?? hmmmm. I think the cats coexist peaceably with this rapscallion, so he/she/they come and go at will.



Just because I like this one, taken at a church-turned-social-venue during the Chapel Talk lunch for one of L's friends:

14 comments:

Gretel said...

Ooh I'm glad we don't have racoons to contend with! We've got cold nights/warm days too, I'm resisting putting my courgettes and squash out for a while longer. Excellent use of the cake cartons!

Roy said...

Raccoons don't make it this far into town, but skunks do; they get into the trash and they mess up lawns digging for worms and grubs.

Love the staned glass shot!

Betty said...

No raccoons here in London (or skunks, for that matter.) But we have plenty of urban foxes, one of which just tried to get into my kitchen via the catflap!
Beautiful sunshine today and now a very chilly evening. Brrr!

deedee said...

Oh family issues. It's one of the reasons I changed blogs and now write only neutral stuff. But someday I may write a book about them all...
I like the raccoon footprints, but I hope he doesn't get your peppers this year.

blackbird said...

Hello!
Those are lovely little plants!

Baino said...

Ah family, can't live with 'em, can't kill 'em. My brother's giving me grief at the moment and he lives next door! Try dealing with that rubbish day in, day out. I'd love to have a blog moan but you're right, what goes on tour, stays on tour.

You have raccoons, I have possums, cute little ring tail ones but man they make a noise on the roof! I'm not growing anything this year. I keep meaning to get Adam to start a veggie patch. So much land and no home grown veg, I'm so lazy!

Shammickite said...

I absolutely love the word "rapscallion", I must remember to use it more often!
Many years ago I had a family of raccoons come down an unused chimney and make their home inside my basement wall panelling. Finally had to tear the panelling down to get rids of them, and then chase them up the chimney with some burning newspaper! One raccoon had a slightly singed tail.

patty said...

love the picture of the stained glass. thanks for the idea to crop it

ThirdCat said...

ah, yes...families.
I really do recommend the journal. My journal and my gym membership have saved me, really they have.

mouse (aka kimy) said...

welcome back, it was so loverly to see you while you were gone!!! hope the drive home was smooth!!

JGH said...

Sounds like you have a great start on the garden!! I think your cat must be making friends with the raccoons....

Wanderer said...

Knowing you, writing out your feelings will help! I suggest a "letter that will never be sent" to each family member. You can start out by saying something like... Dear ---, I have felt love/ affection/ tolerance for you, and I have at times wished for a good relationship with you, but I feel ... let it all out.

tut-tut said...

Thank you, Wanderer; I believe that is a touchstone for starting a very deep investigation into what went on.

Gary said...

Here's hoping that the family matters resolve in a way that leaves you happy and healthy.

Great idea for the sheet cake covers. A much better 'green' solution than simply throwing them in the trash.