Right Now . . . April 2017

The push-and-pull of Spring continues here in April.  Super warm days when everything in the landscape explodes with leaf and bloom . . . followed by several cold days putting everything in a holding pattern.

Such is the season.  

I'm just happy with all the blooms!

Here's what's happening for me . . . Right Now:

Watching . . .  Not the News.  But I am keeping up with the new season of Call the Midwife, and I'm enjoying the third season of Grace & Frankie, too.

Reading . . .  I've jumped on the Lincon in the Bardo bandwagon (George Saunders is the author), and I'm nearly finished.  It is excellent -- unique and very different.   I am reading it in print, although I know many people who have really loved the audio version.  After seeing the way the book is laid out on the page (rather unusual), I really can't imagine it in audio.  But people I know who have listened to the book can't really imagine simply reading it.  So.  I think this is a book you can enjoy any way you choose to partake!  I'm also reading A God in Every Stone by Kamila Shamsie (in the ears).  While the writing is truly beautiful (like all of Shamsie's work), let's just say . . . it's taking me a long time to get through it.

Stitching . . . Why, looky-here!  I knit a sock.  It's mate, though?  Nowhere to be found!   I've been busy in the garden the last week or so, and haven't had much time to stitch.  I've got a few things close to being finished, though -- and I'm determined to git-r-dun before starting on anything new.  (Although I wouldn't hold my breath for that sock's mate.  Just sayin.)

Gold Star . . . Last month, I explained that I was going to try to tackle some of my "big" projects.  You know?  Things I put off doing . . . because I feel like I don't have a big enough block of time to do them.  I'm happy to report that a "slow drip" approach (working on projects a little at a time - maybe even just 15 minutes a day) is working for me.  I'm making progress - slowly but surely - and it feels great.  Gold Star for me!!!

Drinking . . . Adorable little cans of flavored Perrier!  My favorite is L'Orange.  

Celebrating . . . There is so much to be celebrating these days.  My dad's birthday is Monday -- AND he just sold his condo!  Erin got a great summer internship (and - best of all - a job offer after she finishes up her Masters work next December) from a big Silicon Valley tech and social media company!  Life is good -- and it's so nice to be celebrating.

Blooming . . . Everything has just been popping in my garden this week!  This photo is a bird's eye view of my Jack Frost brunnera.  I love the haze of bright blue -- and I love that this shade-loving plant "volunteers" in my garden . . . but not in an invasive way.  Just in a way that spreads the blue-hazy-goodness here and there.

Planning . . . I have some exciting plans for my garden this year.  Nothing too ambitious.  I just want to create a couple of mini-gardens within already established garden beds.  I really need to do a lot of thinning and dividing this year -- and especially in front of the house . . . because we're having a retaining wall re-built.  It's going to wreak some havoc, sure.  But I'm trying to think of it as an opportunity to restructure a couple of garden beds. . .

Humming . . . Tom and I went to a concert earlier this week - Blues Traveler.  Ever since . . . well . . . I can't get this song out of my head!  (They put on a great concert, by the way.)

Looking forward to . . . I'm excited for May to roll around.  I'll be heading up north now and again in May.  There's always the excitement of planting season and the opening of the Kalamazoo Farmers Market.  Lots of busy-ness with the Master Gardener Plant Sale.  And a quick trip from Erin is in the works.

What's happening for YOU . . . right now?

 

Comments

[Bonny]

Gold stars and resounding hurrahs for all the good news! Happy Birthday to your dad and huge congratulations to Erin! What is it about concerts that makes songs stick in your head? (I'm still singing The Rake from the Decemberists.) And I especially thank you for the link to Jack Frost Brunnera. I've got a bed that I've tried to establish Lamium in, but it just isn't working. Beautiful blue flowers and shade-tolerant sounds like just the right plant, so I'll be planting some soon!

[Carole]

This post is SO upbeat and that makes me happy. You are just bursting with plans and excitement and that's awesome. I'm finally starting to feel like myself after our whirlwind vacation and the work week that followed.

[Debbie]

Good for gold stars! I've been using the same approach to big projects and I feel less overwhelmed by them. Right now, I am preparing to leave on vacation next week and it will be a different type of trip than I have taken before. Have a great weekend!

[Jo]

You have inspired me with the Gold Star approach--definitely going to give it a try!

[Vera]

Such a happy, joyful post Kym! Happy Birthday to your Dad and what wonderful news for Erin. Love your gold star approach...that might be the ticket I've needed!!

[maggie]

how I wish our gardens were closer so we could mix and match! :)

[Patty]

So many good, good things! And Happy Birthday to your Dad. I'm feeling somewhat motivated in a couple of areas (yard and bringing an abandoned desk back to life) and thinking your slow and steady plan may work! So very, very happy to hear this news for Erin. Have a wonderful week-end my friend! xo

[margene]

Happy celebrations to your dad! Erin has worked very hard to get where she is and you've been a fabulous cheer leader! It's wonderful to hear her hard work has paid off. You have a lot of good coming your way and you deserve it after your last year. Our quince is long gone, but my brunnera is way behind yours and I'm so looking forward to it's tiny blue flowers. Spring has been fickle. I'm exited to see what you have in store for your garden this year!

[AsKatKnits]

I love your right now! From your garden, to Erin's visit! Oh, and Happy Birthday to your dad! And, that is a stellar sock! So stellar it should get the solo spotlight for a bit! xoxo

[Mary]

What a wonderful mix of good things - this put a big smile on my face!

[kmkat]

The brunnera is lovely, and I have some bare shady ground that might work. Thanks!

[Vicki]

That's a lot of great stuff!! I love the energy of springtime. Now, if only the weather would improve a bit. :)