Sunburn and Firewood

I hate the spring. Not all of it, of course. But the bit I really hate is the wind and the cold happening when the sun is shining so brightly and things are greening up. 

For instance, last Saturday I ran a half marathon in Eau Claire (a lovely time, and a nice town, decent performance - for me - of 2:09:33). I used sunscreen. I saw a lot of people who didn't turning pink. It was 50's at the start, and it warmed into the '60's. Perfect event weather, in my opinion. 

After the race and after a nap, we went for a walk around town and in a park. The wind had picked up to gale force, so it was impossible to read a book outside. 

We endured mornings in the '30's this past week. Jackets. And the never ending firewood. It's necessary to have a fire every night. Still. In theory, this changes next week. I will believe it when I see it.

I do love it every year when the crab apple tree outside of our bedroom window blossoms. But something is off this year. Usually, it is swarming with bees. Not seeing them. 

Meanwhile, gardening continues. Snow peas are up - both the first wave and the second that was planted two weeks later. Pumpkins, squash, sunflowers, nasturtiums and marigolds all went in the ground this week. Zucchini is planted in two containers, but I'm concerned that it has been too cold. No sign of germination, and it has been two weeks. I will replant.

Most of the tomatoes have outgrown the greenhouse. Just this afternoon, I was able to put them outside for 45 minutes to begin the hardening off process. I did this while I chopped tonight's firewood.

Meanwhile, I'm trying to repair the damage I did with the weed burner back in April. I got a bit overzealous going after the ever-loving creeping Charlie and ended up with something that looks like the Battle of the Somme in the back yard. It's filled in a bit since with quick grass & clover. The trick is, that we can only water 2x per week (Thursdays & Sundays). So it does involve using water from the rain barrels. Hopefully that will hold out, as there is zero rain in the 10 day forecast. 

We are having our collapsing deck removed in June. Just set up the contract for that. This leaves a lot of jobs with the patio & such unfinished, which is also frustrating. Piles of dirt, rock & wood chips outside with nowhere to go until it's resolved. Still - the deck, which we've been limping along since we moved in, is now beginning to lean. As it is attached to the house (a code violation), this is a threat. Nothing to do but keep on keeping on, prioritizing getting things into the ground.

Time marches on.