Thursday 15 November 2018

Thursday

Retired for over thirty years, widowed for eighteen months, moved into a new bungalow a year ago - that kind of history doesn't sound as though it generates much in the way of activity does it?   Well you would be wrong to think that because yesterday was a case in point.   Six times I switched on to write a post and six times an interruption - either at the door or on the telephone - delayed me and made me switch off the computer.   Finally, when it got to eight in the evening I gave up as a bad job and watched Rick Stein - even then he was interrupted by a phone call from my son.   We spoke for an hour, as we often do, mostly about Politics and War,  and consequently I went to bed late and didn\t get to sleep until four this morning as my mind was too active. 

Today is another day.   The sky is a clear, unbroken blue, the sun is shining and it is a beautifully warm Autumn day.   Tess and I had our morning walk rather late as I slept in.  We met half a dozen dog-walkers and chatted and by the time we got home my fencer was here giving the completed fence a coat of creosote.   It looks splendid.   He has made such a good job of it.
Now all that will be left to do is for me to plant the tulip bulbs.   In the night, when I couldn\t sleep I devised a plan - I shall divide the border into sections with bits of wood and plant one section of 50 bulbs each day, leaving the wood in place for now so that there will not be a gap between plantings.   That way I shall not get over-tired with bending down (I hope).   Tomorrow may well be the day on which I begin (after my usual Friday lunch out).   Derek may well be right when he says it is far too late to plant the Mysotis.   But the sun is warm, the plants were only fifty pence a tray, so it is worth a try.   I love them in a garden and I love shaking the plants around as they go to seed so that eventually they are everywhere.   How could anyone resist that heavenly blue?

I shall go and cook my jacket potato and my stir-fry now.   This afternoon is ukuleles with the Alzheimer's patients and carers.   I love that and so do they.   It is a joyous afternoon.

 

25 comments:

Rachel Phillips said...

I regret to say I cannot see why your want to plant 200-odd bulbs yourself when you have a gardener. I planted 12 the other day and was exhausted. I would not be on the phone for an hour in the evening talking about politics and war either.

Derek Faulkner said...

I do rather agree with Rachel on both point. It's all very well wanting to do some things for yourself but I think you might get a shock. I'm only 71 and yet planting over a hundred tulip bulbs left me with backache and stretched and sore hamstrings. Plus a blister in the palm of my hand from using a trowel in hard, clay soil. An hour on the phone talking about politics and war is not good for sleeping, as was proven - there are always Rachel's political reports the next morning.

Anonymous said...

Such is life Pat. As an insomniac for longer than I care to remember, I then have nightmares every night. Nothing helps. Have to relish the days that are good as your glorious Thursday. You'll get those bulbs in and be so happy with them when winter ends. I bought a saw and am going to saw some limbs off trees today. We'll see how many I can saw down. You are an admirable woman. PS -I wish I could figure out Brexit. It is all too confusing. Donna@gather

Ruth said...

I truly admire your spunk and determination, dear Pat. There's such joy in working in the earth, and I hope with all my heart that you'll be able to get all those bulbs in. And having long conversations with your son, no matter at what hour, are blessings beyond description. It doesn't take that to have sleepless nights once in awhile - it's inevitable as we get older. Naps here and there take care of lost sleep at night. I'm in your corner!! I hope the weather cooperates, and I know you'll know when to stop planting if it gets too much for you. Why wouldn't you want to do your own planting of the bulbs that will be such a joy to your heart in the spring!! We need things like that to look forward to.

Joanne Noragon said...

It sounds wonderful. Today we have rain and ice, and I am contemplating cancelling all my outings!

thelma said...

Well plant the tulips soon, the weather is going down several degrees next week, single figures. After all the glories of Autumn, there is now a million damp leaves to gather together in this garden!

Catriona said...

I love your very mathematical approach to planting your bulbs and hope you can manage it yourself if you feel able. I like how you always make yourself good food to stimulate your appetite and keep you healthy. I have been having a period of poor sleep recently and it leaves me at sixes and sevens. What a treat that you have so many people to talk to in a day and I feel I would enjoy a good chat with you if we should ever meet. Happy planting.

busybusybeejay said...

Well,I think you are an inspiration.Why shoudn’t You plant bulbs.You obviously are up to it.I have just read out your post to my OH because I so admire you and the way of life you have created .THEN I read the comments!!!!You have such a positive view on life.Brilliant.
P.S.My OH is a ukulele player and plays with a group to similar groups to you and loves it.

Heather said...

I think your plan is excellent. You will have the satisfaction and pleasure of having planted the tulips yourself without trying to do them all at once. No wonder you still lead such an active life when you eat healthily, have a busy social life and don't tackle things which might be too much.
Hope the forget-me-nots settle in OK - I love them and your garden will be smothered in no time at all. During the 40s we lived with my grandparents and I remember she had planted tulips and forget-me-nots in the same bed, so that the tulips stood in a cloud of blue.
Enjoy your ukulele afternoon and I hope you get a better night's sleep tonight.

justjill said...

There is no rush is there? Goodness sake enjoy planting the bulbs. Bet you enjoyed the discussion with son too. Glass of red sorts my fretting over political rubbish we are all involved in.

angryparsnip said...

Your enjoyment of daily life says it all !
I need to look up the plant I do not know about.

cheers, parsnip and badger

Anonymous said...

If you plant the tulips you’ll have far more enjoyment from them than if your gardener did it!
Even if you are a bit stiff afterwards there will be a huge amount of satisfaction and I think the forecast is good for at least the next 4 days.
I'm sure Tess will take great interest in your activities.
My dad planted 12 daffodils in his 89th year even though he was ill at the time.
Hope your music went well this afternoon.
Sue

Carol Caldwell said...

I am full of admiration for how much you manage to fit into your life. I too often can't sleep and run through ideas while lying awake. It is a great idea to mark out sections of the border as you are planting. Your tulips will be amazing in spring and I will look forward to photos of them.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Rachel - you may well be right. Time will tell but I absolutely love gardening and have done so all my life. At last I have a bit of garden which I can reach without any danger. The rest is steep and there is a sharp drop. Now it is important to get them in before the weather turns cold on around Tuesday, so watch this space.
Yes Thelma - I saw the forecast. When I came back this afternoon the stonework on the front of my bungalow was almost hot )it faces due South) - looks like it won't be like that for much longer so tulip time is of the essence.

Thanks to you all. A most enjoyable afternoon. Patients arrive looking sad or bad tempered. Then we all play and sing and most of them have an instrument to bang or rattle. Little by little smiles appear and by the end of the afternoon everyone is feeling jolly.

wherethejourneytakesme said...

It was beautiful and warm here in West Yorkshire today - I went out to plant my bulbs and the two Cyclamen plants. I must have planted about 30 bulbs I think with no adverse effects on my back. You can aim for 50 but I would have a few breaks to straighten up so you are not bent over too long.
I speak for well over an hour in the evenings with my mum, my sister and my daughters - we always put the world to rights in our chats. There is nothing on TV that I would give up our long chats for.

Anonymous said...

Hello Pat! I read your blog faithfully and enjoy it very much. I'm wondering about the creosote on your fence and if is called something different here? I live in New York State in the US and what we call creosote is the stuff that builds up in the chimney and causes fires if it's not removed. Is something made from that and put on fences? My SO rubs used motor oil into our wooden fence from time to time and it preserves it and gives it a very rich finish. I'm wondering if it's something like that? Good luck with your bulbs! We're due for our first big snowstorm of the season tonight and into tomorrow morning - I'm sure all students are hoping for no school tomorrow.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

You are a joy to read, Pat. Your posts are uplifting and there is never a whine out of you. Your attitude is inspiring.

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Cro Magnon said...

Jacket potatoes here too. I wrap them in foil, and put them in the ash-pan under the wood burner. 45 mins later they are 'to die for'.

Derek Faulkner said...

Seems a lot of people are urging you to get out there yourself Pat, let's hope it all ends well.

Librarian said...

Your different types of days show how active you are, and if they are activities you enjoy, go ahead - you are a grown-up woman with a lot of experience and know yourself and your physical condition better than any of us, so if you say you want to plant the tulip bulbs and not leave it to the gardener, you know best :-)
I talk to O.K. nearly every week night on the phone for about an hour, since we can only see each other on weekends, what with us living 150 km apart. Politics do feature, but I must admit it is mostly day-to-day stuff, and of course recently, a lot has been taken up with how my Dad is doing.
I'm glad you slept in the next morning after you didn't sleep until 4:00 am!

Rachel Phillips said...

Well Derek, you have to laugh or you'd cry, as they say!

Derek Faulkner said...

Exactly Rachel

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks everyone for the comments. Horrible fog here today after such a lovely day yesterday. My fencer has one home with a cold but still has a bit of creosoting to do. I think he has worked too hard and needs a weekend off - hope he takes it. See you tomorrow.

Jacqui said...

Hi Pat, I hope you get your bulbs in so that, as Heather above says, the tulips stand out in a cloud of blue - beautiful. I love gardening too, although some back issues curtail me a bit. But I understand and admire your determination to do them yourself.
It's quite a lot of baked spuds for me too, this week. Cheap, nutritious and lovely with cheese!