In southern Indiana, there are so many wonderful things that only happen in late spring and summertime. Pools open, trees regain their leaves, and all vegetation wakes up for the warming sun. One good point that’s a personal favorite is that it’s the time gardens are planted.
Mr. Pesky even makes sure to plant some of my favorites including German tomatoes and banana peppers…
My worst complaint of summertime at the barndo…
The worst part of late spring and summer here at the barndo isn’t mowing or the never ending yard work required to keep up. It’s painted decks. And I’m not even complaining because they have to be repainted soon. I’m saving that for later once I get started.
Painted decks are too hot for puppy paws.
Yesterday, I sat outside for a bit and had coffee and a snack at the table on the deck. Merida and Dharma joined me, of course, waiting for a bite of whatever I had. Once Dharma stood up, she immediately sat back down holding up one paw like it was injured. Painted deck is HOT!
Back inside, I began searching for what would be the best option to allow my hounds access to the yard without walking on a scorching hot deck. The best option is a retractable awning, but price checking I found that’s just more than I want to invest.
What to do?
That leaves shade sails, deck tiles or outdoor rugs. I’ll make a decision later today and let ya know. In the meantime, I’ll be inside today enjoying the sound of rain and blades of grass growing. (Yes, I mowed the dog’s yard AGAIN yesterday. ARG!!)
Now you know: Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, an astrophysicist who discovered pulsars in 1972, had her boss not only take credit for the discovery, but also win a Nobel prize for it.
Mr. Pesky hand delivered something to go with the beans and cornbread I made. The only way I would’ve been more thrilled is if it would’ve been a homegrown tomato.
I have months left to wait for those.
I’m pretty sure we had fresh tomatoes from the garden by late July in years past, so I have quite a bit of time left to wait. Sure, you can pick up some pretty good looking specimens from local growers earlier than that, but many are the hot house variety.
Mr. Pesky doesn’t typically do potatoes or sweet corn, but he grows some mighty fine cucumbers, peppers, radishes, onions, and tomatoes. He does plant one thing I can’t stand… turnips! The smell of those things cooking is nasty.
What’s your favorite?
Do you look forward to homegrown veggies? If you do… what’s your favorite — and what can you simply not tolerate? Anything?
Now you know: Obelisk, a Queen’s Guard horse, used to lure pigeons to him by dropping oats from his mouth. When they came close, he would stomp them to death. He was eventually taken for additional ‘psychological training’.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, approximately 19.2 million adults in the United States alone are affected by spring allergies — also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis. That means I wasn’t the only American that awoke this morning with a stuffy nose.
What I didn’t know is that you’ll suffer worsened symptoms on windy days when pollen is more likely to be airborne. Like when I mowed just the other day. 🙄
Yesterday was a rainy, lazy day at the barndo.
No outside yard work or landscaping projects can be done in the rain. I was so lazy, I don’t think I even logged 3,500 steps the entire day! I keep waiting for Mr. Farmer to show up to cultivate and plant (hopefully corn!), but he was likely lazy yesterday too because of the rain.
Want to bet he’ll wait until I get the pool open so he can dust up the clean water? 🙂
Now you know: John Travolta was first considered for Forrest Gump but declined, opening the door for Tom Hanks. Bill Murray was also considered. Joe Pesci was a contender for Lieutenant Dan, but Gary Sinise got the role. Dave Chappelle rejected the role of Benjamin Buford Blue, thinking the film would flop.
Hummingbirds at feeders create a whimsical spectacle!
I love watching the iridescent plumage flashing as those little fellers dart and hover with astounding agility. With hearts beating up to 1,200 times per minute, anyone watching them can’t help but marvel at nature’s exquisite design.
They’re captivating, aren’t they?
While I’ll miss the birds I’ve fed throughout the winter, I’m now depending upon them to gobble up mosquitos instead. Get after it, boys… it’s now time for hummingbirds to shine. 🌺
Now you know: Lake Chippewa, in Wisconsin, is home to a giant floating island that sometimes moves around blocking a critically important bridge. Local boat owners work in unison to move it approximately once every year. The island is called “Forty Acre Bog.”
This isn’t some self-help post and I’m not going to encourage you to take up yoga. Starting with thoughts about why it seems peaceful at night, I found that experts agree on just a few factors that cause many people to feel the same.
Those factors are:
It’s typically quieter at night. The absence of routine daytime noises helps create a serene atmosphere.
Nighttime can provide a sense of solitude and privacy. It’s less stimulating outside in low light and allows people to focus inwardly and relax.
Starry skies provide a sense of wonder. Especially on clear nights, you can appreciate the beauty of the night sky, stars, and the moon.
Human bodies are attuned to natural rhythms. (This is the one I struggle with, you guys.) Nighttime is when many species — including humans (except for me) — rest. The alignment with natural cycles induce feelings of peace and relaxation.
But nighttime can also be scary! 💀👻
When I lived alone at the little house just down the road from here, I was scared outside at night. No garage at the time, the distance between my car and the front door felt like miles! I couldn’t get inside fast enough — especially in winter (not sure why on that one).
Even now, if I’m alone outside in the dark and a coyote cries, it gives me a spook.
What say you? Is nighttime peaceful or scary? Maybe both?
Now you know: Chinstrap penguins take more than 10,000 micro-naps a day so they can stay vigilant and guard their eggs.
