This week’s Potter County Journal will be more of a photo essay. Looking back at the week, I can’t think of much to write about. And, after all, a photo is worth a thousand words. Spring arrived (officially) on Thursday, but we couldn’t really tell since it snowed off and on all day. The snow and ice are retreating, but very slowly. I’ve heard that the maple sap season is underway at last. The sap runs when the days are above freezing and nights are below freezing and we haven’t had a lot of that sort of weather. Until recently we were below freezing night and day.
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| The snow is slowly receding. |
I’m keeping a close watch on my flower beds as they slowly emerge from the snow. They are soggy and full of winter debris right now. I’m hoping that this week, after they dry out a bit, I’ll be able to clean them. So far only a scant handful of snowdrops have come up. If the snow stays away, it will be no time before the crocuses and daffodils appear, too.
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| Snowdrops. |
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| The flower beds emerging from the snow. |
I didn’t start any new seeds last week. Next week is a big planting week. I will start all my brassicas – cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. The trays I’ve already started are growing nicely.
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| My seed trays. |
I spent some time trying to learn how to use my camera. I like to sit at the bay window in the living room and take photos of birds. I think I’m starting to get a feel for how to use the telephoto lens. It’s a good reason to bird watch anyway.
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| A chickadee. |
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| A red-breasted nuthatch. |
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| A house finch. |
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| A bluejay. |
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| A grackle. |
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| A robin. |
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| A junco. |
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| A song sparrow. |
On Saturday I finally finished my cider vinegar. It’s been fermenting in a corner of the dining room since last October. I siphoned it into gallon jugs. I got four and a half gallons of light brown vinegar.
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| Siphoning vinegar. |
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| The finished vinegar. |
The brightest colors around here right now are my houseplants. One of my Schlumbergera cactuses is getting new buds. Two of my orchids are in bloom now. And my clivias just keep getting better and better. Soon there will be flowers outdoors to rival the ones indoors.
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| My orchids. |
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My clivias.
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