Another Rainy Weekend

 Mother's Day was a perfect gardening day. Sunny and 65 degrees with no humidity. I went to the garden center and picked up some lantana, verbena, and coleus for my large pots. While potting them up, I kept looking at the massive boulder that was left on the lawn after the construction last year. I've been waiting for Wayne to return to place it in a garden bed, but I just couldn't wait any longer. 

The boulder - I wanted it placed on its flat end in the gravel bed.

I've tried to roll it several times, but the thing wouldn't budge having sunk into the lawn a bit. I taught about simple machines and friction  for 30 years, so I know a thing or two. I got out an old shovel and pike my father gave me 30 yrs ago, and set to work levering and placing rocks under the boulder. I wish I had more hands, but I just put my feet to work too.

It took awhile to get enough rocks under it, but I was fully invested in the process.

Less friction on the rocks meant I could pivot and slide the thing into better position to then roll it up on its flat end into the little well I dug into the gravel. 

Now I just had to add enough rocks under the pointy end so I could make the
 final roll into place. I definitely didn't want to roll it onto the patio (or my foot) and risk cracking it!

It took about an hour but then, Voila! 

My new garden accent boulder!

As I sat admiring my work, I thought about my Dad who gave me the tools and confidence, and my Mom who taught me to problem solve and persist. Then I had a little cry and texted my sisters. My parents were human and flawed, but they always did their best and were such kind and good people. I really miss them.

I didn't want to waste a moment of this day, so when the yard work was done, I loaded up the kayak and had a nice evening paddle around the lake. I spooked a school of huge carp in the little outlet stream, saw lots of sunfish, turtles, and shore birds too. Just as I was heading back to the dock, a bald eagle flew over me. What a fine day!

The overhaul of the town beach is almost done after 2 years. I may buy a beach pass.

I just can't tear myself out of the garden lately and Monday was no different. I did quite a bit of weeding, transplanting, and dreaming up ways to add more garden beds without adding more work - impossible! 

A bike ride in the afternoon with Charlene, Ernie, and Sue Ellen was fun and a bit of a challenge with some hills to climb. We went from Lions Park to Schenectady about a mile past the Casino, into some neighborhoods on the roads. Those 22 miles really tired me out!

Taking a break behind the Rivers Casino on the Mohawk River.

Today I rearranged the Earth Boxes on the patio - rather I got them off the patio and onto the gravel bed at the edge. They were starting to stain the concrete and I really don't need that. The carrots and beets are finally coming up and the sunflowers too. The trick with those is to grow them in pots until they are tall enough to no longer interest the rabbits. 

Then off to a shift at the Discovery Center where 50 or so 4th graders were running around. I asked if I could help, but the education specialist had plenty of help so I could just focus on my study of the trail maps and flora and fauna of the Preserve.

When I was done, I set out on the Hunger Kill Barrens trail and amused myself for about 2.5 hours covering 5 and 1/2 miles. The lupines are in full bloom along with dozens of other wildflowers. 

Lupines!

Delicate Bellworts

Mayapple flowers are blooming as well.

Gypsy moths are out. If this were in my yard I would burn it -
but in the Preserve it is illegal to harm any living thing.

So lovely - the Lady Slipper orchid.

A friend is coming over tomorrow for coffee, then I really have to catch up on inside house work!