community and gardens

I've been busy gardening the past month, and rather than publicly blogging, I've been planting and tending the "community" garden with my neighbors. Not all of them are involved with the actual soil or plants but some wander by for conversation on collard greens and cabbage, telling stories of their gardens. Gardening in the front yard is a wonderful way to meet people walking by on their way to drop off children at the school next door or who are just out for a stroll with their dog. People wander to and from farmer's market, the post office, and all the businesses on Webster Street, pausing to say hello. Some don't speak English but smile and give a thumbs up, connections are made between us. I consider myself fortunate for this neighborhood and all of my neighbors.

hail!!!

Quite a Spring we are having. Not sure what the garden will think of this.

friday the thirteenth

Sitting at home wondering what the sounds we were hearing I realized it was the second Friday Artwalk in Alameda. Not to be upstaged by Oakland, we have created our own cultural event. The sounds that drew us to the corner were Taiko drummers, but after they played Gamelan Sekar Jaya started on the steps of US Bank. We were entranced. Mike went home after the first set and grabbed his recorder.

We listened and watched. I'm working on posting the sound.

the gable brace

Installed today! Thank you JP Frary. Now we can stand in line with our other sisters.

the last day of winter 2017-2018

 

The month almost slipped by me, but I've not been idle. While Francois watches and Aero sleeps I embark on a new road in my life of crafts.

My last sweater project was less than successful, but undaunted, I put it into the washing machine on hot and felted it. I cut out squares and made a ninepatch pillow. So not terribly bothered by the amount of yarn or hours spent, it has lead me down the path of what else can I do with less than wonderful projects or maybe even purposely knit projects to be felted? I'll keep you posted.

lunar new year

In honor of the New Year we are celebrating with the old and new.

Mike got his, new to him, 1979 Triumph Bonneville running, and more importantly, stopping.

And I finished a new quilt for the bed and hung an old one (vintage 1995) above.

imbolc

Imbolc or Imbolg (/ɪˈmɒlɡ/ i-MOLG), also called (Saint) Brigid's Day (Irish: Lá Fhéile Bríde, Scottish Gaelic: Là Fhèill Brìghde, Manx: Laa'l Breeshey), is a Gaelic traditional festival marking the beginning of spring.
As I type the Spring seems to have left reminding me that it is still winter even if yesterday's temperature reached almost 70 degrees and I didn't want to come inside. The garden called. Today I finished my projects, came inside, read and baked scones.
According to my Witches Datebook, Imbolc is the time of clearing the field and for ourselves a gentle invitation to tug out the stones of discontent that hinder our movement into joy and full expression of life.
Here in our lime tree a new beginning is happening, definitely a full expression of life.

I spotted her the other day while I was arranging the back porch to be a forest of buckeyes. And Aero, with his healthy cat suit enjoys the sun, despite the temperature this afternoon.