Our local farmer's market on the square opened this morning, so after enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee, I got dressed and went down to walk around a bit. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much because it's so early in the season yet, but there were a few booths open -- including the lady with the really delicious tea cakes.
If I weren't currently battling my blood sugar, I'd have gotten some. Maybe later on in the summer when I've gotten things under control, I'll splurge, but not right now.
They also had a new vendor that was selling spice blends and meat rubs. I looked, but again didn't buy anything. I stopped by the Little Free Library before I left, and even that was empty. Slap empty. I got back into my car completely empty handed, and said to myself, "I'm not even going to go walk those trails. I'm just going to go home."
However, by the time I'd made the square and got back onto the road, I'd changed my mind. "I think I will go walk that trail after all." And I did.
I chose to walk the bottom land trail this time, even though it's not a Pokémon Go route.
I need to walk this one more, because it's such a nice trail.
And there is always interesting flora, such as this mushroom -- the like of which I've never seen before.
According to Google, it's an American Ceasar's mushroom. Of course, I didn't touch it, since 1) I didn't know at the time what it was and 2) it's a state nature preserve and that would be illegal anyway. I just took the photo and walked on.
I was also finally able to find and identify this spiderwort.
I've seen them growing on the sides of the roads, and really wanted some for my native pollinator garden, but you can't really stop on the highway just to run off and identify a flower. I mean, you could....but anyway, I know what it is now and can add it when I finally get that part of my garden going.
Speaking of my garden, lookit! I have a baby cayenne pepper! Woo hoo!
And...I have a zinnia!
I have a couple of them, actually. I chose this variety thinking it would make it look like my fairy houses were in a forest, and I think I did pretty well in that regard.
The only issue is that it is hard to see the houses now that the zinnias have grown up a bit. Next year, I'll know better. No matter, it's still fun to have a fairy garden.
In other news, last night a bird got into my wood stove, and while I was catching it and putting it back outside, I realized I hadn't cleaned out said stove since the ice storm. I decided then and there that this would be my weekend project -- to get the stove cleaned out and this entire corner tidied up and ready for summer.
I'm almost embarrassed to tell you I got an entire five gallon bucket of ash out of the bottom of that stove. Oh well, I burned a lot when I didn't have electricity, and by the time it was over, so was I.
I think I've only lit one fire since then. Oh well, it's cleaned out now and all of that wood ash is mixed into my compost pile. All the tools and stuff are tucked away behind the stove until it's needed again, and that corner looks so much better.
I still need to wipe down the walls, and will probably have to take a scrub brush to the grout between the bricks on the base. That isn't going to happen today, though. It probably won't happen tomorrow, either. Maybe not even next weekend. Cody and Bren have to be completely out of their house by the 25th, and I told them if they needed help next weekend, just let me know and I'd come down and give them a hand if we're not working.
Cody made a flying trip up here to bring some stuff for me to store for them, including this rocking chair.
They didn't have room for it in their apartment, and Bren didn't really want to get rid of it, because it was a family heirloom. She also asked if I had room for her wedding dress and one of the bridesmaid's dresses, and I said I did. I'm going to have to buy a garment bag before I hang them in the closet, though. Just for a little extra protection.
A couple of other things she sent were a calligraphy pen and a wax stamp, because she knew I'd like them.
It's a letter B, and a different style from the B I already have, so it works out.
The only problem is that the only pen pal I still have is the one in Australia and I don't trust the international mail enough to use wax seals on those letters. All of my American pen pals have quit writing, and aren't likely to start again given that postage has gotten so astronomically high these days. In fact, it's so high I'm going to have to cut back even on my Christmas cards this year, so if you don't get one, don't take it personally. And if you do, don't feel obligated to send one back, even though I love to receive them as well.
The last thing she sent was one of those diamond dot kits. I don't know if she bought it or if it was given to her, but she hadn't even started it.
I'm not sure I will, either. I've seen them on craft store websites, and it looks like something that would drive me absolutely nuts. I told Cody I'd try it, but can't promise that I'll finish it. But if any of you want the thing, holla at me. I'll ship it right out to you.
Cody didn't stay long, saying he had to get back to cleaning that house out, but before he left, I sent those three tiniest basil back with him. I said maybe he could baby them and get them to grow. And if not, he can always stop by here and cut some.
That's about it for my Saturday. I'm going to go get me something to eat and watch some TV.
Laters.
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