We got air! Sunshine too!

Today we're back in clean air, and energy and walking 

What a difference when you can't chew on the air.

At home I put the Splitleaf in various locations, ending up like this, with the coleus for company.

It's paying for its keep by disguising the bare patch.  It's squashed up against the house because it's so unbalanced it won't stay upright. But there are roots coming out so if it sinks them in, it will solve its own problem.

And look, thistle flowers, now birds and butterflies should show up 

And the hibiscus is ready to explode 

The sweet William are having a second act. I left them after blooming to drop seed, but here's what's happening 

I didn't know they did this.

Meanwhile I did get a walk, a bit out of shape from being in the house, but I spotted a job for the site manager to take his mind off fun stuff in yards.

I notified him with nearest house number and requested action.  Teehee.

Further on, the daylilies are over but the feverfew or whatever these aster type flowers are, have started.

About HOA site managers, I've known a few it being a revolving door job usually either to be promoted if competent or let go if not. Unless you're connected then you get promoted without being competent.

It's a job that attracts quirky characters who get bees on certain areas. One went mad about window coverings -- all supposed to show white outside, no matter what color inside -- then was gone before anyone responded. 

Another decided porch lights, style, brightness, were his thing, issued all kinds of instructions and buying options, I wondered if his brother in law was in the business, and moved on before anyone changed anything.

Our current manager is in fact pretty competent and quick to get real issues, downed trees, dead geese, dumping, sorted. But he's a parking nut. Sends out pictures of how not to park over the sidewalk, etc. 

Those of us who've been here a minute know to just let it go, not get airiated about it. Yorkshire expression, the meaning probably clear. 

So I've given him something to do, like distracting a toddler.  Here's a downed tree, let's see what you can do with it.

I think I'll paint a bit today. Just in the mood.

Happy day, don't sweat the small stuff.  Most of it's small stuff.

 

Habitats and cavatappi

This morning, since rain was forecast for the afternoon, I got in a walk while the going was good. The boots are coming through fine, perfectly dry feet after sloshing through melting snow on cold ground to see what's up with the downed tree.

Nothing much changed. Maybe the landscapers had to make a plan of action, there not being much elbow room around the tree.

I saw that it had taken down a couple of wild cherries on its way down, so I proceeded with caution under another one which was leaning over perilously.

There was a great display of lichen which had been about 25 feet up, out of sight. And daffodils don't care -- completely unworried about being crashed on they're getting ready to bloom as planned.

And I found someone's front door, hidden by the undergrowth before. I'm guessing, from its size and the location, it's a groundhog home. 

On the way home there were great pale gold beech leaves, not affected by the snow and wind lately. They look delicate and are as tough as old boots.

Home to wonder what to have for lunch, ending in cavatappi with a tomato basil sauce with cheddar cheese, then fresh grated Parmesan on top. Enough left for lunch tomorrow, too.

Handsome Son may get here late, because amazingly his car is ready a week and a half before schedule. So that's his first errand.

Then there will be tea and two kinds of cake. I'd forgotten about the banana bread in the freezer, when I baked chocolate cake. So he gets the benefit.

Happy day everyone, everyone's on edge here right now, particularly since the Texas Democratic primary result, so please consider your words when you comment. Sometimes a passing observation can come out more upsetting than the writer intended. Just a word to the wise. 

Spring is under way, walking a bit hindered

So here's what I saw this morning on the patio 

Plural snowdrops! Last year I think one came up. But here, wow, maybe four, a banner year.

And daffodils are just starting to show. They were evidently starting up under the snow.

It's the first time for a few days I've been out on the deck, but now the snow has receded and I thought I'd finally take a walk to the pond, booted and hatted and long coated, it feels like the 20s f., a bit cold. 

Then the plan hit a snag, almost at the pond. Namely a big old downed  tree blocking an entire section. It was old and probably rotted, so the weight of the snow with wind seems to have broken it off at the base.

I need to get through there to access the pond. I could have found a way round by a couple of streets but it occurred to me that it would be wise not to go where there may be other trees waiting to fall on unwary walkers.

So I took pictures to send to management in case they don't know yet, and came home. Late edit: they didn't know. Landscapers on their way now.

I'm now planning on a cup of tea and a slice of the chocolate walnut cake I made yesterday in case of a visit this week from Handsome Son. I have to test to make sure it's okay. 

But first I learned to use Resistbot and sent emails via it to all my reps demanding they get us out of Iran, no bombs to hide the Epstein files.

Happy day, good to get out and find signs of spring, unless you're looking for signs of fall where you are. Or look for signs of chocolate cake, it's all good.

Exciting walk, low key supper

We had some wind yesterday. Went out for a walk around the development, and found my path blocked. I had to detour to finish, and kept away from tall trees for the rest of the stroll.

Home to make these exciting things. Black bean fritters.

They're actually better than you'd  think to look at them. Not a great intro for a recipe, I know. But they're good. Filling too.

Quite exciting to make, since the blender did only a medium job of mixing -- I'd mixed all the ingredients before the next screen, when I scrolled down,  said  you needed a food processor -- and my wooden spoon got all stuck in the blades, as I tried to scoop the mixture out to cook it. I might have eaten a bit of wood pulp in the fritters. But it's fiber, after all.

This is one can of black beans, minced garlic, ginger, cilantro, Thai curry paste, salt, breadcrumbs, egg, bunch of fresh cut chives. Made six fritters. Put ketchup with, didn't have  the fancy dipping sauce the food processor owning recipe writer required.

It's one of those recipes people love to describe as "budget". But they assume you have all the spices, garlic, ginger etc. The only cheap ingredient is the can of beans.

This is why food banks list condiments on their wanteds. You can make much more interesting food with spices, but people who need the food bank can't lay their hands on spices.

Also did you know that summer can be the hungriest time for food bank users? School's out, no subsidized lunches then. If you're planning to give, please do it now. And $$ is excellent, since the food bank people know what they need most, and they'll spend it wisely.