Saturday, March 20, 2010

More about gardens and Mitford

I always find it amazing what one can accomplish just a little at a time.  I was able to clear old brush, stubble, and leaves from an entire section of the fence and deck yesterday afternoon.  The area by the fence is a priority since it can grow quickly, making it difficult (if not impossible) to clear.  Just the aroma of dirt and wet leaves (both in the soil and then sweeping leaves from the deck) made spring very real.  The rest of the family are highly allergic to leaf mold so I'm the only one who appreciates the aroma.  :)

Some of the daffodils are ready to bloom.  Their early appearance (along with the crocus which bloomed earlier in the week) always surprises me.  I am blessed with enough daffodils in the yard that the lovely yellow blossoms are able to be cut for bouquets inside and plenty left to enjoy out the kitchen window.  By next weekend, there should be lots of blooms.

I am physically weak from so much sofa time this winter but I look at the gardening as free physical therapy.  Very soon I'll be able to start walking at least a few times a week on the bicycle trail.

Yes... I do agree with the comments about the first Mitford book.  I think you can tell it was Jan Karon's first book and she definitely got better with the second book.  It reminds me a lot of the Joel Rosenberg series I enjoy so much.  His first book (The Last Jihad) was rather difficult to slug through but he became better with every book in the series.  By his third book (The Ezekiel Option), he had really come a long way.

I also think I like the Mitford series better once he meets Cynthia and especially after they are married.  My least favorite of all the books is A New Song, where they take a short term position elsewhere.  Not that it isn't a good book, for it is a good read.  I just thought it confused the flow of the novels.  I love Shepherds Abiding, it has such a great Christmas message.  I've recommended it to people who didn't want to read all the Mitford books and as a gift for someone who hadn't read the other books.

I can see where Jan Karon was influenced by the Miss Read books.   So many of us read Miss Read after Jan Karon recommended them that many were put back in print.

Today will find me in the yard off and on.  Christopher and two friends are driving back from Florida so I'll be praying a lot!  He's had a relaxing week, just what he needed before finishing a difficult semester.  I know he'll appreciate memories made this week, especially if he's working an internship and not able to get away during spring break again. 

Now... back to the gotta do's of the day.

10 comments:

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

That's my plan of action these days...do a little in the garden whenever I can. I'm trying to take advantage of the few beautiful days we have to get out and weed. Although the ground is so soft from all the rain we've gotten that the weeds come out pretty easily!

I tried reading the Mitford books because everyone always raves about them but never liked them! Which is odd because when people talk about them, they're exactly the kind of book I like?

Manuela

Becky K. said...

Working out of doors is indeed such a great therapy for the body and soul. I think we were meant to get our hands into the soil. Listening to the birds and feeling the breeze. So good and so healing.

Praying with you for a safe return for Christopher and his friends.

Becky K.

Vee said...

Now what you've done is what I need to be doing a precious little at a time...five minutes could prove to be too long. :D

Prayers for Christopher's trip home. I know that he'll have lots to share if he's the kind that still talks with his parents. I think that he is.

Looking forward to seeing your daffodil bouquet on the windowsill or on the antique sewing machine or in the middle of your table!

Happy first day of spring...

Terra said...

I do agree with you that I love the Mitford saga, and also bought the first Miss Read book because Karon admired her. It is so comforting to enter Jan Karon's little village world that when I travel I take one of them with me, especially for reading in airports and on the plane.
Thanks for pointing her out to people here.

Scrappy quilter said...

I absolutely loved all of Joel Rosenberg's books. I couldn't put them down, from the first until his last one. Glad you were able to get out and do some yard work. Can't wait to get into our garden (won't be awhile yet). hugs

Anonymous said...

It's good to learn that you're feeling well enough now to do a bit of yardwork. I was out this morning, too-cleaning up my raised beds. They came through our recent floods quite well, though I must move the lavender to the side that drains faster. I look forward to the daffodils and then the daylilies! Only my sons purple crocus hae bloomed so far. they always make me happy. Hope you don't get anymore snow. It's time for new life! Take care. D in NY

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

We went today to visit with my parents and the kids and I helped out with raking up leaves and twigs etc...from the yard and flower beds. It looks really good.

Now to get busy around here...:)

Anonymous said...

Jasmin and the fruit trees are blooming..the year smells wonderful!! I have been doing a bit then resting too. I am trying to get at the weeds before they take over!! Just being able to get outside and hear the birds and work even a little is such a joy isen't it! I am glad you mentioned the next Jan Karon book may be out in October. I haden't heard this. Jodi

Anonymous said...

I've been raking and burning leaves this week. Big job since my backyard is huge and has all deciduous trees. I still have half the yard to go.
Hope you are having a good visit with the boys this weekend.

Jennie Shutt said...

I started the Mitford Years Series in February this is the first time I have read it. It’s taking me too long to read this series. I can read a book within a couple of days but this series so far seems to drag on. It took me about 3 week to read the 1st book and now 3 week to read the 2nd so far. I really love the story and characters so I am determined to finish this series one way or another but it is hard. I feel like I can’t manage to read more than one or two chapter a day and it feels like it takes forever and I have to get up and do something for a while and then come back to it. I find myself putting it off.