Summer Has Arrived

The weather is finally warm enough to open windows and go outside in a t-shirt. The astronomical first day of summer is June 20 but I will take summer weather whenever I can get it. Lake Michigan is still in the 50s so too cold for me to jump in. The lake is warmest in September. The last time we went to the beach, the midges were unbearable. Then the black flies were out. I’ll try to walk the beach this week. Big water soothes body and soul.

TRAVEL

My husband, Brian, and I went to visit our daughter, Lisa, in Chicago over the weekend. #Chicago never disappoints. Even with many events, festivals, road construction, and road closures, the city was as vibrant and cool as ever. Lisa was our driver and she stayed close to home on Sunday to give herself a traffic-free day. Lisa booked us a yoga class at her gym, #LPMFitness. We saw a play, something we try to do when we visit. And we ate at two of her neighborhood restaurants. #ERIS brewpub and #Warlord. Love the creative, down-to-earth energy of Chicago and all its neighborhoods. See you again later this year.

GARDEN

The front shade garden is done. It needs to fill in and I need to keep diligent with the deer repellent. I have lots of hostas growing in that garden. Moss is covering the soil, which I love. I am not a ground cover person. I’ve been ripping it out of other gardens, but I love moss.

I am slowly adding and deleting plants in the rock garden. Slow, hard process. I planted bareroot plants in the fall. Many did not make it due to critters, I’m guessing. The plants that did make it through winter are small. It will take three years to fill in. I may have to bite-the-bullet and purchase plants from nurseries so I can see my design vision sooner rather than later. I am not getting any younger.

The tomatoes and hot peppers I have growing in pots on the deck are starting to take off. The basil, which had a hard time due to cold temperatures, is doing its best. I cast some seeds in the herb pot on the deck and seedlings are starting to pop up.

I planted a pot of chamomile and dill. Lots of baby shoots in that pot. The thyme I transplanted in a pot is not doing as well as I had hoped. I’ll keep an eye on it and maybe add some more at some point.

The #hummingbirds are taking a break. I’m guessing they are taking care of babies. The males were busy in spring dancing to attract a female. By the lack of activity at the feeders, it looks like they were successful.

GETTING BACK IN THE SADDLE

I started taking #dressage lessons. First few lessons were about getting my seat back. I am currently working on riding the correct shapes and strengthening my asks for different types of walks and trots. Paddy seems content. I want us both to be stretchy and strong into our old age.