My Field

What will it be?

Will it be Alfalfa?

I haven't asked the farmer who is seeding our field.  
I leave it up to him.






Will it be Alfalfa?





Sometimes he will also plant a one-time  "cover crop".






Most often that will be oats.  Oats will germinate first and protect the young alfalfa from heat and cold. 

First cutting. 





Hoping for a good water year.  

Yes, I live in the middle of my Alfalfa field.  

Take care and be safe. 
Gina 

A night at the opera

Painting by Edward Hopper, 1927

My father had season opera tickets for two.  Sometimes he would invite me.  I always wore my special opera dress, sewn by my mother of dark blue crepe de chine. It had tiny pleats in the bodice and to make it even more special, she had affixed antique, hand made lace to collar and cuffs. My father wore his only suit, a black suit made for him by our village tailor.

We would arrive early. To get to the Opera House we had to take the train to the city. On the way my father would explain the opera we were about to see. This time it was Gounod's Faust, a pretty heady story for an 8-year-old.

While waiting for the opera to begin, my Father wanted to know what made this occasion so special?  What did I think?  I mentioned the fine opera house. NO.  The beautiful architecture. NO.  The finely carved and gilded decorations.  No.  The plush, red velvet seats.  No.  The sound of the orchestra tuning their instruments.  No. the hushed conversations.  NO.

Everyone was dressed in their finery?  OHHHH, YES, of course, that's it.  Everyone dressed in their finery, that is what makes this occasion so special.

I wonder what ever happened to my special opera dress? 

Gina

partial repost

You don't have a garden where you can putter around?

Maybe this post will give you a few ideas.

Pots are the answer.

Bougainvillea do well in pots

Petunias are easy

Pick up a few clay pots

Look around your house for containers.

A few welcome flowers by the front door.

By an old fountain.

Up and down the steps

A little corner by the table.

Pots placed where a little color is needed. 

Urns make great containers.

Great if you have a balcony

On the way to the terrace.

Any ledge will do.

My Begonias have been in these pots for many years. 

Pansies to greet visitors by the front door. 

All you need is a little potting soil and a few containers.    

Gina  

There is good news

At least there is some hope.

The antimalaria drug hydroxychloroquine, a possible treatment for the Coronavirus.  

The medicine is easily available and inexpensive.  

For now, because of my age, I am home sheltered.  I live in a very small community.  

Friends call and check on me every day. 

There are no flowers outside.  It snowed last night. 

My gardening is happening on the inside.  

I have been busy painting tiles for new kitchens in Vermont and in Wisconsin

You see only a small portion of this very large mural.  

It still needs to be fired.

I love how my client designed her tiled wall.  I had no idea how she was going to use my tiles.

  I would say that it is a winner.  

I always have a lot to do.  I am never bored.  

This crisis will pass and sooner than we think. 

In the meantime I have my sweet Sadie who never lets me out of her sight. 

Take care, dear friends. 

Gina 

It's all in the name

Do you know your way around?

Have you walked endless halls looking for the Powder Room?

Oh, oh, finally a sign.

On the Door, of course.

Painted just for you, for your new door, for your old door.

Any color any language.

Even the kitchen door or what about the Library?

Wishing you a clear road ahead, my dear Blogging Friends

Gina

partial repost November 2011

What is it?

Can you guess what it is?

It weighs 3,500 pounds.

Any Ideas?

It arrived by trailer from the big city and then was brought down the lane by a big construction forklift.  

Thank you dear Family. 

Gina