In the wink of an eye, we have gone from blizzard winds to dust bowl winds. Dennis and I worked outside today until 1:30 and then took cover. The hard surface streets have enough grit on them from winter to make your face prickle when the winds are at 20 MPH. A good spring rain would take care of that irritant.
We have some lilac branches that gave way under the weight of snow. Our lilacs are ancient and have gnarled branches with some hollowing. As it was, we needed to prune a few additional back for a project that we have coming up. The pruning gave way to raking and then brought to eyesight the amount of sod that the snow plow had pushed when it pushed snow on Stauffer Avenue. Stauffer Avenue is a dedicated 10′ gravel alley than has morphed into more like 15′.
Before I realized it, Dennis had the small sump pump out and was empting the Koi pond of snow melt. Out came his snowmobile boots and he was in the pond clearing it of leaves, branches and other winter related leftovers. I had not mentioned the Koi pond as I didn’t know how Dennis was feeling about maintaining it for another season. He is apparently up for it and I know the Koi wouldn’t mind getting out of the horse tank that they have been in for the entire winter. Once the city water that we will be filling the Koi pond with has a chance to dissipate any chlorine, Dennis may very well be dipping the Koi from the horse tank tomorrow. I know Dennis lost one of the older Koi this winter and I couldn’t tell you right now how many are remaining . . . perhaps 7.
Tomorrow Dennis plans on getting the riding mower out and chopping the leaves that I have raked out from under the lilacs and put into windrows out in the open lawn. They are too many to bag and burning is not an option. He may have less to mulch than he thought as the north wind is strong and taking a few far, far away. We have a huge Maple tree and our neighbor Randy has a huge Oak. The leaves that I raked out were matted, thick and heavy. The soil needs to get some air. For me it was reminiscent of cleaning calf pens on the farm. Layer by layer is the only way to go, peeling the layers of manure, or in this case, leaves.
We have had a great day and have decided to have a treat for supper dessert . . . rice pudding. Yup, it’s a sweet life here on Stauffer Avenue. Both Dennis and I might be a bit sore after today, but then the personal satisfaction far exceeds that.