spring rain

A couple of weeks ago, Mat set up a rain barrel so that we could collect rain water to water our garden with. We had been talking about doing it all winter, so we did it the first weekend we were back at home. We were really excited to see it in action, but then it didn't rain for a couple of weeks.

It finally started raining yesterday.  Yeah!  The rain barrel has all ready been drained once. It is pretty exciting to see how much water it actually collects just off of half of the roof!  (The garden is also really excited to have some good rain to soak into the soil.)

Summer is on the way. We barbecued out for the first time on Saturday night and we have a couple of hanging baskets out on our porch now!

my thoughts on riding...

So lately I've been really enjoying going out on mountain bike rides around here. The temperature is perfect for the climbs...I feel like I am getting stronger, but in no way do I have the strong legs that Mat has. For example, we have this one ride we do where there is a mile or so of switchbacks right at the beginning. I pretty much push my bike up it. BUT each time I ride a little bit more of it. And, I love riding down...when I ride Mat's bike I feel pretty tough because I can just go right over trees, roots and rocks and it's a smooth ride. But this last weekend showed me that I'm not really that tough. The day was overcast and drizzly (that's my excuse) and I was a little brake happy and ended up getting the handlebars into the side of my thigh/hamstring area. Luckily, Mat rides in front otherwise I might have had a witness to such a weak wreck!

Anyway, we were going to go riding after work tonight but Mat is doing the responsible thing and talking to a professor at UNC-Raleigh tonight about a graduate project. Because I am trying to strengthen my legs I decided, "hey I've all ready sent off a job application this morning I'll go for a road ride."

I like the ease of road rides. You just head out your driveway and either turn left or right and you are off. Today I went on a new route...around here they are all pretty similar with the rolling hills but different views, some you are riding through neighborhoods and others you are going through farmland or areas with views. Anyway, I do have to say I enjoy the thrills of downhill riding a bit more. The risk factor feels MUCH higher on a road ride what with all the asphalt involved and the vehicles trying to pass you on blind corners...so there really isn't an option for an accident on a road bike. I'll take my handlebars to my thigh or pedals that gouge my soft shins over an accident with a car any day!

The bike I dream of...

Happy Earth Day!

Yesterday, in honor of Earth Day, I planted some of our starts out in the garden.



I planted these peas and also zuchini, yellow squash, cucumbers, beets, beans, lettuce, butternut squash and some sunflowers at the edge of the garden. Now, I'm hoping there isn't a cold front or a hail storm heading our way. I am still waiting on the hot peppers, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and heirloom tomatoes to germinate indoors.

We also went to an Earth Day concert at Asheville's infamous concert venue...The Orange Peel. It was my first time in and it was cool. I guess the sound system is pretty amazing and it is ranked #5 for the top 5 venues for concerts. I suppose that explains why Smashing Pumpkins came for 10 days last summer for their getting back together concerts! We had a great time down there and we found out information on how to Adopt-A-Street! All you have to do is pick up the litter along the street at least 6 times a year...since we all ready do that along our road, why not sign up, eh?

allergies

It is springtime. Lately, I've been taking 24 hour allergy medicine (Claritin or Zyrtec) which will last until later evening and then I take regular allergy medicine. It mentions that it may cause drowsiness as a side effect. For me, that is a definite. I have not had to take any allergy medicine for a week or so, but then I mowed the lawn yesterday and about 8:30 p.m. last night my throat and nose starting getting really itchy. I took the regular allergy medicine and it didn't kick in...

So, I decided to try something out that I read a while ago in the Natural Health magazine...a saline wash for the nose. Since we don't own any of the nice devices for that purpose I just used a glass of water with a bit of salt. I went into the bathroom and snorted water nostril by nostril. By this time Mat is asking me if I'm okay. I was fine. It felt like I was out in the ocean getting water up my nose but instead I was sitting in our bathroom pouring water down my shirt.

Hopefully, I won't have to do that again. I do have to say that it did make the itchiness in my nose go away and I was able to relax enough to have the allergy meds start working to put me to sleep.

Spring...with a call of snow for Monday

Yesterday, I planted our starts for the garden and they are now incubating in our back bedroom. I am excited to see the plants pop up through the soil.



We hope to have even more food from our garden than last year!  We've planted yellow squash, zuchini, hubbard squash, eggplant, peas, beans, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, 2 types of basil, cilantro, sweet peppers, hot peppers, beets and more.

Yesterday afternoon, the news announced that there is a forecast of snow for Sunday night!  Luckily, we have just planted these little seeds in start flats and didn't plant them directly in the soil.   Hard to believe snow is in the forecast, we've been enjoying some beautiful sunny, spring days.



Our tulips are rocking right now!  It is so cheery to see them as you arrive at our home.

Below is a picture of Maddy and Shelby playing.



Maddy has been getting out and seeing some other friends, but I do think she misses having another dog to play with when she's just hanging out at home.  Seeing the two of them play together makes us think of getting another dog!  But, one is plenty and she has loads of friends to play with so she will remain in a one dog family.

Thanks Phil!!!!

You are an awesome brother to maintain this blogsite for us and I am really EXCITED to have the ability to post pictures back on the blog!!!!!

Maddy and Shelby

Maddy has been LOVING life...she has a new best friend here at Ron and Naomi's house.  Shelby is also a labrador retriever mix, but a blonde and slightly smaller version of Maddy.



They have been playing and playing...