What The Dog Did

I have the thank my friend Elaine for this one - she loaned me a book, _What The Dog Did_, by Emily Yoffe. I LOVE this book! It cracks me up. This is a beagle owner who just can't stop! If you have ever owned a dog, you have to read it. It makes me feel better about the antics of my whippets, the way I dote on my animals, and the unabashed love I have for them. Thanks Elaine.

Law & Order Addiction

I freely admit it: I'm a Law & Order addict. I love the show, the spin-offs, I even took the which Law & Order detective are you quiz on face book. I am Alex Eames, of course. 

My most favorite is the Criminal Intent spin-off series. And last night I got to see Jeff Goldblum's debut as Det. Zack Nichols. I love him. He has a zany yet understated quirkiness that I think will go a long, long way. Dare I say, he could even rival Vincent D'onofrio as my heart-throb detective. 

Some times things are just worth waiting for.

Gardening Again

Again, I spent the day outside putting seeds in the soil this time. Today I planted:

• cilantro
• nasturtium (which is edible!)
• ranunculus
• yellow squash
• beets (2 varieties)
• spring onions
• limas
• green beans
• carrots (rainbow variety)

I went out to check the blueberry bushes and the rabbits have had their way with them! Richard & I immediately took action and put up a chicken wire fence. My sister has taken to calling me Mrs. McGregor. I can't wait to see what comes of all of this in a month or so!

The Good Good Earth

Yesterday I spent the entire day with the garden. Here's where it stands so far:

11 tomato plants

4 herbs - thyme, oregano, parsley, basil

2 squash plants

3 blueberry bushes

6 begonias

3 annuals

6 balloon flowers

1 wisteria

1 really great farmer tan (really, it's more of a burn)

Today I hope to get some seeds in the ground. Ahh, spring.

Waffling

Where to begin? My child has had issues at school this year; more this year than ever before. He can't focus, doesn't follow directions, gets lost between tasks. The list goes on. I've tried to be an educated parent, an advocate for my child and staunchly opposed to labeling my kid with ADD/ADHD. I know too well the disdain with which teachers treat "those" kids. The teacher has been lobbying long and hard to see if we can't "do more" for him. I see this as code for "get him on meds." I've been in tears more than once about this whole endeavor. I've been angry and worried and ready to yank him from school to educate him myself.

Her persistence finally wore me down. 

We are seeing a specialist next week to discuss what we are seeing in our boy and set up a series of evaluations for him. I feel good about the person we are going to see. He's not connected to the school, so I feel like he won't be unduly influenced by the teacher's observations. He comes highly recommended by our pediatrician -- & I trust our pediatrician with my life. Our first appointment is just with the doc and the parents. I like these things a lot. But today, the whole thing is weighing on me. 

This parenting thing is such a moving target.

Weather, how do I love thee?

I've been a little torn with the weather these days. I want to get out and plant my blueberry bushes and wisteria -- which have both arrived in top condition. But living in Indiana makes things exciting. They say if you don't like the weather, stick around 5 minutes, it'll change. (yeah, I know they say the same thing in Baltimore and probably where you live too)

And the weather has done me in this week. There has been no planting as the threat of frost continues to keep us at bay. And the day I did try and get out to help RJH with the new mulch and topping off the beds with dirt, the wind was gusting and my allergies kicked into high gear. And just to make things more fun, I am realizing that I am not as crazy as I thought, but whenever there is a low pressure system coming in, I get a headache. I got a doozie of a sinus hummer this week.

So instead of gardening, I've been finishing up several of my knitting projects. I have a baby gift that FINALLY got finished (and don't tell AJ, but I'd love to keep it for myself!), an Easter sweater vest for the boy that I FINALLY got all the loose threads tucked into, and a birthday present for a dear friend that is nearing completion. All in all, not a bad way to wait out the weather, but not what I had in mind.