Dandelions

Nanny's Hydrangea

Without history books or court deeds, without photographs or signatures, without heirlooms and keepsakes, without family and memories, what is left on earth to tell the story to future generations that someone existed? That someone mattered. That someone made a difference. That someone meant something to someone. That someone cared. That someone loved.


Outside our house there are beautiful dogwood trees that flower in spring, a deep red rose that arrives in the summer, a brillant Japanese maple that glows in autumn, and ancient pines that keep watch throughout the winter. There are azaleas scattered in the front beds and at the side of the house, and paths of brick that trace outlines of old gardens and walkways. In all of these things the cycle of life's seasons are apparent and perhaps understood. Nature's beauty can't tell the whole story about a person, their character, or their likes and dislikes. But these weathered trees and flowers do tell tales of their original caretakers. They whisper that at one time, someone cared, someone existed.


Last fall, my mom gave me an old dandelion puller that belonged to my grandmother. My mom told me it was my grandmother's favorite garden tool, and that my grandmother "was the devil on a dandelion." As a child I loved dandelions and watching them "magically" float off into the wind. I will never look at a dandelion now and not think of my Nanny and her dislike of them.


On Sunday, Kade and I nestled a bright pink hydrangea in between two rose bushes in honor of my late grandmother, Lucy King Jennings. This Sunday, I'll be sure all the dandelions are gone.

Kade

To those out there who read my posts (all 3 of you, thank you), I wanted to share some thoughts with you today, very little of which concern the house that Kade and I are trying to put back together like a puzzle.

This blog often talks of Kade and his extremely hard work in and around old Highland, but trust me, you'll rarely see photos of him. He's VERY camera shy. And he never posts anything on here, I think he figures it gives me something to do other than ask him questions and he'll admit, technology really isn't his thing.

For those of you that know Kade, and for some of you that don't, I wanted to share a little bit about him because he won't let me photo document his life like I do Harley's. Or the dogwood trees and azaleas in the yard. Or sunsets. Or vegetables in a bucket. Or any other random things I photograph.

Kade is selfless. He is goodness in pure form. To say his heart is big would be an understatement. Kade is silly. Finds humor in most situations. He helps his friends redo bathrooms, he loans his tools, he cuts firewood for them, calls them when they need a friend. He's the kind of guy that plants 800 tomato plants even though he doesn't eat them because he knows I love them. Kade loves to talk--to anyone. He has never met a stranger and has friends everywhere. His hands are long and remind me of my grandfather's hands. Kade almost always, unless he's at a wedding, is wearing a baseball hat. He'll fool you when he wears the same green shirt for a couple days, but he cleans up nice. He's a die hard Buckeye fan and will almost break his neck to yell "Go Buckeyes" at anyone wearing Ohio State anything. He's also a huge Phillies fan. It's rare that you'll find Kade having a bad day. He is genuine. He likes to cut his own hair. Kade believes in doing the work himself. He works hard. Kade is VERY smart. He masters numbers like no one I've ever known. He cares about others. BOGO at any store is Kade's favorite. Getting a markdown at Home Depot, he loves that even more. Kade brought Harley home under his coat to surprise me. He loves tv and loves to have a good time. If you're serving Skyline Chili, you'd better mark your calendar because he's going to be there. Rarely finds a hot sauce that is "too hot." When eating hot stuff, when he hiccups, the heat is just right. He doesn't eat vegetables too much--but he does like radishes, peas, and corn. Kade is patient and he listens. He LOVES Mountain Dew. He's traditional but a "free spirit" streak runs through his blood. He loves his truck, but he doesn't like to wash it or take anything out of the backseat. Kade is honest. I could go on and on, but I know he's already going to hate this post, but it is the truth. Kade is someone with a beautiful soul, and I am grateful every day for the person he is, because he makes me a better one.

Energizer Bunnies in time for Easter

The Easter Bunny & Co. came hopping along the bunny trail this past Easter weekend with lots of energy. On a weekend known for painting eggs pastel colors, eating too many chocolate bunny ears, and keeping pets away from that dangerous green Easter basket grass, we, in contrary fashion, decided against all those traditions. Instead we visited multiple fabric stores looking at colors (Dad, you were a trooper) and working outside among nature's beautiful colors of spring. Mom zipped along at the hare speed of her sewing machine (she would go faster if the sewing machine had a faster speed) making covers for our kitchen table and benches and curtains for the front room. I, on the other hand, used the turtle setting on the sewing machine. She also mastered Kade's power staple gun-which came in quite handy for upholstery work. Kade hopped inside and outside making cuts and mixing mortar for the master bathroom tile. Dad made sure no branch escaped the chipper's teeth as Kade continued to cut our amazon forest. Mom (still in hare mode) and I cleaned up some flower beds and brush at the front of the house, trying to spruce it up a little. Harley and I managed to move quickly amongst these Energizer bunnies answering questions, bringing drinks, tools, glasses, and towels without getting run over on the bunny trail.



Our unique Easter weekend included dinners together, laughing a lot, telling crazy stories, visiting friends, and enjoying each other's company. As far Harley, well, she was included too. She got an Easter outfit that Kade managed to tie around her neck for about 3 minutes. Her Easter outfit was a sweet little white bow. And she got toys with rattles-her Easter basket. So somewhere along the way, in the land of the Energizer bunnies, we paused long enough to celebrate the true meaning of Easter after all. Love.

Harley's Easter bow

Dogwood tree out back

Dad loving loading the chipper


Mom using Kade's crazy tool with sharp blade attachment that resembles a weedwacker, but he assures me it is not.

Our newly recovered benches and chairs in the kitchen

Harley enjoying the benches too!

New bedroom curtains for the "dive tank"

Welcome to the Jungle!!!!

Spring has sprung, well sort of, depending on the day. The flowers are in bloom and vegetables beg to be planted, yet the weatherman is calling for frost tonight. Let's hope the temperatures don't get too cold.

We worry you see, because we've spent a majority of the last few nice weekends outside trying to tame the jungle that is our backyard. Back, way beyond the house, sits a land of thorns and vines that grow up, sideways, around, and through the earth. Kade's used power tools (insert Tim Allen's Home Improvement trademark noise here), I've used handed down garden rakes and our hands to get these invasive plants cleared. To us, we've cleared acres. To the average person who doesn't see our yard on a daily basis, we've barely scratched the surface. Either way, the yard is starting to resemble a yard, not a wild portion of the Amazon minus the cool birds.

Pretty pink azaleas

Step 1: Clear out enormous amount of brush from the backyard (This snow pic is the only pic I could find of the gigantic hot mess back there.)

Step 2. Drag out cut and cleared brush


Step 3: Keep dragging brush.
Note: Thorns will make you bleed and vines will trip you.

Step 4: Continue to cuss at the vines hugging each other, tangled in the ground, wrapped around your trees and entangling your legs.
Beware: These vines are nasty and they win at tug-o-war every time!


Step 5: Get land cleared for a spring garden.



Step 6: Buy tiller from Home Depot (of course Kade got a deal people) and prepare the ground for vegetables!

Step 7: Plant 27 tomato plants, 27 pepper plants, 60 onions, radishes, okra, green beans, peas, carrots, lettuce, and cabbage.

Step 8: Pray for sun, rain, and minimal frost. And a bumper crop!