Lupins and Lobster

I've been waiting for a friend who said she was going to be here between three and four. It's now five-thirty and she's not been here yet. I need a break though so I've come inside and can do a post.

I'm sure by now that I'm sounding like a broken record when I say I've been doing intensive gardening. It is supposed to rain tomorrow so this is the perfect day to get seeds into the ground. I've got my beds almost finished and will plant seeds after dinner. I got thirteen packets of seeds and want to plant tomatoes too so everything will be planted closely and perhaps there will be no room for weeds.

I've had some wonderful bouquets in the last couple of weeks. My tulips and black irises are finished for the season. Lupins are in bloom already. The first ones are always a bit small but it's nice to see them. The lilacs are heavenly and apple blossoms are still perfect on the later trees. I washed a ton of vases this morning and will fill more in a bit. It's busy, busy, busy on my days off.

A couple of songs by great musicians today. There is no one quite like Leon Russell though he didn't get as much fame as he deserved. He has gotten a lot of recognition from other musicians as his songs have been recorded by many, especially his Singin' This Song For You. I saw him in concert twice; once in Toronto in rain in a muddy field and one at UMass. He's fabulous! My daughter told me today that she is moving back east so this song, Back to the Island, is for her. I love his raspy voice and simple piano. Harry Manx is another favorite of mine and it's time to post his Only Then will Your House Be Blessed.

My friend has arrived in the middle of this and brought me a whole bag of lobster. I have to go now. Yum, yum!!!!

Friends

A bit of an early post today. I'm leaving soon to have a Scrabble game at a friend's house, dinner, then possibly another game of Scrabble. I haven't had a game in a while though it was once a very regular activity. I've not been keeping my chops up in any other way either so don't expect to do well.

I was at another friend's house for a lovely dinner last night and visited a friend who needed some support yesterday afternoon. Winter can be very hard on those who live on very, very moderate means. I'm just glad to be able to help.

All winter I've been remembering the predicament I was in last year at this time. I needed help in so many ways and friends came through for me. My sister journeyed to take care of me for two weeks, my sister in law became my chauffeur from late December till mid-April, my son shoveled snow, a friend loaned me button up shirts, other friends calmed my mind and listened to me whine about the unfairness of it all and others brought food. I appreciated these kindnesses very much and will never forget them. I've always given a helping hand to my friends and hope to watch it turn round and round amongst us all, giving and receiving help in turn.

Here are some songs that came to mind during this post:

• Thank You by Charlotte Kendrick
• Only Then Will Your House Be Blessed by Harry Manx
• Company of Friends - Danny Schmidt
• Thank You by Dido
• If I Were An Angel - Nina Storey
• That's What Angels Can Do - The Wood Brothers
  

Blessed

A blog when you can day. My guest is having a bath in the old, claw footed, deep tub. I have a couple more people coming to a dinner party tonight, so I'll be busy this afternoon. I'm having a wonderful ham with scallopped potatoes and candied sweet potatoes that will all be cooked in the oven and a salad that I made last night and potato salad that my house guest brought with her. Yum, yum, yum. I know how to excite my kids!

We're having so much fun but you can really tell our ages in that we have all the fun we can yet we're in bed early. This house has hosted a lot of my friends and relatives over time and a song today reminds me of that. Ony Then Will Your House Be Blessed by Harry Manx is something to give me a message once in a while. Good Girls by Merry Clayton is the other selection today. Talkin' bout those good girls at my house, the one that's blessed.