The Optimist Gardener - An Update

I probably should have called this the 'Forgetful Gardener', because after I planted the total of 300 bulbs mentioned previously....I got a surprise. The 250 bulbs that I ordered last spring (and forgot about) arrived last week and also needed to be planted. So, for those of you who care, here is the list:
180 Daffodils
100 Tulips
100 Crocuses
80 Hyacinths
50 Mountain Bells
25 Dutch Irises

Okay, so that only adds up to 535....but each one was planted by my own two hands. Now, if the deer and the squirrels and the moles and the rabbits and the gophers (plus the cats) will just not dig up or eat up all my hard work.....next spring should be pretty spectacular. I will keep you all posted!

The Optimist Gardener

Gardeners are optimists. We believe that there will come a spring, even when the weather right now is turning cold and rainy. We believe that something brown and rather ugly will become something beautiful and inspiring. We believe that a sore back, tired feet and aching muscles will translate into a beautiful vista from our front porch.

Today, I planted 100 tulip bulbs and tomorrow I hope to plant about the same number of crocuses and of daffodils. Only a gardener ( or parent) spends so much time and effort on something that will only show fruit in the uncertain future.

Dancing with the Stars (Sort of!)

Art and I have been fascinated with the TV show 'Dancing with the Stars'; rooting for our favorites , booing the judges, and having fun trashing the dancers we think are terrible. Ever since last summer when it started, we have been saying that we were going to learn to do ballroom dancing....how hard could it be?

Of course, two foot surgeries have (conveniently) delayed our entry into the world of waltz and foxtrot, but my full recovery meant that we didn't have any more excuses. So....when the local community education offered ten weeks of lessons for less than $100 total, it was time to put our money where our mouths have been for a year.

So far, we have had two lessons. The picture is of us attempting to waltz.....attempt is literal because we have found that some stereotypes are not true! If blacks have rhythm, then Art's Irish and French blood have blotted out any black rhythm he has!!! As for me...I do okay if I don't have to twirl too much...the knee definately does not like twirling!!! So far, we have learned the rhythms for fox trot, Texas Two-Step, and Swing (all the same rhythm, just different variations); the rhumba rhythm, the waltz basics and some steps for the West Coast swing. We are so confused! Most of the time we can't remember which rhythm goes with which dance name, so we still pretty much make up our own steps.

All I can say is....we will be talking a lot less trash when we watch the professionals and not so professionals on 'Dancing with the Stars'. This stuff is really hard work!