The Growing Season

I can grow hostas.

 They were really just an afterthought, a few years back when we were landscaping our front yard.  I didn't even know what they were, just that they liked shade.  And, having a north-facing house, I've got boatloads of shade in the front.  We plopped them next to the front door as a filler.  They have been very happy there, away from the borders that tempt wandering deer.  They are so big now, they almost look a little ridiculous.

The things planted intentionally have not done so well.  All I want is two large, flowering bushes that grow past the base of the front window.  I don't think I'm asking for much.  Two bushes, that is all.  

This lonely bush is the result of two attempts.  It's supposed to grow big... up to 6 feet tall and 6 feet wide.  This is it's third summer season.  I don't think it's reaching it's full potential.  This is, however, the first time it has actually bloomed.

 This is one tough little bush, not giving in to the winter-kill of the off-season.  Growing in what is most likely a foot of rock (shout-out to Bill, the rock king).  Never feeling the warmth of direct sunlight.  

I've got to respect the bush.

But I can't help wishing it's twin hadn't died out the first winter, and that it would have a sudden growth spurt.

The peonies look good again this year.  Barring hail, a deep freeze, or tornados, they should be blooming pretty soon.  I can't wait.  They are my favorite.

The house I grew up in had lovely peonies, and a beautiful lilac bush.  Just the other day, I walked up to my neighbor's door... her lilac bush is blooming, and smelled so amazing, I determined that I must have one myself.  So my gardening goals this year are:

plant more peonies

plant a lilac bush (or two, just in case one doesn't make it)

keep the weeds down in the unplanted garden area.

(Although Bill is determined to till the garden, then "throw in some seeds."  Maybe the after-thoughtful, casual, unintentional approach will work??? It can't be worse than last year.)

The Beginning of Summer Madness

As one door shuts, another opens.  As one thing comes to an end, something else begins.  So philosophical of me, I know.

Will I ever get to a time where I have nothing to do but read?  Or give myself a pedicure (I could really use one)?  Or shave my legs (summer's here... no more letting it slide for a month at a time)?  

Apparently NOT.

But that's okay.  I have an appreciation for being home.  Having that extra 4 hours in my day.  EVERY day.  So regardless of how busy things seem to always be, I am grateful for the extra time.

So... my summer started out with a bang swim meet.  Saturday.

I know, I know.  It's not like it's an atypical thing around here.  But it was Mar's first meet since last summer, so a big deal for her.  Since she doesn't swim year round like her big sis, I was a little worried that she would feel less capable, less approved of, or less cheered for.  I was the sole supporter, since Bill was attending the Ma and Pa training for the Pioneer Trek that morning.  It was chilly at 7am, and Mar grumped while shivering after warm-ups.  Then she swam her first event.  A relay.

 Her team placed first, which was a great start to the season.  After the race, Mar came back to me with a huge smile, and an "I love swim meets!" sentiment.

 The day warmed up nice and toasty (although it's been super hazy around here... they say from the Arizona fires.  It makes the sun look red, which is really cool, but it's probably not so great to breathe).

 Shilo swam great, too.  I think she made All Star times in all of her individual events.  We're not completely sure, since the team has a new timing system, and there were a few glitches here and there.  She won't be able to attend practice this entire week, and will only have two days of practice the following week prior to her next meet, which might give some of her closest in-team rivals a chance to catch up to her. 

We have a few friends who have children doing swim team for the first time.  It reminded me again of Shilo's first season.  She couldn't swim across the pool (and it was a pool with a 12 ft. deep end!!!).  I was prepared to go in, in case a rescue was needed.  At practices, she would swim two strokes, then cling on to the side of the pool for a minute or two.  Then repeat the process.  All the way across the pool.  From one side to the other.  Over and over.  It was hard, at the time, for me to watch, so I sympathized with those new swim team parents.

Mauri swam her first 100 IM and didn't get DQed (IM=Individual Medley.  The swimmer has to swim each stroke: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle, in the right order, and make the "turn" for each correctly.  A lot to remember, especially when you have never swum it competitively before.)  She even won her heat by half a pool-length.  She got a Heat Winner ribbon, which made her day, although I think (glitched system) she placed 5th overall.

So the summer has begun.  Sunday afternoon, Lexee and Shilo headed out with our Bishop, his 4 year old son, and 5 other girls (it was a packed vehicle) to Provo for EFY.  It's the first year ever that we haven't done the EFY drop-off routine.  I kinda missed it.  The girls stayed with Britta, who graciously hosted them and their friends for a night, before check-in on Monday.  Shilo called me yesterday to tell me that she and Cheyenne are in the same group as three other girls from our ward.  We have since concluded that the EFY powers-that-be must intentionally place people from the same area together, since the chances would be pretty slim for them to all be together if it was done randomly.

When I texted Lex and Shi last night, they both said it had been a great day.  It's made things a bit slower around here, as far as parental duties go, so I spent the day finishing the paper purge, doing laundry, and finalizing my cabinet choice for the basement.  The progress on the basement has stagnated for a few days... I'm hoping it picks up soon.  Like today.