spring!

this year the beginning of spring meant planting a garden, cleaning, and enjoying good weather.

kings court garden was lucky and got this huge pile of "black gold"
daniel rolled all around in it

elaine, sarah and eli help prep the garden for the black gold
it was awesome because we got so much done so fast

issac couldn't keep the black gold out of his mouth.
he even mixed some in with his cereal for extra punch

daniel was a huge help hauling manure

the beginnings of our garden
we have arugula, some spicy asian greens (kyoto mizuno and chinese broccoli), purple carrots, sweet carrots, and lots of lettuces and greens

after gardening the spring cleaning began
viewer discretion is advised the following fotos are graphic

this is what we found under our refrigerator
actually we found three of these

daniel assumed it was a dinosaur.
can you figure out what it is?
i just hope we don't get hantavirus

i think we used too much easy off
i am still coughing

this is the kinda stuff going on right outside my door

here's DIANNA on a walk with daniel

this is what the neighborhood is looking like

all the flowers knocked daniel's superman work boots right off his little body

we thought R2D2 would arouse them
please note the uspsjedimaster website advertised on this mailbox

no such luck

henry wadswoth longfellow would have said
this about yesterday

Spake full well, in language quaint and olden,
One who dwelleth by the castled Rhine,
When he called the flowers, so blue and golden,
Stars, that in earth's firmament do shine.

Stars they are, wherein we read our history,
As astrologers and seers of eld;
Yet not wrapped about with awful mystery,
Like the burning stars, which they beheld.

Wondrous truths, and manifold as wondrous,
God hath written in those stars above;
But not less in the bright flowerets under us
Stands the revelation of his love.

Bright and glorious is that revelation,
Written all over this great world of ours;
Making evident our own creation,
In these stars of earth, these golden flowers.

And the Poet, faithful and far-seeing,
Sees, alike in stars and flowers, a part
Of the self-same, universal being,
Which is throbbing in his brain and heart.

Gorgeous flowerets in the sunlight shining,
Blossoms flaunting in the eye of day,
Tremulous leaves, with soft and silver lining,
Buds that open only to decay;

Brilliant hopes, all woven in gorgeous tissues,
Flaunting gayly in the golden light;
Large desires, with most uncertain issues,
Tender wishes, blossoming at night!


These in flowers and men are more than seeming;
Workings are they of the self-same powers,
Which the Poet, in no idle dreaming,
Seeth in himself and in the flowers.

Everywhere about us are they glowing,
Some like stars, to tell us Spring is born;
Others, their blue eyes with tears o'er-flowing,
Stand like Ruth amid the golden corn;

Not alone in Spring's armorial bearing,
And in Summer's green-emblazoned field,
But in arms of brave old Autumn's wearing,
In the centre of his brazen shield;

Not alone in meadows and green alleys,
On the mountain-top, and by the brink
Of sequestered pools in woodland valleys,
Where the slaves of nature stoop to drink;

Not alone in her vast dome of glory,
Not on graves of bird and beast alone,
But in old cathedrals, high and hoary,
On the tombs of heroes, carved in stone;

In the cottage of the rudest peasant,
In ancestral homes, whose crumbling towers,
Speaking of the Past unto the Present,
Tell us of the ancient Games of Flowers;

In all places, then, and in all seasons,
Flowers expand their light and soul-like wings,
Teaching us, by most persuasive reasons,
How akin they are to human things.

And with childlike, credulous affection
We behold their tender buds expand;
Emblems of our own great resurrection,
Emblems of the bright and better land.

thanks annie for this poem!