Feeling anxious? Fretful? Try digging up a lawn!

-Polly

Spring Diversions

This turns out to be a very green post today. We are having some typical New England spring weather. There are good edible green things growing from the ground, but the air is cold and damp. I was cutting arugula for dinner when I looked up and saw our woodsmoke rising behind some rosebuds. Take a look at the green leaves below. Can you tell what they are?

These are the most giant rhubarb leaves that have ever grown here. Those are my adult size toes for scale. Having the bun lads residing nearby seems to be a factor.

And now finally a little bit of weaving news. I now have a Mannequin to keep Ruth Ann company. Handsome man scarves are being planned presently. -Polly

Metal Parts

Enough suspense already! Here is my mother's day present. A ring! I found this large metal ring in an old cellar hole. Part of it was buried in the ground, and held down by a tree root that had grown over it. We think it is a barrel stay. The inside is flat, the outside is somewhat rounded, and there are no holes in it. After it was rolled out of the deep woods for me, I set it up in a shady part of my garden. I am so pleased with it.

After the ring followed me home, but before it was installed, I found even more rusty metal parts. These leaf springs were under our garage for some time. Only when my mind was happily musing on the aesthetic qualities of discarded metal did they jump out at me as a perfect addition to a sunnier garden. -Polly

A Long Weekend in the Woods

For mother's day weekend, we went away into the woods. The weather was lovely. The flying insects were plentiful. A porcupine quill was discovered by a foot. I found a few more by looking at the ground under trees that had bare spots in their bark. Our dog discovered something he was excited about.

We did not let him keep his treasure because we knew it would aggravate his food allergy. He was disappointed, but in time, he came to see our point.

This pile of rocks was added to.

We studied this beaver dam for a while, but never saw the builders.

Turkeys were seen leisurely crossing a field. In season, but after noon.

The boys were drawn by the allure of a cold running stream.

We had a wonderful time. I brought home a surprise mother's day gift also! I do not yet have a nice picture to show it off. For now, I can say that it is round, and quite old. Part of it was in the ground for a very long time, and it took my good husband considerable toil to acquire it for me. I will show you later. -Polly

RISD Alumni Spring Art Sale

I spent this past Saturday at the RISD Alumni Spring Art Sale. The weather cooperated for the most part. The crowd under the tent was lively and friendly. It was a great day. .

This was the view from my post behind my table.

I was reminded of how nice a successful art sale can be. I have to try to remember this in the future. Signing up for art or craft sales that include mud pits or tractor pulls has not worked well for me. Sure, I will attend as a spectator. I always enjoy a good tractor pull, but I usually don't plan to buy a fine scarf at the same time. Lesson learned. If you visited me on Saturday, Thanks! I really enjoyed seeing familiar faces again and meeting so many nice folks. - Polly