Spring is Here

After the chilly days of winter (fortunately no snow here in Texas), I look forward to getting our small yard and pool in shape for warmer weather. Like last year, I'll fill four large planters with colorful flowers and some smaller ones for the covered patio. I've yet to master the art of getting things to grow in hot weather, but I'm learning. Yesterday, I ventured to our local nursery, now filled with a wealth of gorgeous plants and flowers, to check out the possibilities. I plan to put a few more flowers in the front planting area and then get our lawn mowing service to install mulch, as the bags are too heavy for me to lift and I don't want Andy to do it. I did come home with enough small succulents to re-plant my small terracotta dish garden, which seems tolerate the hot weather beautifully. 

We need to clean off the pool deck and covered patio, getting rid of  accumulated debris. The pool guys will come out to clean the filters and check out the pump. The little robot that continuously cleans the pool bottom needs cleaning and the surface of the water must be skimmed. Then we'll bring out the cushions for our furniture that have wintered in the garage and arrange the furniture. The kids can't wait to get in the pool--probably well ahead of the time their neighborhood water park will open.

I'm also excited by another project. My talented son-in-law, Matt, is going to build a stand-up planter box so that I can grow some herbs, tomatoes and other veggies. I downloaded the plan from the internet and this afternoon we'll make a trip to Home Depot to purchase all the materials. I've tried to grow herbs and tomatoes in smaller planters with only limited success, and am now convinced that they need deeper soil to thrive.

It's nice to have some fun things on the horizon, after a worrisome couple of days. Late last week, our dachshund Toby had to undergo surgery to remove a quarter-size mast cell tumor near his front leg, leaving him with a four-inch incision and a big patch of bare skin where his fur was shaved. He's recovered nicely with the help of pain meds and eating well. The pathology report will come in the next few days, but we're hopeful that will bring good news for our beautiful boy.

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