I have stuff to post about, but I think I’m going to go to bed early tonight, for once in my life. I just really liked the picture above that I took of my laundry drying in the sun this weekend, so I had to pop in and quickly post it. It was perfectly beautiful, and it’s always a good weekend when you can get a nice tan while doing your chores, isn’t it? Bear was also quite pleased with the laundry on the line, and spent quite awhile under there, checking it all out. And yes, Mr. HeyLucy has snowmen on his pajamas.

While I’m on my Four Week sabbatical an item at the top of my to-do list is to install a clothesline. I didn’t realize however that I would be doing something so revolutionary. I’m glad I’ll be saving the planet and thumbing my nose at all those homeowners associations (I refuse to live in a tract home with a homeowners association anyway, because I just don’t want someone telling me what color I can paint my house and that I have to mow my lawn). Really, though, I just like to be outside and I’m a total cheapskate, so a clothesline seems like a nice idea. I would like to address one item in that article, however. How on earth do you have an $1,120 electric bill?! I get really peeved when ours goes up over a hundred dollars in the middle of summer when the husband insists on running the air conditioner day and night. That’s great that the author thinks she’s making a difference in the world by hanging up her clothes, but I really want to know what they have plugged in to use that much energy? She’s quite proud of the fact that they then reduced their bill to a mere 500-something dollars. Still, what the heck are you running when you pay that kind of utility bill? Also, do you really think Al Gore is out there hanging up his laundry on the clothesline? I’d love to see a picture of that.

Photos:

1. venice, 2. paper crane, 3. luft, 4. clothesline, 5. Bandanas, 6. I’ll Run Away With You to a Small Town., 7. laundry, 8. Forgotten, 9. No wind.., 10. dresses dry, 11. gran pavese, 12. Clothesline, 13. rooftop, 14. Les culottes blanches sur le mur–The white underwear on the wall, 15. Not a good day for washing…….., 16. Country living

I don’t have too much to say, because I’d rather be outside than in front of a computer.

I can’t possibly choose my most favorite flower, but I sure do love these little grape hyacinth. We planted a patch of these about four years ago, and they’ve come up faithfully every year since without any demands or special needs. I didn’t see any sign of them a couple weeks ago, and was afraid that they had finally succumbed to our neglect. But I needn’t have worried, a couple days ago hundreds and hundreds popped up, seemingly overnight. The daffodils are continuing to bloom and I hope to take some pictures of the various varieties this weekend.

And since there hasn’t been a chicken picture here for nearly a whole month, I also took a picture of the chickens milling about under one of our oak trees the other morning:

I rented a cute little PBS documentary the other day called, “The Natural History of the Chicken“. There actually wasn’t much chicken history, just a bunch of people who understand the allure of chickens as I do. There was a short segment about how laying hens live that really turned my stomach. I don’t think I can ever buy eggs grown like that again. I shared some of our eggs with all our neighbors, and I think I may have some regular egg customers. One has already placed a standing order for a dozen a week.

The sunshine and longer days always fill me with energy, which has me making big plans. Who knows how much I will actually accomplish, but so far by big plans for Spring include:
*Put up a clothesline. I just bought this clothespin holder to make hanging up my wet clothes much much more fun:

Don’t you want to come hang up laundry with me?

*Build at least two raised planting beds, one for herbs and one for vegetables.

*Clean up all the various scrap wood piles, some left by previous owners, some the result of a fallen fence.

*Lay paving stones, which are piled here and there, in front of guest house for a new little patio area, near future clothesline.

*Paint ugly black iron table and chairs a cheerful turquiose to go on new patio area. Cover seat cushions with cheerful oilcloth.

*Paint inside of guest house light, bright white.

There’s much more to add to the list, but I better stop there for now. Happy Spring!