Monthly Archives: May 2012

So today’s NOT Mother’s Day

After wishing Suzy and Julie a happy Mother’s Day, I realized I was a week early. At least I didn’t mail my mother her card yet.

After another major soaking today, I think we can say we’re out of the drought. The storm rumbled through at about 2:00 am and ended by 2:45 am. It dumped 1.42″ of rain and some pea-sized hail. I can’t see any garden damage, but that might take a couple of days to show up.

Lucy knew about my new job. I had interviewed on March 20th and we found out the next morning that Lucy’s battle turned significantly worse. I called them to turn down the position. Later that day I heard back they would hold the job open while Lucy needed me.

I had promised Lucy I would take care of some tasks for her this year. The basement steps are almost fully painted and my back and knees are letting me know it. That was on hold because I didn’t want to expose her to paint fumes. Even low odor paint with no Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) still off-gases as it dries.

So even though it’s not Mother’s Day, give your mom a hug anyway. She’s earned it!

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Filed under family, rebuilding, weather

“The Sky is Crying”

Lucy’s MP3 player has about 1,400 songs on it (all legal, of course). One of them, Stevie Ray Vaughn’s cover of “The Sky is Crying”, seems appropriate today. My backyard picked up 1.11″ of rain since midnight, and 1.46″ since the yesterday. The Twin Cities metro area was about 5″ behind on rain. I don’t see any standing water despite all the rain. I also haven’t seen any state birds (mosquitoes)…yet. I swear the Siberian irises have scuba gear on now.

The garden planting is almost complete despite the downpour. The garden work has been very therapeutic for me. Lucy and I would eagerly await the arrival of gardening weather. It gave us some wonderful quality time together through the years.

It’s been a tough week dealing with the administrative minutiae that needs done once a person dies. With the exception of one local financial institution, everyone I have dealt with has been sympathetic and helpful. Lucy and I tried to cover all the bases to reduce the hoop jumping for the surviving spouse, but it’s still tough.

Most of you know I start a new job on May 14th. I’ll be working in Eden Prairie as a Sr. Software Engineer for a company that is growing quickly but intelligently. The job is demanding and I’ll need to be as close to 100% as possible when I start. That’s why I’m trying my best to get the administrative stuff done so quickly.

Thank you again to everyone who has called, emailed, or visited. Words cannot describe how you have helped me.

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Filed under gardening, music, rebuilding, weather

An unexpected gift

I am still receiving sympathy cards. Yesterday’s mail also included a card and memorial candle from Fairview Hospice. They will call me tomorrow with information about purchasing additional candles.

Lucy enjoyed dahlias and lilies. Yesterday before the storm hit, I planted four dinner plate dahlias, two canna lilies and nine Oriental lilies. I’m also going to take another whack at growing morning glorys around the arbor near her rose garden. Like last year, I’ll be planting borage, cardinal flax, and bluebonnets. I know I’m running about a month late on some of the seeds. Now we’re getting into a rainy period. Yesterday saw ¾” of rain, which helped put a dent in the drought we have been in since July of last year. Here’s hoping we don’t get a hatching of mosquitoes to go with the rain.

Give your loved ones a hug from me tonight.

hospice candle

The Hospice memorial candle

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