READY

We had a long, wet fall. The yard was so saturated with water that it squished when we walked. The boys made muddy paths everywhere they walked. The dog tracked muddy pawprints all over the house. The mud was so deep that Ben skidded, backcycled wildly to keep from falling, but did a pratfall flat on his butt when I was taking him to school, and was so muddy he had to change everything, shirt, pants, shoes, even underwear!

So, I bought slate paving stones from a gardening center to put on the muddiest path. And noticed that all the spring bulbs were 75% off.

So, I went a little nuts. 200 new tulip bulbs, 200 crocuses, 100 irises, and 60 freesias. We finally got everything planted last weekend. Also, I weed-whacked the butterfly beds and the herb bed, and trimmed back the peonies and roses and grape vines. Mulched everything. Even cleaned out the garage so my car would fit.

Planted the freesias in pots for the windowsill. They need Zone 9 and above. I've never even seen a freesia, as far as I know.

And I dug a hole for a new cherry tree to plant in the spring. Probably a Morello cherry, although I will wait until the neighbor's cherry blooms to see what is growing in their yard. It's so healthy. And if it's not a Morello, maybe try planting a Morello on the north side of the house, just to see if that really works, as it is reputed to do.

And now I am ready for snow.