Update in Photos

A new book comes out June 16th, with the first two copies arrived Fed Ex yesterday. Hello, Kitty!

The garden grows.  I can't even believe it.  We've eaten spinach, lettuce and radishes so far. If Mel Bartholemew (author of Square Feet Gardening) was my neighbor, I would bake him a pie.  No, I would make him a SALAD.  Next year, we're going to add two more boxes--one for strawberries and one for other vegetables.  Darwin doesn't know this yet.

More garden. Is that kohlrabi in the lower left corner--why yes it is!

Hanna and Noah graduated from the U of I and are living with us this summer until they move to Minneapolis for grad school and work.  Hanna is an incredible cook.  Not sure how she'll feel about being represented by a head of garlic, but it is in so many of her dishes. We like, as well as love each other, so it's a gift to be together this summer.

Will had a semester long honors English project. The only criteria was to learn something you know little about, then create and present what you've learned.  We found out that Will needs open-heart surgery to correct congenital heart defects.  This will happen June 8th at Mayo in Rochester.  On his own, he decided to spend the semester learning about the heart, since he knew nothing about it, and had avoided the subject at every turn.  He then wrote and illustrated a children's book. For his presentation, he read the book, shared his process and demonstrated how to take blood pressure, using a "volunteer" (who also happened to be a friend) from the class.  He got an "A".  :)

When I have a lot on my mind and heart, long walks outside help immensely. My shoes are wearing out and our middle-aged dog is as fit as a fiddle.  Wondering if she sighs when she sees me pick up her leash?

Canoeing the beautiful Upper Iowa tomorrow.  This photo is of Chimney Rock, where we'll be paddling. With the river levels up a bit,  it might make for a read adventure!