It’s been a particularly windy spring. I’m not a fan. I can take the cold rains and/or snow. I do not like hot and humid, but I can tolerate it. The wind, however is so annoying and ruins stuff right and left in gardens. For example, I planted foxglove from seed last year. They produced fabulous spikes of different colors. Then, wind came along and wreaked havoc. I managed to get them staked, but they are no longer stately and wonderful. The good news is the really tall center stalk can be cut and several shorter, but equally nice, side shoots will bloom.

There are so many observations I made this week in my daily travels. The pink and white mixed dogwood marriage at Morrice the Florist is an all time favorite. The two trees have grown together perfectly.

Short-lived, but beautiful and very fragrant, are the locust trees. The up-Island side of the field below the Tashmoo overlook is sporting several large trees. Locust is an interesting tree. The wood is extremely hard, so it is great for posts. My grape arbor is built for it. I cannot remember how long ago son Reuben constructed it—at least two decades. Even with the weight of the vigorous grape vine, it has not faltered.

Then, as a lifelong user of wood stoves, locust is very desirable. We joke that a totally green log can be started with a piece of newspaper and burns hot and long. The only drawback is its ability to produce tons of babies with scary thorns.

Like a crazy person, I seeded some comfrey at the edge of the vegetable garden. It has run amok and is literally everywhere. Even pulling it and placing in a pile produces a new crop. It is pretty and attracts bees, but, trust me, do not do it!

Starting winter and summer squashes is problematic. In the field, pesky voles eat the seed underground. Then, in plug trays in the green house, rats dig them up. I came up with a plan. I cut boatloads of mint and covered the trays. Then, I dipped q-tips in straight peppermint oil and placed them here and there in the trays like little soldiers in a row around the edges of the flat. Time will tell if it will work. Once they germinate, they should be safe.

Another casualty to the wind this past week were the heavy-headed peonies. They were sprawled all over the place. I did a major cut even the ones that had not opened. As luck would have it, when the unopened buds come inside, they slowly begin to open. The house is filled with the scent. As most perennials, their time is limited, so it’s wonderful to enjoy them in the house.

One of my character defects (of which there are many) is thinking everyone thinks like me. I’ll never get over 75 million people voting for a convicted felon, pathological liar and an egomaniacal, cruel human being.

Now that I’ve alluded to how I really feel, I’ll be popping corn to watch the upcoming show between DJT and Elon Musk.

Musk has called the so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” an abomination. Trump is in an untenable situation. He loves Elon’s money and social media power, but also needs constant praise and loyalty. What to do? His stress level must be off-the-charts, which does not bode well for the country. I’m his age and can barely manage the stress of getting the carrots planted. Then again, I’m unbothered by folks not adoring me.