GRAVETTE — We had a variety of weather this week. Warm, sunny weekdays were followed by rain and cooler weather on the weekend. Saturday and Sunday were cloudy and no sunshine appeared to warm the days. We got the garden started this week, planting several vegetables, and fortunately temperatures didn’t dip low enough to harm the tender plants. The lovely purple iris beside the cellar have burst into bloom, scenting the air with their heady fragrance. We’re enjoying their beauty while still awaiting our first meal of morels.
We completed several projects the first of the week. Jim finished laying tiles on the floor of the patio enclosure Monday and planted two rows of onions before I got home from work. When I arrived I planted three rows of bush beans, then I helped him plant 20 cauliflower plants, 8 red cabbage and 8 green cabbage. We put several boxes of items out for pickup at Tuesday’s cleanup day and Tuesday after work I planted a row of lettuce and radishes. Then I sowed some poppy seeds just behind the cellar, filled my two new flowerpots with soil and planted curly parsley in one and basil in the other.
Jim went to Bentonville to work for a few hours Wednesday morning and I stayed at home to do a few chores. I went to the office to make a copy, dropped by the post office to put the tax forms in the mail and did a little grocery shopping.
We went to the farm supply Thursday morning and bought some bean seed and pepper plants. When we returned Jim stained and hung the screen doors for the patio enclosure. In the meantime I took Mama to the clinic for a checkup. She got a good report and when we returned I planted three rows of bush beans and Jim planted a row of okra. I baked some cheesy chicken breasts with rice and vegetables for supper. Joe, Heather and the kids came down for a visit just as we were finishing our meal. The youngsters enjoyed exploring the patio enclosure and romping around the fish pond.
I worked at the office a few hours Friday morning and when I came home Jim and I drove to Siloam. We enjoyed a lunch buffet, then went shopping and bought a new patio table and four chairs, a firepit and a few tomato plants. We loaded our purchases and headed home as dark clouds formed overhead. Raindrops began falling before we arrived home.
Saturday was a busy day. The rain continued but I went out before breakfast, took some recyclable items to the collection point and picked up an Angel Food order. I went home and fixed breakfast, then dropped by a wedding shower but the honorees were leaving so I didn’t tarry long. Jim and I went to the greenhouse and bought tomato plants, a few yellow peppers and eggplants. I visited the hospital’s health fair and enjoyed browsing many booths. We attended the Classic Country concert at the performing arts center that evening.
We took a friend with us to Southwest City Sunday morning and enjoyed a late breakfast when we returned. We had short visits from Aunt Mary, Uncle Holland, Aunt Merle and cousin Henry. We watched the Academy of Country Music awards show that evening.
April is Earth Month and tomorrow we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. A few simple actions can help make every day Earth Day. Recycle your Sunday paper every week and you’ll keep four trees alive per year and increase earth’s oxygen. Recycle a six-pack of aluminum cans every week and you’ll save enough energy to power a television for 936 hours. Cut five minutes from your daily shower and you’ll save up to 9,000 gallons of water. Simple steps can sometimes make big difference!
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Susan Holland, who works for The News Herald, is a lifelong Benton County resident.
Opinion, Pages 4 on 04/21/2010