Spring planting

The first few days of May found me in Maine helping with the repurposing of two former vegetable beds. The idea was to fill them with Bluestone Perennials' preplanned perennial garden of 60 or so plants (2 dozen varieties). The included plan showed a layout for a bed 32 feet wide and 5 feet deep. Some adaptation was required to fit the plants into the 2 beds in the foreground of the photo, each 5 feet wide by 15 feet deep, as viewed from the house. We planted 3 sedums elsewhere and divided the remaining plants into 2 groups of mixed heights and colors, arranging them by height in each bed. Some were familiar (asters, for example) while others were new to me (aruncus, echinops). It will be fun to see how they develop.

French Cemetery

While in Maine recently I visited the French Cemetery, so called not from any national or linguistic identification but from the family associated with it. Old cemeteries appeal to me as hints of a place's history and as examples of popular design. This vault door, overhung with spring flowers, faces away from the road and in the general direction of the sea.

An 1846 stone memorializes Captain Sherman, "Drowned at Sea". A single rose adorns the 1859 grave of 18 year old Maria L., "Also two Infant Children".

Apple sandwich

 
When in Maine in November I picked an apple from the Northern Spy tree, brought it home, and stuck it in the fridge. A couple of weeks later I sliced it for a toasted cheese and apple sandwich.
 
It was sweet, tart, tangy and crisp. Perfect with some thinly sliced sharp cheddar.
I was reminded of it when I came across these photos while copying today's snow photo. This is real food.