Regrets

So. The guy sitting next to me is describing how he makes the best frozen margaritas. Ever. I am intrigued by the recipe and his specific list of measurements and ingredients and the method by which he combines them. Now. Consider that the next day is Cinco de Mayo. The perfect day for enjoying a margarita! And it didn't occur to me until this afternoon what I should have said to him. Great! I'll be over tomorrow, say, four in the afternoon? And you can whip up a batch of those amazing-sounding margaritas for me! I'll bring the guac and chips. Hmm. File this under missed opportunity or dodged-a-bullet. Depending on whether you're an optimist or pessimist. And forget that glass half empty or full thing. Your container is the wrong size.

He's a Lumberjack and He's Okay

I know this guy who took down a huge old walnut tree that was in his yard. Then, because he perhaps has too much time on his hands or he just likes to solve weird problems, he removed the stump by digging all around it. The unearthed stump was then sliced up into pieces. Last week he brought me a few pieces to use as funky decorations in my yard. Aren't they fun?

Lost of interesting color variations, likely caused by minerals absorbed from the soil.

This gnarly little chunk is my favorite. I'm thinking it will take up residence in the fairy garden after a few small alterations. I'm also thinking this is one of the very best, totally unexpected gifts I have ever received. 

Basil In, Cilantro Out

If you were a plant, would you choose to be brought into the house when winter sets in? Or to be left outside to brave the elements? Welcome to the world of my mostly brownish thumb! On the upper level of the plant stand is the Christmas cactus, which is doing quite well. On the bottom shelf is something that was formerly basil.

Last fall when I was cleaning out the garden beds, there were so many perky basil plants! So I brought some inside. At first there were three pots, but only this one survived. As you can see, it is nothing but dirt and dried up twigs. Remember, this is the plant that was privileged enough to come inside for the winter. In theory, so it would flourish and I could put it back in the garden this spring. Didn't work out that way.

Spring has sprung out in the raised garden beds! Here we have cilantro, which last fall had pretty much died back to nothing. Now, with the warmer days and some rain, the cilantro has magically come back to life! This morning I pinched it back and brought some fragrant leaves into the kitchen. They were combined with fresh, chopped tomatoes and a little olive oil and salt and used to garnish my omelet. Thank you, cilantro, your deliciousness will be appreciated all summer long.

May the 4th Be Pink!

The Rakish Ho(e)

What I want to know is, did the judges later award him the cash because they determined that his answer was equally valid? I do hope so. Though it appears that this particular answer, at this point in the game, didn't affect the outcome. I applaud Ken's creative answer.

Tonight's Entertainment

Naturally, there will be a firepit celebration outdoors if weather permits. Indoors we shall fire up the dvd player for The Mists of Avalon (2001), a tv miniseries adaptation of Marion Zimmer Bradley's 1983 epic novel of the same name. I know, I know, there are purists out there who will object that the screen version strays too much from the book. I am willing to forgive these discrepancies primarily because the movie captures the time and its politics and the emotional depth and the relationships between the characters so very well. The novel, at 876 pages, had to be distilled down to its essence in order to fit into the run time of 186 minutes, another reason I am willing to pass on criticisms. The casting of the main feminine characters is inspired! Julianna Margulies (Morgaine), Anjelica Huston (Vivianne), Joan Allen (Morgause), Caroline Goodall (Igraine), and Samantha Mathis (Gwenhwyfar) are all wonderful in their strong portrayals, but they effortlessly look the part of these medieval women. As a fan overall of the Arthurian Legend, The Mists of Avalon stands alone in the manner that it elevates these female characters to the forefront of the story instead of leaving them in the background as one-dimensional props that help move the plot along for the men. So. The Mists of Avalon. Watch it! If you don't have the dvd like us old-fashioned people, I'm certain it is streaming somewhere. Happy Beltane to all!

Celebrate Beltane!