It was a cold morning, below 50 degrees, when I went out to feed Spots. I will defer work in the garden until after breakfast. I have adjusted the curtains to the east-facing window in my bedroom to catch the morning sunrise. The sky begins to lighten just past 6.30, and I can slowly watch the sun climb over the hill and through the valley oaks.
I remembered Ben today with a text to Karen.
I deeply watered the two pots for new vines and started to train the vines up the wires to the summer house roof. The sweet pea is in fact a fast grower, but the jasmine is not far behind. I trimmed the carpet rose by the summer house and gave supplemental water to the matilija poppies.
Mike reviewed with me the proposed work on the barn stairs. He brought up a 20 foot extension ladder for the outside of the high platform opening into the upstairs door for the barn.
I picked up twelve cases of wine from Fiddletown this afternoon: half 2017 Barbera, half 2017 Petite Sirrah. Apparently the crew last weekend bottled two barrels. I have fond memories of tasting the Petite Sirrah – unusual, richer than your average Zinfandel and more tangy than your average Barbera.
I threw an older bunch of radishes over the fence yesterday. I expected Spots to eat the tops, but he apparently had a coming appetite. Both the tops and the radishes went.
A Year at the Snake 