Monday Musings ...

It is all about me.

As you may well know … today is not Monday but Friday. I have been suffering from a very severe case of writer's block. After 126 weeks of consistently publishing my feeble attempt at writing, I am stuck. Or tired. Or both.

It is Memorial Day …. the day that we honor our fallen soldiers.

My grandparents called it Decoration Day.

For some reason, I liked the term. We decorated the graves of soldiers and our ancestors. It was 1967 when the federal government formally changed the name to Memorial Day. But Decoration Day still lives in my memories.

We had a Memorial Day event in the small town where I grew up. And I am certain every one of you went to a parade similar.

Everyone went to City Park by the train depot and laid out very specific bouquets. Ostrich fern, iris and then peonies. Maybe some Bridal Wreath spirea.

I never remember another flower being there.

There was a parade.

First the Legion marched. I remembered them being followed by the Boy Scouts. And then, the rest of us carried the bouquets.

Although, the event was very patriotic … I always felt that Where have all the Flowers Gone was a far more appropriate song than America, the Beautiful. But I am a child of the 60's.

We walked to two cemeteries … first the Lutheran cemetery, then the Petrie cemetary where the American Legion conducted the service.

I remember my dad's uniform. The spats over his shoes. The blue shirts with the gold insignia. And maybe a white helmet??

It was somber. The gun salute frightened me. And the bugle's echo playing Taps made me cry.

It was the beginning of summer. A holiday, yet this did not seem like a celebration. It was a quiet day of reflection and remembrance.

My father and my husband both served … unlike the current occupant of the White House.

I don't believe a President has to be a veteran. I do believe he needs to deeply respect them and their service and the sacrifice they are willing to make for our country.

Somehow, a rambling rant about large boats and trophy wives doesn't show respect for the young devoted Americans that will lead our military for next thirty years.

Again, I cry …

Blooming … The garden is just beginning. We were able to make true bouquets this week for the FarmHers Market.

I am excited to share more this week.

The delphiniums have buds … a few dianthus are starting but I am not happy with its survival rate from winter. Valerian is starting to show its dusty red color. And the Fruit Punch poppies are blooming … I love these!

I think the You-Pick will open 6/11. Once the snaps bloom, we will be ready!

Hitting the Target … I quit shopping at Target after they removed their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

As a 70 year-old woman, I did not always have a seat at the table. I was treated like a secretary when I was a salesperson ….. because I was a woman. I was told to clean the restrooms …. because I was a woman. No man was ever asked to do that.

The list could go on.

So when I realized that Target did not share my value of equality for all … I decided not to share my dollars.

But it was TARGET …. my go-to store.

But my values trumped my retail desires and I searched for companies that believe more like I do.

I started by going to Zero Waste Reserve in Bettendorf, near the Bett Plex.

I love buying my laundry soap and pre-wash in bulk. I just bring my container and fill what I need. It is weighed and no other plastic or cardboard enters my house.

I also buy shampoo bars and bamboo toothbrushes there. I recently got the BEST wood fingernail brushes. They are tough enough to really clean my very dirty nails.

Then .. paper goods (toilet paper, tissues) and some compostable bags come from Who Gives a Crap.

I love this company. First … they use NO plastic. No plastic tape in packaging … they don't even have a little piece of plastic in their tissue boxes.

50% of their profits go to build toilets in 3rd world countries. Yea. They are that cool.

And finally, I have found the PERFECT natural deodorant. I thought I have tried them all but Prairieland Herbs in Woodward, Iowa makes the best I have tried so far.

After a sweaty, hot day in the weeds … I stink.

Well, I did.

This is not an antiperspirant but an awesome deodorant. I like the lavender-frankincense scent. Order it … but not until I get my latest order. 😉

Fatigue … Okay, being 70+ is hard.

The farm has been really busy this spring. We have hosted 4 FarmHer's markets, 2 weddings, a garden tour and I don't know how many photoshoots. A lot.

I have baked bread every week and made at least, 3 batches of jam a week for the market.

My sleep schedule is a mess.

And I have to say …. I am struggling and trying to find a sense of balance. Thursday … the day after our market … I could barely get out of bed.

Or maybe it's just the last couple of weeks.

I am trying to knit in the evening to be productive. And stay awake. I finished a pair of socks …

I am not crazy about these. The yarn is a 2 ply wool/nylon blend and does not have nice tight twist. They fit well. But I don't see them lasting too long.

And this is the Jodi shawl I am making. I have less than a week to finish this. I am almost ready to start the red fade portion of my shawl … the blue part of the above picture.

It's coming along. Approximately 40 rows to go. I should end up with roughly 320 stitches. In a lace pattern. 🤦‍♀️

Save me from myself.

Just a reminder that our FarmHers Market is here every week .. here on the farm.

On grass.

No noisy generators.

Just birds and butterflies and laughter.

It is good to be here.

Please join us.

I will talk to you later. (Maybe after another nap)

Cathy

www.buymeacoffee.com/misseffie