Pay it Forward People.

I took Coco to Coney Island for dinner tonight because she got two, count em' two, Panther Paws at school today.  Panther Paws are little orange circles of paper that one receives if one does something super duper at Emma Smith Elementary.  Stockbridge, as a town,  basically runs on Panther Paws...get with the program people.

In the beginning of the year she brought every single one home because she liked the wow factor of saying "guess who got a Panther Paw today??!!"  At some point, she realized that you could put them in a box by the office to win a prize, so she dutifully gathered dozens of them from around the house and tried to throw the odds a bit, but those other kids were onto her and stopped her short, and we had to settle for the pride of having them at home.

Anyhoo, after a lovely meal of Coco creating "force fields" around her french fries so that I would get shocked if I tried to eat anymore (I just wanted one ok?) (maybe two), it was time to head out.  But then the manager walked up to the table next to us and stated "you ladies won't be getting a bill tonight."

I shushed Coco straining one table over to hear the goods...what was the problem?  raw chicken?  regular coke when they had ordered diet?  What on earth happened to them that they got no bill???

"The woman sitting behind you paid for your meals.  She said to have a wonderful night."

There was confusion followed by awe followed by appreciation.  "But we didn't know her!" they protested.  And that is the point, isn't it?  Random acts of goodwill.  Because you never know when someone just needs someone to do something unexpected and nice for them.

And that is your homework.  Pay it forward people.

And if life gives me too much of anything, let it be poppies and peonies.  Please.

Rainy Days, Mondays and High Speed Chases.

Sometimes a girl needs a cloudy Monday.  The kind where the wind has the perfect amount of chill through the windows.  The kind where you walk outside determined to do work, but then just walk around blissfully under those big ol' black clouds, admiring your handiwork.  The kind where you walk back in and watch all of your "shows" that you missed over the weekend on the couch with your cuddly husband.

I've been gardening somewhat obsessively (and by "I" I mean "we"), knowing that we have 2 months and counting till the Hootenanny.  Last summer was a year of waiting to see what would come up in the gardens at our new farm. There were sun plants in the shade, shade plants baking in the full sun....it was a hot dry summer spent willing things not to die.  In the fall I divided perennials, dug perennials deep into open spaces, moved plants in and out of the sun, lovingly buried bulbs, and crossed our fingers through the winter.

Do you know the satisfaction of green things sprouting, and then filling your beautiful spaces?  Spilling over rocks... orange, red, and purple blossoms just kissing each other through the places that fill with sun?  It's turning into heaven out here.  We should be in full beautiful swing come the pig roast when all of you pretty people walk into my life.

And, a high speed chase was promised, and a high speed chase you shall get.  This morning a white car flew by the house, followed pretty closely by the undercover officer that hangs out on our block (?we don't know why he hangs out on our block?) with his lights on.  A few minutes later, 6, yes 6 state trooper SUV's also flew by.  Now, it turns into dirt and gets very curvy about 100 yards down the road, so God only know what happened down there (we investigated but couldn't find the car).  And, I say car, because as Joe was coming home from assisting at school, he saw 8 police vehicles, twice as many officers patting each other on the backs, two K9 dogs, and one suspect covered from head to toe in swamp.  Because, you see, he had ditched his car, and been chased through the swamp by the K9 doggies.  And the doggies won.  Joe regaled the story in great detail, stating that he didn't even know if the guy was black or white...because he was covered in swamp.

Never a dull moment.

How about a few before garden pics...you have to come to the pig roast to see the after ;)

The peonies are ready to pop!

The Mandevilla.  Since I couldn't name the puppy Harriet, I'm naming this beauty Harriet.  If she likes me, she'll climb right up the trellis onto the porch spindles.

Exactly two rows of state fair zinnias.

The front perennial garden that gives me bliss.

The dahlia bulbs wintered perfectly in the barn, and are clearly eager to see me again!

Lettuce ;)!

Enough talk already.  Kittenpants and I have work to do.

And, I have piles of clothes to iron, photograph, and list.  New shop goodies coming this week!