The sun is shining but the ground is saturated. Dennis and I have been out treading carefully, trying to get things planted.  The zinnias and tomatoes MUST be planted soon.  They are “leggy” and showing signs of despair at being confined indoors for so long. The coleus, daisies & peppers are faring better. Dennis and I spent some time weeding the front west flower area this morning.  The rose, irises, and rhododendron are all looking pretty good.  We found one Dusty Miller and one artichoke plant that also survived the winter.  

We have a birds nest on our front porch. I can’t get my head up that high, even standing on a chair, so I just put my camera above the nest and took a photo.This is one of the better and safer nests that I’ve seen.  I don’t know what kind of bird built it though.

Irises are blooming.  Unfortunately a lot of them got beat up Thursday night when we had a big thunderstorm and heavy rain…maybe even hail, come through during the night.

Earlier we went to the inside sale at the Methodist Church.  We found 2 heavy brass “candlebras” to use outside on our picnic table…if it ever gets pleasant enough in the evening to sit outside after dark.  With all the rain, we might have some serious mosquito issues.   We also got bundles of candles (no need to match color or length for outdoors burning).  

I got the compost tumbler loaded for our first batch of compost.  Right now the “brown” (carbon) part of the formula is in shortest demand…considering that fall leaves are best.  The leaves we raked up last year have started decomposing, so we tossed them in with some grass clippings.  It was all plenty wet.  

We are off to eat a soup lunch across the street at the Methodist Church.  Homemade beef barley.  

A while back I told Dennis I wanted one of those compost tumblers.  Our current system of composting isn’t working.  There are a lot of problems.  I think the green to brown ratio is off.  It dries out too fast.  It’s hard to mix it up/turn it.  I think our new system will work much better.

Now that the weather is warmer, and we’ve had a few days of sunshine, our garden is finally growing. The lettuce needs some thinning.  Dennis hopes to get tomatoes and peppers planted as soon as the ground dries out enough.  Could be a while.

Stomach virus is back at RMS.     It was a busy day, not just for me but also for our cleaning crew.  No one made it to the toilet or trash can in time. Even though it was raining this morning, it cleared up in time for a late afternoon recess.  So in addition to earlier illnesses, there were playground injuries.   I don’t know what to expect tomorrow.  The 6th grade is celebrating Cinco de Mayo, complete with soccer games.  

I’m definitely recovering from my cold. About time, is all I can say. 

I am slightly less congested today.  More coughing, unfortunately.  

Happy School Nurse Day!   I got a gift card to Panera (my favorite place to eat).  Shared bagels and cream cheese with everyone this morning (thank you principals).  Got a great coffee cup from Gail, counselor’s secretary.  I’ve been admiring hers so she got me one, only in green (hers is a burgundy).  Plus some K-cup coffees to put in the cup!  Yes, I’m a caffeine addict, and we have a Keurig-type coffee maker in the office.  

Half the 6th grade went to the St. Louis zoo today.  It was also Western Day for the 5th grade.  My morning started with yodeling and fiddle music (my office is across the hall from the auditorium).  It ended with clogging.  In between times there were cows and horses and all kinds of farm animals  around the outside of the school for the students to learn about. This translated into fewer students wanting to see me today.  That was good…I made a little progress on some of the end of the year paperwork and organizing that has to be done.  At lunch one of my favorite medication students showed me how he plays “air keyboard”.  He has a friend who plays “air drums” and they are looking for girls to be their back-up singers.  Do they “air sing”?   

Tomorrow will be the 5th day of my “cold”.  Since colds are supposed to last 7-10 days, surely the turning point will be tomorrow.

Weather is more “normal”…50′s at night and 70′s during the day.  Mostly sunny today.  

Work was not bad.  It had an abrupt start with a cafeteria worker waiting for me at 7:23…she’d hurt her shoulder at 6:30 AM and was waiting for me to fill out the paperwork so she could see the doctor.  The rest of the day went better.

Another library meeting after work.  I was happy to see lots of volunteers getting trained when I arrived.  Right now we are all optimistic about keeping the doors open.  There are still nay-sayers who feel “loyal” to the defunct previous funding group running things…but I’d rather go down trying to revitalize the library and let people take ownership of it than let just let the doors close and the books mold.  It’s time to move forward folks.  

After the library meeting I was glad to heat up left-over taco soup and zone out.  Tomorrow will be here too soon.

I’m still full of snot.  Sometimes my nose drips, sometimes it is totally plugged. Less sneezing, more coughing. Probably TMI. The cold will just have to run its course.

Mostly sunny today.  It was clouding up about sunset.  More of the same tomorrow.

Tonight was the Support Staff Awards Banquet.  All the nurses attended and we sat together.  Got to discuss “life as a school nurse” amongst ourselves.  Pretty good food–slaw & potato salad; bbq brisket; a roll, green beans.  Peach or apple cobbler for dessert–also vanilla and chocolate ice cream.  People who had worked 20 years were recognized.  People who were retiring were recognized.  We went home.  I’m sure it was fun…I just wasn’t feeling perky or particularly social.  My chuckle for the day:  a student was wanting to know if maybe he could start taking his lunch medication early…like during warm-up stretches in PE.  

Another cold, rainy day.  My day was brightened by a visit from Matt. He & Dennis loaded up some of our camping gear, and he ate lunch with us. I made a chicken based taco soup, cut corn tortillas in strips and fried them.  Sliced avacoado and salad on the side.  I got the recipe off Food Network. It is from Chef Russell Thornton at the Blue Corn Cafe & Brewery.  Matt liked it a lot so I gave him the original copy I made and printed another one out for myself.  The cafe is in Santa Fe, so there might be a chance to eat there when we go out West.  There is a lot we want to do, and I have a lot of places to eat already on my list.

My cold continues to run its course.  My nose is getting tender in spite of using Puffs tissues.  

Laundry is almost done.  Tuna salad sandwiches with corn chips and pickled okra for supper.  Preparing myself for another crazy week at school.  

I got to sleep in a bit.  I didn’t have to be at the library until 10 AM.  This is the James Memorial PUBLIC Library.  I learned how to check in books, and check out books.  I even checked out my own book. Pearl S. Buck‘s The Good Earth.  I read the book when I was 7th or 8th grade.  I saw the old b/w movie.  Reading it again I am amazed at what a wonderful write Buck is.  While following the plot of the book, I totally missed the beauty of her language.  While shelving books, I fell in love all over again with my library.  I’m glad I am on the board and volunteer my time to keep it open. Libraries will get you through times of no money better than times of money will get you through times of no books.  I don’t deny the appeal of the internet and e-books.  I have a Kindle.  But a library is truly a thing of beauty that needs to be preserved.

After the library closed at 2 PM, I joined my friends at Sip N Savor.  I have no clue why we have a guy in the photo.  He wasn’t with us. Really.   It was chilly, and it sprinkled on us, but we didn’t let the weather put a damper on things…until dark.   I did decide to come  home early because I was cold and my nose was running.  Not a good combination.  It was fun and I’m glad I went.  I’m also glad I came home when I did. It’s time to take my cold medicine and go to bed early.

I think Dennis has shared his cold with me.  I have that certain kind of sneeze with the scratchy throat feeling.  Headache all day.  Of course it would have nothing to do with 37 degrees and rain. It looks like 2″ in the rain gage, but I’m not going out to check for sure.  At some point I’ll bundle up, put on my rain boots, and run the trash out to the garbage can.  Everything is more complicated when it involves carrying an umbrella. It’s snowing in Springfield MO and we might get some snow showers later tonight.

An exciting weekend ahead.  Volunteering in the library Saturday morning.  Sip N Savor in the afternoon.  Matt stopping by to eat lunch with us and borrowing camping gear on Sunday. Vive le weekend! 

Tuesday evening I discovered this in our yard.  Dismembered rhubarb leaves.  Tonight I received ths

rhubarb pie.   How many “thieves” do you know who return the item stolen in a much more desirable and tasty form???  Thank you, neighbor!

Wednesday the library officially transferred from the James Foundation to the City of St. James.  The building is still standing, the lights are on, and even if it didn’t go “without a hitch”, it went smoother than many predicted.  Linda & Niki figured out their own work schedule for the this week and next week.  I’m volunteering 10-2 on Saturday to fill one of the “gaps” where only one “paid” employee is present.  Next will be to train volunteers and get them plugged into the schedule.  As Lynn so wisely said, “Love Your Library”.  Come be a part of something new and exciting.  

This afternoon a student came into my office and said,  ”Every time I breathe I feel like lava is coming out of my mouth.”   Dramatic but what does it mean? (Honestly, my first thought was bad breath…)   It did NOT mean he had a fever.  He hadn’t eaten any jalepenos.  The only thing I could find wrong was that his throat was red.  So I had him do a warm salt water gargle…he left quite put out because I didn’t think he needed to go home.  As the door was closing behind him, he told me “That didn’t help my throat one little bit.”   Sorry.

It’s raining.  Temperatures are falling…to near freezing.  Snow could happen but of course it won’t stick. Saturday is the St. James 5th Annual Sip N Savor…so bundle up.  Don’t let the weather dampen your spirits.  

Yesterday I woke up feeling heavy, sad, bad.  I struggled through the day.  Today I woke up perky, energetic and happy.  I have no clue what caused the radical change from one day to the next.  I’m not sure I finished more tasks today than yesterday, but I have a feeling of accomplishment.  Yesterday was sunny and warm.  Today is sunny and warm.  Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and warm.  I hope my spirit is also sunny tomorrow.

I pulled weeds in the flower/herb beds along the west side of the house.  The iris have bloom buds starting.  

Tomorrow is May Day!