Thyme to garden

The kitchen garden this June. That's oregano
in the center pot, need any?

Since I have been staying home with Batman, I have been able to putter around the garden a little more than past summers. This month I have also taken the first real break from my usual
pottery fanaticism. The hot weather we've had lately has made me extra lazy. I hope to be able to leave the house for longer lengths of time soon since Batman is feeling more secure in his new home. It is my plan to work again at the Potters Guild a few times a week.

After a very slow start at my 577 Foundation garden, things are finally coming around. I had planted 2 types of dwarf sunflower seeds plus zinnia seeds, in anticipation that I'd have lots of cut flowers this summer. Much to my dismay, the seeds were either bad or the birds ate nearly all the seeds or both. I believe I will be fortunate to end up with only four sunflower plants. I have now filled in with zinnia plants, yellow squash and other late season sale plants. My food bank eggplants are still rather sad however I have been experimenting with some new organic fertilizers, Happy Frog and Tiger Bloom. I have high hopes that they will soon be respectable. Tim, Batman and I have been regularly visiting 577 after dinner. "Batty" loves going there.

Batman's favorite spot is the shady steps
of the pottery studio.

The tomato plants have seemed to really respond to the Tiger Bloom because the tomato plants both at home and 577 are now loaded with blooms and green tomatoes. I planted three San Marzano tomato plants at 577 and hope to stock up on tomato sauce this summer.

June joys

Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville

When in Asheville, the presidents
stay at the lovely Grove Park Inn

June 1 marked the end of our vacation in Asheville, North Carolina. It was a fun trip. We were fortunate to have good weather, while it rained in Ohio. Did a lot of walking, saw lots of art, mostly pottery, ate good food and spent time in the mountains. It was a great change of pace and the hilly terrain reminded me that I could be in better shape.

There hadn't been a day since Benny died that I haven't broke down and mourned his passing. His death hit me the harder than Jerry's and I thought losing Jerry was bad. Not only was our house suddenly dog-less but Benny was my intuitive, feisty, special buddy. It probably was selfish of us that we let him hang on for as long as we did.

As much as I adored all the dogs I've ever had, they all required regular grooming and I thought it might be nice to have a dog that we didn't have to clip. Tim's only wish was that we would be able to lift the dog if necessary. After caring for Ben & Jerry in their ailing days, we did a lot of carrying. I also didn't want schnauzers again who are predisposed to getting diabetes. So after we came back from Asheville, I immediately started looking online at rescue dog groups. I couldn't wait another day. I needed to help fill the void that Ben left. You can search by breed and that is how I came to find Batman in Wauseon.

 Our boy wonder—Batman. He really looks
menacing here, he forgot to smile.

Batman was given up for adoption when his ailing owner had someone move in with him who had a Mastiff that apparently bit Batman. He still has a few little scars from that attack. Batman, a.k.a. Batty, is an incredibly cute, affectionate, well-behaved, four-year-old French Bulldog. He loves riding in the car and walks well on a leash. He enjoys going over to 577 while Tim and I tend to the garden there. His only problem is that he has an extreme fear of being abandoned. He doesn't want to be left alone and follows me everywhere from room to room. Each day he getting a little better and braver but it will take a while. I'm spending a lot of time at home right now. Fortunately, he makes me smile and he is a joy to have. Yesterday I finally didn't cry.