Come Monday...

Monday morning came way too early! But, it was off to work I go...

It started raining mid-morning and was sprinkling when I went home for lunch. But it stopped and the sun came out in the afternoon.

So, when I went home after work, I turned on the weather while I changed clothes (they had said showers today, tonight and Tuesday morning, on TV this morning). Turns out that they are right, we are just in a bit of a lull right now. An ugly bunch of thunderstorms are over Chicago and headed this way. But, at least it means I can get a little outside work done tonight!

So I went out to sift compost for the raised bed garden. To do that, I put my homemade compost screen (hardware cloth and 2x2's) on top the wheelbarrow and put on some six or seven shovelfuls from the older compost pile (I always have two going). Then I pick it up and shake it until all the clean compost falls through. Whatever sticks, roots, rocks, etc. are left on the screen goes on top of the new compost pile. Do that four or five times and you have a wheelbarrow full of compost for the garden (or wherever).

I got three wheelbarrows full and dumped (see Photos) before my back started screaming (it's bending over and shaking the heavy, soil-ladened screen that kills ya!)

Next I moved on to planting the lone tomato plant that won't be going in the garden. You see, you can buy individual tomato plants or in sets of four. As I pointed out, I went late and the selection was rather limited. I wanted two heirloom tomatoes, one grape or cherry and three Italian (or plum) tomatoes. But, I ended up with a Beefsteak, one Early Girl, one Grape and four Italians (no individual bigger Italians, just the small pack of four). Since I only have room for six at the most, the Grape tomato must go elsewhere.

So, I bought one of those Topsy-Turvy upside-down tomato planters (as shown on TV). Now before anybody says the word "new-fangled," I must tell you I remember this method from back in the '70s and Mother Earth news. But, back then, you filled a big soda bottle with soil, planted a couple of tomato seeds and, once the plants started growing up through the opening, you turned it over, cut off the bottom and hung it up.

There are several advantages to this method: No weeding, caging or staking and gravity pulls the water through the roots. Plus, the sunlight keeps the soil nice and warm (tomatoes like that).

Anyway, I set it all up, got the tomato in and secured with a split sponge and then filled it with good potting soil ring. I had raised up the plant hanger where I normally hang the wind chimes, so I hung it up and filled it with water until it started draining out the bottom (see Photos).

Speaking of the wind chimes (a present years ago from Luanne), I hung them up where I normally put the never-used hummingbird feeder. I finally have accepted the fact that there are no hummingbirds in Redford (more's the pity).

Back inside, it was already 7:25 PM, so I washed up and started on dinner. I heated up a serving of the shoestring potatoes in the toaster oven and two hamburgers in the microwave.

I was sick to death of boring white hamburger buns, so this time I bought sourdough English muffins instead. I assembled my burgers, salted the fries and went off to eat and watch TV.