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8 Friday, May 10, 2019 brooklintowncrier.com Soggy days The other day, as we looked out to the sodden garden, the Assistant Gardener said, "What's that in the bottom pond?" My ponds aren't that big and have been overflowing all spring. But they look even smaller when a full-sized mallard is circling them. I know I shouldn't complain about my sodden yard when it seems half the country is dealing with real floods. Yet that handsome duck just seemed a fitting symbol for all the water we've been getting. I bought fertilizer for my small bit of grass but haven't been able to apply it, probably a good thing because it's already growing quickly and has been too wet to cut. If you have to wear rubber boots to walk on the grass, then maybe you shouldn't. Compressing wet soil will only cause problems in months ahead. Frustrating weather My well-coordinated flow of transplants into the garden has also been disrupted by the weather. The cold frame is filled with lovely, large, cold season vegetables that would normally be in the garden or in my sub-irrigation containers except it's been too cold and wet to go out and plant. That stops the mid-season flowers and vegetables from leaving the basement, leaving no room to seed the fast growing morning glories, cucumbers and squash. While I know it'll all get caught up, it's not easing my frustration. Last autumn, most of my perennials didn't get much of a cleanup. That's what the experts are saying is the proper thing to do. Old flower stems provide winter homes for our native bees, etc. and decaying foliage is supposed to be pulled into the soil by the microbes and worms. Never has my procrastination had such a scientific basis. Still, it's sort of working because I can't get out there anyway. But I know the thick peony stalks and the two metre tall dried grass aren't going anywhere till I deal with them, a more difficult job now. The hosta foliage, on the other hand, is playing well by the new rules and has almost completely disappeared. I'm slowly developing a new list of next autumn's activities, such as what to do and what to ignore. Exercise needed Another of nature's miracles is setting me up for regular exercise. Dahlia tubers have to be some of the deadest looking bits of stuff in April. About a week ago, I planted several of these withered, dried up things and they now miraculously have green shoots reaching up to touch the lights. They need to make Blooming in Brooklin By Ken Brown it to the solarium or squeezed into the cold frame. This is where the exercise comes in. They'll have to go up the stairs, one or two at a time. Aside from weather slowing me down, I've also had to adjust my life due to recent shoulder surgery. It's forcing me to greatly modify my activities. Mind you, it's also made for a great promotion for the Assistant Gardener though I'm not sure she's thrilled by it. Change of Seasons Our Brooklin Kids By Leanne Brown With hockey season done and tryouts over, my daughter is enjoying reduced time at the rink. We're now down to three hours a week as compared to eight. It's the lull between sports seasons. In about three weeks the schedule will ramp up again as the summer sports commence. I have to admit I'm enjoying the break and not drinking Tim's in the rink while bundled in my winter coat. But the down time is difficult for my daughter. Ever since she was a baby, she's been extremely active. She rarely sits still for long, preferring to be on the move. She always has a ball or stick in her hands and her bike helmet lives by the front door. Staying busy With the change of seasons, her skates have been replaced by roller blades. Her bike has been dusted off and she's keeping busy. But the weather has been uncooperative, meaning she's stuck inside. My living room has become a tumbling track as she performs handsprings across the floor. Then, come bedtime, she can't relax. It's still lights out at bedtime and, without a place to run off her energy, she just can't settle down. Calming music, reading, a warm bath and even chamomile tea don't work. Her body continues to twitch for more exercise. I know she's not alone. Her friends are texting me way after bedtime, all sharing the same predicament. So as much as I and every other parent enjoy the in-between season sports break, I say bring on the summer sports. Summer sports are the time for making new friends, spending time outside and watching the happy, sweaty faces of our kids after a game. Those days go by fast. So grab your lawn chair and let's tire these kids out. I'd like to get to sleep before midnight. Change of Seasons Our Brooklin Kids By Leanne Brown