I walked over propelled by the high winds, before rain resumed.  It was like an ephemeral wonderland over there.

The jacob’s ladder is starting to bloom pale blue-lavender amongst the bluebells.  Ferns are unfurling!  The asparagus spears are turning into tall ferny stems themselves; I decided to let them do their thing this year, to get stronger.  Trees are all decked out in finery.  Sadly, my lilacs are too tiny to bloom this year, but are doing well.  Poppies are growing in with ruellia (native petunia), so that ought to be colorful.  The comfrey is blooming blue.  The veg greens seedlings look happy.  Because I used compost in several beds, there are volunteer squash, melons, ? already started!  Nature is taking over!

I did go ahead and re-seed the lawn bare places by hand, since the ground is good and wet.  Today I’ll spread straw over it.

Second Pesach dinner was more traditional, but seasoned Middle Eastern: matzah balls, potato latkes, saffron rice, reinvented veggies with tomato, and all the fixin’s.  We weren’t as spirited this time, as Avdi is sick, Y is in one of his surly moods, E slept through it, and K took hers downstairs as usual.  I was tired out, but Loucious was just as motivated by food as usual.  Shabbat preps will seem easy by comparison: no bread-baking, and whatever suggests itself.

I think I guessed right about not doing seders this year, as you can see from some of the exhaustion and teen behavior.  It’s like F— this and F— you and F— everything!  Or reclusing.  Lots of extra hormonal attitudes and changes going on.  Having just the festive meals was challenging but worthwhile.  Some cultural atmosphere for continuity works better than forcing them to comply and hate it.  One day, after they get over this present turmoil, they’ll have some fond background memories, rather than resentment.

Also, after they progress from demanding instant gratification, they’ll start to understand how gardens and patience work!