Thursday 24th April - lovely weather...

 For gardening!

Although the day began cloudy, it steadily improved until by mid-morning I was able have a go at planting my potatoes. 

I convinced myself I could manage all by myself, and to begin with everything went well. I couldn't be bothered to get out the oxygen cylinder on the trolley, so I was still attached to the concentrator indoors by the nearly-but-not-quite-long-enough cannula. That was the first mistake. 

I've developed the technique of taking several deep breathes, hanging the cannula on the bay tree and carefully going to the shed or wherever to fetch sonething closer. I reckon I have just enough time to walk a couple of steps, do whatever I want to do, and retrieve the cannula. It sort of works... but the half sack of potting compost had got wet and was much heavier than I expected - so I paused to catch my breath before the next step.

That's where I hit a snag; I upended the compost bag into the tub... but it wouldn't tip out, but overflowed and quite literally filled my boots!

A sensible person would have zipped up their boots before they embarked upon this escapade. I know. No need to say anything. 

BB has developed a strategy for when I disappear into the garden without saying anything. He waits about five or ten minutes, and then casually appears as if just taking a breath of fresh air to see if I'm OK....

With his help and muscles the job was completed without further mishaps, the four tubs planted with Golden Belle and Butter Gold potatoes (my current Albert Bartlett favourites from the supermarket) and all the spilt earth swept up.

I won't have 'learned my lesson'. I shall continue to get into scrapes from time time! It stops life from getting boring...

Music

It's a lovely evening now - looking like Summer, but looks are deceptive. At half past seven it's definitely cold again.

It's been a productive day so far, a bit of cover story collaboration stitching, and adding to some other ongoing projects, as well as making an airfryer meat loaf for lunch, and freezer the leftovers for another day.

So this piece, 'Summer Evening' by Greig, is a lovely way for me to end the day, reflecting on the warm afternoon and looking forward summer days to come.

I learned it for a piano exam back in about 1971... I don't think I managed to play it any where near this gracefully though! I remember having endless difficulties with the delicate little runs of notes - water? Or a light breeze? Not the way I played them!