Orts and shorts from the week past….
Push ups. Deciding to drop back to week one of the push up challenge was a good idea. I started over this morning using the highest series of 10/10/8/6/7 and could tell that it was a work out. Not only were my arms a little shaky but I could feel it in my shoulders, back and abs. I missed the every other day routine while we were traveling and I think that might have had an impact. I’m still determined to see this through and will be happy with whatever result I get at the end of the next 6 weeks.
Garden update. Ms Tomato P is popping tomatoes like she knows what she’s doing. I’ve been keeping her roots nice and damp and so far no signs of pests or disease. So maybe by frost we’ll have a tomato or two.
The basil, parsley and other herbs are thriving as are E’s scented 
geraniums. Even the spider plant that I repotted this spring looks like it’s thriving in its spot under the awning.
The rest of the garden has entered the mid-summer doldrums during which everything is green, but not much is blooming. I need to weed the middle section again and consider whether this is the year to pull up some of the perennials that haven’t done well for the past few years. My little patch blooms well in spring and fall, but come the summer it fails to live up to its promise.
The autumn joy sedums are taking over their corner, as are the asters so I know the fall will be colorful. As always, the sweet autumn clematis is twining it’s way up the trellis; it always amazes me that I can cut it to the ground in early spring and by August it’s grown 12 feet high and 10 feet wide. In another month it’ll be taking over the deck railings and flower boxes and will be covered in white star flowers.
Knitting. I’ve got the second pair of mittens out of the Harrisville Highland almost done and I’m in the middle of figuring out what to start next. I’ve been looking at patterns and pulling yarn from the bins to come up with a combination that speaks to me. Hopefully something will jell over the weekend before the yarn sitting all over gets out of control. It’s always fun to go stash-diving and come up with new ideas for sweaters or shawls but it sure makes a mess.
And I’ve finished Hanami. That’s a woo and hoo. It’s blocking right now so there will be pictures Monday. Perhaps I’ll swatch the wedding ring shawl next. Definitely need to get something lacey going.
And that’s the fry-up for the week, whatever is handy for a Friday afternoon. Enjoy your weekend.
By chance will you bring Hanami to knitting on Tuesday??? Hm, Hm, please??? Cannot wait to see that finished. I will bring the 5+ pair of socks I’ve knit this week (and more if I can manage it.) I’m getting ready to load the Noro Kuryeon sock yarn on the machine. I can tell you it was pure h*ll getting it wound up on the cone. It sticks to itself fiercely and is thick and thin. We’ll see if it performs. And….if it softens up when it’s washed.
I’m with Kathy – bring the Hanami to knitting on Tuesday, if you can.
Well, I did not do any push-ups this week. I was in Chicago and N.Y., but that is really no excuse… you can do push-ups anywhere. Anyway, next week I am going to go back another week in the program. I am determined to get these 100 push-ups if it takes me a year!!