Life Here In Byron on a Tuesday

I want to start out by saying It's National Teacher's Day today.Teachers were a big part of my life. I loved going to school and was eager to learn. Just wanted to say thankyou for the patience and care that you showed me along the way. 

This azalea was planted several years ago. It was a gift to Joe from one of his former teachers. As long as I have lived here....the little Azalea hasn't grown much. Then a couple of years ago, it started to lean and pull out of the ground. We decided to dig it up and see what was going on with the root system. We found that the roots were circling around and around and not spreading out. It hadn't been planted right....maybe just put in the ground right from the pot. We scruffed it up and spread out the roots and replanted it. We wondered what would happen now. We needn't have worried...it is growing well and after the frigid winter...it survived and is blooming like crazy. It's such a pretty color...I almost wish it were in the front yard, but it does well in the shade...and our front is solid sun.
Speaking of sun, here it comes. It promises to be a beautiful day...still a little chilly. Then we are being treated to some hot weather...the first this year. Today I'll do some cleaning and then go out in the garden and get rid of a few dandelions.
I planted the plants that I bought on Sunday and will take some pictures later today. Everything is different this year....only one Regal Geranium. I incorporated some yellows and oranges into my mostly rose and purples. Bought a few herbs and put them in a container on the deck....so they are close by for cooking.
The new garden center is nice, but a little more expensive than other places. I found that I got the best prices on a few things at Ace Hardware. I was surprised at the quality and prices.
I'm getting a little tired of our menus...so I'm thinking of ways to change them up a bit. I think that our taste buds change as we age...and mine just need a little perking up. Winter and all it's homey and heavy foods lasted so long this year. Spring is taking it's time, so my meals haven't changed yet. I'm hungry for salads and grilled foods....light things like fish and meals without heavy foods. I'm going to check our freezer and fridge for ingredients for a lighter meal today.
Speaking of meals....the bird feeders empty faster than I can fill them. I saw love in the air yesterday....Finches feeding each other, Doves nuzzling one another, a papa Cardinal feeding his lady and the Sparrows mating. It's spring...and the birds know it. The best birdhouses are being occupied, nesting material is being selected, lots of bird song fills the air, and the Orioles are calling for more grape jelly. Yesterday, when coming home from the pool, we saw a pair of Pelicans swimming in the Rock River. I have heard that there are a flock of them in a park near the river, but we have only seen two at a time. Just now, while eating breakfast, I saw a bright flash go by. The first Hummingbird of the season. So happy that these little jewels are back.
Bye for now, Balisha