Archive for May, 2006

Lilacs Bloomed Every Spring, Just like before… I loved that eerie song about the Soldier Boy by John Rutter. We sang it in our SATB choir in either Highschool or Junior High. I’ll type the full lyrics if I can remember them. But more than the song I like Lilacs! Here are seven pictures, including my favorite: the six-fingered mutant lilac!

See anything wrong with this lilac?

Update: For anyone who found this page googling for the song Soldier Boy, I found a lovely recording of it here. And here is a sample of the recording — certainly the best I’ve come across!

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When we bought this house and started to get to know the neighbors, almost all of them advised us to get rid of our cottonwoods. Since one reason we actually LIKED the neglected house was the fact that it had so many mature trees, we weren’t exactly ready to rip out the chain saw just yet.

“Just wait till the fluff comes out.”

“It’s hideous – it gets everywhere!”

“Ohhhh… so YOU’RE the new owner of the infamous Cottonwood Corner?”

“Love what you’re doing to the house. You’re getting rid of those trees right?”

“Cottonwoods are junk trees.”

I even heard rumors that a nearby neighbor was highly allergic to them. I asked her about it, and she said she’s not really allergic, she just hates them.

“I dunno, they probably could use some pruning… but I guess I’ll wait and see what happens,” has been my standard reply. Meanwhile, in this past month’s Mayor’s letter to the town, he advised everyone to plant a tree for Arbor Day. He said he’d looked all over town and couldn’t find the Grove in Pleasant Grove. Apparently he’s never seen my yard. (more…)

I thought everyone knew how to do this. I was wrong, so I’ll post it. Why would you pay premium price for a bag of cheese crumbles, or bother with the shredder ever again? (more…)