What a week this has been. We finally hit 50 degrees today! However, Alaska is still showing below zero temperatures in the upper part of the state. Last night it was -15 degrees at Point Lay.

We do have over 16 hours of daylight now! I started four trays of seeds yesterday to transplant about the first of June. My tomato plants are getting big and there are several blossoms. This year I have 7 plants from Tiny Tim to Better Boys, and a new one, Tumbler, that is supposed to be a good producer. I did get two Siberian tomato plants and will plant those outdoors in June in a nice, protected, sunny place. The other tomato plants will stay in the solarium.

With an entire growing season “predictably” 90 days long; we are often hard pressed time-wise, so most things are started indoors to be transplanted later. Also, with as much daylight as we get, the cool-weather plants burst forth with giant-sized produce. I did start some broccoli, summer squash, zucchini, a variety of lettuce, spinach and dinosaur kale. Then there are the root crops of beets, rutabaga, turnips, and parsnips! I do have peas to plant as soon as the soil warms enough, which may be quite a while yet.

I started with the prolo therapy for my knees again today. It was so effective last year and I’d forgotten how much pain I was in until recently, I didn’t get the tune-up shots to keep everything going well. Next time I’ll get the in-between boosters and just keep right on going. Painful knees are something I’d rather not have anymore.

As I mentioned, our spring has been late this year. Evidence of that was brought to my attention this week when we say a flock of snow geese on the flats. Usually the geese appear between the 12th and 15th of April and are gone again by the 25th. It was the 29th and the first geese we had observed this year.

Just after seeing the geese, I turned down the highway and had to stop because there were caribou on the road. People coming toward us also stopped and waited until they crossed the road and went into the woods. That is one of the things I especially like about this area. People will patiently wait for the wildlife to safely cross the road and the proceed with their own plans. What is an extra minute or two when we get the privilege of seeing these majestic animals with which we share space?

Dinner tonight was steamed spinach served with a dab of butter and apple cider vinegar, rice with carrots and onions, and salmon patties. Although it was just a basic meal, it sure tasted good and was just as good for us.

Have a good night. Till next time…