Well, goodness. Did we even have winter? There was a brief absence of flowers, but they are back and though the calendar says, “not yet,” it’s definitely spring in my corner of Virginia.
We left off on the topic of freshwater mussels, I do believe. You all left the nicest comments on that post and the first thing I need to tell you is that when I wrote it, I knew hardly a thing about freshwater mussels. A paragraph in A Walk in the Woods sparked my interest and that is all (Amazon links are affiliate links.) Since then though, I have learned a good bit. I’m about halfway through reading a lovely mussel memoir of sorts called, Immersion. I am loving learning about these amazing and curious creatures, but also the references to places I know and love (Mostly Alabama, where I’m from. And even The University of Georgia from which Jonny and I graduated a very long time ago.) My kids tease me and I drive Beatrix especially crazy by (among other things) bringing up mussels at weird times or trying to read aloud to her passages from my book. If you want to see something really cool, check out the videos of mussels luring the fish that will host their babies (called glochidia! such a fun word!) in this post. I’ve suggested to the family that we might want to consider moving to Alabama or Tennessee where there is the greatest freshwater mussel diversity in the world from what I understand, but they haven’t gotten on board with that. I mean, Jonny’s typically up for anything, but the kids, not so much. They just think I’m weird.
Oh, and speaking of Beatrix, she performed in The Odyssey along with her drama class a few weeks ago and it was great. Shortly thereafter she took scissors to her hair so I would be forced to make her an appointment at the salon for a proper cut. I was sad to see her hair go, but as she reminded me, it’s her hair. And it’s cute!
I was really knitting there for a few weeks, and finished Mabel’s Puddle Duck. As I neared the end of the body, I realized I should have knit a size bigger. Not wanting to bother knitting long sleeves on something she probably won’t wear next year, I opted for a short sleeved version and I love it! And of course, if Mabel’s doesn’t get much use of it, there’s always wee granddaughter Elsie. (Who is pictured above wearing a bonnet I knit for her and a cashmere romper that Phoebe (my daughter in law) made from a thrifted cashmere sweater.)
I got an early start on snapdragons this year and they are doing well. Mabel helped me pot up and label them recently while Ambrose played in the gravel at my feet and Vivaldi’s “Spring” played. I know-a scene straight out of a storybook. Those sorts of moments feel far between. I am over committed this school year but find relief in thinking about what I will do differently next year. I do like to stay busy, but not that sort of busy where I feel like I am constantly dropping the ball somewhere. At least I didn’t drop the snapdragon ball!
Larkspur turned eighteen last week and got her driver’s license. My first daughter to drive away on her own! Having a new driver always brings a mixture of anxiety and relief for me. As a family, we have never tracked each other’s movements using phones and such, but I did ask Lark if I could put an app on her phone and stalk her for just a little while. She agreed and I exhale every time I see that she has arrived where she was going. I know well that there comes a day when the kids are grown and we have no idea to some extent where they are or what they are doing and that’s actually the goal: independent adult children. But not quite yet, Larky. Not yet.
My shop has been pretty quiet this year, but it’s stocked with lip balm right now and I even have some in these super nifty cardboard tubes. They hold more than double what your typical plastic tube holds and I have found that they hold up just fine. I’ve been using this lip balm for months now and I’m really happy with it. There are tins as well, if you prefer them. I also have a bit of soap, but not much. I’m going to get going on that soon so that I have more available by mid April. Nearly the last of my calendula salve is listed as well. I have two flats of calendula plants started, but it will be some months before I have any more calendula salve ready.
I sell a couple of my products at a friend’s shop, and Jonny made this beautiful little cherry holder for my lip balm tubes. 🙂
Heather M Schwarzen says
Please, please move to Tennessee. I have a feeling we could be very good friends and laugh our way into old age chasing our preschoolers at the same time we rock our grandchildren!
Bee says
I love Beatrix’ haircut! It looks fantastic.
Those Elsie pictures are so cute, as are the ones of Mabel playing with the dog(s). Such joy :).
And congrats to Larkspur on getting her license! I do get the anxiety though…she’s kind to let you “follow” her for a bit. I get it!
Have a good week, Ginny :).
Kathy says
I enjoy your posts so much. I can’t believe how fast kids grow up! Thanks for sharing!
Anne Springer Kitching says
I also love your posts. Today I began by reading your sidebar about slowing down and savoring things. You clearly do, and I’m glad you are planning “less” for next year.
My Monica also took scissors to her hair. I was sorry/not sorry as well. She also looks lovely as does Beatrix.
It surely appears that you have a DIL after your own heart.
Marilyn says
Hi Ginny It is so nice to receive your posts. Spring has come to new York. Today it is 71 degrees. Our crocus are starting show up. Mabel is growing so fast. I love Beatrix’s haircut. She is a beauty. Larkspur driving is hard to believe she is old enough. Happy 18th Birthday Larkspur. God Bless.Enjoy the Spring like weather.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Happy Spring
Happy and Blessed Easter
Marilyn
Joan says
Ginny I love this post. Mabel is so big. It seems like she just was a toddler. Beatrix looks very nice in her haircut.
Have a Blessed ST.Patrick’s Day
Joan
Marion says
Hi Ginny;
Nice hearing from you. Beatrix looks adorable in her new haircut.
She is a pretty young lady.
Some of our Spring flowers have made an appearance.
Happy 18th Birthday year Larkspur Happiness and Blessings.
Happy ST. Patrick’s Day Ginny and Family
Marion
Ellen says
So many changes! Good ones but change is always challenging… It takes me a bit of time to get used to changes. Congratulations on your 1st grandchild! We just our first one as well and looking forward to what new things that will bring. Your children have grown so much – I was just remarking to my hubby about Beatrix and her birthday party at age 5? So much wonderful changes! Her haircut is great! And the phone thing with Larkspur? Totally get it. We have it with all our ‘kids’ – even if 2 are married – and they follow us too. Just calms my momma heart to know that they’re ok as they travel to see us (otherwise I rarely use it 🙂 )
Marlene says
I am definitely in the freshwater mussel fan club now. What weird creatures! Thank you for sharing.
Barbara Waldron says
Beatrix hair is beautiful! Mabel has grown like a weed. It’s always lovely to read your posts and see your beautiful photos. Thank you and God bless you.
Barbara
Tara says
Amazing the weather you all have! I live in Northern Canada (not even that far North compared to the vastness that is north of me). Today it was +3C after last week’s high of -13C. The snow was melting and that will mean ice everywhere tomorrow! But I took my touque off, felt the sun’s warmth on my head and a warm breeze on my face and was buoyed that spring shall arrive! Not for many weeks yet, but it will come. In the meantime, I enjoy imagining your weather and all the wonderful things of spring that you are experiencing.
Megan says
Love Beatrix’s haircut!!!
Jennifer says
Always love an update from you. And no wonder you’re intrigued by the mussels. They are so fascinating. You’re always welcome to share your interests here.
Elli says
So lovely to see this post, Ginny. Larkspur was just a wee girl when I first discovered your blog — wild to think of her being 18! And oh, the darling grandbaby! What a gift, hmm???
Will be looking for this mussel memoir, thanks for mentioning! Always glad to have a new to me book to check out.
Emily says
Are those new doggies? Or is it just my bad memory?
Ginny says
Same dogs! Pippi is the brindle and Ollie needs a haircut so he might look different and Trudy (who is in her last days) isn’t in this photo. 😊
Allison says
I can’t get over how big Mabel has grown. She is about 2 months older than my 3rd, Winnie, and it’s been so fun to see them grow “together”. Thank you for sharing your family with us.