Trees & Tulips

As part of my Master Gardener certificate I have to do 40 hours of volunteer service.  I signed up to spend a lot of time at the Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival.  Monday was my first day and it was very busy.  I was at the door greeting guests and handing out maps.  Later I was posted in the garden.  It was lovely.  Then Wednesday came.  I was outside for the whole 2 shifts, nearly 7 hours.  It started with rain, then a couple hours of sunshine, then a violent hail downpour.  After that the weather was drizzling and cold.  I left early once I started shivering.  The tulips that were opened were a bit hammered but the many ones yet to open should be fine.  I'm going back tomorrow and rain is in the forecast.  I hope the weatherman is wrong.  I did get this shot while the sun was out.

I really love being outside working as soon as it starts warming up.  Over a week ago we helped take down and clean up some trees at the old log cabin.  It was a smooth operation, my brother ran the heavy equipment which lifted the "loggers" to the tops of the trees.  Several family members helped by breaking down the large limbs and running them through a chipper.  My uncle on the tractor moved the large pieces that will become firewood. We benefitted by getting 3 pick up truck loads of mulch which we have tilled in to the garden - thanks to dad on his tractor.  And my sweet aunt bought our declicious lunch from Kneaders.  Wow - their turkey cranberry sandwhich is delicious and their cookies are some of the best I have ever had.  There are still a couple of huge trees by the old house which need to come down, the city has said they will remove them.
  We're wondering when they'll be getting to it.