As I was weeding the side garden that holds my day lilies I noticed this odd plant and knew at once that it was a Jack-in-the-pulpit. It was growing in the tall grass and weeds at the edge of the woods, but in my yard.
I had seen one before when I took a walk at my old place. It was growing next to a stone wall and I wanted a photo of it, but the next time I went walking and took my camera, the plant was gone. I suspect that someone – or maybe an animal – dug it up. I rarely see them, but I don’t know how rare they really are. So I was disappointed, but now I have found another and it’s close by!
So here are my photos of the Jack-in-the-pulpit plant.
On January first the temp reached into the mid-forties the sunshine drew me outside to pick up fallen branches that were scattered over the front yard. There is no snow here in southern New Hampshire.
I think that is a first for me since I moved back to the northeast. We have had a white Christmas for the past 6 years and don’t see the ground until Spring. This year was different. We had 23 inches of snow in October and have had very little since.
Pictures of Past Snowfalls
Basement slider- I won’t be using this door any time soonMy neighbor’s black lab walking in deep snow
The photo here is one I took last year on January 12th during a snowstorm that dumped a bunch of snow on top of the bunch of snow we already had.
This was the year when my landlady had decided she didn’t need the driveway plowed by the guy she had been using. Because she was waiting for the new, busy plow guy, our driveway was way down his list and we had to wait! I didn’t have to get out in my car, but I didn’t like the idea that we were snowed in. Good thing I work from home!
One of the most difficult things for me to do since moving to the northeast is finding firewood for my wood stove. Actually finding it is not hard, but finding good wood – split nicely and seasoned – is what I’ve been having trouble with.
A couple years ago I called up a guy from a newspaper ad and he was happy to deliver a truckload for a reasonable price. Once I began stacking it, I realized that the pieces were about as big around as tree trunks. Fortunately I had a big wood stove, but still, some of the pieces were just too big. I don’t use an axe so there was no way I’d be able to split them and lugging them was back-breaking. I wasn’t too happy.
Now I’ve sold my old, mid-Moe stove and replaced it with a new Jotul that is quite small, but perfect for my little living room fireplace. I definitely need decent size pieces of wood and not tree trunks. But where to find good wood? I asked the guy who came to fix my chimney and roof, but he didn’t know because he cuts his own. That is usually the answer I would get from any guy I asked. “I cut my own”. Now, I can’t even imagine having a husband who would go out and cut all the firewood needed for a season himself, so any of you ladies out there who have a guy like that – be grateful! But that didn’t help me.
Then I took a walk the other day and ended up passing by my neighbor’s house and they were – you guessed it – lugging wood that had been dumped at the edge of their yard. So I asked where they got it and now I have ordered my own cord from Northern Lights Landscaping in Milford, NH. I won’t be getting it for a few days, and then I’ll see how I like it, but the woman who took my order over the phone said it’s cut 14-16 inches which is perfect.
I guess the only advice I could give about finding firewood is to ask around (if you find people to ask!) or go with a company (such as landscaping) who has a reputation to uphold. They will want you to be happy, even though the wood may cost more.
Now I am deciding where to stack it for easily bringing inside during the winter. It’s a new place and this will be a first time winter, so it will be trial and error. At least I’ll have some wood to burn.
Although my motto is “never say never”, I am hoping that this was my last big move. I found a house I could afford on my meager resources and lo and behold, I was approved for it! The process was a long one – 3 months altogether (I think a house can be built in that time frame)- but it was worth the trouble because now I am once again a homeowner! It feels so good. (NOTE: The house pictured IS NOT MINE.)
After being without the internet for about 2 weeks, it will feel good to be able to get back to my everyday blogging and Zazzle work, but first I must change my address with the many places who need the update, and I need to organize my office workspace. Right now I am working off of a card table that jiggles with each word I type. I am surrounded by unpacked boxes and a rolled up rug waiting to find a spot on the floor. My bills are scattered over a desktop that I can barely see and fans are running to keep me cool. Who has energy to do anything in this heat?
The heatwave began here in the northeast on the day I had the movers coming and I’ve been sweating ever since. I am thankful for the shady trees in my yard, but even they couldn’t help cool us off yesterday when the temps were outrageous. I do have one more move to make – emptying out the storage unit – but there is not a lot in there. I’m hoping for cool days the end of next week.
So far:
the fridge was out of commission for 10 days
there was a mix up with the Comcast cable/phone/internet company which made me wait an extra 5 days for service
My Zazzle paycheck was 4 days late (due to address change)
The woodstove came with me and is stored in the garage- long story (Anyone need one?)
My nice washer and dryer wouldn’t fit through the shed door by the basement so I can’t use them.
The locksmith cancelled at the last minute so I hope that I don’t lock myself out before he gets here next week.
Aside from all that, I need a new car and I have a list of fixes to make to the new house that must be done before winter.
But, it’s all good — I am a homeowner!!
New England's Narrow Road 