I should have known better than to claim freelancer’s perfection; it was like flying too close to the sun. I went to bed at 12:30 last night (perfectly acceptable) and woke up this morning at 6:00 (totally not). Boo. I’ve been doing better at falling asleep again in the morning hours, but I was so achy today — wrists, back, etc. I don’t know what exactly I do when I’m asleep, but whatever it is, it’s not relaxing.
I took advantage of the early morning (and achiness, which clearly prevented me from being productive in any way) and watched the season premier of Bones on Hulu. Man, I love that show. There are other shows I watch regularly, but none that I look forward to in the same way. The actors are just so IN to what they’re doing (the leads also produce), and it really comes through in the finished product. And it doesn’t take itself too seriously, which I appreciate.
Since I ate breakfast earlier that usual, I had to have a small second breakfast to tide me over until lunch. I’ve been working on finishing off the first half of the chocolate bread, so I took a couple heel pieces and a cup of tea and went out to the patio. We’ve been having a warmer-than-average September, but the mornings have been soooo(ooooo) nice. The air is cool enough that the sun feels amazing as it creeps over the backyard. I took a few photos of the yard and garden, which I’ve posted in my Garden 2009 flickr set.
Speaking of the yard, I’m so smugly pleased with it. I’m really proud of all the work I’ve put into each little area, and there are so many things to look at. The past two years, I kept thinking about what I would change the following spring, but I think the hard labour is over now, for the most part. The front yard is a different matter entirely. I wouldn’t mind having a garden renovation team (they have those on TV, right?) swoop in and take care of it. Requirements: no lawn and some sort of watering system, where all I have to do is turn the spigot once a day (well, and then turn it off again).
For no good reason, I got to thinking about bee keeping the other day, and I was all gung-ho for some time. I HATED bees (and every other insect) when I was growing up, but I’m pretty much the most bee-blase person I know, these days. I don’t even mind wasps. (Mind you, I’ve never been stung by either!) The idea of having a hive which would both provide me with honey (win!) AND house an army of pollinators for the garden (double win!) seems great. Urban beekeeping seems possible, but I ultimately decided it will have to wait until I move somewhere more remote. Not because of the proximity of my neighbours or the fact that I have no good spot to put a hive, but because wasps can prey on honeybees. As soon as I read that, I knew it couldn’t be(e). I have lots of wasps around here, and I already feel too attached to my hypothetical swarm to expose them to danger like that.
Another thing to add to the list of ‘someday’.
Maybe you could keep the hive indoors to start with. I mean, you don’t really use the basement that much, do you?
I got distracted about halfway through reading A World Without Bees, but before I did, I was really enjoying it. Lots of fun facts. Must get back to reading it. Maybe you should get a copy.
I’ve been having bee-keeping daydreams too! Do you know about the Beehaus, from the people who make the Eglu?
http://www.omlet.co.uk/products_services/products_services.php?view=Bees
I’m hampered by the fact that Miles refuses to let me keep bees or chickens, plus I have a tiny garden that I have to share. Maybe, as you say, one day!
The people in the garden 3 over from ours have started keeping chickens in their equally tiny, urban backyard. I’ve not seen them, but I can hear them – took us a while to work out what kept making the strange noise!