Brace yourself for insect infestations
The Daddy Longlegs Moon was full on the 29th. The moon reaches apogee on the second of June.
A cool front crosses the nation near this date. It may bring a light freeze at higher elevations, but the lunar apogee should weaken the strength of that system elsewhere.
June is the month during which insect infestations typically reach the economic threshold. Fertilize asparagus and rhubarb as their season is ending. Pollen from grasses reaches its peak in the central portions of the U.S. (Which is why half the population has a box of tissue clutched in one hand.) The canopy has closed above the woodland wildflowers when winter wheat is a soft pale green and the clovers and vetches are all blooming in the fields. The darkening moon is right for planting root crops, shrubs and trees and for weeding and mulching, as well as insect hunting. The low pressure system that accompanies the June 6 front initiates a four-day period during which there is an increased chance for tornadoes and flash floods.
(Countryside)
Did you know that doughnut lovers prefer glazed over any other flavor, more than 10 billion doughnuts are made in the U.S. every year and 64 million American get their fix at Dunkin' Donuts. No matter your preference, you can feed your need June 2 on National Doughnut Day. Next time you fire up the grill, try a marshmallow doughnut sandwich. Split a glazed doughnut in half horizontally. Fill with 2 halved marshmallow and 4 raspberries. Wrap tightly in foil. Grill over medium heat until the marshmallows are gooey, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Could be good. If you are not a griller, the oven or a heavy skillet could replace the grill.
KICK OFF: Summer lunch program begins Sunday, June 3, 1-3 p.m. at the Harrisburg Park Pool. Free food, free swim, prizes, including four St. Louis Cardinals game tickets. Join the fun.
June 4 through Augs. 3 - Free meals to anyone 18 and younger. Adult meals $3, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Harrisburg High School - entrance on McHaney street, across from the parking lots. Mobile sites: Saline County Housing, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Century Estates, Tuesday and Thursday. Harrisburg District Library, Wednesday.
There is a special Southern Care site at Harrisburg Middle School, June 11-28. You do not have to live in the school district or have a child in school to eat lunch. Adults are counted in lunch totals, which will help the program get a grant for next summer. Bring the bridge club, the grandkids, the neighbors. Thursday should be soup day!
Watch for the little garden on the corner of South and Granger streets. The owner was spading it up this weekend. He hasn't decided what is to be planted, but it will be interesting and it will make you smile!
The plants on the kitchen table were there almost too long. The black-eyed Susan vine had reached across the table and the TV tray and latched on to a tomato. Of course it was the one that was two feet tall. Trying to get it untangled without breaking it was an adventure - see how exciting my life is. Still weeding to be done. Even though I have cut the gardens by half, I still can't seem to get everything done. Not that it is hard, just that I get tired and don't want to be out there working. The rain and wind are wreaking havoc on the garden. If it isn't in danger of drowning, it is broken from the beating. Doesn't help that I went to the Eldorado plant sale and bought more. Got some nice looking herbs, tomatoes and moss rose. Have the herbs planted, a place for the tomatoes and even know where the things left on the tabwle are going. Just have to gather the energy to get everything in the ground.
I couldn't get excited about the royal wedding. I think is an age thing. When Queen Elizabeth was crowned, my friends and I were so excited that we were going to see it. We spent the night watching all the pomp and pageantry on a small black-and-white TV. It was the most exciting thing we had ever seen. This was also the age range when we went to movies and swooned over our favorite stars. Now I don't know any stars. Know that when someone appears in commercials for a major company - usually credit card - they must be "someone", but I have to ask who. Life changes with time and so does what excites me. (Anyone want a matador's autograph?)
"Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend. " (Albert Comus)