Blueberry Laundry Lessons

Our five 'Sunshine Blue' blueberry bushes are covered with unripe berries, and we've each tasted a ripe one. In May!

However, Vincent can't resist sampling the not-quite-ripe ones. Phoebe thinks the row of bushes is some kind of obstacle course set up just for her to carom through. Even Zoe likes to handle the berries over-much, hoping to find a good one. And everyone accidentally rolls balls and hoola hoops and scooters into the bushes, unripe berries falling like rain with every bonk. So I built a fence. David wondered if I was also planning a moat full of alligators. Only if necessary.

The fence is working well to protect the berries, and also to hang the laundry to dry. Our old dryer has been fussy over the last few years, prone to shutting off a few minutes into a cycle, but restarting after a few tries. Finally we decided to go ahead and upgrade to new and energy efficient laundry appliances. I ordered them five days ago, and delivery should be within two weeks. None too soon, because as of this morning, the dryer is flat out dead. Nothing happens when I push the go button. (I did check the breaker box.)

Of course, you don't find out the dryer is kaput until you have a load of wet clothes that needs drying. We have no clothes line, as this is a pretty damp climate. But I have a wire fence perfect for hanging towels on! The weather is as good as it'll ever get here for line drying. Still, the towels are not dry at the end of the day. They'll go out again tomorrow after the fog lifts and when I can guard against the dog playing tug with the towels and the wind tossing the light items around. I do see at least one trip to the laundromat in my near future. I'll wash everything at home, and only dry at the laundromat.

In other wet news, Zoe and Vincent had their first swimming lesson, and it went great. We couldn't get into the class for their age group (it's full...forever), but private lessons were available. For less money! Weird, but fine with me. Zoe was all set to go first, but chickened out and clung to me. Vince went willingly with the charming Brittany and had a grand time. His laughter echoed around the pool. Since he was enjoying it so much, Zoe plucked up her courage to leave my side. She had fun, too, of course. The teacher is a winner.