I'd like to have a LONG talk with the person who named that hairy invader "Tree of Heaven." Obviously it would be a theological conversation predicated on the question: just how do you imagine heaven if you believe an invasive, aesthetically weak hairy branched introduced species (thanks, Japan.... i believe knotweed and kudzu were gifts from you as well)heavenly?? I think it is more illustrative of Satan's minions, ever multiplying, ever appearing in unwanted places, invading (of all places) MY GARDEN. Isn't it bad enough that Bishop's goutweed (not the pretty, variegated form) and gopher spurge come to the party unbidden? Wasn't I blessed with a colony of glossy-coated veggie eating, ground disrupting woodchucks? They practically held hands and SKIPPED through my gardens last year, devouring great quantities of veggies intended for my freezer..... and now.... Tree of Heaven? Many years ago a high school chum suggested that the first such tree was Tree of Heaven.... no, I insisted, it's sumac. I like sumac..... the lovely red spires, the flaming leaves of autumn.... I was wrong. HEAVENLY? i think not.

I am drinking my new "health beverage," and am trying to incorporate it daily. A tablespoon of honey (local is best) is stirred into a quarter cup of hot water and stirred to dissolve. Half a lemon is squeezed in, and a half-inch piece of ginger is added straight through my garlic press, which keeps the tough fibrous parts, and allows the juice and bits of digestible ginger through. It is topped off with cold or warm water.... never hot... heat is said to kill the inflammation soothing enzymes.... to fill a sixteen ounce glass or mug. It is tasty, the local honey is good for allergy issues, the lemon helps balance the alkalinity that's good for the body, and the ginger... antibacterial, anti-inflammatory... just GOOD. I am acclimating to this daily, to hydrate and promote good health. It is the first of many changes to come.

I am waiting impatiently for the advent of sprouting. My peas, and my chard are not yet peeking above the soil. I will wait. My onions are looking good, and I'm hoping that what I see are lettuces coming up and not just weeds.... still waiting, time will tell.

I was given a fleece yesterday.... Romney/Cormo cross. I'm delighted (thanks, Laurie!) and will photograph the scouring, drying, spinning, plying and dyeing. I unrolled an alpaca felt batt that i began last fall, and set out through the winter.... it's LOVELY. I felted the curls, uncarded, and it reminds me of the lovely bark composite paper that came, painted, from Mexico in my childhood. I haven't seen them in years, but taking my cue from that, the tree of life will be the theme for this, and It will be needlefelted and highly decorated. I am eager to begin.... likely this afternoon! I am still spinning the white alpaca, and am dreaming of dye... alpaca, finn/dorsett, romney/ cormo..... onion skins and various weeds? or... commercial acid dyes for vivid color? I will decide. My little matryoshka babushka pattern has been popular in the shop.... but a customer came to me with errata. I am humbled. I always try to avoid error, but sometimes I need test knitters to help me see what i miss on my own. Thanks again, Laurie.... you've been a good friend with both generosity AND valuable criticism.

Finally, politics. Last night President Obama gave his speech proposing his budget intentions. How lovely it is having a president who speaks like a grownup, to a grownup audience. He has my vote in 2012.... as do ANY Democrats who run. I believe a Socialist Democrat (non-Marxist) agenda is the best this country could offer. I am both disgusted by the anti-union, anti-woman behavior of the tea party, and encouraged by the response: They will not be likely to maintain a House majority with the kind of miserable behavior they've demonstrated. I guess, sadly, we just needed to see.

The day is glorious, the sun is shining.... and I am on to making the best of the day!